What has happened to English football teams in Europe?

24 March 2015 02:09

Everton’s absolute hammering at the hands of Ukrainian outfit Dynamo Kiev has left the latter stages of both European competitions with no English representatives.

For the second time in the last three years there is no Premier League side in the Champions League quarter finals. This is a massive fall from the lofty heights of 2010-2011 season when there were three English sides in the Champions league semi-finals.

Unbelievably Ukraine, a country ravaged by war, has two clubs in the last 8 of the Europa league. Dnipro and Serhiy Rebrov’s Dynamo Kiev. Their current league champions Shakhtar Donetsk were toppled in the Champions League last 16 by mighty Bayern Munich.

The German side hammered ten man Shakhtar 7-0 in the second leg in Allianz Arena. Maybe Mourinho and Chelsea should take note of how to play a game with an extra man.

Last summer saw the worst world cup performance by the national side that I can remember. So what is the reason for the demise of English football?

Is it the fact that so many good players have left? Ronaldo, Suarez, Bale, Tevez, Evra, Vidic, salah, Torres, Xabi Alonso… the list goes on of players that have graced our league that are still in with a shout of winning European silverware.

Could it be burn out? With no winter break are we just exhausting our teams when it comes to playing on the continent?

Is it the competitiveness of our league that takes its toll on our players? Poor coaches or just bad luck? Overpaid super stars more concerned about their bank balance than medal haul?

One thing is for sure, all the money generated by the Premier League is not being pumped into making top teams to battle with Europe’s elite. From now on I am going to try and swallow my patriotic pride and support Barcelona in the Champions league. For no other reason than wanting Messi to beat Ronaldo in the next ballon d’Or.

Source: DSG