What is going on with English soccer? Despite the top four English sides embarrassing themselves in the Champions League over the last few weeks, many felt that the opposition had a lot to do with the results—except for Manchester United, of course. But with the first knockout round of the Europa League coming to an end on Thursday, it has become clear that English soccer is falling behind as the top league in the world.
In terms of parity, the English League seems more "fair" when compared to the two-party system in Spain or the Bayern Munich dictatorship in Germany. However, in terms of quality England is far from reigning supreme; at any level.
The Europa League round of 32 featured a total of two English sides: Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur. Swansea had the thankless task of playing Napoli in the round of 32 and was never expected to go particularly far. However, the team acquitted itself rather well in the first leg of the game and walked away with a 0-0 draw that gave it all the momentum in Napoli. A 1-1 draw would put the team through to the next round. But as Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund found out earlier this year, Napoli plays really well at home. And that is exactly what they did. The Italians completely outclassed the English in every possible manner. It was pretty embarrassing for English fans to watch.
Tottenham was not embarrassed in its draw against Ukrainian side Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, but it is clear that this English side is not made to last. After losing 1-0 on the road, the team managed a crucial 3-1 win at home. The effort was far better, but hardly that of a team that is going to make a deep run. Benfica is up next for the English side; do not expect Tottenham to get past Portugal's top side.
Tottenham may feel good about one thing, however. The team may wind up being the only one of seven English sides that actually managed to win a knockout round tie. Granted Wigan Athletic did not even make it out of the group stage, but of the other five English sides currently contesting a knockout run, only one stands a chance of avoiding elimination. Chelsea's 1-1 draw against Galatasaray gives the team the advantage heading home for the second tie, but it is the slimmest of advantages. One goal from Galatasaray and Chelsea will be trouble, especially if they play the way they played in the second half on Wednesday.
Manchester United could make a comeback at home, but David Moyes does not seem capable of getting his teams to produce miracles the way that Sir Alex Ferguson used to do.
Arsenal is not going to defeat Bayern Munich on the road again. And Manchester City is not turning their 2-0 deficit around at the Camp Nou.
This all spells doom for English soccer on the world stage. Unless Chelsea makes a run to the Champions League title and Tottenham does the same in the Europa league, the league will continue to see its reputation dwindle on the big stage.