Nine English clubs will play European football in 2025-26, with six in the Champions League, two in the Europa League and one in the Conference League. European involvement increases fixture counts dramatically: a club winning Europe would face at least 55 matches including 38 league games and multiple cup ties, while Leicester’s 2015–16 title-winning season involved only 43 matches without European distraction. Clubs outside Europe may gain recovery time and less congested schedules. Players and managers face a trade-off between match rhythm, squad rotation and fatigue versus additional trophy opportunities and international travel. Larger squads are used to manage resting players.
"A record-breaking nine English sides will play European football in 2025-26 - Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle and Tottenham in the Champions League; Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest in the Europa League; and Crystal Palace in the Conference League. But will those clubs who are not in Europe be able to capitalise on having a less hectic fixture schedule and more rest between matches? When Leicester City shocked the footballing world to win the Premier League in 2015-16, they only played 43 games in all competitions, with no European distractions."
"If an English club were to triumph in Europe this season, they would play a minimum of 55 matches - 38 in the Premier League, at least two domestic cup games and either 15 or 17 European matches, depending on whether they feature in the knockout play-off round. So what would teams prefer? Be fresh and do well in the league or face a gruelling schedule full of regular midweek games and international travel, but with more chances of silverware?"
Read at www.bbc.com
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