Tottenham use UEFA rule to name new striker option in Champions League squad, replacing Solanke

There has been a big development on Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League squad ahead of the match against Slavia Prague.

Spurs welcome the Czech side to North London, in what is a must-win game for the home side to keep themselves in touching distance of the top-eight spot.

Mathys Tel was initially expected to be one among nine Tottenham players to miss out against Slavia Prague, as the forward had not been named in Spurs’ Champions League squad for the league phase.

However, according to an amendment to UEFA’s rules, clubs can replace one outfield player in their Champions League squad in case of an injury, and Tottenham appear to have done just that.

Mathys Tel will be in Tottenham’s squad against Slavia Prague

During his press conference on Monday, Frank admitted that Tottenham considered bringing Tel into the squad in place of the injured Dominic Solanke.

As per UEFA’s new rules, any replacement has to be made before this evening’s fixture, matchday six in the Champions League. Clubs are allowed to replace an injured player (who has been out for at least 60 days) with a previously unregistered player.

Since Solanke has been out injured since August, Spurs are now able to make this change. In fact, Frank could have made it even earlier, had he chosen to do so.

Journalist Fabrice Hawkins has now revealed that Tottenham have indeed made that change, with Tel expected to be part of the club’s Champions League squad for the first time this evening.

Tel could be in line to start against Slavia Prague

Ahead of the game, Frank has admitted that he will rotate his starting eleven, given how thick and fast games have come over the last few weeks.

Both Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani started Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Brentford last Saturday, and both players have been playing a lot of football of late.

It would thus not be surprising if Tel gets the nod to start upfront this evening. The 20-year-old found the back of the net the last time he started for Spurs: their 2-1 win at Elland Road back in October.

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