Last season was the first time in 20 years "no English side has made the last eight of any European tournament," according to John Burn-Murdoch of the FINANCIAL TIMES. Despite "ballooning budgets, financed by record broadcast revenues, the signs are that the Premiership elite can no longer mix it with their continental rivals." Numerous theories for this decline have been posited, "including the lack of a winter break in the English game," though this does not explain why things "should have worsened." Another possible factor could be how different countries' clubs prioritize the tournament. Between '03-04 and '08-09 the Premier League provided six out of 10 Champions League finalists, "and half or more of its participating clubs rotated players in the league to prepare them for Europe." But in five of the past six seasons, more English sides have prioritized the league, "and this has coincided with diminishing returns in Europe." In contrast, clubs from Spain and Germany "have tended to focus on Europe, and account for eight of the past 12 finalists" (FT, 10/4).
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| Source: FINANCIAL TIMES |
