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Premier League faces defining week but Champions League struggles aren't their fault
Mar 16 2026 17:11 · By John Cross/Chief Football Writer/John Cross · 32 Reads
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It should not be a surprise that English clubs are still flying the flag in European competition. But last week should serve as a much-needed wake-up call for the Premier League ahead of the return legs.
Arsenal and Newcastle were the only teams to salvage something from their Champions League ties with Bayer Leverkusen and Barcelona respectively as they both shared 1-1 draws. Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea all lost and Aston Villa were the only English team to win in Europe last week, winning their Europa League tie at Lille.
But the reason why English clubs are ahead of Spain and Germany in the co-efficient rankings at this point is because they have six teams in the Champions League (more than anyone else) and you get two points for a win, a point for a draw and bonus points through the knock-outs.
Even if the Premier League has a disaster and they all go out - statistically unlikely - they are still well placed to grab an extra fifth Champions League spot. But the bigger point here is why English clubs failed last week. And surely it is so obvious: they are absolutely knackered.
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You can make stats show anything you like from sprints, intensity and power but sometimes you also have to use your own eyes. Arsenal were poor against Leverkusen and got away with one. Liverpool were so sloppy against Galatasaray and it could have been worse.
Nearly every year, the French league give their clubs a weekend off to prepare for big European games. Can you imagine that here? Of course not. The winter break was a good idea but that soon faded. The two domestic cup competitions. The intensity of the Premier League is so demanding. That has taken a huge toll on the players.
And it shows. Ahead of every major tournament, English players are cooked. The Chelsea players have had a non-stop calendar after the Club World Cup. Maybe the only way we will really listen is if the worse happens and all six go out.
That would be a nightmare scenario. It would kill the argument that the Premier League is the best in the world. I think English football is the most exciting, intense and dramatic. Is it the best? This week should tell us a lot more.
Which English teams will go through? Give us your prediction in the comments section .
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Nearly every year, the French league give their clubs a weekend off to prepare for big European games. Can you imagine that here? Of course not. The winter break was a good idea but that soon faded. The two domestic cup competitions. The intensity of the Premier League is so demanding. That has taken a huge toll on the players.
And it shows. Ahead of every major tournament, English players are cooked. The Chelsea players have had a non-stop calendar after the Club World Cup. Maybe the only way we will really listen is if the worse happens and all six go out.
That would be a nightmare scenario. It would kill the argument that the Premier League is the best in the world. I think English football is the most exciting, intense and dramatic. Is it the best? This week should tell us a lot more.
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