‘Are we the farmers now?’ Champions League results have English clubs feeling blue

Chelsea and Manchester City were found out in this year’s Champions League (Picture: Getty)

If there’s one thing English football has always proven, it’s that money doesn’t buy happiness. The Best League In The World got knocked down a peg or two after four out of six clubs were knocked out in the Champions League this week, and an aggregate score of 30-18 in favour of sides from the continent will have had fans asking: ‘Are we the farmers now?’

So… are we the farmers now?

Expectations were high. After the group stage the financial power and all-round strength of English sides was clear to see, our beautiful league head, shoulders and wallets above the rest.

However, in hindsight it’s easy to make a case that this was the most likely outcome.

Arsenal and Liverpool had the easiest ties and got through as expected. Chelsea have been in a dip recently and had to face last year’s winners PSG . Manchester City are more flawed than ever and were up against Champions League whisperers Real Madrid . Newcastle were far from favourites against Barcelona and Tottenham , well they were just happy to have a break from the league.

But hindsight is an easy thing and it’s the manner in which each team seemingly collapsed that is notable.

Much has been made of Pep Guardiola’s tendency to overthink big games, especially big knockout games.

City have won the Champions League once in the decade since Guardiola joined the club. They’ve been the best side in the world for most of that decade and can count themselves unlucky to not have more, but questions can be asked of the manager’s approach to the competition.

Guardiola was frustrated after defeat on Tuesday (Picture: Getty)

They were favourites to win against Chelsea in the 2020/21 final but left Rodri and Sergio Aguero on the bench for the first hour. Monaco , Lyon and Tottenham have all beaten City over two legs amid some strange decisions by Guardiola – and his choice to switch formation ahead of the first leg loss to Madrid this year looks bizarre in hindsight.

Most young coaches look up to Guardiola as an inspiration, so for Liam Rosenior to be knocked out after complicating things too is a fitting tribute.

Rosenior has been at pains since joining the Blues to take ownership over any mistakes his players make. After goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was at fault for two Arsenal goals in the Carabao Cup final, Rosenior said: ‘I made this really clear, when my players make mistakes, I’m accountable. That’s on me.’

But his goalkeepers keep making mistakes. Chelsea were well in the tie against PSG at 2-2 in the first leg, before Filip Jorgensen handed a goal to Vitinha, and the rest is history.

If Rosenior could have his time back, he might look to employ a slightly less complicated style of play.

Rosenior has been ridiculed for giving Alejandro Garnacho a note despite the game being almost finished and Chelsea having no chance of going through (Picture: Marc Atkins/Getty)

@metrosportuk Is he Angry or did he just want to show the Stoney badge?😅 A Chelsea fan loses his head after spotting a PSG supporter celebrating in the home end. 🎥: @xtreme2thet #championsleague #chelsea #footballnews #chelseafan #psg ♬ original sound – Metro Sport – Metro Sport

It’s easy to complicate things but you’ll have heard all the excuses by now: English teams play too many games, the Premier League is too competitive, the style of play in England isn’t suited to European football anymore.

The list goes on, but in knockout football having great attacking individuals (and some luck) remains the best way to win.

In each tie, the team that went through relied on one or two stars that can conjure up a bit of magic.

Newcastle and Tottenham lack that talent, while the likes of Cole Palmer and Erling Haaland were unable to make much of a mark. On the flipside, Real Madrid will always be a threat due to the ability of Vinicius Junior , Barcelona can call on Lamine Yamal and PSG have a whole host of the fastest and most exciting dribblers in the world.

To channel this writer’s inner Roy Keane , at the end of the day the teams that finished first and second in last year’s Premier League are through after beating a team from Turkiye and a struggling German side, while those that finished third, fourth, fifth and 17th are not after facing teams that are just better, both on paper and on the pitch.

Maybe the cream always rises to the top after all.