The Europa League presents Ange Postecoglou with an opportunity to blood a number of the club’s talented youngsters in his Tottenham first team. Going without European football during the 2023/24 season, Spurs return to Europe on Thursday night with a home encounter against Qarabag.

The game at home to the team from Azerbaijan is the first of eight fixtures in the new-look Europa League league phase after UEFA decided to move away from the traditional group stage. Tottenham’s increase in fixtures means that Postecoglou will have to rotate his team as there is simply no way he can field his strongest XI in every single game.

As part of their return to Europe, Tottenham confirmed their playing squad for the Europa League earlier this month but they were unable to name the full complement of 25 players. This was mainly due to a blend of their lack of club-trained players, number of association-trained players and UEFA’s rules in regards to Under-21 players differing from Premier League’s regulations.

As a result, Djed Spence was one of the unfortunate players to miss out on selection and Sergio Reguilon, as expected, was also not part of the final squad. In addition to their main list, clubs involved in UEFA competition also have a B list which increases the options available to a manager on a game day.

Club-trained players who were born on or after January 1, 2003 are allowed to be considered for selection but they must have been with Tottenham for an uninterrupted period of a minimum of two years to be eligible. Europa League participants are allowed to register an unlimited amount of players on the B list during the campaign, with the necessary paperwork having to be completed no later than midnight (CET) on the day before a game.

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Tottenham insider frustrated by Ange Postecoglou decision ahead of Qarabağ FK clash

John Wenham is frustrated that Djed Spence won’t be able to feature for Tottenham against Qarabağ FK in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday 26 September.

The owner of the reputable Spurs podcast Lilywhite Rose believes this would have been the perfect match for the 24-year-old to be part of.

Postecoglou left Spence out of his Europa League squad, with Tottenham set to get their European campaign underway on Thursday.

And Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – was not happy with that decision.

“It is frustrating that Spence has been left out,” Wenham said.

I think this would have been the perfect game for him to feature in. After his goal against Coventry City, his confidence will be high.

Therefore, to come off the back of that and make a home appearance for Tottenham would have been positive.
As a result, I do find it frustrating that he isn’t in the squad.”

Djed Spence unable to feature for Tottenham against Qarabağ FK

It seems quite baffling that Spence wasn’t included in Spurs’ Europa League squad.

Postecoglou is expected to make a host of changes for the visit of Qarabağ. Therefore, it would have been a perfect opportunity for Spence to get some much-needed minutes.

The defender proved with his goal in the 2-1 win at Coventry City (18 September) that he can be a useful asset this season.
However, he won’t have the opportunity to demonstrate that in the Europa League, at least not until the knockout stages.

In other Tottenham news, the club have been hailed after Daniel Levy made a U-turn on a behind-the-scenes controversy.