Champions League: Could this be the year for English clubs in Europe?

There is safety in numbers, and for the English game, presenting five teams to the Champions League was a shot in the arm amid talks of a League on a rapid decline. If there were talks of a League on a rapid decline, it’s only because it was.

Leicester City shouldered the responsibility of being the only English team represented in the quarter final of the top tier European Cup competition last season; even so falling short against a well drilled Atletico Madrid.

Although the competition has only just begun, there are already vivid signs that Premier League clubs could usher in a new era of dominance in the Champions League.

 

The more the merrier

Chelsea became the first English team to qualify for this season’s Champions League having being crowned kings of England.

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City attained automatic slots for finishing second and third on the log respectively while Manchester United’s benevolence and ultimate triumph in the Europa League saw them attain automatic promotion to the Champions League. Liverpool on the other hand had to win a playoff to book a place in the group stage.

The numbers gain was always going to come into play, as an air of perpetual positivity has been restored over impressive results by Premier League teams in the group stages of the Champions League.

 

Group stage dominance

Tottenham became the first English team to qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League after a showing that epitomized an excellent home performance against the defending champions.

Spurs utterly decimated Real Madrid 3-1 to top group H with two games to go while a ruthless Manchester City inflicted a 4-2 defeat to Napoli; inexorably booking a place in the last-16 with two games to spare.

The craft and guile of Jose Mourinho has Manchester United in need of a single point from their last two games to make it to the next round, while Liverpool are in pivotal point to finish top of their group.

As it were Chelsea are the only English team not topping their group after a 3-0 hammering in Roma, but their advancement into the next stage looks as forthcoming as it is imminent.

Having four English teams qualifying top of their group could see them navigate tougher opponents in the last-16, potentially increasing their chances of making it to the quarterfinals, and subsequent stages of the competition.

 

Written by Brian Humphrey

Follow Brian on Twitter @brihum

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