Big names, bold calls: Champions League squads signal new era for Europe’s Elite
As the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League dawns with its revamped league-phase format, Europe’s biggest clubs have revealed their 25-man (or fewer) squads, and the headlines are dominated by bold decisions, youth gambles, and homegrown limitations.
CHELSEA DROP STERLING BOMBSHELL
In perhaps the most shocking move of the lot, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has omitted club talisman Raheem Sterling from the Blues’ Champions League squad. The highest earner at Stamford Bridge finds himself sidelined, alongside deadline-day arrival Facundo Buonanotte. Instead, Chelsea opted to include teenage sensation Estevão Willian and Manchester United defector Alejandro Garnacho, fresh off a £300m summer spree.
The Blues’ squad, however, is incomplete, UEFA’s club-trained quota rules leave them short of the 25-man maximum. A daunting group awaits, with Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Napoli forming Chelsea’s opening gauntlet.
LIVERPOOL EXCLUDE CHIESA, FOCUS ON BALANCE
Across Merseyside, Liverpool also made headlines by leaving out high-profile Italian winger Federico Chiesa, citing UEFA’s non-homegrown player restrictions. Arne Slot’s 22-man squad features exciting new arrivals such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Jeremie Frimpong. The Reds kick off their campaign at home against Atletico Madrid, but all eyes will be on whether their trimmed-down squad has enough firepower to navigate a brutal group featuring Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Galatasaray.
TOTTENHAM’S SQUAD CUT TIGHTENS WITH HOMEGROWN ISSUES
Tottenham Hotspur, returning to Europe’s elite competition, have named just 22 players. Manager Thomas Frank was forced to leave out big names like James Maddison, Yves Bissouma, and summer signing Mathys Tel due to injuries and UEFA’s homegrown player constraints, a long-standing issue at Spurs. With only one club-trained player, Brandon Austin, Spurs are three players short of the cap, setting the stage for a tough campaign with PSG, Dortmund, and Monaco in their path.
ARSENAL TRUST TEEN TALENT, LEAVE JESUS OUT
Arsenal surprised fans by promoting 15-year-old midfield prodigy Max Dowman to the Champions League A-list, while sidelining Gabriel Jesus as he recovers from knee surgery. A flurry of new signings, including Viktor Gyökeres and Martin Zubimendi, highlight the Gunners’ depth. Mikel Arteta continues to lean into youth, using UEFA’s B-list for academy talents like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
BARCELONA BACK FLICK’S BOLD BLEND
At Camp Nou, coach Hansi Flick has opted for experience and experimentation. Despite ongoing medical drama and a back injury, Marc-André ter Stegen is registered, while Roony Bardghji, a rising star from Barça Atletic, also makes the list. The inclusion of Pedri, Gavi, Yamal, and Rashford signals a youthful-yet-star-studded squad ready to battle in a high-profile group with Chelsea and Bayern.
PSG EMBRACE YOUTH REVOLUTION
Paris Saint-Germain may not have made headlines with exclusions, but they’ve quietly submitted one of the youngest squads in the competition. With an average age of just 23.5, the Parisians feature talents like João Neves, Warren Zaïre-Emery, and Désiré Doué, alongside stars Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé. Their mix of pace and potential could be the tournament’s dark horse.
