UEFA Squad Omissions: Who's Surprised?

Star players left out of European Competitions

Several top players have been omitted from their clubs' European squads due to various reasons, including UEFA's homegrown player rules, squad dynamics, and injuries.

The preference for Ngumoha over Chiesa can be attributed to Liverpool's squad registration rules. With a limit of 25 players in the Champions League squad...

Liverpool's Squad Dynamics: Chiesa vs Ngumoha

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has made a surprising choice, favoring 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha over Italian international Federico Chiesa, despite initially suggesting Chiesa would take on a more prominent role this season. Ngumoha's impressive last-minute strike against Newcastle, securing a 3-2 win for Liverpool, seems to have caught Slot's attention.

Chiesa's Current Situation

Federico Chiesa, who joined Liverpool from Juventus in a £12.5 million deal, has struggled to find his footing under Slot's management. Despite starting the 2025/26 season brightly with a decisive goal in a 4-2 win over Bournemouth, Chiesa was notably omitted from Liverpool's Champions League squad. This decision likely stems from the club's squad registration rules, which prioritize homegrown talent.

Reason Behind Ngumoha's Preference

The preference for Ngumoha over Chiesa can be attributed to Liverpool's squad registration rules. With a limit of 25 players in the Champions League squad, and only five homegrown players allowed to be non-first-team regulars, Slot had to make tough decisions. Ngumoha's inclusion, given his youth and potential, seems to be a strategic move to bolster Liverpool's attacking options while complying with UEFA regulations.

A wonder strike and a last-minute winner 😮‍💨

Rio Ngumoha and Dominik Szoboszlai have been nominated for the Premier League’s Goal of the Month award for August ⚽️

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 4, 2025

Gabriel Jesus' Absence from Arsenal's Champions League Squad

Gabriel Jesus' absence from Arsenal's Champions League squad is due to his ongoing recovery from knee surgery, which he underwent after suffering an ACL injury in January. The club's decision to exclude him from the squad is likely a precautionary measure to avoid rushing his return and risking further injury.

Comparison with Rayan Cherki

Unlike Manchester City's Rayan Cherki, who was included in the squad despite expecting to miss two months due to injury, Arsenal's approach with Jesus seems more cautious. Cherki's inclusion suggests Manchester City might be hopeful he'll recover sooner or want to keep him on their roster for the knockout stages.

Jesus' Role in the Team

Gabriel Jesus appears to have fallen down Mikel Arteta's pecking order, with Kai Havertz taking on a more central role. However, Jesus' exclusion from the Champions League squad doesn't necessarily indicate a long-term drop in form or preference. With new signings like Viktor Gyökeres and a strong squad, Arsenal has depth to work with while Jesus continues his rehabilitation.

Potential Return

According to journalist Charles Watts, Jesus is expected to return by the end of the league phase, and Arsenal will include him in the knockout squad. The club's priority is ensuring Jesus recovers fully, rather than rushing him back and risking further injury.

Ross Barkley's Omission from Aston Villa's Europa League Squad

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has excluded Ross Barkley from the team's Europa League squad, despite the midfielder's impressive form. Barkley, who joined Villa from Chelsea and had spells at Nice and Luton, will focus on domestic football for now. New signings Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho are seemingly Emery's preferred options.

Reason Behind the Decision

The decision to omit Barkley likely stems from UEFA's roster rules, which prioritize homegrown talent. Villa's squad is limited by the absence of club-trained players over 21.5 years old, with Lamare Bogarde being an exception as a List B player. Barkley's injury troubles and lack of fitness may have also influenced Emery's decision.

Impact on Barkley's Future

Barkley's omission could lead to his departure from Villa, with the club potentially losing millions if they can't facilitate an exit. The Saudi Pro League, with its open transfer window until September 23, might be a likely destination. Other leagues with open windows include the Netherlands, Turkey, Greece, and Portugal.

Arkadiusz Milik's Omission from Juventus' Champions League Squad

Arkadiusz Milik's absence from Juventus' Champions League squad doesn't come as a surprise, given his limited playing time and injury struggles. The Polish striker has faced stiff competition from Dusan Vlahovic, Kenan Yildiz, and Jonathan David, making it challenging for him to secure a spot.

Reason Behind the Decision

Milik's omission likely stems from his prolonged injury spell, which has kept him sidelined for over 400 days, including a year without competitive football. This has impacted his fitness and sharpness, making it difficult for him to contribute to the team. Juventus seems keen on streamlining their squad and has excluded Milik from their Champions League plans.

Potential Transfer to Samsunspor

There's speculation about Milik's potential departure to Samsunspor, a Turkish club that's expressed interest in signing him. Although his contract with Juventus runs until 2027, the club might consider selling him to reduce their wage bill. Milik's market value is estimated at €2 million, and other clubs like Real Betis and Milan have also reportedly shown interest.

Uncertain Future at Juventus

Milik's future at Juventus remains uncertain, with the club yet to make a formal decision about his role moving forward. Despite extending his contract by two seasons, his long-term position at the club is unclear. A summer departure seems likely, with Juventus prioritizing players who fit their long-term plans.

Mathys Tel's Omission from Tottenham's Champions League Squad

Tottenham's decision to leave Mathys Tel out of their Champions League squad has raised eyebrows, especially considering the club's £30 million investment in the 19-year-old French forward. Tel's exclusion seems to be a result of poor planning, with UEFA's “homegrown” player rules forcing Thomas Frank to make tough choices.

