European Review for all Premier League clubs

By Jonny Bray

The Premier League hasn’t been at this high a standard in nearly 15 years.

Both fans and pundits appear to be in agreement that the quality of the teams throughout the league has been very impressive.

However, it’ll be interesting to see if that will translate into European success for the English sides in the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League.

After an all-English Champions League Final last year, the question remains, can fans of the Premier League expect the same again this year?

Liverpool

Liverpool have had a perfect start to their European campaign this season.

Winning all six games in any group is impressive but winning all six in a group with Atlético de Madrid, Porto and AC Milan is absolutely outstanding.

It says a lot about how good Liverpool have been when they’re 11 points clear of their closest rival in the group.

They’re arguably favourites to win the whole damn thing.

Manchester United

Despite a difficult league campaign, United guaranteed qualification as Group F winners with a game to spare.

It wasn’t the most challenging group but they have needed Cristiano Ronaldo to be at his talismanic best to keep their hopes alive at times.

All in all, there’s very little to complain about for fans of the Red Devils, who will see their team progress.

With Ronaldo in their side, they cannot be ruled out.

Manchester City

Manchester City finished their qualification on a sour note but the job had already been done.

A 2-1 loss against German side RB Leipzig wasn’t enough to stop Pep Guardiola’s team from progressing as winners of a tricky group.

They dropped six points during qualification, though, which will be disappointing for a side of City’s quality.

Like United, they have still not hit their absolute peak in Europe this campaign.

Chelsea

Chelsea would have expected to win their group after Juventus experienced a rough start to life in Serie A this year.

However, they haven’t been good enough in European competition and now find themselves second in Group H.

Neither side were ever going to struggle to qualify from a group that was clearly a two-horse race but defeat in Turin means Thomas Tuchel’s side may have to do it the hard way in the knockout stages.

West Ham United

West Ham finished top of Group H in the Europa League, overcoming Dinamo Zagreb, Rapid Vienna and KRC Genk.

They secured 13 points, having impressed under David Moyes all season.

Hammers fans must think they’re living in a dream at the moment and they will be relishing the prospect of getting their passports out in the new year.

Leicester City

What a disappointing season it’s been for Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City.

The Foxes looked like they’d be playing in the Champions League during the run-in last season.

But now, after a 3-2 loss to Napoli, they’ll be dropping down into the Europa Conference League.

And it’s not even like their group was particularly difficult.

Group C was topped by Spartak Moscow, who are a great of European football, but on paper shouldn’t be troubling a side of Leicester’s quality.

Tottenham Hotspur

The only English side with a game left to play, Tottenham Hotspur, have struggled to even get out of their group in the Europa Conference League.

They currently sit third with a game in hand in Group G and need to beat group leaders Rennes to qualify for the next round.

Quite frankly, it’s not been good enough from Spurs, who have used the competition to rotate their squad and even lost to group minnows, NS Mura.

They’re lucky that they’ve been given a one-off game where it is do or die.

Maybe it’ll shock their players into a performance on the European stage.

Photo Credit: Getty Images