If you can`t farm or buy tokens then this is a guide how to earn those extra tokens.
now level 4 is where you get player`s on neg list but it`s only really worth it from level 5 so if you say stick with 17 player`s for main squad then other 5 places is for spare player`s and buy 4 star player`s the younger the better as easier to sell on and get these player`s as close next star as possible then what ever skill point`s they need then train to get too one skill away from next star and add on said player, these player`s will go automatically go neg list so it`s just waiting for bids to come in, i always add a couple more tokens on the actual token offer if no tokens then reject or add set price to 6 tokens and see if someone else comes in in that 24 hrs,
now when level 6 do as above but you can do the same with 3 star player`s as level 4 teams will see as 5 star and 4 star player`s will be 5 star for level 5 and the higher levels you go you can do same with 2 star youth as 3 level below will see as 5 star,
what i also do if i`m getting promoted and i have 5 star player that when promoted he`s a 4 star i save enough skill point`s so he`s again 1 skill away from 5 star this way the level below will see as 5 star so i will get tokens back from when i bid for 5 star as a replacement in the next level
Edit; you will not see your own player`s on your neg list but other`s will see them it`s just waiting and as stated the younger the better as they sell quicker