Should Tottenham dread another season in the Europa League?

Tottenham seem set for another season in the Europa League with Manchester United unlikely to relinquish their hold on fourth place with only four games to go. The club currently sits a point above Southampton in sixth place. But even if the Saints overtake Spurs, finishing seventh would also be a gateway into Europe’s second tier should Arsenal beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup Final in May. There are certainly positives to the much maligned competition but is that the case for Tottenham Hotspur? Would Mauricio Pochettino and his squad be better off without it?

Source: tottenhamhotspur.com

The biggest perk to missing out on Europa League football is a very obvious one; less games. Less games means more rest, less chance of injuries and more focus on the Premier League. Even though Pochettino rotated heavily in the group stages, it is clear key players that still travelled in match day squads were affected. The results proved it.

After European games in midweek this season, Spurs defeated QPR, Southampton, Everton and Swansea. However, they also suffered defeats at the hands of Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle and Stoke and dropped points to West Ham. All of these dire results came at White Hart Lane. Spurs would also fall to Chelsea in the League Cup Final three days after their final Europa League fixture of the season.

Liverpool’s title challenge last season and Manchester United’s rise back into the top four this time around show the benefits of not having to deal with the distraction of the Europa League. They flourished with their focus solely on the main prize. Spurs could be given a boost if they experience the same.

While it’s easy for many to deem the Europa League as pointless, there are certainly positives of being involved. First of all, it’s a trophy and one the club should realistically looking to win. Even more so now that the winner earns Champions League football.

It would be difficult to juggle two fronts and could turn into a precarious all-or-nothing approach towards the end of a season. However, I don’t think supporters would turn down European silverware even if it was at the expense of league position.

Source: tottenhamhotspur.com

Without Europa League football, it limits the chances Spurs have to bed in youngsters. Who knows how well Harry Kane would be doing, or how Spurs would be faring in the Premier league without him, if he wasn’t given the chance to shine in the group stage? With Alex Pritchard and Dele Alli potentially lurking around the fringes next season, they could grab their chance in a similar way.

It also gives the manager a chance to try new things, introduce new signings and allow fringe players a chance to shine in less pressurized games. If Champions League is his aim, Pochettino needs more experience at rotating for more important knock-out ties after his failure against Fiorentina.

Christian Eriksen revealed this week that he’d “rather play in Europe than nothing” and the Europa League was a big reason why he signed for the club in the summer of 2013. He suggested other players thought the same as well. It certainly isn’t the draw card that the Champions League it, but it adds an added incentive for potential signings.

The Europa League may seem like a poisoned chalice but it does have positives that seem to be overlooked. It is a competition that Spurs should be aiming to win and not just for the added incentive of a Champions League place but for the trophy itself. Glory is what the club stands for and any European trophy should not be deemed as beneath it. It offers chances for youngsters to shine and prove their worth beyond their age, something with fits well with Mauricio Pochettino’s ethos. Either way, whether they qualify or not, Spurs need to look to excel in either scenario.