In what could be viewed as one of the most critical decisions of his early tenure at Tottenham Hotspur, manager Ange Postecoglou has opted to leave Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilón out of the club’s UEFA Europa League squad for the group stages. With these omissions, the Australian manager has sent a clear signal about his tactical preferences, squad depth management, and the balancing act he faces in keeping the team competitive on multiple fronts.

Tottenham, which will begin their 2023/24 Europa League campaign with a fresh sense of optimism under Postecoglou’s leadership, have high expectations following a summer of significant changes. Yet, the exclusion of two talented players from the squad list has raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike. In this report, we delve into the details of Tottenham’s Europa League squad, examine the rationale behind Postecoglou’s decisions, and what these choices could mean for the team’s campaign.

Postecoglou’s Tactical Vision and the UEFA Squad Limit

It is no secret that the Europa League, like all European competitions, comes with strict squad regulations. UEFA stipulates a limit of 25 players, including a minimum number of homegrown players to be registered for the tournament. This rule often leads to difficult decisions for managers who must balance established first-team players, rising stars, and those recovering from injury, all while maintaining a coherent strategy.

For Postecoglou, the challenge lies in ensuring that his squad is as competitive as possible in Europe without compromising their domestic ambitions in the Premier League. With the recent overhaul of the squad following the departure of several key figures, such as Harry Kane, and the arrival of new faces, the new Tottenham manager has had to carefully evaluate the role each player can play this season. In this context, the omission of Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilón speaks volumes about where these two players currently stand in the pecking order.

Why Djed Spence Was Left Out

Djed Spence, who joined Tottenham from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2022 for a reported £20 million, has had a tumultuous start to life in North London. The 23-year-old right-back was signed with high expectations after an impressive loan spell at Nottingham Forest, where he played a key role in their promotion to the Premier League. However, under Antonio Conte, Spence struggled for regular playing time, being used sparingly and primarily as a backup option. His limited involvement last season prompted questions about whether he was part of Tottenham’s long-term plans.

With the arrival of Postecoglou, many fans hoped that Spence would finally be given a chance to stake his claim for a starting spot, particularly given the manager’s preference for attacking full-backs who can contribute both offensively and defensively. However, the writing may have been on the wall when Tottenham signed Pedro Porro on a permanent deal following his loan spell last season. With Porro firmly established as the first-choice right-back and Emerson Royal proving to be a reliable alternative, Spence’s opportunities have dwindled.

The decision to leave Spence out of the Europa League squad suggests that he may once again struggle for minutes this season. It also raises questions about his future at the club, with a loan move or permanent transfer potentially on the horizon during the next transfer window. For now, however, Spence will have to bide his time and work hard to convince Postecoglou that he deserves a role in the Premier League squad rotation.

Sergio Reguilón’s Absence: A Sign of Things to Come?

Another notable omission from the Europa League squad is Sergio Reguilón, the Spanish left-back who joined Tottenham from Real Madrid in 2020. Reguilón was initially seen as a key acquisition for the club, providing pace and attacking intent on the left flank. However, like Spence, he has struggled to nail down a consistent starting position, particularly after the arrival of Ivan Perišić last season and the emergence of Ryan Sessegnon as a promising alternative.

Reguilón spent last season on loan at Atlético Madrid, where he failed to establish himself as a regular starter under Diego Simeone. Upon his return to Tottenham this summer, many expected that his future might lie away from the club, particularly with Postecoglou looking to reshape the squad to suit his attacking style of football.

The arrival of Destiny Udogie, an exciting Italian left-back who returned from his loan spell at Udinese, has further complicated Reguilón’s situation. Udogie is seen as the future in the left-back position, and his dynamic performances in pre-season and the early stages of the Premier League campaign have made him a key player in Postecoglou’s setup. With Ben Davies also providing a more experienced and versatile option in the left-back and center-back roles, Reguilón’s chances of regular football have become limited.

Much like Spence, Reguilón’s omission from the Europa League squad appears to be a sign that he does not feature prominently in Postecoglou’s plans for this season. There were reports during the summer transfer window that Reguilón was close to leaving the club, but a deal failed to materialize. It remains to be seen whether he will secure a move in January or whether he can work his way back into the manager’s consideration.

Building a Balanced Squad for the Campaign Ahead

Postecoglou’s decision to leave Spence and Reguilón out of the Europa League squad speaks to a larger theme that has defined his tenure so far: balance and clarity. While Tottenham are certainly aiming to make a deep run in the Europa League, the manager appears intent on ensuring that his squad remains balanced and focused. The core of the squad includes players who fit his preferred style of high-pressing, quick-passing football, with an emphasis on creativity in attack and solidity at the back.

In terms of squad depth, Postecoglou has retained key attacking talents such as Heung-min Son, Richarlison, James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski, all of whom will be expected to carry much of the offensive burden. Meanwhile, in defense, players like Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Pedro Porro will be crucial to maintaining stability.

Midfield options like Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr have also impressed early in the season, offering a blend of defensive cover and forward-thinking play that will be essential in Europe. New signing Brennan Johnson has been included, which indicates that Postecoglou wants to integrate him as quickly as possible into the squad.

The Bigger Picture: Tottenham’s Ambitions in Europe

Tottenham’s Europa League campaign offers a chance for the club to re-establish itself on the European stage after missing out on Champions League qualification last season. With Ange Postecoglou at the helm, the fans have reason to believe that the club is heading in the right direction, both domestically and in Europe. However, the road ahead will not be easy.

The decision to leave Spence and Reguilón out of the squad reflects the tough choices that come with managing a large and talented roster. While it may be disappointing for the players themselves, it ultimately serves the purpose of building a cohesive squad that can compete at the highest level.

As Tottenham gear up for the group stages, the focus will be on getting off to a strong start and building momentum in both Europe and the Premier League. For Postecoglou, the pressure is on to deliver results while also managing the development and morale of his squad. Time will tell whether these early decisions will pay off, but one thing is clear: Tottenham’s new era under Postecoglou is well and truly underway, and it promises to be an exciting journey for the club and its supporters.