The so called big six, now and in a couple of seasons

[ex_pat_magpie]

A couple of seasons ago there was probably no doubt that most would say, Manure, Citeh, Liverpool, Chelski, Arse-anal and Spuds.

Just look at the league table now and see how Manure and Spuds have slipped down and considering their financial problems will endure a very slow recovery. Both Citeh and Chelski have become easily beatable at times this season.

Their is a bit of turmoil at Liverpool, way above management level and a few contract problems to sort out amongst an ageing squad, and as we saw last game v Chelski the midfield replacing the first team regular starters were not up to standard.

That leaves Arsenal, ready to crumble needing to revamp their squad but reluctant to pay the high wages which the players on their purchase list demand.

This leads me to wonder, which clubs will be the constant big six in a couple of seasons time.

I would guess, ourselves, Liverpool and Chelski, who have the finances to recover, as well of course Citeh, provided that their coming penalties don't result in relegation, perhaps Villa and another from the better run out siders.

[Zippity]

Would be great if the old otrder changed, Pat.

What's frustrating is that either Spurs or Man U are likely to be in the Champions League next season with all the extra finance that comes with it.

[Ragatino]

Would be great if the old otrder changed, Pat.

What's frustrating is that either Spurs or Man U are likely to be in the Champions League next season with all the extra finance that comes with it.

We know that Spurs have a chance of utterly bottling it in Norway. Only 2 goals up and Glimt are a genuine dark horse of European football these days.

Will Bilbao be able to find 3 goals and take it to pens at the swamp against the filth? Not sure but I live in hope our Basque cousin, the Spanish Geordies can find the steel and grit they need to cause an upset.

Keep the faith that both teams revert to type and completely bottle it at the crucial moment.

[toptoon]

Even if ManU dont make CL, they?re still a few sensible decisions away from challenging top 4 again because, and only because, of PSR. Theyd need to have several poor seasons like this one with no CL football, giving time for the plastics to fall away, their CL coefficient to fall and their appeal as an ?I support ManU? gloss to wear off.
Its the nature of the beast that is there to protect the high income clubs and is a huge kick in the nuts for sporting integrity and the beautiful game.

[Ragatino]

Even if ManU dont make CL, they?re still a few sensible decisions away from challenging top 4 again because, and only because, of PSR. Theyd need to have several poor seasons like this one with no CL football, giving time for the plastics to fall away, their CL coefficient to fall and their appeal as an ?I support ManU? gloss to wear off.
Its the nature of the beast that is there to protect the high income clubs and is a huge kick in the nuts for sporting integrity and the beautiful game.

I watch a lot of content when travelling. Man U fans are certain that they've about 8 players short of being competitive.

If they didn't have the revenue streams they'd bankrupt. They ?300m in player payments alone.

No one is gonna buy Casimero, he's on ?320,00 a week. Same with so many other players. Sociedad can't afford that Fraud Antony's transfer nor his salary.

Their entire squad has very little resale value.

Mainoo could go for ?40m but any talk of him being ?60-80+ is a joke, he's still trying to climb out of Miley's back pocket.

Rashford's attitude will cost them a massive transfer. He want's Barca, they have no money and don't need or want him. Wolves have made an offer of ?45m for Rashford. I recon he'll end up at Either Chelsea of Spurs.

He's always flattered to deceive, never thought he was world class. If he played for Norwich or Leicester he'd be a ?25m player.

[toptoon]

They have massive financial clout though. Any other club would be in trouble with the poor recruitment and management there. PSR was supposed to protect clubs against this but is clearly only preventing other clubs from closing the gap on the high income clubs while they flounder about. The biggest joke of all is the european co-efficient. ?I get more money than you for the same performance in Europe because my club has more history there.? I mean, WTF? Sounds like something the Brazilian government would make up.

[Jammy89]

I find it so gutting that it'll be one of those two. It feels so undeserved - I do get that it's deserved by winning Europa but still.

[Nufcian]

I think it?s likely there won?t be a ?big 6? label for a few years.

