May be I trying to cushion it a bit, but got me thinking:
Two english teams start 2025-26 season in Europa League. It is probably two of Villa, Chelsea, Forest, Toon.
Whats the easiest way to get CL spot - top-4/5 finish or Europa League win?
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May be I trying to cushion it a bit, but got me thinking:
Two english teams start 2025-26 season in Europa League. It is probably two of Villa, Chelsea, Forest, Toon.
Whats the easiest way to get CL spot - top-4/5 finish or Europa League win?
PL top 4/5 finish. Only one spot available through the Europa against the minimum 4 for league position.
Plus, I know we're hoping the cup win might be the catalyst for more, but given it took 56 years for the last European trophy, pinning our hopes on another for Champs League qualification might not be our strongest option. ;)
I?m torn?
Europa league gives us a better chance of silverware again next season (we could beat anyone in that comp)? and as said, Champions League football the season after.
But, could/would hamper our summer recruitment I?m sure.
Or Champions League to maximise club income, and get our No1 targets, but miss out on the chance of a European trophy (no matter our ambitions, we?re not there yet)
It would be a kick in the nuts to miss out on Champs League? but I think I could take it as long as we get the Europa League? don?t want that conference shiit XD
The reality is we need Champs League because of PSR. Plus, it'll help attract better players (I know we've proved we can do that anyway but it'll definitely be an advantage)
Obviously, I'd take a Europa League cup win over a run in the Champions League but, in terms of the money it would bring in to help us kick on, Champions League next season is a must.
This new format - when no CL drop outs join Europa league play offs - it looks like more winnable trophy than it was before.
And of course Spurs and Mancs marching on there and struggling in PL makes you think - what if?
Also, I cant help myself but think - if Man City won FA cup in 2024, then it would be Newcastle, not Chelsea in Conf League.
But I agree - money talks, another CL qualification could be the difference between recruiting very good player and world class one
Yeah the new format does make it easier to win the Europa, however, with the expansion of the UCL the Europa has lost a little more of it's limited prestige.
Is it easier to qualify via the Prem or Winning the Europa?
Not being in the Europa = less matches, more likely to finish top 4 and qualify via the league.
Being in the Europa = more matches and potential injuries and league fall off like the filth and Spuds.
I don't think it's easier as it's an additional work load on the squad + the travelling. As a stand alone competition absolutely, however, nothing is in isolation so overall no it's easier to just focus on the domestic league qualifications.
If we'd been bobbing around 7-10th in the league and managed to finish in the Europa, then I'd be happy and with that. We've leapfrogged that stage and are now a top 4 regular contender.
Not saying it's a bad thing to win the Europa. Far from it. However, the delta in financial benefits is stark!
Far far more advantageous to battle it out in the new Champions League format and cream the bigger revenues and being in the UCL means we're a destination for all top talent, whilst also shuts up the MSM Muppets about our top talent leaving... Well, should quiet them down a bit.
Nothing will stop those losers flapping their gums.
UCL
Performance-based prize money (37.5% of total)
Stage Prize Money (per club)
Winner €25m ($27.8m)
Runner-up €18.5m ($20.5m)
Semifinalists €15m ($16.6m)
Quarterfinalists €12.5m ($13.9)
Round of 16 €11m ($12.2)
Reaching knockout round playoff €1m ($1.1m)
League-phase wins €2.1m ($2.3m)
League-phase draws €700k ($777,883)
Europa - Stage - Prize Money
League stage qualification ?3.6 million
Knock-out play-offs round ?252,000
Round of 16 qualification ?1.5 million
Quarter-finals qualification ?2.1 million
Semi-finals qualification ?3.5 million
Reaching the Europa League final ?5.9 million
Winning the Europa League ?5 million
Wining the Europa is worth the same as winning 4 League phase matches of the UCL with the share of the pot.
Last season's Europa League winners Atalanta banked £18.23m.
Champions League Base fee for league phase: £15,859,067
League phase victory: £1,788,614
League phase draw: £596,204
So you need to win 2 matches in the group stage to earn as much money as slogging all the way through the Europa.
UCL prize money break down
Win all 6 group matches = 15.9 + (1.788x6)= £26.63m
Bonus of League phase top 8: 2,000,000 / £1.7m = £28.33m
Making the round of 16 is an additional 11m / £9.36m = £37.69m
Quarter final is an additional 12.5m / £10.64m = £48.33m
Semi-finals: 15,000,000 / £12.77m = £61.1m
Runners-up: 18,500,000 / £15.75m = £76.85m
Champions: 25,000,000 / £21.29 = £82.39m
That's without sponsorship profit or match day commercials factored in.
So the absolutely drek teams who qualify for the UCL from trash leagues dominate domestically due to the insane amount of money they generate.
It doesn't level the European playing field or develop grass roots football in weaker leagues it consolidates the old money cartel clubs in each Football Association.
No wonder the English Cartel hate NUFC so much.