In a surprising twist tied to UEFA’s stringent player registration rules, Côme faces the possibility of entering the Champions League with a significantly reduced squad. The club, making its historic debut in Europe’s premier competition, may only list between 16 and 17 players on matchday sheets—far below the usual 25-man rosters seen in elite football.
The root of the issue lies in UEFA’s Article 31, which limits clubs to registering up to 17 non-locally trained players for their squad lists. The remaining eight spots must be filled by athletes developed within the country. This regulation directly clashes with Côme’s recruitment strategy, heavily focused on international talent under the leadership of manager Cesc Fàbregas.
The challenge of local player development
Fàbregas has openly expressed concerns about the club’s infrastructure, admitting that the absence of a fully operational youth academy has forced a reliance on foreign signings. Speaking at a recent press conference, he emphasized the long-term nature of building a squad from domestic talent. « The process of developing local players takes years, not months, » he noted. « We need time to create a foundation that meets UEFA’s requirements. »
With an average squad age of just 26, Côme boasts one of the youngest teams in Italy’s top flight. Yet, this youthfulness hasn’t translated into local player development sufficient for UEFA’s criteria. The club’s current roster, now bolstered by five new arrivals this summer, includes only one Italian player—striker Mattia Liberali, signed from Catanzaro for €6 million.
Potential solutions and youth prospects
Despite the hurdles, there’s cautious optimism within the club. The management team is reassessing its transfer strategy to prioritize homegrown talent ahead of the transfer window’s closure. Meanwhile, the club’s academy has begun producing promising youngsters, including midfielder Riccardo Cassano, who has already caught the eye of scouts after shining with the U17s and making appearances for the senior side last season.
Should these young talents continue to progress, they could provide a viable alternative to international recruits, ensuring Côme doesn’t face squad limitations in future campaigns. For now, the club must navigate its debut Champions League journey with a leaner roster, turning necessity into an opportunity to fast-track its local player development program.