Thomas Frank was well aware of the "minor challenge" that awaited him in regards to selecting a squad for the start of Tottenham's Champions League campaign.
UEFA’s squad rules differ considerably from the Premier League's, meaning managers have a tricky balancing act to perform every time the European deadline looms.
Frank isn't the first Spurs boss to endure trouble, with Ange Postecoglou having to navigate exactly the same issues for the start of our glorious Europa League campaign last term. Djed Spence was the notable absentee from the league phase squad under Ange, and now it's Mathys Tel's turn to sit out throughout the autumn and winter.
Mathys Tel left out of Tottenham's Champions League squad
Frank had the chance to name as many as 25 players in his squad for the league phase, but eight of these must be what UEFA label as ‘locally-trained’. Only four of these players can be 'association-trained'—registered with a club in the same association (country) for at least three seasons between the ages of 15 and 21.
Spurs are required to name four 'club-trained' players, but third-choice goalkeeper Brandon Austin is the only one at Frank's disposal. As punishment, Frank's squad has been reduced to 22 players, setting the stage for a surprise omission.
James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Kota Takai, Yves Bissouma, Radu Dragusin and Tel have all been left out. Maddison and Kulusevski are long-term injury absentees, Dragusin is soon to return from an ACL tear, while Takai has been dealing with a foot issue. Bissouma, meanwhile, has fallen out of favour and the club are hoping to find a buyer in the remaining weeks of the Turkish and Saudi transfer windows.
The absence of Tel is a shock. While the 20-year-old is yet to be included in Frank's starting XI, he's been utilised off the bench in three of the four competitive outings overseen by the new boss. The loan of Randal Kolo Muani on Deadline Day has blocked Tel's pathway somewhat, but it should be remembered that the French U21 international is one the club regards for the future.
He'll be missing out on eight league phase games as a result of sub-par squad planning, but the omission and his drop-down in the pecking order are no disaster. The kid's still just months into his Tottenham career. There will be opportunities in other competitions for Tel to earn his stripes.
Champions League: Tottenham's full league phase squad
Goalkeepers: Guglielmo Vicario, Antonin Kinsky, Brandon Austin
Defenders: Kevin Danso, Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero, Pedro Porro, Djed Spence, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies
Midfielders: Joao Palhinha, Xavi Simons, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Mohammed Kudus, Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert, Pape Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur
Forwards: Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, Randal Kolo Muani