Soccer — Cash or competition? what is behind England’s domination of Europe?

England’s Premier League has achieved a notable feat by securing all four spots in the finals of Europe’s two club competitions, underscoring its position as the world’s most commercially successful football league. Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur will compete in the Champions League final, while Arsenal and Chelsea will face off in the Europa League final. This marks the first time in history that one country has produced finalists for both tournaments in the same year.

The Premier League’s financial prowess, evident in substantial player investments, has translated into on-field success. The league’s clubs spent a significant amount, with English clubs alone investing $1.98 billion on player transfers from abroad in 2018. Noteworthy player acquisitions, such as Liverpool’s expenditures on Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, have been complemented by substantial investments in coaching, featuring elite managers like Pep Guardiola, Juergen Klopp, and Mauricio Pochettino.

Despite dominating revenue generation in European football, as indicated by UEFA’s ‘benchmarking’ report, the Premier League’s main continental rivals still hold top revenue positions. Real Madrid and Barcelona lead in revenue, but the intense competition within England’s ‘big six’ clubs sets the stage for success in European competitions.

The presence of a highly competitive top tier, however, doesn’t guarantee European success, as evidenced by England having only one Champions League winner in the past decade compared to Spain’s five consecutive victories. Nonetheless, the tough domestic competition is believed to contribute to European success, exemplified by Liverpool’s resilient journey to the Champions League final.

The influx of talent in the Premier League extends beyond the top teams, thanks to the league’s equitable distribution of television revenue. This enables even mid-tier and lower-ranked teams to attract quality players. The league’s intense competition is recognized by European coaches, who find matches against lower-ranked teams challenging compared to some European leagues where smaller teams may approach matches with a resigned attitude.

While England may be enjoying success this year, caution is advised against drawing definitive conclusions about the Premier League’s future dominance in Europe. Spain’s recent stranglehold on European competitions, winning seven of the last 10 Champions Leagues and six of the last 10 Europa Leagues, highlights the need for a longer-term perspective on the league’s continental achievements.