England could have NINE Premier League sides in Europe next season

All three UEFA competitions could be won by Premier League clubs this season.

Following the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League this week, there is still at least one English side left in each competition.

In the Champions League, Liverpool and Manchester City will fancy their chances of reaching the final as they face Villarreal and Real Madrid respectively.

In the Europa League, West Ham overcame Lyon to set up a semi-final clash against Frankfurt.

Meanwhile, Leicester beat PSV and will now play Roma in the semi-final of the Europa Conference League.

Having got this far, all four Premier League sides will be dreaming of European success.

If there are English winners in all three UEFA competitions, we could see a rather incredible scenario of there being NINE Premier League clubs in Europe next season.

NINE?

ESPN’s Dale Johnson has explained how in a detailed thread.

He begins: “With Leicester and West Ham in the semifinals of the UEL and UECL, and on the back of questions last night, a thread to explain how their performance affects the number of Premier League teams in Europe. The maximum number of Premier League teams in Europe next season is 9.”

He adds: “Common misconception is that the maximum is 7, but that’s not the case. Places for European titleholders are standalone if said titleholders don’t qualify domestically. However, it’s very, very rare for a European titleholder to finish outside the domestic places that season.

“If a European titleholder DOES qualify domestically, they play in the highest-ranked competition. So, if West Ham win UEL and finish in a UEL or UECL spot in the Premier League, they play in the UCL as the UEL titleholder. That PL place in the