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Tottenham Hotspur Links: Does the Europa League Hurt Premier League Clubs’ Domestic Form?

By Alexander Balano

By cottontimer from London, UK (IMG_2510) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
By cottontimer from London, UK (IMG_2510) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons /
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Here’s the latest Tottenham Hotspur to read for the day.

On tap today, there are three interesting stories to read once again. First, does playing in the Europa League negatively affect Premier League clubs’ form? In some instances it does, and other times it doesn’t. There have been instances where teams can get better although it doesn’t happen often.

Secondly, Tottenham might be interested in signing Stefan Kießling from Bayer Leverkusen. The German international has scored double-digit goals the past two seasons but Kießling will be turning 32-years-old next month. And finally, Brad Friedel traveled to Baltimore, Maryland to attend the fourth annual Tottenham Hotspur America Trophy. To the links below.

RELATED: Tottenham Links: Pochettino Not Concerned with Newcastle Loss

It’s a question worth asking, does playing in the Europa League actually hurt a Premier League club’s domestic form? While Sky Sports’ article focuses on a broader sense of different seasons and different clubs who have participated in Europe’s secondary elite competition, writers Nick Wright and Ben Nagle were able to include Tottenham’s various seasons in the Europa League.

Here’s what they found out about Spurs domestic form after playing in at least six-plus Europa League games since the 2006-07 season.

Season | Europa League games played | Change in Premier League position:

  • 2012-13 | 12 games played | -1 (Finished the season in 5th place)
  • 2011-12 | 8 games played | -1 (Finished the season in 4th place)
  • 2008-09 | 8 games played | +3 (Finished the season in 8th place)
  • 2007-08 | 10 games played | -6 (Finished the season in 11th place)
  • 2006-07| 10 games played | 0 (Finished the season in 5th place)

While Tottenham’s 2013-14 and 2014-15 Europa League seasons weren’t added to the list, for the most part Spurs didn’t suffer a major dip in form during the Premier League except the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons when Tottenham dropped six spots and climbed up three, respectively.

Other than that, Spurs have remained at their same position in the Premier League consistently in three out of the five seasons listed above. It’s not much to go off of, but Spurs aren’t hugely affected by the constraints of playing in Europe on Thursday nights for the past few years.

If Tottenham needs a veteran presence at the striker position there’s one who may be available. Spurs were apparently scouting the 31-year-old German international during the summer and might be willing to inquire about his services this January when Kießling will be 32, and potentially seeking to get more playing time.

After two seasons with 19 goals for Bayer Leverkusen, Bayer went out to strengthen their striking options by signing Mexican international, Javier Hernández from Manchester United. “Chicharito” as he’s more commonly known has been on fire since switching Old Trafford for the BayArena, scoring 17 goals in 23 appearances in all competitions this season.

Hernández’ current form in the Bundesliga has kept Stefan Kießling on the bench and contemplating if a move would be the best for his career now.

"“I’ve got to be honest and say we’ll have to see,” Kiessling told Sky Sport Deutschland . “I’ve given it some thought and I will keep thinking about it.“The situation is that of course I would like to be playing – I’ve been here for 10 years and love this club and everybody knows how happy I am here.“I’ve got a pretty good relationship with the fans and of course also with the club. I love playing here and I love this club, and it’s overall a very, very difficult situation for me and everybody knows this.”"

More from Hotspur HQ

As Tottenham’s U.S. Ambassador, former Spurs’ goalkeeper, Brad Friedel, went to Baltimore, Maryland earlier this month to attend the fourth annual Tottenham Hotspur America Trophy.

This is a tournament which is in association with Under Armour and Elite Tournaments that featured 82 of the best youth teams from across the U.S., Canada and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Teams battled it out for a chance to win the tournament trophy with Brad Friedel and Tottenham’s Global Coaching team in attendance and watching everything unfold.

Here’s Brad Friedel discussing what this tournament is about:

"“The Tottenham Hotspur America Trophy is a fantastic concept created by the Club, in partnership with Under Armour and Elite Tournaments, and a real investment into the development of youth soccer in this part of the world [North America].”“The opportunity awaiting these young players is incredible – I know first-hand how impressive the Club’s training facilities are back in London, having played there for a number of years, and spending time with the Global Coaching team and the Academy will only benefit their game.”“Who knows, maybe one or two players from this tournament will get the chance to follow in my footsteps and make the journey from the States to playing in the Premier League one day.”"

Next: Tottenham Draw Fiorentina in the Europa League

There have been 30 players, ages 11-15, who were some of the best in this tournament and will now be offered a two-week training camp in April 2016 at Tottenham’s training facilities. More or less, it could be seen as a trial for all 30 players that have been invited. Of course the real test will be to see how the Americans match up against English Academy teams.

With Tottenham’s Global Coaching team helping develop football at the grassroots level in North America it will only benefit the United States to try to reach a more global audience and see some of their youth players be offered contracts to sign for some prestigious youth academies in England, if not all of Europe.