Stop the knocking, we're the best in the world

It has been a sobering few weeks for English clubs in Europe, Chelsea aside. After both the Manchester clubs went out of the Europa League last week, the popular conclusion seems to be: ‘Best league in the world? Not a chance! That's Spain by miles.' It annoys me when critics say as much. I hate the sarcasm often attached to comments about the Premier League because, for me, it remains the best. No one is denying that Barcelona are the best team in the world, and have been for almost four years. Real Madrid are now matching them and are well clear at the top of La Liga. But, many ingredients go into making the best league and Spain's top flight is not as competitive or exciting as the Premier League. We have a great title race in prospect, a thrilling chase for Champions League spots and the tightest relegation battle ever. As a product, the Premier League is the best. There is also the thrill of knowing a bottom-three side can beat a top-four side. Then, there is the atmosphere at grounds and the quality of the facilities. Clubs' tax arrears The success of Barcelona and Real Madrid hide many of Spain's problems. La Liga clubs owe £625million (Dh380.65 million) to the taxman, with Atletico Madrid alone owing £129m. And five La Liga clubs have been in administration this season. The Premier League have had their problems, notably with Portsmouth in 2010, but the rules the League have since adopted prevent clubs running up unpaid tax bills and the League are in a far better financial state than Spain where the top two clubs take most of the money. As for our supposed decline, English clubs have been in the Champions League final in six of the past seven years, with the final between Manchester United and Chelsea in 2008 probably the peak of English dominance. Four English clubs — United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool — have reached finals. In the same time, two Italian clubs, AC Milan and Inter, have qualified for the final three times, while Barcelona have been in three finals and won them all. And Germany have had one losing finalist, Bayern Munich, in 2010. That is a staggering turnaround from when I started playing in Europe. The late 80s and early 90s were a low point for English teams in Europe. The ban on English clubs from 1985 to 1990 meant that when we came back, we were behind tactically, technically and financially. Slowly, we got wise tactically and built our clubs financially so we could import some of the world's best players. This season's a blip So, we shouldn't forget where we've come from. This season we can put down as a blip. If it happened again next season, then you can say it's a downward trend. That said, issues do need addressing. The top-five clubs need to recruit if they want to win the Champions League next season. I don't necessarily mean spending £80m, but it's about investing smartly and bringing in real quality. Just as importantly, we have to leave behind the kamikaze season we've been enjoying in the Premier League. By that, I mean the crazy results in games between the leading teams. I don't want to be a killjoy, but you can't expect our teams to win the Champions League when there are 8-2, 6-1 and 5-3 wins or 3-3 draws in what should be tightly-contested games. Those matches have to get back to being duels because that kind of defending carries over into Europe. Quality of defence If you asked any Premier League manager, he would agree there has been a distinct difference in the quality of defending. I've seen so many sides get into what I would class as the perfect defensive shape in deep positions. But then they think they've done the job and fail to close players down. The defending is what has been costing English sides in Europe. English football should regard this past week as a wake-up call. However, the Uefa rankings, which rate leagues over the last five years on their performances in Europe, still have England at top. And ultimately, people of the world decide, with their remote controls or downloads. On that score, the Premier League still beat La Liga and the others. It's not often in England that we're the best at something. In the past few days it has seemed to me as though some people relish knocking that and are ready to hand our status over to someone else. We shouldn't be complacent about our league. But, we should be proud of what we have achieved.