Despite being limited to a UEFA ‘A-List’ squad of 23 players for the Europa League, Tottenham have utilised 33 different individuals on their journey to the final. Ange Postecoglou is missing several of these in Bilbao, but that won’t prevent them from potentially receiving winners medals.
Unlike the Premier League, UEFA does not impose any restrictions or rules regarding who is eligible for a medal. This means that a number of players who have either not participated at all this season or since the group phase ended could find themselves unexpectedly awarded a medal.
The Premier League restricts winners medals to those who have played at least five times. UEFA, on the other hand, simply provides 50 to the winning team and allows the club to distribute them among the players and staff as they see fit. The runners-up receive 40 silver medals.
This means that players like James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall, who will miss the final due to injury, can claim a winners’ medal if Tottenham triumph in Spain on Wednesday, as can others. For instance, Alfie Whiteman, who suffered a season-ending injury and hasn’t made an appearance, could be awarded a medal.
There are also numerous young players who may not make the matchday squad against United but could still be rewarded. Both Callum Olusesi and Oyindamola Ajayi, who each played a single game in the Europa League this season, might be given a medal.
Alfie Dorrington may not have had a taste of European action but he’s still managed to make a single appearance, whilst Dane Scarlett has been featured in five matches, including two in the Europa League, though not from the start.
Even Kevin Danso, a recent arrival in January, has barely seen playtime but could end up with a winner’s medal. He’s only started once in his two outings in the Europa League.
However, several players like Fraser Forster, Timo Werner, and Radu Dragusin missed out on the knockout stage squad, which was fixed at the close of the winter transfer window in early February. Consequently, none of them contributed to Tottenham‘s daunting Europa League clashes against AZ Alkmaar, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Bodo/Glimt.
Nevertheless, injuries haven’t prevented Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski, Maddison, Bergvall, or Scarlett from making the trip with the squad to the final. Manager Postecoglou has opted for a comprehensive lineup to take to Spain, including Antonin Kinsky and Whiteman.
Will Lankshear, whose stint with West Bromwich Albion took up the latter part of the season, won’t be playing in the final despite scoring in earlier Europa League games for Spurs. Still, he’s joined the contingent in Bilbao and could snag himself a winners’ medal if Tottenham emerge victorious.
Ahead of the climactic match, Postecoglou reflected on the occasion: “It’s such a big game tomorrow, there is an opportunity to fulfil at least the main task which is to bring trophies to the club.”
He elaborated on the importance of qualifying for the Champions League, saying: “It’s a great prize, the significance of Champions League qualification and what it means for every football club. There are the obvious benefits but also you get the opportunity to play against the best in the continent.
“But the club has been in the Champions League before. It hasn’t won a trophy for a long time. So that’s the most important thing.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk