Spurs may need to update Champions League squad after what Thomas Frank has just confirmed
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(Credit: Imago, Getty)
Oliver Walton
Tue 23 September 2025 15:30, UK
Thomas Frank has confirmed when he expects a key player to return to action for Tottenham with the club likely needing to adjust their Champions League squad soon as a result.
Tottenham were rocked by a string of serious injuries to important first-team players last season, with the after-effects of their woes still being felt even with a new head-coach in Thomas Frank now at the helm.
Frank has steered Spurs onto the right path so far this season, with three wins from their first five Premier League games of the campaign meaning they currently sit in third place.
Tottenham also beat Villarreal 1-0 on their return to the Champions League last week, but they face more tough tests in the competition’s league phase over the next few months against the likes of PSG, Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt.
News of Mathys Tel being left out of Tottenham’s Champions League squad caused a stir among fans earlier this month, but he may be included after the turn of the year, and could potentially be joined by another Spurs player who was not named in the list.
Credit: Imago
Tottenham forward Dejan Kulusevski suffered a serious knee injury against Crystal Palace in May, and he has been in recovery ever since, as he missed out on their Europa League triumph, as well as pre-season and the beginning of this campaign.
Frank was asked about the 25-year-old’s recovery and when he can be expected to return to the squad in a press conference on Tuesday (23 September) ahead of Spurs’ midweek cup clash against Doncaster Rovers.
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He gave an encouraging update, saying: “Kulusevski is a top player.
Key player for us, key player for me.
He will be back before the end of this year.“
The Swede is clearly targeting a return to action before the end of 2025, and if that does materialise, he will surely be in contention to return to the fold in the Champions League, provided Spurs make it past the league phase.
According to UEFA‘s rules, clubs participating in the Champions League can change their squads again during the season following the initial 2 September deadline for the league phase.
Ahead of the knockout phase, clubs can register a maximum of three new players by the end of play on 5 February, two weeks before the two rounds of play-off fixtures days begin on 17 February.
That means that Kulusevski can be named in Frank’s squad for the knockout phase, provided Tottenham make it there, and they will feel confident of doing so after a strong start and with games against Bodo/Glimt, Copenhagen and Monaco coming up.
Kulusevski has been missed by Spurs, but he may not find it easy to immediately make his way into Frank’s starting eleven considering how well the likes of Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert and Brennan Johnson have started the new campaign.