How ironic that our football teams should demonstrate a renewed commitment to Europe at the very point at which our politicians are negotiating an exit. In the footballing sense at least, the English are coming, not going.
All five English clubs top their respective groups in the Champions League at the halfway stage, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea outright, Liverpool on goal difference and Spurs in a straight share with Real Madrid.
Though early in the piece it remains some statement given the poverty of the English effort since Chelsea won the Champions League in 2012. On only four occasions, two in the same season, have the quarter-finals featured a Premier League club in that period. And this after the power period of 2007-09 when for three successive years England provided three of the four semi-finalists.
English clubs' Champions League success is good for European football
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