With the Champions League group stage reaching the half way point this week, I thought now would be the perfect time to ask the question; can an English club win the competition this season?
The last English winners were Chelsea, back in the 2011-12 season when they beat Bayern Munich on penalties. Since then an English club has failed to reach the final as Spanish and German clubs have developed a stranglehold on the competition. There was a point in the early 2000s when England dominated the competition, with an English club reaching the final five years in succession, but since then that success has dwindled. That is down to a whole multitude of reasons, but could this be the year that all changes? In this article, I will take a look at some of the reasons why this could be the year that English dominance returns.
Top Managers
The Premier League boasts the strongest pool of managers in world football right now with Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, Antonio Conte, Jurgen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino and Arsene Wenger all managing top six teams. There can be no doubt that the first three on that list are three of the best managers in football right now and that has certainly helped boost the chances of an English club winning the Champions League again. Gone are the days of David Moyes, Brendan Rodgers, Roberto Mancini and Harry Redknapp and in their place have stepped genuine, world class managers.
The Teams
Manchester United and Manchester City have spent plenty of money in the past two seasons and they now boast two of the best squads in world football. To go along with this, Tottenham Hotspur have a quality manager and a very settled side containing Harry Kane, one of the most complete strikers in the game. Behind them Liverpool and Chelsea both have quality teams managed by smart managers who can get the best out of players.
So far in this season’s Champions League, English clubs have taken part in 15 games, winning 11 of them, drawing four and losing zero. To go along with this, they have scored 44 goals and conceded just 11. All five of the English teams involved in the competition also top their groups at the halfway stage, something even more impressive given that Spurs are grouped with Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
Who has the best chance?
It’s hard to look beyond Manchester City; Pep Guardiola’s side look unstoppable at the moment having scored 29 goals in eight games in the Premier League and eight in three in Europe. The bookies have backed Manchester City down to 6/1 (Ladbrokes) now and they are joint third favourites with Barcelona at the moment. Real Madrid remain favourites for the competition at 9/2 (Ladbrokes), but their league form has been uninspiring and Spurs gave them a real scare during their 1-1 draw this week in Madrid.
Beyond Manchester City, you’d have to fancy Manchester United to be the only other team really capable of challenging. They are currently 12/1 (Ladbrokes) and if anyone can win the competition it is Jose Mourinho. He is the man for the big occasion and whatever happens his team will be tough to beat. He won the Europa League last season with the club and in knockout games he has a superb record.
Will they do It?
I think both Manchester clubs have a fantastic chance of at least reaching the final this year and Manchester City currently look better than Real Madrid and PSG. I don’t think Bayern Munich or Juventus will challenge, so I see it coming down to one of Real Madrid, PSG, Barcelona, Manchester City and Manchester United. City certainly have all the tools at their disposal to win it and I really do think they have a great chance.