NamelessAscotexgunner Were Chelsea champions when they won the CL?
The European Cup to me was always a Champions only competition. Very sad that it turned into a money circus. Clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea (I'd exclude Citeh who seem genuinely desperate to win it, like United), seem to use it as a cash cow. Personally I just think "so what" to its winners and qualifiers. Clubs like Chelsea have bought their place in it. I'd love Southampton to qualify because they will have earned it and give hope to the rest of us.
Southampton have spent lots of money on players in recent seasons. They were one of the highest spenders in Europe a couple of seasons ago. They have no more 'earned' it than anyone else. They only give hope to those with hugely wealthy owners who die and leave you all their money....
They've had to spend big, they've had their team completely decimated by the bigger clubs.