Premier League clubs have revealed their squads for the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, with several notable inclusions and exclusions. Arsenal’s Max Dowman, at just 15 years old, is poised to become the youngest player in Champions League history. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa was surprisingly omitted from Arne Slot’s squad, and several new signings at Nottingham Forest and Chelsea were left out of their respective European campaigns. The squads reflect the competitive landscape of European football and the strategic decisions made by each club’s management.
European club football is back from the international break, and Premier League teams have officially announced their squads for the upcoming Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League competitions. The lists reveal a mix of exciting young talents, surprising omissions, and the impact of recent transfer activity.
One of the most remarkable stories is the inclusion of 15-year-old Max Dowman in Arsenal’s Champions League squad. The young midfielder is in line to potentially become the youngest player ever to feature in the competition. Should Dowman, born on December 31, 2009, play before his 16th birthday, he will surpass Youssoufa Moukoko’s record of 16 years and 18 days, set in 2020 for Borussia Dortmund. His inclusion highlights Arsenal’s commitment to nurturing young talent and provides a glimpse into the future of the club.
However, not all news is positive for every player. Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa has been surprisingly left out of Arne Slot’s 22-man Champions League squad. This omission raises questions about the Italian international’s role within the team and his future at Anfield. While the reasons for his exclusion remain unclear, it’s a significant development for both the player and the club.
The Europa League also presents its own set of squad dynamics. Nottingham Forest’s record signing, Omari Hutchinson, is among five summer arrivals who haven’t made the cut for Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad. Alongside Hutchinson, Angus Gunn, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jair Cunha, and Cuiabano will not participate in the Europa League campaign. This decision reflects the competitive nature of the Forest squad and the challenges of integrating new players into a cohesive unit.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has also made a notable exclusion, leaving new striker Facundo Buonanotte out of his 23-man Champions League squad. The Argentine international, who joined on a season-long loan from Brighton, expressed his excitement about the opportunity to play in the Champions League, making his omission all the more surprising.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has opted to exclude £30 million signing Mathys Tel from his Champions League squad. Despite this, other summer acquisitions like Randal Kolo Muani and Xavi Simons have been included. However, Kota Takai, Yves Bissouma, and the injured James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Radu Dragusin will miss out on Champions League action.
Newcastle United has bolstered its attacking options with the inclusion of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, replacing Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool. The Magpies’ squad also features summer signings Aaron Ramsdale, Antony Elanga, Jacob Ramsey, and Malick Thiaw.
Manchester City’s squad boasts a wealth of talent, including Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, who joined on transfer deadline day. Despite being expected to be sidelined for two months with an injury, France midfielder Rayan Cherki has also been selected by Pep Guardiola. New arrivals Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli, Tijjani Reijnders, and James Trafford complete the Cityzens’ squad.
Squad rules in Europe dictate that clubs can name a maximum of 25 players on List A, with eight places reserved for homegrown players. These homegrown players must have spent at least three years with the club between the ages of 15 and 21. List B allows clubs to register an unlimited number of players born on or after January 1, 2004. These regulations aim to promote youth development and provide opportunities for emerging talents.
The composition of these squads provides a fascinating insight into the strategies and priorities of each club as they embark on their European campaigns. From the excitement surrounding young prospects like Max Dowman to the unexpected omissions of established players like Federico Chiesa, the stage is set for a thrilling season of European football.
