BBC Sport ask pundits and journalists how the 6 English Champions League clubs will do | OneFootball

BBC Sport have been looking at the upcoming Champions League competition.

Especially the six English clubs, the most that any league has had in the competition in a single season.

Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool and Newcastle United competing.

The half dozen Premier League clubs making up exactly one sixth of the 36 clubs lining up in this season’s 2025/26 Champions League.

BBC Sport asking a number of pundits and journalists a number of questions.

I have picked out the answers most relevant and of interest to Newcastle United fans.

Which English club will go furthest?

Nicky Bandini (Italian football expert):

“Really, all the English clubs ought to be capable of a deep run, given their resources. Premier League clubs spent more on transfers this summer than those from La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga combined.”

Rory Smith (Journalist for The Observer):

“I’ll go for Manchester City on the grounds that I think Arsenal will, come April, get distracted by their (eventually successful) pursuit of the Premier League title.

“I’d expect all six English teams will make the knockout rounds – and two or three to make the semi-finals – but Pep Guardiola will push particularly hard: Europe may well be his best chance of a major trophy.”

Theo Walcott (Former Southampton and Everton player):

“I think all six English teams will do well, not just Arsenal.

“I only maybe look at Newcastle and think they may not have the strength in depth for this competition, but they should still make the knockout stages.”

Nedum Onuoha (Former Man City player):

“Having six of them in there, who are capable of beating anyone, is going to be interesting.”

Which player are you most looking forward to watching?

Steve Wilson (Match of The Day commentator):

“Nick Woltemade was left out of Stuttgart’s Champions League squad last season, so will presumably make his debut in the competition when Newcastle play Barca on matchday one. Memories of Tino Asprilla, anyone?”

Thomas Hitzlsperger (Former Villa and Stuttgart player and Germany international):

“It’s probably not the most obvious choice, but I am going for Woltemade.

“There has been so much talk about him for a while – maybe not in England until Newcastle signed him for £69m, but definitely in Germany.

“Bayern Munich wanted to sign him in the summer but Stuttgart would not sell him for the money they were offering. Bayern president Uli Hoeness says Woltemade is not worth what Newcastle paid for him, but the big price tag is not his fault.

Woltemade has just helped Stuttgart win the German Cup and he has got something about him. He seems a very down-to-earth guy who you want to do well and I hope his ability will shine through in the Premier League as well as the Champions League.”

John Murray (BBC 5 Live correspondent):