Can Sunderland add Chemsdine Talbi to Europa League squad after Romaine Mundle and Habib Diarra injuries?
Sunderland’s Europa League options after Romaine Mundle’s injury and when Chemsdine Talbi could be registered are explained
Sunderland’s injuries have prompted questions about Chemsdine Talbi’s eligibility for Régis Le Bris’ Europa League squad.
The winger was omitted from Sunderland’s List A while talks continued over a possible transfer. Talbi ultimately remained on Wearside, but UEFA’s registration deadline had already passed. Romaine Mundle and Habib Diarra are now injured, but their situations are governed by different regulations. Here, we explain everything you need to know:
Can Sunderland replace Romaine Mundle?
Sunderland are entitled to apply for a temporary replacement after Le Bris confirmed Mundle had undergone meniscus surgery and would be unavailable for “a few months”. UEFA considers an injury to an outfield player long-term when it lasts at least 60 days from the date it occurred. Until matchday six of the league phase, a club can apply to replace a maximum of one injured outfield player temporarily.
Sunderland must submit medical evidence, and UEFA can request a further examination before approving any change. The replacement must also have been registered with Sunderland before the September 2 List A deadline. Mundle can reclaim his place once fit, at which point the temporary replacement must be removed. If he recovers inside the initial 60-day period, he must still remain out of UEFA competition until that period has elapsed.
Can Talbi replace Mundle?
No. The complication is Sunderland’s locally trained quota. Mundle qualifies as association-trained because of his years in Tottenham’s academy. UEFA states that when a club-trained or association-trained player is replaced, the relevant locally trained requirements must remain satisfied.
Talbi was developed outside England and is neither club-trained nor association-trained. Sunderland already have the maximum 17 non-locally trained players on their 22-man List A, meaning Mundle cannot simply be exchanged for another player from that category.
Based on Sunderland’s current senior squad, there is no suitable association-trained player outside List A to add. Eligible academy players can already be registered through List B before individual matches, so moving one onto List A would offer no practical advantage.
Can Sunderland replace Habib Diarra?
Not based on his current prognosis. Diarra is expected to miss between six and eight weeks, which equates to approximately 42–56 days (six to eight weeks). That falls short of UEFA’s 60-day minimum, so Sunderland cannot currently remove Diarra temporarily and give his non-homegrown place to Talbi.
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If medical evidence subsequently showed that Diarra would be unavailable for at least 60 days, Sunderland could potentially apply to replace him with Talbi, provided the application was made within the permitted period.
When can Talbi enter Sunderland’s Europa League squad?
Talbi could enter during the league phase if a registered non-homegrown outfield player suffered an injury lasting at least 60 days and Sunderland used their one temporary replacement allowance on him. Otherwise, his next opportunity comes after the league phase if Sunderland progress. Clubs can register up to three new eligible players for the knockout phase by 11.59pm CET on February 4, 2027.
Sunderland could then include Talbi by removing another non-homegrown player while continuing to respect their overall List A limit and locally trained requirements. The simple answer is that Mundle appears eligible to be replaced, but not by Talbi. Diarra cannot presently be replaced because his expected absence is under 60 days. Unless that prognosis changes or another qualifying injury occurs, Talbi must wait until the knockout phase.