It looks like there will be a Big 3 with Liverpool, Arsenal and City (depending on 115 charges it could be a Big 2) with a number of clubs? us, Villa, Chelsea, Man Utd, Spurs jockeying for a final CL spot? and with no one regularly in the CL that might stay the same way unless someone can force their way to being a dominant 4th team.

Next season there?s likely going to be a lower European co-efficient with likely so many teams in Europe? if we end up with 9 or 10 teams across the 3 competitions then points will be divided by 9 or 10? which looks like it would be okay from a Europa and Conference perspective, but if we have 6 teams in the CL then not all of them will make the final stages and do well in the group stage.

So maybe the Prem will yo-yo between having 4 and 5 spots, or 5 & 6 if the Europa stays as p!ss poor as it is in terms of standard.

This summer?s window is massive, we have to push the envelope, we have to make our tilt at being a club that can compete in Europe and compete to make 4th (or better), but the question of depth is the obvious worry? second striker, second right winger, and apart from the potential in Miley none of our midfield looks up to it. Hopefully the young lad from City is ready to step up, but I?m looking at the transfers that I think are a must these days and having a player that it first team ready in midfield is becoming more and more a must? we can?t play the same 3 every game with CL footy added, and we need someone ready from the start of next season to come in.

[Ragatino]

I think it?s likely there won?t be a ?big 6? label for a few years.

It looks like there will be a Big 3 with Liverpool, Arsenal and City (depending on 115 charges it could be a Big 2) with a number of clubs? us, Villa, Chelsea, Man Utd, Spurs jockeying for a final CL spot? and with no one regularly in the CL that might stay the same way unless someone can force their way to being a dominant 4th team.

Next season there?s likely going to be a lower European co-efficient with likely so many teams in Europe? if we end up with 9 or 10 teams across the 3 competitions then points will be divided by 9 or 10? which looks like it would be okay from a Europa and Conference perspective, but if we have 6 teams in the CL then not all of them will make the final stages and do well in the group stage.

So maybe the Prem will yo-yo between having 4 and 5 spots, or 5 & 6 if the Europa stays as p!ss poor as it is in terms of standard.

This summer?s window is massive, we have to push the envelope, we have to make our tilt at being a club that can compete in Europe and compete to make 4th (or better), but the question of depth is the obvious worry? second striker, second right winger, and apart from the potential in Miley none of our midfield looks up to it. Hopefully the young lad from City is ready to step up, but I?m looking at the transfers that I think are a must these days and having a player that it first team ready in midfield is becoming more and more a must? we can?t play the same 3 every game with CL footy added, and we need someone ready from the start of next season to come in.

I can't include Arsenal, a club that has won nothing in 5 seasons, thus far in any 'Big Club' conversation. City & Liverpool are winning clubs from a league perspective. Wining cups is great from our point of view and a great step on the road to becoming a title challenger.

Also, how long are Saliba, Saka & Rice gonna stay at a club that loses every season?

They don't pay the big wages, they live on their Wenger Reputation. "Specialists in Failure."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2-Pyf0d7hs - LB the City Podcast G nails it about them in his 50min break down of what a joke they are as a club.

Arsenal, the filth, Spudz, Chelsea are all in the mix with the rest of us for the UCL.

Villa, Forest, NUFC are on their shoulders.

Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth are all disruptors who regularly take points of the likes of Arsenal, the filth, Spudz, Chelsea.

Regarding your point about the 4-5 slots available the following years competition. Yes that will be the case. This summer is very important in terms of recruitment. However, every window is for us right now. We have money available and the commercials really need to be strengthened to allow the club to offer financially competitive packages.

Whilst we need to build for the future, tomorrow never comes. It's essential that we don't suffer like our previous foray into the UCL and bring in players that will improve the weak positions in our starting 11.

It's essential that we get a player better than Murphy at RW, better than Schar at RCB, a better goalkeeper than Pope.

The only position we need to strength that I don't expect a better player is at CF. Isak is pretty much as good as it gets. However, the striker needs to be better and more reliable than Wilson, more more experienced than Osula.

We need a goal scorer to take the load off Isaks legs from time to time.