Hazard shines in half-empty stadium.
Four English clubs monopolising the two European club Finals was historic. The only surprise, as efficient Chelsea kicked off the Premier League party by swatting away a poor Arsenal, is that the football powers in Germany, Spain, and Italy had managed to prevent it until now.
The Premier League is the richest in the game, with its clubs generating a record £4.5billion last year. English clubs can pay the highest transfer fees and wages, thus they are able to appoint many of the best coaches and sign most of the best players.
Logic and the law of averages suggest that English clubs should have more success than any other country in European club competition. But UEFA has only itself to blame for events this past season after its own rule change back in 2016.
That was when it granted Champions League access to the Europa League holders. The change induced a shift of thinking in the Premier League, persuading clubs to view the Europa League as a serious competition, not a Thursday-night nuisance worthy only of the reserve team. Hence more money was worth spending on squad depth.
Chelsea’s Brazilian defender David Luiz explained how the evolution of the last few years has been evidenced out on the pitch. He says: “When I came here in 2011 nobody wanted me to play the ball out from the back, everybody wanted to kick it long. Now everybody understands.
Esta historia es de la edición June 2019 de World Soccer.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición June 2019 de World Soccer.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role
Inter cruise to title number 20
Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals
HAT-TRICK HERO
Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final
GOING UP
The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar
Palau soldier on alone
The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner
Disasters brewing
There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines