CL Squad size 21? Why?

[nixmith2]

Just been listening to the radio (5 Live) as they build up to tonights match. Did I hear it right that we have only registered 21 players for the CL?

I seem to recall last year we were restricted to 23 due to FFP, but I thought that was in the past. Why would we make a voluntary decision to do this? I don't get it.

Even if we had no injury issues, surely it would be good experience for Kelechi Iheanacho, for example, to be on the bench - I'm old enough to recall chunky Ronaldo being a 17 yr old unused sub at the 1994 World Cup - just to get a feel for it & also I think Theo Walcott in 2006.

Was I mistaken - did I miss-hear the radio? Can anyone confirm this?

 

[citizen_maine]

We don't have any club trained players and need 4 for a full 25 man squad

 

[Damocles]

Because you need 4 Club trained players in your CL squad registered and we have 0 because our youth system is world class and there's absolutely no problems with it at all.

25 - 4 spaces is 21.

Nacho doesn't yet qualify because he hasn't been here long enough to play in the CL (U21s only qualify if they've been at the club for 2 years)

 

[nixmith2]

But why not include 4 youth teamers - just to get experience and maybe for that 'Roy of the Rovers' moment should bad stuff happen to the main guys?

 

[Damocles]

But why not include 4 youth teamers - just to get experience and maybe for that 'Roy of the Rovers' moment should bad stuff happen to the main guys?

U21s who have been at the club for more than 2 years can play without being registered.

 

[nixmith2]

OK - so if, in extreme circumstances (injuries), we can expect to see some 'younguns' on the bench? therefore we are not limited to 21 players - thanks I didn't know that.

 

[Damocles]

OK - so if, in extreme circumstances (injuries), we can expect to see some 'younguns' on the bench? therefore we are not limited to 21 players - thanks I didn't know that.

Yeah that's right mate. 21 senior players and unlimited youth as long as they qualify as "youth".

Pellegrini seems to take a few young players along with the squad even if not actually in the matchday squad, presumably in case we have an injury pre-match. As we play the UEFA Youth League on the same day, our youth are generally tied up so we have a few people who qualify but don't play every time.

Brandon Barker is with the first team today for example but hasn't made the bench.

 

[nixmith2]

Thank you, 'tis nice to get the real in-depth stuff on here, stuff that the Radio people don't cover.

C'mon City!!!! (I wish I had BT Sport tonight !)