Why are Premier League clubs failing in Europe?

Ability

Despite laying claim to the world’s best managers, these managers are not managing the world’s best players.

The reality is the best players in the world are heading to Real Madrid, Barcelona and a small selection to Bayern Munich.

Last season, Guardiola had Thomas Muller, Arjen Robben and Robert Lewandowski at his disposal, players that know the game inside out. Despite their financial superiority, Manchester City don’t have that sort of player, with the exception perhaps of Yaya Toure.

Similarly, Eden Hazard, arguably the Premier League’s best player, is no Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Nor does he have the footballing brain of Lewandowski.

It makes a huge difference, especially when the overhyped quality of the Premier League is put to shame in February each year. Whilst the Premier League continues to attract top quality players, the elite seek European success, something for which it is in their best interests to go elsewhere.

More needs to be done to enable English clubs to succeed in Europe. If our failures in the competition continue, it is highly possible that we will lose one of our spots, meaning it will become a race for the top three.

Whilst this may further enhance the competitiveness of the Premier League, clubs may end up neglecting European competition out of desire to re-qualify the following season. The FA needs to act to prevent this from happening, and help us find solutions to these long-lasting questions.