Whilst it always used to be just the top four, you now have the ever improving and constantly evolving top six. The traditional top six in the Premier League have rightfully gained their status that sees them above the rest of the clubs in both league position and stature. Unfortunately, when it comes to the Premier League, money rules all. This has certainly influenced the league and the top six in recent years but does not automatically grant you this special status, which so nearly pushed through the absurd Project Big Picture.Whilst many fans will claim their club is a top club, you have to take this with a pinch of salt. We are having a look at just who are the Premier League bix six?
Traditional Big Six
Manchester United:
Whilst they have certainly fallen by the wayside in more recent years, the most celebrated Premier League teams since its inception in 1992 is without a doubt Manchester United. Producing some of the best teams ever during the Fergie era saw Man U bag 13 out of the first 21 Premier Leagues. They were a huge force in the league and would always be in the running. It wasn’t until 2013 when Alex Ferguson retired that the team would start its descent into relative mediocrity.
Liverpool:
In the old English Premier Division, Liverpool were dominant. The likes of Dalglish and Souness in the 80s had brought a wealth of titles and cups both domestically and internationally to Merseyside. However, the early 2000s were not too kind to Liverpool and domestically they struggled for 30 years. They had failed to seal their stamp on the Premier League title until the Klopp-era resurgence in recent years which has seen a reconstruction and brought Liverpool right to the top again. Under Klopp the team has transformed and managed to win another record breaking European Cup and the elusive Premier League trophy after 30 years.
Arsenal:
Let’s not get things mixed up, Arsenal are fairly rubbish now. The team has been struggling to even push for a European spot nevermind bagging themselves a top 4 spot. They have failed to do much significant in Europe and only seem to be good at winning the FA Cup, Arsenal seem to becoming a team you add to your weekend accumulator when enhancing your accas rather than being a banker that they were a decade or so ago. This is of course only a recent thing. Under Wenger and days gone by, before Wenger, Arsenal had been a force to reckon with. Wenger saw the Arsenal team achieve the invincible season – going 49 games unbeaten – which is yet to be matched. It is this history which carries them as a top 6 side and which has created such a large fanbase from around the world.
Chelsea:
Before 2004, Chelsea had only won 1 top flight title. It would be the money brought by the Roman Abramovich era which would cement them as a top player in the Premier League. Since the takeover, Chelsea have propelled themselves to become the second most successful club in the Premier League era. On top of this they have had international success in the likes of the Champions League which has cemented their status as a top club.
Manchester City:
For many, many years Manchester was red. United ruled the roost and City were often trying to scrap their way off the bottom of the Premier League table. That was until the Abu-Dhabi takeover. In their history they had only won 2 league titles. Since the 2008 takeover, they have won 4 titles and are now a giant in the league. Whilst it was money that got them there, City are now developing into a real player on the world stage as well as the English Premier League stage.
Tottenham Hotspur:
Whilst Spurs have never won a league, and have only actually 1 domestic cup in 2008 for 21 years of football, they have a lot backing them which has seen them have a few near misses recently. Their massive stadium, state-of-the-art training complex and ever improving young squad seems like it should be the perfect recipe for a challenge at the league but they are all too often running out of steam or underperforming. Spurs have consistently let themselves and their fans down despite being on the periphery for many years now. They do have their place in the top 6 fairly cemented however as they are now often finishing in the top 4 in the Premier League.