"it is about how competitive they have got"
The Champions League’s league phase came to a thrilling conclusion and the Premier League sent a message, with five teams reaching the knockout stage.
Arsenal topped the table, Liverpool finished third, Tottenham fourth, Chelsea sixth and Manchester City eighth.
Newcastle United could join them, having drawn 1-1 against defending champions PSG, which sets up a two-legged play-off.
If successful, history would be made as never before have there been six Premier League teams in the Champions League knockouts.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank said: “That is dominant. I think we all said for a few years the Premier League is the best league in the world and I think this is another sign of it.”
The impressive presence of English clubs raises a question: what explains their consistent performances against Europe’s elite?
Financial Power and Squad Depth
Premier League clubs hold a unique advantage in Europe due to their financial resources.
Six English teams are among the top ten earners in the Deloitte Football Money League, while half of the top 30 come from England.
Television revenues have created an unmatched financial ecosystem, allowing clubs to invest heavily in player recruitment.
Last summer alone, Premier League teams spent over £3 billion on transfers – more than the combined expenditure of Bundesliga, LaLiga, Ligue 1 and Serie A sides.
Ex-Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock told BBC Sport: “The biggest single reason that the English clubs have been dominant so far is the financial power of the Premier League.
“Also, it is about how competitive they have got by fighting it out and being in and around each other – they have pushed each other on.”
This spending power has tangible effects on performance.
Arsenal’s squad depth has helped them dominate the league phase, while Newcastle’s physical approach benefits from having versatile, durable players.
Forward Anthony Gordon said English teams gain an edge due to the style of Premier League football:
“I think in the Champions League, teams are more open. They all try to play. It’s less transitional.”
“It [the Premier League] is like a basketball game sometimes, it’s so relentless physically.
“There’s not much control, it’s a running game and sometimes it’s about duels; whoever wins the duels wins the game. Or moments.”
Were the Matches Easier?
While English clubs have performed admirably, draw luck may also play a part.
Opta ranked Arsenal’s fixtures as the third easiest, Tottenham fourth, Liverpool seventh and Chelsea eighth. Manchester City were 14th, and Newcastle faced the toughest games at 32nd, including the high-profile clash with PSG.
History shows that domestic competitiveness strengthens English clubs for Europe.
Only in 2017 did five teams make the last 16, and just Liverpool and Manchester City progressed further.
Multiple English clubs in later stages have become increasingly familiar, with four teams reaching the quarter-finals in 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2018-19.
This season could set a new benchmark if Newcastle reaches the knockouts.
Warnock also highlighted the strain of balancing the Premier League with Champions League demands:
“I still think it will be very difficult for one of them to go on and win it, just because of how difficult the Premier League is every week – whether you are fighting for the title or for a place in the top four.
“Clearly, the English clubs are in a good position going into the knockout stages, though.
“Some of the other big clubs that we thought would peak or start to show better form, like Paris St-Germain for example, have not really got going yet.”
Europe’s Changing Landscape
The other sides automatically in the Champions League knockouts are Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Sporting CP.
However, some heavyweights face play-offs, including PSG, Real Madrid, Juventus, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid’s dramatic 4-2 loss to Benfica, sealed by a last-minute goal from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, and Bodo/Glimt’s stunning victories over Manchester City and Atletico, illustrate how unpredictable this season’s Champions League has been.
These results underline a shift in European competition, with Premier League clubs combining financial investment, physical intensity and tactical adaptability to dominate the Champions League.
The Premier League’s strong showing in Europe reflects more than money – it is a testament to competitiveness, squad depth and relentless physicality.
As the knockout stage approaches, English teams are poised to rewrite Champions League history, with the potential for unprecedented representation in the round of 16.
Newcastle’s progress will determine whether this season’s record is six clubs deep, marking a new era for English football in Europe.
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