Premier needs winter break to truly compete
ENGLISH clubs are still playing catch-up with Spain’s top teams – and Manchester City may have to wait another three seasons to win the Champions League.
Those are the conclusions drawn by Gaizka Mendieta, Sky’s Spanish football expert, as the big beasts of the Premier League attempt to end La Liga’s recent domination of the competition.
Spanish clubs have won six of the last nine Champions League crowns, including the last four, and Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool all face La Liga opposition in the group stages.
“If you look at the numbers then, yes, the Premier League is playing catch-up,” says Mendieta.
“The Spanish teams are better prepared for European football than English sides.
“That doesn’t mean to say the Premier League isn’t a very strong league, it’s just that you often get distracted. Usually whoever does well in the Champions League will not do well in their domestic League.
“The Premier League is more demanding because there is no winter break. Having a break pays off for the Spanish clubs when it comes to Europe.
“Without it, it is very intense. You play nonstop and also play more games in a shorter period than at any other time of the season – and in worse conditions.
“All that has an impact on your fitness and affects you mentally.
“I think to compete better in Europe you need to stop the Premier League for two weeks.
“I also think that, generally, the Spanish authorities try to help teams in the Champions League more than they do in England, where it seems more difficult to move matches. That’s another positive for the Spanish clubs.
“The two teams in England best equipped to handle both competitions are Manchester United and Chelsea, because they have good experience in Europe. That is very important.
“Manchester City seem very focused on the Champions League, but I think if they go all out for that competition they will struggle in the Premier League.
“Pep Guardiola was brought in to win things, but in his first season he found that very difficult.
“As far as winning the Champions League is concerned it’s a case of eventually with City.
“Maybe it will take another two or three years. To establish yourselves in Europe as Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have, takes years of history.
“Now Paris Saint-Germain are also there because of the money they have spent, so it’s going to be even harder for a club like City.”