A change to the squad selection rule could see some players miss out from making their club’s squads for the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
UEFA rules used in this season’s Champions League could see managers forced to leave some of their stars at home on European nights.
The football body have made one change to their selection policy which could see previously snubbed players and academy products brought back into the squad during an injury crisis.
Clubs in the Champions League, Europa and Conference Leagues will be required to submit a a list of 25 players, of which four must be academy graduates and four more must be home grown.
If any club does not have eight locally trained players it must leave the spaces empty. So for example if a team only has six academy or home grown players, their squad size is reduced to 23.
Arsenal, for example, are expected to only name a squad of 23 first team players due to not having the full roster of homegrown first teamers. Clubs are also now expected to submit a second list, which can be any length, of extra first team players and academy kids not in the main squad.
As of the 26/27 season, clubs will be able to introduce players from this back up roster into the first team squad in the case of injury or illness, as long as the replaced player is out for six weeks or longer.
While this will be seen as good news for most players, as the chance of getting a highly coveted European call-up has slightly increased, the amendment could be potentially be bad news for reserve and especially third choice goalkeepers, who historically have been named in teams’ main squads in case of an emergency.
As clubs will be able to make mid-competition changes as a result of the new rule, back-up stoppers will no doubt be seen as less of a priority for big clubs, especially if their absence means another, talented outfield player can take their spot in the squad.
The Champions League kicks of this evening (Tuesday September 8) with Aston Villa’s away match against Belgian side Club Brugge.