The European footballing circuit is a dog-eat-dog situation. With money being the major dictator in terms of how clubs perform, top teams like Liverpool, PSG and Barcelona seem to have cemented their position among the elite for the next decade to come. Others, such as Tottenham, Ajax or Shakhtar still have to find a way to co-exist in this galaxy. We list down the Top 10 Clubs in Europe at the moment.
10. Borussia Dortmund- Top 10 Clubs
The neutrals’ favourite. Dortmund is known for their attractive brand of football, brilliant training facilities and of course, the Yellow Wall. Some of the most passionate fans of football thong the Signal Iduna Park week in, week out to watch their beloved Borussia Dortmund play in their charismatic Yellow and Blacks.
The club is on an upward spiral right now with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Marco Reus, Julian Brandt, Mats Hummels and Achraf Hakimi on their books and a master tactician in Lucien Favre.
9. Chelsea- Top 10 Clubs
Chelsea might be oil-money according to some, but who is not? While Liverpool and Manchester City have set another benchmark altogether for Premier League teams, Chelsea have managed to stay in the mix more or less with trophies from time to time. After their golden period during the turn of the decade, Chelsea, against all odds have actually managed to clinch the Premier League in 2015 and 2017 and then win the Europa League in 2019.
They currently are on a revamp under former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard as they challenge for the Premier League and the Champions League in particular.
8. Atlético Madrid- Top 10 Clubs
The third largest club in Spain is not even the best club in their own city. Atleti have been in the shadow of Real Madrid for way too long. And all that has changed when former Atletico midfielder Diego Simeone took the reins at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.
Since then, Atleti have appeared in two Champions League Finals, won the Liga once and moved to a swanky new stadium in Madrid. Despite the loss of Griezmann to Barcelona, they still stay a formidable force in the European circuit, especially with the acquisition of a certain João Félix.
7. Tottenham Hotspurs- Top 10 Clubs
A couple of years back and nobody would have predicted Spurs on this list. But, with the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino from Southampton, Tottenham seem to be growing in stature every season. They finished a close second to Leicester in the 2016-17 season, dumped Manchester City out of the Champions League and have guaranteed themselves a top-four finish in the highly competitive Premier League every year.
The cherry on the cake was their Champions League Final appearance in 2018-19 when they overcame Ajax and Manchester City on their way to the Final.
6. Paris Saint-Germain- Top 10 Clubs
Another team that is hated massively for their spending and financial prowess, Paris St. Germain is carving out a niche for themselves in the French as well as the European circuit.
The acquisition of Neymar in 2017 was a serious statement for their ambitions and only added more firepower to a staggering attacking strike-force comprising of Cavani, Angel di Maria, Draxler and Marco Verratti. Then, they did one better and got the signature of Kylian Mbappe.
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5. Bayern Munich- Top 10 Clubs
Yes, European glory still eludes the German giants since 2012, but Bayern under Nico Kovac are a force to be reckoned with. The 2018-19 season was a reality check for them as Dortmund almost went over the line. Bayern put in a strong performance in the second half of the season, finished strongly to retain the Bundesliga title.
Their performances in the European competitions of late haven’t been the best, but with the likes of Lewandowski, Philippe Coutinho, Neuer, Coman and Süle, Kovac has a side that can dominate the future.
4. Juventus- Top 10 Clubs
Cristiano Ronaldo held legendary status at Real Madrid, and he chose Juve to be his next destination. A team that has as rich a history as the Portuguese’s range of skills, Juventus are looking to be the next big Italian team that dominates Europe.
They’ve done a pretty good job in Italy for the last 7 years, retaining the Scudetto, but it is in Europe that their success will be judged upon. Two Champions League final appearances in the last five seasons are proof enough that Juve is not very far.
3. FC Barcelona- Top 10 Clubs
Lionel Messi heads a list of world-class talents at Camp Nou that lists Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, Frenkie de Jong, Clément Lenglet, Gerard Piqué and Sergio Busquets.
Barcelona have won two trebles already in the last 12 years, and are leaders of La Liga again. They are showing a consistent trend of preparedness to contrast Real Madrid’s lack of planning and form.
2. Manchester City- Top 10 Clubs
The team that is coached by the best football coach of all time, Pep Guardiola. Manchester City were lucky to lure Guardiola to Manchester in 2017, when he left Bayern Munich for the Blues of Manchester. Since then, City have become a cult, scoring at will, being solid in defense, playing the most attractive football the Premier League has seen in decades and smashing all records.
Their success in the European competition, namely the UEFA Champions League is of major concern as they look to establish themselves as the true greats of their time.
1. Liverpool- Top 10 Clubs
A club that has its roots embedded in the history of England, Liverpool have found a new lease of life under Jurgen Klopp. Led by the talismanic attacking trio of Mané, Salah and Firmino, Liverpool added key pieces Virgil van Dijk and Allisson to their ranks. The result? A Champions League crown in 2018-19.
They chased Manchester City all the way to the finishing line in the same season in the Premier League, ultimately falling behind by a single point. They are tipped for greatness and looks well poised to make history in the coming years.