Breaking News- Tottenham drop squad hint for Ferencvaros as academy duo spotted boarding plane
Tottenham Hotspur’s promising academy players Alfie Dorrington, Dante Cassanova, and Damola Ajayi have been called up to join the first-team squad for their Europa League tie against Ferencvaros. The three youngsters were spotted traveling with the senior squad on Wednesday morning as they made their way to Budapest for their second European fixture of the season. This is a significant step for the trio, who have been performing well at the academy level, and they now have a chance to potentially make an impact on the European stage under the watchful eye of head coach Ange Postecoglou.
Postecoglou, known for his dynamic and adaptable approach to squad selection, made several changes for Tottenham’s Europa League opener against Qarabag last week. With a congested fixture schedule and a need to keep key players fresh, he is expected to rotate the squad again for Thursday’s match against the Hungarian side. However, Tottenham are dealing with a few positional shortages, meaning Postecoglou will have to make crucial decisions in certain areas of the pitch. Despite the depth concerns, the inclusion of these young players in the squad could offer some fresh options as the team looks to maintain momentum in the competition.
For clubs participating in UEFA competitions, there are specific squad regulations that must be followed. Tottenham, like all other teams, had to submit a 25-man squad list for the Europa League group stage by the beginning of September. Additionally, UEFA allows clubs to submit a B list for younger players, with the deadline for submission being midnight (CET) the day before a match. Players eligible for the B list must meet certain criteria: they need to be club-trained, born on or after January 1, 2003, and have been with Tottenham for at least two uninterrupted years. This list provides opportunities for academy players to gain valuable first-team experience in European competition, especially when the senior squad is dealing with injuries or suspensions.
Ahead of their game against Qarabag, Spurs utilized the B list to include academy talents such as Luca Gunter, Tyrese Hall, Mikey Moore, and Will Lankshear. However, only Moore and Lankshear made the matchday squad, showing that the coaching staff carefully assesses which youngsters are ready for first-team action. Now, Dorrington, Cassanova, and Ajayi are expected to be added to the B list for the upcoming clash against Ferencvaros, with confirmation likely to be posted on UEFA’s official website by Thursday morning.
Dorrington, a central defender, will be particularly valuable given Tottenham’s defensive issues. Radu Dragusin, a key figure at the back, is unavailable for selection after receiving a red card in last week’s match against Qarabag, leaving Postecoglou short on options in defense. Dorrington has already shown promise with the Under-21s and will offer much-needed cover in that area. Cassanova, who has started six matches for Tottenham’s Under-21 side this season, is another defensive option. The 20-year-old is versatile, capable of playing as a center-back, right-back, or even as a holding midfielder, making him a useful addition to the squad for this European fixture. His adaptability could provide tactical flexibility, which may be essential given the current injury and suspension challenges Tottenham are facing.
Meanwhile, Ajayi’s inclusion bolsters Tottenham’s attacking options. The young forward, who has been making waves at the academy level, can operate in multiple attacking roles. He is comfortable playing on the right wing, as a central striker, or even in a more creative central midfield position. His versatility in the final third could provide Postecoglou with a valuable alternative should he need to rotate his established attackers or change the game plan during the match.
In addition to these rising stars from the academy, several of Tottenham’s regular first-team players were seen boarding the flight to Hungary. Notable names included James Maddison, who has been in superb form this season, Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven, Lucas Bergvall, Dominic Solanke, and the young duo of Lankshear and Moore, who are gradually integrating into the senior setup. Surprisingly, Sergio Reguilon was also seen making the journey to Budapest, despite not being part of Tottenham’s European squad. As a result, the left-back will not be eligible to play in the Europa League, raising questions about his role in the team moving forward, especially given his exclusion from European competition.
However, two key players, Son Heung-min and Destiny Udogie, were not visibly present in the footage posted by the club showing the team boarding the plane. This has led to some speculation regarding their availability for the match against Ferencvaros. It should be noted, though, that not all players who travel are included in the videos shared by the club, so their absence from the footage does not necessarily mean they will miss the game. Fans will likely have to wait for Ange Postecoglou’s official injury update, which he is scheduled to deliver during his pre-match press conference in Budapest at 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday.
The match against Ferencvaros presents Tottenham with a valuable opportunity to build on their strong start to the Europa League campaign and further integrate young talents like Dorrington, Cassanova, and Ajayi into the senior fold. As Tottenham continues to balance domestic and European commitments, the inclusion of these academy prospects may play a crucial role in helping the club navigate a busy schedule while also preparing the next generation of players for the rigors of top-level football.