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SAM ALLARDYCE said yesterday that a lack of a winter break is hampering Premier League clubs in European competition.
Chelsea were eliminated from the round of 32 in the Champions League by Paris St Germain on away goals on Wednesday night, while Manchester City and Arsenal need to turn around first-leg defeats to Barcelona and Monaco if they are to advance.
Liverpool and Tottenham have been knocked out of the Europa League with only Everton still standing and Allardyce feels a heavy festive schedule always catches English clubs out.
“We don’t help ourselves with our fixture list,” the West Ham boss said.
“Playing as many games as we do through Christmas and New Year and not having the opportunity to shut the league down for a few weeks gives every club that plays in Europe a disadvantage.
“When they come back to playing in Europe they may have a considerable amount of injuries in certain areas and mental fatigue kicks in on players — that is bound to have an effect when other teams have had the opportunity to take a break.”
Swansea boss Garry Monk hailed the entertainment level of the Premier League but believes English clubs still lack the tactical nous of their continental counterparts.
“I’ve always said the Premier League is the best league in the world but more so for entertainment rather than technical and tactical situations in countries like Spain,” he said.
“The Premier League is the best league in that it is the most entertaining, highest tempo, most ferocious and so much happens.”
Meanwhile Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood said: “What’s tougher for English teams is the fact there are no easy games in this league whereas in Spain and France you can perhaps play against the lower sides and put a reserve side out and still win if you’re a top team.
“You can’t do that in the Premier League, you have to play each game as if it’s a cup final.”
While Allardyce, Monk and Sherwood all had their own ideas on why sides were seemingly struggling in Europe, West Brom head coach Tony Pulis insists Chelsea’s exit on Wednesday does not mean English clubs are failing.
“It was one game. To write off Chelsea or English clubs in general after one game” is wrong, he said.