Tottenham Hotspur striker Mathys Tel says omission from Thomas Frank's UEFA Champions League squad 'definitely hurts'

Published 08/09/2025 at 17:22 GMT+1

Thomas Frank faced some conundrums as he picked his 25-player squad for the league phase of this season's UEFA Champions League. Mathys Tel, who joined the club permanently this summer after spending the second half of the 2024/25 campaign on loan at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, was one of the players whose spot was denied due to the north London club having to fulfil their homegrown quota.

Tuchel ‘absolutely convinced’ England going in ‘right direction’ after 2-0 win over Andorra

Video credit: SNTV

Mathys Tel said his omission from Tottenham Hotspur's UEFA Champions League squad "definitely hurts," but he is trying to stay in a "pretty positive" frame of mind.

Tel, 20, joined Spurs permanently this summer for a reported £30 million, after spending the second half of the 2024/25 season on loan at the north London club from Bayern Munich.

Participating clubs in UEFA competitions must comply with the quota of a minimum of eight players who are "locally-trained".

Champions League

The matches Dembele could miss due to 'serious' injury, including key Champions League tie

Yesterday at 10:41

Tel does not qualify as "locally-trained" as he has not been registered at Spurs for three entire seasons, nor another Premier League club. Spurs' compliance with these rules, alongside an influx of summer signings, meant the France Under-21 international missed out completely on Thomas Frank's 25-player squad.

Speaking to Le Telegramme, Tel spoke about his "disappointment" over not making the squad, but said he "respects" the decision Frank had to make.

"It's clear that when you're not on a list, it definitely hurts," he said. "But I'm someone who stays pretty positive, no matter the situation, because I think I've worked a lot on the mental aspect.

'He made me who I am' - Son highlights special bond with Pochettino

Video credit: SNTV

"So today it's definitely a disappointment, I would have liked to be there. But the coach's choice is the coach's choice, we can only respect it and we're going to work to come back in the best possible way."

Asked how Frank informed him of the news, Tel replied: "Quite simply, with respect. He called me, he simply told me his choice and then you could see the list appear on the networks."

Tel's omission from the squad has not necessarily dashed his hopes of competing in this season's Champions League entirely.

UEFA regulations stipulate that clubs are allowed to register a maximum of three additional players to their squads following the conclusion of the league phase and before the beginning of the knockout stages. The deadline to complete this registration is February 5, 2026.

This allows flexibility regarding the addition of signings in the January transfer window, but could open up the possibility for Tel's inclusion in the latter stages of the competition.

James Maddison - who has been sidelined for the foreseeable future with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament - was also not included in Spurs' squad, alongside fellow midfielder Yves Bissouma and summer signing Kota Takai.

Tel has been utilised from the bench in two of Spurs' opening three matches of the Premier League season.

Having previously operated at striker and on the wing for Bayern, Tel has found himself behind Richarlison, Brennan Johnson and summer signing Mohammed Kudus in the early weeks of the season. His game time could be impeded further when Dominic Solanke returns from injury.

Highlights: Johnson and Palhinha strike as Spurs beat City to go top of table

Video credit: TNT Sports

Tel has recorded three goals and two assists in 23 appearances for Spurs across both this season and last.

Spurs begin their league phase campaign at home to Villarreal on September 16, and will also face the likes of last year's UEFA Europa League semi-final opponents Bodo/Glimt, Monaco, Borussia Dortmund and current European champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

Transfers

Onana weighs up Man Utd exit as European club offer loan deal - Paper Round

Yesterday at 08:51

Ligue 1

Enrique rushed to hospital with broken collarbone after cycling accident