Côme’s maiden voyage into the UEFA Champions League could be stifled by an unexpected roster constraint. According to European football’s governing body regulations, the Lombardy-based club may only field between 16 and 17 players on matchday sheets due to its limited number of locally trained talents.
The crux of the issue lies in UEFA Article 31, which caps the number of non-locally developed players in a club’s List A at 17, reserving eight spots exclusively for homegrown players. This regulation poses a significant challenge for Cesc Fabregas, whose transfer strategy has heavily favored international talent over the past two seasons.
Infrastructure gap hampers ambitions
During a late July press conference, Fabregas highlighted the club’s structural shortfall: « Our hands are tied by UEFA’s roster rules. Without a fully operational academy meeting UEFA standards, we’ll enter Europe’s elite competition with a skeletal squad of just 16 or 17 players. Developing our own talent is essential, but this process demands patience—something we can’t afford in the short term. »
The irony? Côme boasts one of Serie A’s youngest rosters (average age: 26), yet its lack of locally trained players could undermine its historic debut in the Champions League.
Market maneuvers and youth prospects
This summer, the club executed five transfers, but only one—forward Mattia Liberali, signed from Catanzaro for €6 million—holds Italian nationality. As Fabregas re-evaluates recruitment priorities before the transfer window closes, a potential lifeline may emerge from within. The club’s youth academy has already produced standout talents like midfielder Riccardo Cassano, who impressed with the U17 team and earned first-team call-ups last season. His development could prove pivotal if Côme navigates roster restrictions.