21 Premier League players left out of European squads as Federico Chiesa dropped

Teams have announced their squads for this season's European competitions, mercilessly excluding well-known names and high-profile signings.

This includes Federico Chiesa, who will play no part in the first half of Liverpool's Champions League campaign. It's unclear whether the Reds will recall the Italian to their European roster if they reach the second half of the competition.

The summer transfer window shut for most leagues across the continent on Monday, with deadline day witnessing its usual last-minute flurry of activity; Alexander Isak was among those to make a switch, joining Liverpool from Newcastle. Teams were in a rush to finalize deals, and even clubs in leagues where the transfer window remained open this week had a deadline to meet.

For instance, Galatasaray had until midnight on Tuesday to sign Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City if it wanted to include him in its A List for the Champions League group stage, which the Turkish team successfully managed.

However, being a flashy new signing doesn't guarantee you a spot. Due to UEFA only permitting clubs to include 17 non-homegrown players in A Lists, managers are forced to make ruthless decisions. Let's take a look at some of the biggest names around the Premier League who've been left out, starting with Liverpool.

Rio Ngumoha, who just turned 17 last week, has been included at the expense of Chiesa. Both stars have already had standout moments this season, with Chiesa's late goal on the opening day against Bournemouth likely to be remembered as one of the campaign's most memorable moments. However, it might be overshadowed by Ngumoha's 100th-minute winner at Newcastle in the next match. And speaking of being overshadowed, Chiesa has been left out of Arne Slot's squad.

Turning our attention to Chelsea, a team that unsurprisingly boasts one of the most intriguing squads. Facundo Buonanotte, who joined the Blues on a season-long loan from Brighton just three days ago, has oddly been left out - unlike the club's other summer signings.

Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi have also been overlooked, as they're clearly not part of Enzo Maresca's plans. Despite a long-term injury to fellow center-back Levi Colwill, who has notably been included, Disasi has been excluded.

In terms of injuries, there's no room for James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski - as well as new signing Kota Takai - in Tottenham's A List. The most surprising omission, however, is Mathys Tel.

The French forward arrived on loan from Bayern Munich in January while Ange Postecoglou was still at the helm, and his move was made permanent this summer. But new boss Thomas Frank has left him out of Spurs' squad alongside Radu Dragusin and Yves Bissouma, the latter of whom has been linked with a departure.

However, there is a glimmer of hope for young talents like Tel and Buonanotte, who can be named on their clubs' B List, which must be submitted no later than midnight the day before a match. Teams can register an unlimited number of players for the season if they were born on or after January 1, 2004.

In Arsenal news, Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus has been left out as he continues his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in January. However, there's a place for 15-year-old Max Dowman, who could become the youngest player in Champions League history, with Arsenal's first six fixtures coming before he turns 16 on New Year's Eve.

Unlike most clubs that have named the maximum 25 players on their A Lists, Newcastle's lack of "club-trained players" has resulted in Eddie Howe being limited to a squad of just 21. John Ruddy and Jamaal Lascelles, the latter having captained the Magpies during their 2023-24 Champions League campaign, haven't made the cut.

Pep Guardiola had an easy task naming Manchester City's squad. Gianluigi Donnarumma, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli, Tijjani Reijnders, and James Trafford are all included, having joined this summer.

In the Europa League, some intriguing decisions have been made, particularly at Nottingham Forest. A total of five summer signings have been left out, including club-record purchase Omari Hutchinson and Arsenal loanee Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Angus Gunn, Jair Cunha, and Cuiabano are also absent after joining Forest this summer. Meanwhile, Jota Silva and Taiwo Awoniyi have not been included due to their uncertain futures at the City Ground.

For Aston Villa, the notable absentee is Ross Barkley. And finally, in the Conference League, Marc Guehi has been listed on Crystal Palace's A List following his unsuccessful move to Liverpool on deadline day.

Naturally, the January transfer window provides clubs with an opportunity to revamp their European squads once the league phase of three competitions has concluded. Teams can register up to three new players by midnight on 5 February 2026.