How important is the EL spot?

[MrGrumpy]

From my perspective, EL is massive to clubs in our league (Croatian). We only have 1 CL slot and it's just for CL playoffs. Same for EL. So any Europe is a massive boost, not only to club finances but to player price tags as well. Clubs here survive mostly by selling players, and if they're not playing big games (which EL is for us) or participate in national team, then that means no money.

But in PL, which has so much money, the benefits of EL to me seem non-existant unless you win it. Your schedule is packed, the money is there just for staying in the league and EL doesn't have any weight to it. I'd even say EL is much harder to win than CL since you get CL teams in playoff stage as well, but the prestige of winning it is not there. And you certainly don't need EL to bump up the player prices. I mean, Godfrey came from a relegated team for gbp 25m. Our national champion can only dream of selling a player for that much money unless it's a generational talent like, say, Modrić.

Each extra place higher up in the PL is worth just over 2m GBP per place. So finish finishing 5th compared to 10th is an extra 10 mil. An unless you have a really deep squad which Everton don’t, the money earned in the EL is cancelled out by the loss in revenue from finishing lower in the league

 

[dannyboy]

Please God let’s avoid it. We seriously do not have the squad depth for these games.
it’s extremely hard to win yet boring.
Look at the injuries we’ve had this season just playing the PL games. It’s mad.

If we don't have the squad depth for Europa League then we definitely don't have it for the Champions League either.

 

[Tommysanbud]

Lets take a step back for a minute. How many blues have enjoyed a brilliant euro jolly?

Think of Nuremberg and Anichebe?

That roar when Mikel scored vs Fiorentina

Agony of pens.... we should have gone onto win the whole thing!

Forget the schedule, its not our money, COYB

 

[Pat Butcher]

We have the manager and wages to attract players, Europe would give us even more incentive and show we are going places

 

[4737carlin]

Not as important as winning the league cup, but hopefully we can get in the top 4, but if not all focus needs to be on the domestic cups.

 

[UptheTofees]

Important. Top players want to go to clubs in the CL. Also, some decent players are more likely to accept a sub role knowing a busy schedule will lead to playing time.

Crucial in my opinion.

Arsenal has won cups recently and look where that's gotten them

 

[Thetigerblue]

If we don't have the squad depth for Europa League then we definitely don't have it for the Champions League either.

That is true to some extent but
This will be mitigated by CL qualification with more income and we will be much more attractive to top players.
Also just they’re more interesting.
Also to win the EL one can have to play up to 18 games as opposed to 13 to win the CL.
EL games can often be in some of the more ‘exotic’ locations of the UEFA empire too, with longer travel, and as these games are in a Thursday, pretty much it means we’re mainly playing on Sundays. Compare with CL games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays were we will often have 1-2 days advantage to rest and recover before PL games.

 

[dannyboy]

That is true to some extent but
This will be mitigated by CL qualification with more income and we will be much more attractive to top players.
Also just they’re more interesting.
Also to win the EL one can have to play up to 18 games as opposed to 13 to win the CL.
EL games can often be in some of the more ‘exotic’ locations of the UEFA empire too, with longer travel, and as these games are in a Thursday, pretty much it means we’re mainly playing on Sundays. Compare with CL games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays were we will often have 1-2 days advantage to rest and recover before PL games.

I think both will be a struggle but we need to be qualifying for Europe regularly. Right now, it´s not likely that we can get the Champions League every year so Europa League will have to do. It´s not ideal but it´s better than finishing mid table and not being involved in any competition.

 

[Tin-Tin]

Important to attract better players.

 

[Camboselecta]

Its a double edged sword. When we do well in the league we get Europa and then those extr games cause us issues for the next season. Its imperative now that we get in to Champs league to help bring in more talent. Id rather concentrate on the league right now than any of the other comps. I imagine that the Europa league is being degraded on purpose in order to help the facilitation of this SUPER LEAGUE for the RS and Man City to brake away.

 

[4737carlin]

I hate the competition.
From the poxy Thursday / Sunday games to the CL losers being allowed in.
I hope if we qualify we tell them where to stick it. Or just play the u/21's.

Unless we qualify by winning something, pretty much this, its crap, yes I went Nuremberg, I've enjoyed a few European nights, but we cant go these days anyway.

 

[OneTrueLegend]

I think the europa league has suffered from it being too many games for EPL teams, sometimes 3 rounds of knockouts, then a group stage, then a last 32

From this season the 2 EPL teams that qualify for the Europa League go straight in at the group stage and if they win their group, go into the last 16. Its a lot less games and more in line with the champions league. I think this will make for a better competition overall.

Personally I like when we are in it, our league form does suffer for it. But I would rather we won something and think the Europa league is actually something we could win

 

[Rook]

europa would be fine if it was straight knockout and the CL losers were dumped. I don't mind its a 2nd tier trophy and all the best clubs are in the CL, its just UEFA turned it into a nonsense tourney and it feels like that was done on purpose.

 

[4737carlin]

Important. Top players want to go to clubs in the CL. Also, some decent players are more likely to accept a sub role knowing a busy schedule will lead to playing time.

Crucial in my opinion.

Arsenal has won cups recently and look where that's gotten them

Yeah but Arsenal havent gone for 25 years without winning anything.
You could also say we gave qualified for the EL in the past and look where it's got us.

 

[shagpuss]

Among all the big clubs in England, our record in Europe is totally poo. A big part of that was our lovable neighbour's antics back in 1985. But we generally don't do much in Europe anyway.
Would love to see us win the EL but we should be aiming for the CL first. A top four place is very gettable this season. Christ, even winning the EPL!
Good trips to the continent, European nights under the lights at Goodison and improved co-efficient.