Manchester City could miss out on the Champions League next season even if they emerge as champions

Defending European champions Manchester City could miss out on a place in next season’s Champions League even if they were to emerge as champions of the Premier League this season.

City, who won both the EPL and the UCL titles last season, has continued from where they stopped, dropping impressive performances and earning themselves a third spot on the league table.

Despite dropping crucial points against Chelsea at the Etihad on Saturday, Pep Guardiola’s team are sitting third on the log with 53 points from 24 games, with a game in hand which could see them go within one-point of the top of the table if they come out winners. 

The reigning European treble-winners have gone fifteen games unbeaten since their defeat at Villa Park, enjoying a fine run of form in the Champions League as well winning all seven of their matches so far in the Champions League this season. 

Going by their current form, all signs point to them possibly challenging for both titles again this season.

However, winning the Premier League may not count as much, given that they could miss out on the top tier of European football regardless of their performance.

Sportbible reports that with City expected to finish in the top four, a Champions League dilemma could be presented to the club’s owners, the City Football Group.

This is owing to Girona’s spectacular start to their La Liga campaign. The Spanish side tops are second in the standings behind Real Madrid on 56 points, meaning they could also qualify for the UCL.

However, their association with Man City’s owners could mean that one of the two clubs could miss out on a UCL spot. UEFA guidelines forbid owners to have more than two teams in the same European competition.

As such, the City Football Group could attempt to circumvent this by potentially selling Girona or reducing their shares to minority stakeholders.