English Football and Its European Limits

Over the last few months, English football has taken quite a hit in Europe. 

Manchester's City and United have both been eliminated, and Chelsea and Arsenal both look on the brink of being knocked out despite still having second legs at home.

However, despite the shambolic showing this year, have English teams reached their European peak in light of the stellar showing of recent years?

Barcelona and Real Madrid are without doubt the best on the continent, but Italian teams have shown that they are eclipsing their English counterparts in terms of footballing talent.

Let's have a look at those competing for the top places this year, and their chances in Europe's top competition next time out.

Up North

Premier League leaders Manchester City suffered a difficult draw in this season's Champions League, and the novices to the European stage duly bowed out and entered the lesser Europa League.

Here they have knocked out defending champions FC Porto, proving they are indeed serious contenders to take the trophy back to the Etihad Stadium.

United on the other hand have a wealth of experience on the top stage, but as stated in many media outlets, their squad isn't as good as it has been in previous seasons.

They do sit in second domestically though, on track to possibly overhaul their neighbours and secure a 20th League crown, but have other lacklustre sides flattered them?

Down South

The other two sides in the Champions League this season came from London, with Arsenal and Chelsea doing what their English counterparts couldn't and progressing past the group stage.

Chelsea however were humbled by Napoli after going one up, while AC Milan showed Arsenal how it's done.

The North Londoners have been blighted by controversy all season—are they a one-man team with Robin Van Persie proving to be the main man all season? Add to the mix the minority of fans starting to turn on manager Arsene Wenger.

People may say this is a step too far, but with all he has achieved at the club, has he now taken them as far as he possibly can?

Across the city, Andre Villas Boas is certainly having a baptism of fire at Stamford Bridge.

After enjoying huge success in his debut managerial season at FC Porto, Roman Abramovich paid a huge amount to bring him to his club.

It is not going to plan though—players are reportedly starting to turn and a stellar signing has failed to perform in over a year at the club.

How much longer will an owner with a notoriously quick trigger finger persist? Is Villas Boas right in saying he has the backing to overhaul the club on the long term?

The Rest

Tottenham Hotspur are performing excellently this season, but are still behind what many perceive to be a weak United side.

The sticking point is no doubt Harry Redknapp, will he stay or take up the vacant England job?

Like City though, they don't possess massive experience in Europe's top competition—could the manager be tempted to stay and see through this project? Or will he try to lead his national side to a first trophy since World Cup triumph in 1966?

Liverpool seem some way off the pace, albeit admittedly still in touching distance.

Too many lacklustre signings have been made, and their form is notoriously unpredictable.

This hot and cold nature we have seen in recent months could cost them a top four place, but would a Europa League place be acceptable?  Or would the added games be seen as a distraction?

Finally, Newcastle United certainly can't be counted out, currently sitting a solitary point off the Champions League places.

Their squad was undoubtedly strengthened in January, and there's only so long people can say they will drop off.

Will this good form continue to the end of the season and see the club upset the odds?

Whatever happens in the Premier League, it will be an interesting race until the end of the season. One trend certainly seems to be happening though...

English football is falling short of its rivals on the continent.