Not sure about you, but I think a European League is not far off now.
I think the Europa League will be scrapped in the next five years, as it has become a competition that few teams (apart from those with big enough squads to cope) want to be in.
The financial rewards are limited and the CL spot for the winners is surely just solving a symptom rather than the cause.
The cause being the expansion of the Champions League and the seeding system, leading to a competition that the top sides want to be in.
As we see with results like last night at Chelsea, the top sides in Europe are so far ahead of the rest and group games are generally now a procession.
UEFA want to see the likes of Barcelona, Bayern, Real, PSG and the top British clubs in the latter stages and they want the big sides pitted against each other. In some cases, it's what the fans want.
So, I think they will begin to look at the group situation and see people's interest on the wane - because of the formality that is qualification in many cases.
I think this will lead to a change, which lets the seeded sides through to the latter stages and the smaller clubs fighting it out to have a chance of joining them.
I don't like it, personally, but it's the way the game has been going for years.
The future of European competition
posted on 13/9/17
meltonblue (U10617)
Not sure that will be feasible, but I suppose you never know.
posted on 13/9/17
I think it's the only way it will happen as UEFA have to be seen to be supporting all clubs, the bigger clubs are the ones that will get greedy and want the change (again, exactly like the formation of the pl).
posted on 13/9/17
meltonblue (U10617)
Do they?
Seems to be they have gotten away with supporting the big clubs for a long time and that looks set to continue.
posted on 13/9/17
I imagine they don't agree with you in that respect!
.................
Maybe they don't. We will get an indication on Thursday night.
posted on 13/9/17
It's more that they were pretty powerless to be honest, that's why they asked for the G14 to be disbanded in favour of the ECA.
posted on 13/9/17
Vidicschin (U3584)
I think they'll approach it with full strength at this stage of the season.
It's further into the season I think teams start to prioritise one of the two.
posted on 13/9/17
Back to a huge knock out comp
posted on 14/9/17
In footballing terms, Europe is far too big and there is too much pandering to "fairness" over competitiveness.
The Nations League for international sides is a good first step towards providing a competitive level for all nations.
posted on 14/9/17
omment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 1 day, 3 hours ago
I imagine they don't agree with you in that respect!
.................
Maybe they don't. We will get an indication on Thursday night.
..............
It does appear that Everton are not taking this competition seriously.
posted on 15/9/17
Yes - they decided to play like a bunch of jokers.