Saturday 30 September 2017 19:47, UK
The Premier League could dominate Europe in the coming years, admits Guillem Balague.
Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United have looked impressive so far in the Champions League, while the top seven clubs in the Premier League all spent big to strengthen their squads in the summer.
The Blues' 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday prompted Spanish press to question whether La Liga's cycle of dominance may be coming to an end, and Balague believes we may be about to see a change.
Balague said on his weekly Q&A: "I am convinced the Premier League is about to start making a bigger impact in the Champions League. I was at the Wanda Metropolitano and the performance from Chelsea was outstanding.
"Not just by looking at what you see on the screen but by the way they kept their shape, they run into spaces, they moved to control the game. The best Chelsea performance I remember. The perfect performance on so many levels.
"I had to write pages two and three of AS on Friday, the most important pages, all about the Premier League and how a new cycle may be beginning.
"Our cycle has been very, very long. The last English European domination was from 2004 to 2009, but since 2009 it's mostly been Spanish. I think we're about to see change."
Only two English clubs have reached the Champions League final since 2009, and Premier League sides have struggled in recent years to reach the latter stages of Europe's elite competition.
Balague believes Chelsea and Manchester City have the look of semi-finalists about them, and Spurs cannot be discounted. He adds the mix of money, high-profile coaches and quality of players means focus is turning more towards the Premier League.
"I believe Chelsea and Manchester City have got the look of semi-finalists if the draw is kind to them," he said. "Spurs will make life very difficult to everyone and could also reach the last stages. United showed against Real Madrid that they are not at that level yet, and Liverpool are not either.
"The huge money difference with other leagues mixed with the talented coaches who have won in other leagues, and the fact the Premier League is emptying talent from our league means we could be seeing the end of a long cycle and the start of a new one.
"There are 30 Spanish players in the PL who would normally play at Sevilla, Atletico, Valencia or Villarreal, so it is to be expected that financial superiority shows in Europe at some point.
"Interestingly enough Messi, Ronaldo, Iniesta, Bale, Busquets, Oblak, Griezmann, Luis Suarez, Dybala prefer other leagues, but for how long?"
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