Johan Lange finds allies in Chelsea and Arsenal as Tottenham make Champions League plea to UEFA

Tottenham have had quite a good campaign in the Champions League this season.

While the Premier League results have left a lot to be desired, Spurs look set to feature in the knockout rounds of Europe’s premier competition.

With a win in Spurs’ clash versus Frankfurt, Thomas Frank could send the club into the round of 16. However, if they fail to get three points, they could slip into the play-off rounds.

There have been quite a few weather warnings in Germany, but at present Spurs’ game will not be affected.

Frank’s future at Tottenham is up in the air, but a good result against Frankfurt could buy him more time.

Tottenham’s Johan Lange pushing for Champions League rule change

Frank has had to make some big decisions when it comes to Tottenham in the Champions League.

Currently, clubs are able to name a 25-man squad in the European competition, dependent on teams having at least eight homegrown players.

Due to the rules, and with Spurs missing the homegrown quota, Frank was forced to leave Mathys Tel out and name a smaller squad.

However, an injury to Dominic Solanke meant Tel was given his chance in the Champions League.

With Solanke now back, Frank has been forced yet again to choose, and unfortunately for Tel, he has been omitted once more.

He only featured in one Champions League game for Tottenham against Slavia Prague, but Johan Lange is looking to fix this problem in the future.

Matt Hughes, writing for City AM, has revealed that Spurs sporting director Lange is trying to garner support from within the Premier League to push for a Champions League rule change that would increase the allowed squad size.

The situation with Tel, injury crises over the last few seasons, and concerns for player welfare have led to Lange to seek a change in regulations, with the report from Hughes suggesting Arsenal and Chelsea are open to the idea.

However, teams across Europe are concerned that a relaxation of the rules could result in English sides gaining an advantage due to their financial strength.

• Read more: Tottenham accused of breaking Randal Kolo Muani promise: ‘Something isn’t right’

What would happen with Mathys Tel in the Champions League if Kolo Muani leaves?

Randal Kolo Muani has been linked with cutting his loan spell short in recent days, with Spurs only likely to sanction a sale if a replacement is found.

However, if Kolo Muani does leave the club, that would open space in the Champions League squad list for Tel to take up.

Although, that might not be as simple as a swap as you would think.

• Homegrown players are those who are:
  • Club-trained players that have been registered with the Club for three entire seasons or 36 months between the ages of 15 and 21.
  • Association-trained players who have been registered with the Club or with other clubs affiliated to the same association for three entire seasons or 36 months between the ages of 15 and 21.

If Tottenham are to sign another forward, that player could want assurances over minutes in the Champions League. It is the premier competition in Europe, and every player dreams of playing in it.

However, if any potential attacking signing is homegrown or born on or after 1 January, 2004, that would leave Tel with every chance of being included.

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