Despite Barcelona’s triumph in Roma last May, the Premier League has dominated the Champions League in recent years. The English sides are regulars in the semi-final stage and the last five finals of the competition have featured at least one English team. Barcelona are the favourites the win the trophy despite the fact that they are yet to secure safe passage to the knockout rounds. Their side is acknowledged as the best in Europe but they appear more fallible than last year as Rubin Kazan have proven. But what of the English teams? Who of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are the most likely to find success in Madrid next May.

Chelsea

Chelsea are the second favourites to win the tournament and rightly so. They breezed through the group stages despite being without Didier Drogba for the first three games as a result of his suspension and are yet to be beaten in the competition this year. Their squad is strong in all areas and the team is filled with experienced players hungry for European success after recent disappointments. Chelsea have been unlucky in this tournament, they were undone by a last-minute goal by Andres Iniesta last year and in Moscow were a post’s width away from being named champions of Europe. In Ancelotti they have a manager who has won the Champions League twice and his presence could be the final piece of the jigsaw. Their main weakness is the form of Petr Cech and his individual errors may cost the side later in the competition. Time is running out for this Chelsea team with a number of players in their 30s and they are most likely of the English sides to succeed; they will be favourites against any opposition with the exception of Barcelona, and the Blues could still approach a match against the Catalan giants with confidence.

Manchester United

After last season’s disappointing display in Rome, United will be itching to set the record straight. They were taught a footballing lesson by Barcelona and Sir Alex Ferguson refuses to discuss the details of the match amid suggestions that it was a tactical error on his part that led to the defeat. It is thought that the manager wants to win the Champions League one more time before he retires and his side have a good chance. An unspectacular side in many respects but United are an efficient team and they qualified from their group with relative ease. They are not as strong as Barcelona or Chelsea, but they will be confident against any other opposition. Without Ronaldo, teams will not fear United as they did before but this could prove to be a mistake as they are still dangerous on the counter. They are a solid unit despite the current injuries to defenders and would back themselves to keep a clean sheet at home against anyone. They are no longer a glamorous side, but hard-working and with a brilliant manager, it will be a surprise if they are not in the semi-finals.

Arsenal

It is thought that Arsenal’s fluid style of play is more suited to European football than the rough and tumble of the Premier League. In Europe, the players are afforded mores space and time on the ball, and with the players that Arsenal have, this can be a fatal move. They have been impressive in the group stage with 12 goals in 5 games and no defeats, but they were impressive last year before being embarrassed by Manchester United at the semi-final stage. The loss of Robin van Persie is a massive blow to their chances and most of the possible summer recruits being discussed would be ineligible to play in the Champions League. Arsenal are the outsiders in terms of the Premier League’s challenge; they are unpredictable in that it would be no great surprise to see them make their way to the semi-finals and beyond, but by the same token it would be no shock if they were knocked out by a side like Sevilla or Lyon earlier.

Verdict

All three of the remaining English sides remain a threat in the competition and no side will relish coming up against any of them. Arsenal are unpredictable and a new striker is needed for them to be able to make a real charge for glory; United are a solid unit but may lack the flair to trouble the top teams; it is Chelsea who appear to have the best chance, provided Cech keeps the errors out of his game, they are the strongest side in the country and arguably in Europe.