While the urgency is to recruit for certain clubs, with the winter transfer window which begins Wednesday January 1, a rule risks thwarting their plans.
Players recruited this winter will not be able to play in the last two matches of the first round of the Champions League played in January.
UEFA has ensured that the end of the league phase is not “distorted” by over-strengthened teams.
Follow the full coverage
Champions League 2024-2025: a new era begins
It is a point of regulation which aims to ensure a certain form of balance. While big names stick their tongues out in the Champions League, like PSG, Manchester City or Real Madrid, who have still not validated their qualification (new window) two days before the end of the league phase, the temptation to strengthen with millions is great during the transfer window, which opens Wednesday January 1.
“We need to recruit players”announced Pep Guardiola, faced with an unprecedented crisis of results on the Man City bench since the end of October (9 defeats, 3 draws and only 2 victories in 14 matches, all competitions combined). “We have difficulties especially at the back and in the middle. We have to (recruit), but I don't know if that will happen. The winter transfer window is not easy.”
No recruits before the play-offs
Usual market adjustment (new window)serving to fill any possible gaps, the 2025 winter window will be even less so for teams looking for reinforcements. Consequence of the new formula (new window) of the Champions League, with a league phase lasting until the end of January, potential recruits will have to wait until February to appear in the competition.
In article 32.01 (new window) of its regulations, UEFA stipulates that the registration of a maximum of three new players can only be done“after the completion of the league stage and before the start of the knockout stage.” Thus, a player recruited in January will not be authorized to play with his new team in the Champions League before the play-offs for the knockout phase (February 11-12 and 18-19) or the round of 16 (4-5 and March 11-12). Furthermore, the body specifies new recruits must be registered “until February 6, 2025 (midnight) at the latest.”
-
Read also
Why do players sign in winter but only leave for their new club in summer?
With this rule, UEFA prevents clubs that have strengthened this winter from “distorting” the end of the league phase. Brest, surprised by this new formula, will thus benefit, on paper, from the same chances against Real Madrid as Lille, winner last October (0-1). The selling clubs, participating in the Champions League, could also be put off by the impossibility of counting, for a time, on possible recruits to replace players who have gone elsewhere. Enough to make them think twice.
