European football has always been a test of strength and endurance for English clubs. In the 2025/26 season, a record nine Premier League sides will compete in European events. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur enter the UEFA Champions League, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest join the UEFA Europa League, while Crystal Palace steps into the UEFA Conference League. 

However, the question arises. Does such a busy schedule lift clubs to new heights, or does it hold them back in their home league race? History shows that balancing both goals has been rare, with only a few clubs able to claim the Premier League and European crowns in the same season.

The weight of a packed season

European runs add both glamour and burden. For teams chasing trophies abroad, the number of matches can grow heavy. A club that reaches the late rounds could face up to 55 matches in one season, with 38 league fixtures, domestic cup ties, and 15 to 17 European games. 

In contrast, Leicester City’s title win in 2015/16 came during a calm schedule, as they played only 43 matches and avoided Europe altogether. The gap in match load shows how rest and recovery may aid some sides while travel and midweek contests stretch others thin.

Player view: Rhythm vs fatigue

Former England defender Matthew Upson sees the matter from a player’s point of view. He recalls enjoying a steady rhythm when playing twice a week, as the pace of matches built sharpness and fitness. For players, more games often mean more chances for medals and less risk of losing match shape. 

However, Upson admits that the number of matches near the winter break can become too much, pushing the need for bigger squads. Rotation is important, as rest ensures energy for others.

History of league success without Europe

Leicester’s miracle run in 2015/16 is a clear sign that freedom from Europe can fuel success. Chelsea matched the feat the following year. Even in the early Premier League years, clubs such as Manchester United in 1992/93 and Blackburn Rovers in 1994/95 had little European strain when they took the title. 

Since England received four Champions League spots after the 2001/02 season, it is rare for Premier League clubs to reach the top-four spots in the domestic league without experience in continental football leagues like the UCL and the Europa League. Still, the dream of ruling both at home and abroad is not impossible. 

Manchester United did so in 1998/99 and 2007/08, while Manchester City reached the same glory in 2022/23. Liverpool’s older double wins in 1976/77 and 1983/84 remain part of English football pride. These rare feats prove that, while hard, it is not beyond reach.

The strain of extra matches

The current season has already shown how fast the calendar can grow. Crystal Palace had played seven matches before mid-September, including qualifiers and the Community Shield, and may reach 29 by Christmas. 

By contrast, sides like Bournemouth, Leeds United, Manchester United, Sunderland, and West Ham United could play only 18 by that point, with no Europe and early cup exits. More games mean more risks, from injuries to poor form, but fewer games can also lead to longer waits between matches, which may stall rhythm.

Upson stresses that breaks can help if the training mood is good. If form dips and morale sinks, long gaps can hurt more than they help. Players then face long days at the training ground with no quick chance to fix their troubles on the pitch.

Europe can hurt league form

For some clubs, the push for Europe has come at a sharp cost in the league. Tottenham won the UEFA Europa League last season by beating Manchester United in the final, yet they slumped to 17th in the Premier League. 

Meanwhile, United ended only one spot higher. Spurs won their first European competition since 1984, but their underperformance in the Premier League still led to Ange Postecoglou's exit.

Burnley’s 2018/19 season showed another case. They played six UEFA Europa League qualifiers by August, failed to reach the group stage, and ended 15th in the league, far worse than the year before. 

Newcastle in 2012/13 advanced to the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals but slumped to 16th in the league. Both Blackburn in 1998/99 and Ipswich Town in 2001/02 were relegated while in European contests. The toll of travel, fatigue, and split focus has often left sides vulnerable.

Strange without Europe

For some giants, a season without European ties feels unusual. Manchester United, for example, last played a campaign without Europe in 2014/15. This year marks only their second such season since the 1990s. 

Already out of the Carabao Cup, they may finish with their lowest match total in the Premier League era unless they make a deep FA Cup run. A lighter schedule may bring rest, but can also rob players of the stage they are used to.

The balance of risk and reward

European football remains a dream and a danger. The lure of silverware and the honour of continental glory drive clubs to chase it, even as the Premier League demands steady focus week after week. 

Clubs outside Europe gain longer rest and simpler schedules, while those in Europe face fatigue but gain chances at history. The question lingers each season. Is it better to stay fresh and fight at home, or to risk a heavy load in pursuit of a greater prize?

The true cost of glory

The story of English clubs in Europe has always been about balance. Some sides have thrived, finding ways to claim both home and abroad. Others have struggled, paying the price of split focus with poor league finishes or even relegation. 

This season, with nine clubs carrying the extra weight, the test will be greater than ever. By spring, the answer may be clearer. Is the dream of Europe worth the risk of losing ground in the Premier League?

