Premier League is the best league in the world – Are you sure?

The collapse of English sides in the Champions League round of 16, to put it mildly, has been dramatic. Six teams entered the knockout stage, with only one needing a play-off, yet by last night and the night before, all except Arsenal and Liverpool had seen their European campaigns end.

The Reds once again proved they are unrivaled in Europe, especially in elite competitions, while Mikel Arteta’s squad allowed themselves a poor 90 minutes against Bayer Leverkusen before showing why many, including bookmakers, still consider them top contenders.

After a solid 1-1 at St. James’ Park a week ago, Newcastle were humiliated at the Nou Camp, losing 7-2. Tottenham offered moments of hope to their fans but ultimately could not overturn the heavy 5-2 deficit from the first leg against Atletico, just like Manchester City, who have seemingly become regular victims of Real Madrid.

Newcastle's BBB night at Camp Nou: Bold, Brave and Battered!

In short, three Spanish vs. English ties ended in a perfect La Liga sweep – 3/3 (with four wins, one draw, one loss, and a combined goal difference of 20:9). The Premier League’s debacle is further highlighted by PSG’s double triumph over a struggling Chelsea – 5-2 and 3-0.

Factoring that in, English teams in the round of 16 suffered six defeats, one draw, and a single victory (Tottenham), with an overall goal difference of 11:28:

Newcastle – Barcelona 1:1, 2:7

Atletico Madrid – Tottenham 5:2, 2:3

Real Madrid – Manchester City 3:0, 2:1

PSG – Chelsea 5:2, 3:0

These results inevitably reignite the debate: is the Premier League really as dominant over the other top five leagues, particularly La Liga?

This piece isn’t meant to settle that question, but some observations can still be made. There is no doubt the Premier League is financially the strongest, possibly the most attractive, and home to the most star-studded squads. Yet, after Newcastle, Chelsea, and Tottenham’s dramatic exits, it’s fair to ask how many English teams can realistically compete for the latter stages of the Champions League—or even hope to lift the trophy. How many are genuinely serious, title-chasing squads?

From La Liga, it’s clearly Real Madrid and Barcelona. From the Premier League, only Arsenal and potentially Liverpool. From this perspective, Spanish sides still hold their own at the highest level.

What’s remarkable is that they’ve achieved this despite record-low spending. In the past two transfer windows, English clubs have spent over €4 billion, while Spanish clubs have spent less than €800 million—almost half of what Serie A spent, and less than Bundesliga. Over the last five years, the gap widens further: Premier League €14.74 billion, La Liga €2.93 billion. In that period, Spanish clubs won two European titles, the English just one.

If anything can “defend” this year’s poor showing by England’s wealthiest league, it might be Tottenham’s unusually weak form, Chelsea undermining themselves with an underqualified coach, and City being a side in transition despite heavy investment.

Ultimately, the Premier League’s billions didn’t perform this season—and haven’t really in the past two either. Last season, only two English teams reached the quarterfinals, with one making the semis. The season before, two teams reached the quarterfinals with none in the semis.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - ROUND OF 16

Return leg

Tuesday

Sporting - Bodo 5-0 (1-0) AET

/Inacio 34, Goncalves 61, Suarez 78 pen, Araujo 92, Nel 120+1/

Sporting win 5-3 on agg

Arsenal - Leverkusen 2-0 (1-0)

/Eze 36, Rice 63/

Arsenal win 3-1 on agg

Chelsea - PSG 0-3 (0-2)

/Kvaratskhelia 6, Barcola 14, Mayulu 62/

PSG win 8-2 on agg

Manchester City - Real Madrid 1-2 (1-1)

/Haaland 41 - Vinicius 22 pen, 90+3/

Real Madrid 5-1 on agg

Wednesday

Barcelona - Newcastle 7-2 (3-2)

/Raphinha 6, 72, Bernal 18, Yamal 45+7 pen, Fermin 51, Lewandowski 56, 61 - Elanga 15,28/

Barcelona win 8-3 on aggregate

Bayern - Atalanta 4-1 (1-0)

/Kane 25 pen, 54, Karl 56, Diaz 70 - Samardzic 86 pen/

Bayern win 10-2 on aggregate

Liverpool - Galatasaray 4-0 (1-0)

/Szoboszlai 25, Ekitike 52, Gravenberch 53, Salah 62/

Liverpool win 4-1 on aggregate

Tottenham - Atletico Madrid 3-2 (1-0)

/Kolo Muani 30, Simons 52, 90 pen - Alvarez 47, Hancko 75/

Atletico win 7-5 on aggregate