Possibly but still a big ask. I think that'll be the silver lining if we only get 3rd in the C.L group but I'm sure they'll be aiming to both qualify and win our group.
I think so too. But much as with Arsenal needing to drop out the CL to have any hope of winning the league, maybe it's in your best interest to get 3rd? Then go all out. If you're willing to forego the kudos of getting to the KO (but not realistically going to go very far) in the CL, then why not.
I entirely get your point but much like clubs who fight to get in Europa then play weakened sides once in it (West Ham for instance), it's essentially setting a team up not to try in order to get knocked out, to give yourself a better chance of qualifying for the very same tournament next year. Albeit it might make more sense if considered from a purely financial stand point.
The Europa could just be an incidental unwanted outcome of coming 5-7th in the premiership? The difference in prize money between 8th and 5th is now several £millions. So may be west ham and other such clubs just want that money rather than the Europa which they want to drop out of ASAP
