Why it's so difficult to break into the Premier League's top six

"The phrase " Premier League big six" may be flawed -- you need only look at Tottenham Hotspur and, to an extent, Manchester United's position in the table over the last 12 months to understand why -- but it does exist for a reason. Between 2016 and 2022, six clubs -- Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, United and Spurs -- occupied the top six positions in the table four times in those six years."

"In the three seasons since, at least four have secured a spot there, with United (15th) and Spurs (17th) struggling last season in particular. The domination has placed a glass ceiling over what most other clubs in the division can realistically achieve, and while some occasionally smash it, they often sink straight back down. One of the reasons for that is obvious: Trying to compete consistently with rivals whose financial capacity far outstrips your own is borderline impossible."

"How to punch above your weight: Forget possession, just counter-attack Most clubs that rise to the point of threatening the "big six" do so by perfecting a counter-attacking strategy. They hit a sweet spot in terms of defensive solidity and carry a clear threat on the break, often picking up a couple of wins against top sides along the way to raise some eyebrows. It sees them leap up the table into about ... seventh place."

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur repeatedly occupied the Premier League's top six between 2016 and 2022, achieving that grouping four times. In the three seasons since, at least four of those clubs have remained among the top six, although Manchester United (15th) and Tottenham Hotspur (17th) struggled last season. The concentration of resources has created a glass ceiling that prevents most clubs from sustaining top-tier positions. Financial disparities make consistent competition extremely difficult. Tactically, challengers often rely on counter-attacking setups that grant short-term rises into around seventh place but typically fail to displace the dominant clubs long-term.

Read at ESPN.com