This season's Premier League has seen a civil war in the Europa League final between Man United and Tottenham, who are 16th and 17th in the table ahead of their clash in Bilbao.
Tottenham won the championship but could not deny this was their worst season in the Premier League era. Man United, too, they certainly could not lower the screen higher than 14. Last season, the "Red Devils" ended with the 8th place was worst in the tournament history, after only 1 year, that achievement was deeper.
Man United and Tottenham are two teams considered to be in the Big Six (6 strongest teams) alongside Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. In Pep Guardiola's time in the Premier League, Man City was the strongest team with 6 championships. Liverpool are behind with 2 runners-up and 2 crowned. Arsenal have not won a championship since then but have also won second place in 3 consecutive seasons. Chelsea still maintain the Champions League beat even though it has not been continuous from year to year.
Of the above teams, Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea have won the Champions League in the last 7 seasons. Previously, the Premier League's Big Four group consisted of Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool (teams that often finished in the Top 4). If they choose the Big Four now, Man United will be replaced by Man City.
To form a new leadership team, one or a few teams need to take old names out of the game regularly. In recent years, Newcastle has been the most deserving candidate. They qualified for the Champions League last season and this season is considered to have secured a ticket to participate in the next season. The Magpies have also just won the League Cup, their first title after decades of waiting.
Previously, with the Big Four concept, in addition to strength on the pitch, football teams were also evaluated based on financial strength. At the moment, Man United and Tottenham still have revenue in the Top 10 teams worldwide. Spurs have qualified for the Champions League next season but Man United have just recorded a loss of more than £80 million right after losing to the Europa League final.
With the increase in revenue of Man City and Liverpool, these two teams will continue to use their achievements and funding sources to lead financially. Arsenal and Chelsea just need to play regularly in the Champions League and are not worried about the input. Meanwhile, Tottenham do not always have a Champions League ticket according to the scenario of this season. As for Man United, they are very bad, not worthy of being in any other power group.
This season, the Premier League will have 5 tickets to the Champions League, in addition to Tottenham following the Europa League (a total of 6 teams). After Liverpool and Arsenal, if Man City, Chelsea and Newcastle take a safe break and continue to maintain their Top 4-5 position in the coming seasons, they deserve to replace Man United and Tottenham to become the new Big Five of the Premier League.
The ranking of Big Four, Big Five or Big Six does not have any meaning in terms of achievements, scores or deciding the races. However, it is the club's position in the eyes of fans and sponsors. After this season with so many changes, perhaps it is time for fans to choose a new team, at least no longer Man United.
"I think so (there is no longer a Big Six concept). The level of the teams has now increased evenly. Many of my colleagues have also discussed this issue.
The level of competition is increasing, sometimes looking at it is scary. Whether you can win the Premier League title or not is getting more and more difficult. The general formula is that the next season will be more difficult than the previous season. If you ask any coach whether they are sure to qualify for the Champions League next season? I believe no one dares to claim that," Mikel Arteta said when asked whether the Big Six concept should be retained.
