Will Premier Four go far?
John | Jul 08, 2011 | Comments 0
With the exception of the best club football team in recent history, which of course is FC Barcelona, the UEFA Champions League has largely been a competition dominated by English clubs since Liverpool lifted the trophy in 2005.
Okay, only the Reds and Manchester United have ever lifted ‘big ears’, but the North-West rivals both have two finals apiece to their name, while Chelsea and Arsenal have consistently reached the latter stages of the tournament in recent seasons.
The Champions League is regarded as the pinnacle of world club football and the ability for English sides to consistently despatch of the majority of their continental counterparts is no mean feat.
However, even the likes of United have struggled to topple the absolute elite and perhaps the superiority of the Premier League in Europe is no longer as strong as it once was.
With that said, the question must be asked as to how far can England’s four representatives go in this year’s tournament?
Of course, United are genuine contenders. They are probably short of a couple of hallmark players that could see them surpass Barcelona as Europe’s best club team, but expect Sir Alex Ferguson to be itching to put the embarrassment of the 2011 final at Wembley behind him to lift the trophy once again.
United’s prospects should be measured in September, as indications at Old Trafford are that a busy summer could be in store.
All football betting pundits know that Chelsea are desperate for Euro glory but may have to settle for a transitional period under their new manager. Again, they are not far away from being as strong as United or Barca, but will rely on new blood coming in to freshen up what is an aging squad at the Bridge.
Manchester City could well do a Tottenham this season, provided the likes of Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko and any new reinforcements can provide the goals that will be lost from the inevitable departure of Carlos Tevez. In Roberto Mancini, the Citizens have a manager who will be shrewd in his tactics at this level and if he can get the best out of his wealth of riches, knockout European football should return to Eastlands in 2012.
The most interesting talking point, perhaps, is the situation at Arsenal. Having lost Gael Clichy to City and with Cesc Fabregas spending his spare time packing his bags, the Gunners look severely weakened at present. If Samir Nasri is to leave too, then Arsenal could be in danger of failing even to make the group stages of the competition, never mind winning it.
But Arsene Wenger has finally come to terms with the problems at the club, or so it seems. Arsenal need to strengthen in the summer, perhaps twice as much as their rivals. Failure to do so will surely see the North London outfit bow out of the tournament before Christmas.
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Filed Under: English Football • Featured • World Football
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