Premier League squad value dominance challenges Champions League hierarchy
IMAGO | Arsenal were the only side to win all their group-stage matches in this year’s UEFA Champions League, including a 4–0 win over Atlético Madrid. Squad value reveals their team to be worth €1 billion more than Atlético’s.
The Recap
Premier League clubs have dominated the UEFA Champions League this season, while domestic results remain tightly contested and unpredictable.
Data Insight
Fair market squad values from Off The Pitch’s Player Valuation model shows the value of Premier League sides exceeds that of many Champions League participants.
Why It Matters
The concentration of squad value in England is translating into European success, with Premier League clubs securing five of the top eight places in the group stage of this season’s Champions League.
The Perspective
The Premier League’s sustained financial advantages are likely to consolidate its position at the top of European football and further sharpen the financial pyramid.
11 February 2026 - 4:00 PM
The Champions League knockout phase gets under way next week, with Europe’s leading clubs competing for a spot in the round of 16.
This season has seen the Premier League dominate the group stage of the Champions League. Even with six clubs involved, only one English side will feature in the play-off round, with the remaining Premier League teams qualifying directly via top eight finishes.
Despite this European
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