Sunderland face tough sacrifices to include Chemsdine Talbi and Jocelin Ta Bi in Europa League squad
Chemsdine Talbi and Jocelin Ta Bi have a route into Sunderland’s European squad, but places come at a cost
Sunderland could register Chemsdine Talbi and Jocelin Ta Bi for the Europa League knockout stages – but UEFA’s allowance of three new additions would not give them three extra squad places.
The wingers helped secure the Carabao Cup victory over Brentford, with Talbi opening the scoring and Ta Bi helping create all three goals. Neither appears on Sunderland’s published European squad list. There is a route into contention if Sunderland progress, although accommodating both would require changes to Régis Le Bris’ existing selections.
When could Sunderland register Talbi and Ta Bi?
After the league phase, clubs can register up to three new eligible players before 11.59pm CET on February 4, 2027. That allowance covers players already at the club who were omitted from the original list, as well as January signings. Including Talbi and Ta Bi would use two of Sunderland’s three additions, leaving one for another player.
The January transfer window opening does not itself reopen European registration. Under the normal process, additions become available for the knockout phase.
Do those three additions mean three extra squad places?
No. The rule permits three new names within the existing squad restrictions. UEFA’s Article 32.04 requires clubs to remove players if additions take them beyond the maximum squad size. It also explicitly states: “The quota of locally trained players must be respected when registering new players.”
A club with usable vacancies could make additions without removing anyone. Sunderland’s position is different because their apparent vacancies are reserved for qualifying club-trained players.
Why would Sunderland players have to make way?
List A allows a maximum of 25 players, with eight places reserved for locally trained players. No more than four of those reserved places can be filled by association-trained players, meaning four are effectively reserved for players developed at the club itself. If a club cannot fill those places, its permitted squad size falls accordingly.
Sunderland’s current List A contains 22 players, with Chris Rigg occupying a club-trained place. Their shortfall in that category prevents them from using the full 25-player allocation. Those three unused places are therefore not available to Talbi or Ta Bi. On the existing squad structure, registering both would require two current List A players to make way, while maintaining the locally trained allocation.
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Removing someone who occupies a reserved homegrown place would not automatically create an opening for either winger. Sunderland would have to ensure the revised squad still met the quotas. Being omitted would not require a player to leave the club. They could remain available for domestic football while losing their European squad place.
What counts as homegrown?
Nationality does not determine eligibility. Broadly, club-trained players must have spent three seasons or 36 months at their current club between 15 and 21. Association-trained players meet the equivalent requirement with clubs belonging to the same national association.
List B provides a separate route for eligible youngsters, but also requires sufficient time registered at Sunderland. Neither winger can bypass List A restrictions simply because of his age.
Could either winger be registered earlier?
A limited exception permits one temporary outfield replacement up to matchday six for an injury or illness lasting at least 60 days. The replacement must have been registered with Sunderland before the September squad deadline. Medical evidence, UEFA approval and compliance with the homegrown requirements are also necessary.
That provision does not allow a straightforward swap based on form. Unless its conditions are met, the knockout registration window remains the pair’s opportunity – with January recruits potentially competing for the same limited additions.
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