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Everton FC has signed Jack Grealish on a season-long loan from Manchester City for their 2025-26 run. Jack completed his deal on Tuesday, August 12, which will cost Everton about £12m. The 29-year-old winger eyes this move as a way to regain his form after a tough spell at City.

Jack joined City in 2021 from Aston Villa in a £100m deal. He played a key role in the club’s winning season back in 2022-23, but his injuries have seen his minutes drop. He was also left out of City’s recent FIFA Club World Cup squad. 

The football star now heads to Hill Dickinson Stadium after several offers to leave Man City. Only David Moyes was able to talk with him about relaunching his Premier League career, to which Jack responded, ‘I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go,�and signed with them.

Jack hopes to take part in Everton’s Premier League opener vs Leeds United on Monday, August 18. This could be his chance to restart his career and prove his skills in the field.

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After two years with Burnley, James Trafford has rejoined Manchester City ahead of the 34th season of the English Premier League this August. The 22-year-old goalkeeper has agreed to a five-year deal, with the possibility of a one-year extension, and is set to take over the number one jersey.

The deal costs Man City £27m with add-ons; however, Burnley sources say that the price was £31m plus add-ons and a sell-on clause. With this return, they broke a record previously held by Jordan Pickford in 2017, when Everton paid Sunderland £30m to close the transfer deal. 

Trafford reassured that his return is worth it for the team as he is ‘a hundred times better�than before. He even remarked in excitement during the official public announcement that he had always dreamt of coming back to Man City.

‘I am still very young and hungry to keep learning and improving - and I know there is no better environment than Manchester City to help make me become the best goalkeeper I can be,�he added.

Many are looking forward to his return, including Director of Football Hugo Viana, saying, 'We are delighted to welcome him back to Manchester City.' In a separate comment, he added, 'He has all the attributes a top-class goalkeeper requires.

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Cole Palmer has quickly become a key player at Chelsea. Despite talk of Manchester City wanting him back, there’s no sign the Blues will let him go anytime soon. The 23-year-old is under contract until 2033 and is happy at the club. 

Chelsea sees Palmer as one of their most important players, especially after his standout performances. He scored two goals and provided an assist in the Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain, which helped the Blues win the title.

In his first season, he scored 20 goals, won two trophies, and became a fan favourite. However, he dreams of winning the Ballon d’Or, and to do that, he hopes to help Chelsea win the Premier League and Champions League. If the club can’t compete for those top titles, he may consider moving in the future.

Although Manchester City are already title contenders, Palmer reportedly has no interest in going back, as he felt the club didn’t give him enough chances. Now, he enjoys proving himself at Chelsea.

A move to a top European club like Real Madrid or Barcelona could tempt him someday, but for now, Chelsea is determined to keep their star and help him reach the top.

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Manchester City has been fined £1.08 million for delaying kick-offs and restarts in nine Premier League games during the 2024-25 season. The club has 14 days to pay the fine, which is less than the £2.09 million fine they received last 2023-24 season.

The Premier League confirmed that City broke the League’s Rule L.33, which states that any club that delays matches without good reasons shall be dealt with disciplinary action. The club’s biggest delay was during the Manchester derby, where they held up play for two minutes and 24 seconds.

Another notable delay happened in November 2024 when City started their match against Tottenham late to hold a short Ballon d’Or ceremony for midfielder Rodri. That moment caused a delay of one minute and 38 seconds.

The League said these delays affect match broadcasts and scheduling. City accepted the ruling and issued an apology, adding they’ve reminded players and staff to follow time rules more carefully.

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Kyle Walker could be on his way out of Manchester City, with Everton eyeing the 35-year-old right-back as one of four choices to boost their backline. David Moyes likes Walker’s 'trophy-winning' edge and thinks his age and know-how would help the team, which ended last season strongly. 

Walker, who has one year left on his City deal, may go for free or at a small cost. He spent the last part of the season on loan at Milan, but the club chose not to keep him. Kenny Tete, who leaves Fulham this month, is also on the list, as well as free agents Vladimír Coufal and Kyle Walker-Peters. Turkish clubs Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray are said to be keen, though Galatasaray prefers Bayern Munich's Sacha Boey.

On the other end, City's new signing Tijjani Reijnders wants to match Ilkay Gündogan's game. 'Gündogan is someone I can learn a lot from,' said Reijnders, who joined for �5m from Milan. 'It’s very important to score goals as a midfielder.' He hit 15 goals last season, up from just four the year before. Now, he hopes to step up as City face Wydad AC in their FIFA Club World Cup opener on Wednesday.

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Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri for £31 million. The 24-year-old Algeria international penned a deal until 2030 and will be available for City’s Club World Cup opener against Wydad AC on 18 June.

