There is an interesting analysis in todays Financial Times that I can't link to because it is behind a pay wall.
However it compares English clubs in Europe with the big 5 continental clubs and suggests that a big reason for English clubs lack of success is the increased competitiveness of the League.
It compares the wage bill adjusted for average league wage and suggests that this is a much better predictor of champions league performance (as measured by performance points) than wage bill alone and also compares the length of time teams are two or more goals up domestically and shows that this is much longer if your wage bill is higher than the domestic average .
Not really proof of anything but it does indicate that perhaps the premier league is genuinely more competetive than other leagues and this has an effect on European performance.
Although behind a paywall you can some FT articles free if you haven't already read more than two in a month try googling
Champions League eludes English teams after draining season
However it compares English clubs in Europe with the big 5 continental clubs and suggests that a big reason for English clubs lack of success is the increased competitiveness of the League.
It compares the wage bill adjusted for average league wage and suggests that this is a much better predictor of champions league performance (as measured by performance points) than wage bill alone and also compares the length of time teams are two or more goals up domestically and shows that this is much longer if your wage bill is higher than the domestic average .
Not really proof of anything but it does indicate that perhaps the premier league is genuinely more competetive than other leagues and this has an effect on European performance.
Although behind a paywall you can some FT articles free if you haven't already read more than two in a month try googling
Champions League eludes English teams after draining season