Are the fans of our English clubs the only part of the beautiful game that we can be proud of?

There are four English teams in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, so does this mean that we posses the greatest league in Europe?

On the face it many people would say yes. Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool people would say are some of the best Europe has to offer. With the likes of Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa all battling it out to break into the ‘top 4’, it would be fair to say that there are more than just this ‘top 4’ that England should be proud of. But can we really be proud of it.

I mean, I would say the English league is the most exhilarating league there is, high in passion and energy and talent on show every week for the world to see. But are we right to be proud of it? Is it ‘ours’ to be proud of? With all the plans for playing a 39th game which is a clear money making scheme, is the Premier League another toy for the people who have the big bucks in the game? Is it really the publics, the tax payers, the FANS league? I don’t really think so.

Are we really that proud to hear that our league may be expanding, making us the laughing stock of the world, not least Europe?

We can be honoured to watch Premier League football on our doorstep every week, but I do not think the English league represents English football. The only way it can be related to England is because it is played over here, but now that might even change.

We can be proud that we have 4 English teams playing in the Champions League, but they are just English teams, it is not a fair representation of the English game as our national team performances show. There were few English players playing last night and will be few tonight, there is not even an English manager. There is a lot there that needs changing before we can truly be proud.

What we can be proud of is the fans. English fans will travel to all corners of Europe to watch their team play, whether their team is packed with foreigners or not. This something which can never be matched anywhere in the world. I think there is a long way to go for us to really be proud of the English Premier League and how many teams remain in the Champions League. Just because the English Premier League may be the best in Europe and we may arguable have the best teams, I don’t think I can be 100% proud just yet.