In an interview with Ait-Nouri, he said, ‘City are one of the biggest clubs in the world and the chance to play for the club is a dream come true.�/p>

Ait-Nouri's deal with Manchester City is just one of the team’s recent acquisitions of top players. They spent over £200m in January to bolster their squad. Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, whose £46.3m transfer was confirmed earlier this week, is just one of the other million-pound deals Man City has been doing. 

In another note, City is also said to be in talks with Chelsea’s goalkeeper, Marcus Bettinelli. The 33-year-old has been Chelsea’s third-choice goalkeeper for the last four years, and Manchester City hopes to finish the deal before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.

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The Red Devils booked their place in next season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) qualification after a 2-2 draw with Manchester City on May 4 at Old Trafford for the Women’s Super League (WSL). Grace Clinton and Melvine Malard scored for United, which helped the team come back from a two-goal deficit.

City struck early with Laia Aleixandri scoring the game’s first goal. Soon after, Rebecca Knaak slotted a second that gave City full control. United didn’t give up, however, as Clinton scored 2-1 before the first half ended.

The match stayed tight in the second half, as Malard scored an equaliser. City still pushed forward, with the ball in their possession for 60% of the match. Shortly after, Aoife Mannion received a red card for a bad foul, which left United with 10 players. Still, the event did not stop them from holding their defensive game strong to keep the match at 2-2.

WSL final day looms

The WSL is down to its final match day on May 11. Third-place Man Utd will host second-place Arsenal, while league leaders Chelsea face Liverpool. The UWCL is set to return in June 2025, starting with the first qualifying round. 

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Kevin De Bruyne has revealed that Manchester City has not offered him a new contract, as his current one expires in June 2025. The Belgian star said in a post-match interview after their match against Everton on Saturday, April 19, that the club made a decision independently.

He expressed feeling ‘a bit surprised�by the silence. ‘Honestly, I still think I can perform at this level like I’m showing but I understand clubs have to make decisions� he remarked. The 33-year-old midfielder missed several months this Premier League season due to a hamstring injury back in September 2024 and returned two months later.

De Bruyne joined City in 2015 from Wolfsburg and became one of the club’s most trusted and creative players. He’s helped them win six Premier League titles and also lift the Champions League trophy for the first time in 2023.

With the contract silence from City, De Bruyne announced his departure from the club back on April 4. Although his future remains unsure, it’s certain that the footballer isn’t retiring yet. He shared, ‘I know I’m not 25 any more but I still feel like I can do my job�

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Manchester City versus Crystal Palace is one of the most anticipated clashes in the upcoming fixtures. The current Premier League number six and eleven are about to trade shots, which raises the question: who is the likely winner of this match? 

Manchester City’s spotty performance

Manchester City’s recent games don’t look good. It lacks consistency, having two wins, two draws, and a loss in the previous five games. The spotty performance may be due to the absence of top players like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Rodri. On the bright side, most of their injured players are coming back this May. 

Despite their recent match results, they are still number six in the League table with 15 wins out of their 31 matches. Manchester City remains a giant that is hard to topple. 

Crystal Palace’s promising streak

Even though they are the underdogs in this match, their recent results have been promising enough to rattle Man City’s fans. As of this writing, Palace had four wins and a draw in their last five games. Despite only winning 11 out of their 30 games, they are gaining momentum quickly. 

The team’s away performances are also something to be checked out. They secured six wins, five draws, and three losses, which is good for them as their match with Man City is an away game. 

Players-wise, Palace is only looking at two major injuries: Chadi Riad’s ruptured ACL and Maxence Lacroix's concussion. Their injured and penalised players are returning this month, so it is not a big concern for them. 

Man City may be in danger

Despite being the favourites, they could still be at risk. Crystal Palace have shown strong form in away matches and often secured wins or draws. This could tilt the odds in their favour. Their momentum is growing, and with team morale running high, they may pose a real threat in this matchup.

Who has a higher chance of winning?

Crystal Palace’s recent games are impressive, but Manchester City is still the likely winner of this matchup. Despite their injuries, the remaining players are also football elites who can hold the fort for the team. Their recent spotty performances may be a problem, but you cannot overlook the team’s efforts to win almost half of their EPL games. 

Moreover, the upcoming game will take place at their home stadium, which gives them an advantage. Having won nine games and drawn three on their home turf, Man City will likely add another victory to either of those totals. 

Stay tuned for the upcoming EPL match

The game between Man City and Palace on April 12 is an exciting matchup that you should watch. You might witness an underdog winning against a giant or observe the power of home-court advantage. Either team wins; this match is going to be a great watch. 

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