It always amazes me how few English teams that take part in the competition take the Europa League seriously at all.
Here’s a competition that contains some extremely tough teams from all over Europe, and that is now starting to be taken seriously as a good cup to be involved in.
And yet the attitude from English teams competing seem to be dismissive, almost annoyed that they have to take part in what is so clearly a sideshow for them to the main even, the Premier League. This attitude has been proven this year by Liverpool, who play very much a second choice side in the cup, despite the fact that for them it offers a reasonably realistic chance of some silverware for the season.
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Spurs’ attitude has also been that the tournament represents more of an inconvenience and a gruelling physical challenge than an exciting opportunity, and they too have tended to prioritise Premier League games. I would argued that the Europa League is potentially more important for them to focus on than the League Cup, and perhaps even the FA Cup.
Spurs have had a fairly indifferent last couple of seasons. Mauricio Pochettino has clearly been given a squad he’s not entirely happy with, after the same thing happened to Tim Sherwood. They are still suffering from the haphazard and disjointed approach to replacing Gareth Bale two years ago. Due to the side they have not realistically being good enough to compete for the top four in the Premier League at the moment, and also facing the same tough competition in the FA Cup, the Europa League could represent an excellent opportunity for them to come close to a trophy this year.
The teams in it represent a tough challenge of course, but make no mistake they are not teams that Tottenham should fear more on the same level as teams in the Champions League. Borussia Dortmund, Villareal and Schalke are the main stand out names in the competition, but apart from that the level of quality is nowhere near as high as in the Champions League. Harry Kane and co. need to remember their recent 4-1 win against Manchester City – that shows they can do it at the highest level against the best opposition. Last year’s thrilling 5-3 win against Chelsea proved the same thing.
It would also be brilliant for the supporters to be able to celebrate a cup run that gets to the latter stages in Europe. This does not mean they have to put the Europa League before the Premier League; they still have the capabilities to get to the semi final or final of the competition whilst still remaining highly competitive in the domestic competition.
Spurs are unlikely to finish higher than 6th in the Premier League, even if they prioritise it over every cup competition going; I believe they should still finish 6th if they play their first team in the Europa League as well, and even prioritise it if they get to the latter stages in April and May. Far too often we see English teams predictably play second string sides in the Europa League, and finish outside the top four (or in no higher a league position than they would have done anyway).
Now is the time for Pochettino and Spurs take a risk, be bold, and uphold that famous White Hart Lane motto – Audere est Facere. To Dare is to Do.
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