The Champions League kicked off last week, and it was a successful start for most English clubs. Tottenham and Manchester City were the only sides not to win, though neither English club is in real danger of elimination.
Chelsea were the last English side to win the Champions League back in 2012. Could it happen again this year? Absolutely, and there are plenty of reasons why.
Can an English Club Win the Champions League This Year?
Manchester City Favourites
Despite losing their opening game to Lyon, City are still current favourites to lift the trophy. In terms of quality, Manchester City are undoubtedly the best English club and possibly the best side in Europe. On their day, they can beat any team put in front of them.
However, no one would have expected them to lose midweek to Lyon. It was an unexpected loss as many predicted City would dominate their relatively easy group, but they should still qualify comfortably.
The Champions League is the only trophy still escaping City. Under Guardiola, they have a great chance to win it too. They have created a squad that has an abundance of quality.
Spearheaded by Sergio Aguero, the City attack is especially frightening. It is partly why they are favourites for the tournament; as they can outscore anyone when on form.
It Is Not Just City Though…
Last years runners-up Liverpool will be hoping to go one better this year and avenge their misfortune in the final. Starting with a win over French champions PSG is the perfect way to begin their campaign. Roberto Firmino’s last-minute winner will set up Liverpool perfectly for the trip to Italy to face Napoli.
What may benefit Liverpool in their Champions League campaign is not their attack but their defence. The signing of Virgil Van Dijk has improved the Liverpool defence dramatically.
The centre-back leads the line perfectly for Liverpool and dominates opposing strikers. His partnership with Joe Gomez has been noticeable; Gomez has gone under the radar next to the £75 million star.
Nobody at the start of last season would have thought Liverpool would make the final. However, this year Manchester City surely stand a better chance of making the final in Madrid. Liverpool do stand a good chance, but their focus might be on the Premier League after their fantastic start.
Do United or Tottenham Have A Chance?
While they do, it is very slim. The former more so, as the Mourinho saga may plague them for much of the season. United started their campaign well with a 3-0 win against Young Boys.
However, games against Valencia and Juventus will prove tougher and may catch United out. Manchester United fans will see second as an achievement due to the saga with Mourinho.
Past the group stage and United may struggle. While the quality is there within the squad, the togetherness does not appear to be. This may hamper them should they get there.
After their opening game defeat and tough group, Tottenham may struggle to get out the group stage. Tottenham lost 2-1 against Inter Milan after letting in two late goals.
This may knock Spurs’ Champions League confidence and cost them in the latter rounds of the group stage. With their next game being against Barcelona, Spurs will be looking towards the second half of the group stage to get the points.
However, if they finished third and went into the Europa League then they may stand a better chance of winning that.
There is a fantastic chance for an English club to win the Champions League. Some of the best football in Europe is played by the English sides competing in this year’s Champions League.
The likelihood is that it would be either City or Liverpool to win it, but it puts clubs in good stead for future tournaments.
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