Why Leicester City's success is bad for English Soccer

Leicester City is having a season of their dreams, as they’re currently in first place in the EPL with only 11 games to go in the season. The Foxes are more than hanging on to one of the top four spots in Premier League, which is given to the top-tier levels of English soccer.

As of now, if anyone were to look at the EPL table, it’s clear to see where each team is trending towards. Chelsea is massively struggling and have under achieved and should finish towards the middle of the league. Manchester United can’t find consistency within their offense and a Top 4 spot might be a real challenge. And then there’s Tottenham and Leicester, whom are sitting second and first respectively in their table.

Despite things being very exciting it might not be very good if Leicester City can hang on to the Champions League spot. The reason is the format for how the Champions League draw is done.

The way it works is that every team and every country has a UEFA Coefficient. The coefficient is made up of a mathematical formula based on the teams and countries results in the Champions League and Europa League. The more a teamWINS, the higher the coefficient goes.

England’s coefficient is very strong as they have the second highest rating in Europe with a number totaling 84.79. It just edges out Germany who is third with a coefficient of 81.64. In 2016, Germany is going to overtake England in the rankings which will slide England down to 3rd. 

The top three countries in the continent are allocated four Champions spots every year that go into soccer’s best club tournament. Therefore, England would still be getting four teams in, but for how much longer? Countries fourth through sixth are only allocated three berths and that would mean less representation for England at the Champions League.

In other words, if the Foxes are able to get into the Champions League, they better do well or else England will be in danger of losing one precious birth. For instance, the top teams in Europe already have troubleWINNING games in Europe. Manchester United failed to get out of the Champions League Group stage and they have one of the more expensive rosters in England.

If United has trouble, then Leicester will likely have trouble as well. Chelsea will more than likely not be competing in European soccer at all next year, meaning England will be sending teams into European competitions with smaller roster budgets than other top teams around Europe.

There’s nothing wrong with parody and no disrespect to Leicester, but it isn’t the same type of challenge if a strong team from Italy for example is playing at the King Power Stadium instead of Stamford Bridge.

Depending on what happens this year, and on the results next year. England could be down to three teams by the 2017-2018 Champions League. If that happens, there would be a major fight for the top 3 spots. As it stands, it is hard right now to make the Champions League if your name is not Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester City, (that’s how crazy this year is) however, if England went down to three spots, it would be next to impossible.