Money talks, but be careful what it says!
Jun 16, 2025
Money talks in football and that goes double in the EPL, the richest league in the world, where, even with all 20 clubs generating income of £130m +, there is a strict hierarchy and the traditional Big 6 clubs earn FAR more and hoover up almost all of the trophies. Leicester City are the only non Big 6 club to win the EPL since 1995 and that has to be viewed as a once in a lifetime or fluke event. The Foxes took the title with 81 points a total that would have seen them come up an average of 12 points short in the nine subsequent seasons and they themselves averaged 30 points fewer in their next seven campaigns which ended with relegation in 2022/23 and again in 24/25 when they managed just 25 points. The Big 6, and we can talk about whether that is now a Big 7 or 8 or a different "6" in detail on another day ,operate on revenue alone that is 3-5 times greater than the rest of the EPL and that is even without additional funding from owners (some finding FFP/PSR loopholes), which makes it almost impossible for anyone else to break into what is effectively a cartel, without super wealthy backing. The two potential interlopers are Newcastle United, owned by the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia and Aston Villa from England's second city and with mega rich owners. However, even that duo had not claimed a Champions League place between since 2004 until recently and whilst United have done so twice and Villa once in the last three seasons, only one did it each year and not back to back. Which is why we do not know yet, if we have a 6,7 or 8! Last season two of the traditional Big 6 in Manchester United and Tottenham had nightmare domestic campaigns but they still both made the Europa League final and the winner, Spurs, will be in the Champions League next season. The other four Big 6 clubs claimed the top 4 positions and since that Leicester City title win in 2016, the Big 6 have filled 4 of the top 5 places each year, the top 4 spots 7 times and all top 6 places on four occasions.
It is not just in the EPL that money dictates matters, in Germany, Bayern Munich have just won a 12th title in 13 seasons, in France, Paris St Germain their 11th in 13 seasons and in La Liga, it is 21 years since anyone outside of the Big 3 won and that is almost always Real Madrid or Barcelona . Those four have budgets and revenue streams which dwarf those of their rivals and only one of those, or an EPL team, have won the Champions League since 2011-12.
In the Premier League it is a fine line for the other 12-14 top flight teams, it is easy to go from challenging for "best of the rest" to a relegation battle, ask Leicester City, West Ham United and Everton . You can spend too much trying to bridge the gap, or just to survive and then, despite the EPL broadcasting riches, when things do not work out, find yourself in financial trouble. This has happened to City and their money troubles remain and they are back in the Championship facing new financial breaches ,Everton flew very close to the wind too, but do seem to have finally stabilised and put themselves on a much sounder financial footing.
It will be just as hard to break into the top 6 next season and despite their issues Manchester United and Tottenham will doubtless improve. The truth is that however well run EPL clubs are and several make that criteria, 10-12 clubs are effectively in a relegation battle at the start of each season, no one is too big to not be dragged into it and first priority has to be survival. You have to spend , but wisely and no point throwing a king's ransom at effectively two spots, when it can come with shrewd investment and when, in reality, the other ten places (above the drop zone) have almost as much value. Progress has to happen over time and organically, it cannot be forced, unless you have a sugar daddy or mummy or nation state and even then , it can end in tears!
Good luck!
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