Greenwood and Hudson-Odoi are not listed in Manchester United and Chelsea’s respective squads for the Champions League campaign but they can still feature in the tournament
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On Friday, clubs from all over Europe confirmed their squads for the 2021-22 Champions League.
Premier League sides Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and holders Chelsea are all competition in the competition as they hope to lift the most acclaimed prize in European club football.
Notably absent from United and Chelsea’s respective lists were starlets Mason Greenwood and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The duo, who have both featured for their clubs in the competition previously, but fans were confused when they saw their names omitted from the list.
However, there is a reason behind the duo not being included, something that affects youngsters across the continent.
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UEFA rules state that any player under the age of 21 and qualifies as “homegrown” does not need to be registered as part of a club’s maximum 25-man squad.
They are instead named on the B list and can play their part in the tournament like any senior star.
Hudson-Odoi is joined by joined by youngsters Harvey Vale and Lucas Bergstrom in that group, while Mason Greenwood is named alongside fellow forward Anthony Elanga.
United will open up their Group F campaign against Young Boys from Switzerland on Tuesday, September 14.
Villarreal and Atalanta make up the rest of the group, meaning the Red Devils are favourites to advance.
Chelsea begin at home to Zenit St Petersburg on the same night and have Italian giants Juventus along with Malmo to face following that clash.
The Blues beat Manchester City in last season’s final, with Kai Havertz scoring the only goal of the game.
Hudson-Odoi was reportedly subject to late interest from Borussia Dortmund in the summer transfer window but remained in west London and now have to fight for his place at Stamford Bridge under Thomas Tuchel.
The 20-year-old is yet to play a minute of Premier League football this season, unlike Greenwood.
United’s academy product has began the new term on fire, netting in each of their three Premier League matches.
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Greenwood was usurpingly tipped for an England call-up, but national boss Gareth Southgate explained that it was best for all parties that he remained with the Red Devils in September.
“Mason is in our thoughts,” Southgate said.
“We’re all aligned, Mason, the club, his family and us. The best thing for him after these first few games is to stay with his club.
“It’s clear on his performances he’d warrant being in the squad.”
His club manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, was in agreement as he said: “The boy is special.
“I had a good conversation with Gareth and we discussed Mason of course. The boy wants to play for his country,” Solskjaer revealed following his side’s 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers thanks to a goal from the 19-year-old.
“I think at the moment the best thing for him to do is focus on his day-to-day football and I’m sure he will come good for England in the end.”