Reason Behind the Decision

The reason behind Tel's omission lies in UEFA's regulations, which state that if a club has fewer than eight locally trained players on its List A, the maximum number of players that can be registered is reduced accordingly. Tottenham's lack of homegrown players meant Frank had to exclude six players from the squad, including Tel, Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin, Yves Bissouma, James Maddison, and Kota Takai.

Impact on Tel's Future

Tel's exclusion might impact his future at Tottenham, with some fans questioning the decision to spend £30 million on a player who won't feature in European matches. However, Frank has assured Tel that his omission is not a reflection of his abilities as a player, but rather a logistical issue due to the club's limited number of homegrown players. Tel might still feature in the knockout stages if Spurs make it through the group phase.

Omari Hutchinson's Omission from Nottingham Forest's Europa League Squad

Nottingham Forest's decision to exclude Omari Hutchinson from their Europa League squad has raised eyebrows, given the £37.5 million club-record fee paid for the 21-year-old attacking midfielder. Hutchinson's limited playing time, with only two substitute appearances so far, might have contributed to the decision. UEFA's squad regulations, requiring four 'club-trained' players in the List A squad, also played a role, as Forest only have Ryan Yates meeting this criterion.

UEFA Regulations and Squad Limitations

The UEFA rules limited Nottingham Forest to registering 22 players, instead of the maximum 25, due to the lack of homegrown players in their squad. This led to some surprising omissions, including Hutchinson and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who joined the club on a season-long loan from Arsenal. Other players left out of the squad include goalkeeper Angus Gunn, defenders Jair Cunha and Cuiabano, and striker Taiwo Awoniyi.

Potential Impact on Hutchinson's Future

The omission might impact Hutchinson's future at Nottingham Forest, with the club's investment in him being substantial. While there's no clear indication of a rift between the player and the management, the decision to leave him out of the Europa League squad has sparked speculation about his role in the team moving forward.

Facundo Buonanotte's Omission from Chelsea's Champions League Squad

Chelsea's decision to sign Facundo Buonanotte on a season-long loan from Brighton has raised questions, particularly since he's been left out of the Champions League squad. The 20-year-old Argentine attacking midfielder was brought in to provide depth and creativity to Chelsea's front line, with the ability to play as a No. 10 or on the right wing.

Facundo at Cobham. 🫶 pic.twitter.com/WvaIzDBsYK

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 2, 2025

Reason Behind the Decision

The omission likely stems from UEFA's squad registration rules, which prioritize homegrown talent. Chelsea might have had to make tough choices to meet these requirements, leaving Buonanotte out of the Champions League squad. This decision doesn't necessarily reflect on Buonanotte's abilities but rather the club's squad management strategy.

Implications for Buonanotte's Role

Buonanotte's exclusion from the Champions League squad suggests he'll focus on domestic competitions. Given Chelsea's squad depth, Buonanotte might be used as a rotational player or as cover for injured players like Cole Palmer. Despite the uncertainty, Buonanotte expressed his excitement about joining Chelsea, citing it as a great opportunity to contribute to the team and staff.

Shin Yamada's Omission from Celtic's Europa League Squad

Celtic's decision to leave Shin Yamada out of their Europa League squad has raised questions, given his impressive performances in the Premiership. The Japanese international has played in three of four league matches this season, showcasing his skills and adaptability. However, the signing of Kelechi Iheanacho might have impacted Yamada's chances of making the European squad.

Reason Behind the Decision

The reason behind Yamada's omission likely stems from Celtic's squad dynamics and UEFA's regulations. With a strong attacking lineup, Brendan Rodgers might have prioritized other players for the Europa League squad. Iheanacho's signing could have provided the necessary depth and experience, influencing Rodgers' decision to leave Yamada out.

Implications for Yamada's Future

Yamada's exclusion from the Europa League squad doesn't necessarily mean he's out of favor with Rodgers. The young player might use this opportunity to prove himself in domestic competitions and potentially earn a spot in the European squad later. With a strong work ethic and determination, Yamada could still make a significant impact for Celtic.

Jamaal Lascelles' Omission from Newcastle's Champions League Squad

Jamaal Lascelles' absence from Newcastle's Champions League squad doesn't come as a surprise, given his limited playing time and ongoing transfer speculation. The 31-year-old defender hasn't featured for Newcastle last season and has reportedly fallen out of favor with the club's current squad dynamics. Newcastle's signing of Malick Thiaw has further pushed Lascelles down the pecking order, making him the fifth-choice center-back.

Potential Transfer to Saudi Arabia or Turkey

Newcastle United has priced Lascelles out of a potential move to Besiktas, demanding a €3 million fee for the defender, which the Turkish side deemed too high. With Lascelles entering the final six months of his contract, the club might consider selling him abroad to avoid losing him for free. Possible destinations include Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Greece, where transfer windows are still open.

Lascelles' Future Uncertain

Lascelles' future at Newcastle remains uncertain, with speculation surrounding his potential departure. Sunderland, Newcastle's arch-rivals, have been tipped to sign him, which would be a surprising move given the rarity of players switching between the two clubs. With a year left on his contract, Lascelles might seek a new challenge elsewhere, potentially benefiting from the experience and exposure.

Other Notable Omissions from European Squads

Several top players were left out of their clubs' European squads, including:

1. Yves Bissouma, Radu Dragusin, and James Maddison (Tottenham) - Omitted due to UEFA's homegrown player rules.
2. Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jota Silva, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest) - Limited by squad registration rules and competition for spots.
3. Raheem Sterling (Chelsea) - Excluded from the Champions League squad, potentially due to squad dynamics and competition.