Côme’s champions league squad limited by UEFA rules

Côme’s maiden voyage into the UEFA Champions League could be constrained by an unexpected hurdle: the club’s ability to field a full squad. Under UEFA’s Article 31, clubs may register no more than 17 non-locally trained players on their A-list for European fixtures, reserving the remaining eight spots for locally developed talent. This regulation directly impacts Côme, which has aggressively pursued international signings under manager Cesc Fàbregas.

Fàbregas, appointed in late 2023, has built Côme into one of Serie A’s most youthful sides, boasting an average age of just 26. Yet the club’s lack of a fully operational academy means it falls short of UEFA’s infrastructure demands. Speaking in late July, the Spanish tactician highlighted the dilemma: ‘The player registration limits set by UEFA mean we must operate with a reduced squad of only 16 or 17 players for Champions League matches. Without our own academy producing ready-made talent, we’re forced to adapt quickly.’ His solution? Accelerate the development of homegrown players—a process that demands patience, far beyond the typical transfer window’s pace.

Local talent shortage forces strategic shift

To comply with UEFA’s rules, Côme has been compelled to rethink its recruitment strategy. This summer, the club completed five transfers, yet only one arrival—striker Mattia Liberali, who joined from Catanzaro for €6 million—was Italian. The remaining signings were all foreign players, a reflection of Fàbregas’s preference for international experience. Now, the club faces an urgent need to identify and integrate locally trained footballers before the transfer window closes.

Youth team offers a potential lifeline

Amid the challenges, a glimmer of hope emerges from Côme’s academy. Several young prospects have already turned heads, including midfielder Riccardo Cassano, who impressed with the U17 side and earned sporadic first-team call-ups last season. His development could prove pivotal in meeting UEFA’s local player quotas while maintaining competitiveness in Europe’s premier club competition. Whether this emerging talent can offset the squad’s limitations remains to be seen, but it signals a long-term commitment to balancing ambition with compliance.