Premier League teams have not necessarily fared as well as many expected in Europe so far this season.
Arsenal appear to be England’s sole hope in the Champions League, unless Liverpool produce a remarkable comeback in the second leg of their quarter-final with champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest look like genuine contenders in the Europa League, and Crystal Palace could win European silverware for the first time in the Conference League.
How many Premier League teams can qualify for European competition?
But Manchester City disappointed in their Champions League exit to Real Madrid, while Chelsea were heavily beaten by PSG and Newcastle thumped by Barcelona.
Despite those humbling losses, the Premier League will still be heavily represented in Europe next season. There could yet be as many as 11 teams across the three competitions.
It was confirmed on Tuesday night after Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Sporting that the Premier League would have at least five teams in next season’s Champions League thanks to an additional European Performance Spot (EPS).
It is the second successive year the division has had an extra spot, with Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle securing automatic qualification for the league phase last season, while Tottenham Hotspur qualified by winning the Europa League.
Six English teams would again be in the Champions League next season if Aston Villa - currently fourth - finish outside the top five of the Premier League and win the Europa League, or if Nottingham Forest win the Europa League.
If either Liverpool or Villa win a European trophy and finish in the top five, sixth place in the Premier League would earn a Champions League place.
Sixth place in the Premier League would otherwise mean qualification for the Europa League, while seventh secures a place in the Conference League.
The FA Cup could further complicate things: if Leeds or Southampton win the competition, they would qualify for the Europa League.
If City win it, the European places will drop down one, and the same applies for Chelsea should they finish in the Premier League’s top seven.
There is plenty still to play for in the battle for European football, then, and there could be some new names in next season’s competitions.
