After securing victory in the Conference League, Chelsea has boosted its European achievements. However, how does this stack up against other leading English clubs?
Lifting European trophies is considered the peak achievement for numerous English teams; however, their success rates vary significantly across different clubs throughout history.
Considering all of Europe’s trophies, these are the top eight English clubs with the highest number of European titles to their names.
When teams have an equal number of trophies, we’ve ranked them based on their most recent European title.
8. Nottingham Forest – 3 European titles
After their latest match ended in a draw with Leicester City, Forest secured qualification for Europe after a wait of 29 years.
Already immersed in European football lore, they have previously clinched consecutive European Cup titles during the late ’70s and early ’80s.
In 1979-80, Forest also claimed victory in the UEFA Supercup, increasing their total number of European trophies to three.
European trophies won:
2 times Champions League winner, 1 time UEFA Super Cup winner
7. Aston Villa – 3 continental titles
Watching Aston Villa back in European action seems like it was meant to be, doesn’t it?
In addition to claiming the European Cup in 1982, they have also secured victories in both the UEFA Supercup and Intertoto Cup, bringing their total number of European titles up to three.
Given that Unai Emery is now leading the team, it wouldn’t surprise us if they secure another trophy in the coming months.
European trophies won:
1x UEFA Champions League, 1x UEFA Super Cup, 1x Intertoto Cup
6. West Ham United – 3 continental titles
Although West Ham has not claimed the Champions League title as Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa have, they have secured a European trophy relatively recently.
Jarrod Bowen netted the winning goal as David Moyes’ squad defeated Fiorentina in the 2023 Europa Conference League final.
“I had dreamt about scoring, but to net the winning goal in the final seconds made me think I would shed tears. I’m simply overjoyed; I cannot express it in words,” Bowen stated following his team’s victory in securing European silverware.
In addition to claiming the Conference League title, the Hammers have also secured victories in both the Cup Winners’ Cup and the Intertoto Cup.
European trophies won:
1x Conference League, 1x UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, 1x Intertoto Cup
5. Manchester City – 4 continental titles
In the 1969-70 season, City secured their initial European trophy by defeating Gornik Zabrze in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup final.
Following the tenure of Pep Guardiola, they have secured an additional three European titles, bringing their total count up to four.
Perhaps their most notable accomplishment was securing their maiden Champions League title in the 2022-23 season, owing to a Rodri goal in the second half against Inter Milan.
European trophies won:
1x Champions League, 1x UEFA Super Cup, 1x FIFA Club World Cup, 1x UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup
4. Tottenham – 4 titles in European competitions
Following their victory in the Europa League, Tottenham have matched Manchester City’s tally of four European titles.
Despite Ange Postecoglou’s team falling short of expectations in the Premier League this season, everything will be overlooked following their victory in Bilbao.
This marks the third time Tottenham has claimed victory in the Europa League/UEFA Cup, following their wins in 1972 and 1984.
Considering they have also claimed the Cup Winners’ Cup in the 1962-63 season, this brings their total number of European titles to four.
For those who are curious, Arsenal has secured only two European titles throughout the club’s history.
European trophies won:
3 times UEFA Europa League/UEFA Cup, 1 time UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup
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3. Manchester United – 8 titles in European competitions
The Red Devils had an opportunity to secure their ninth European title, yet they came up short against Tottenham Hotspur in the finale.
Interestingly, the Europa League was their most recent European title. In 2017, under José Mourinho’s guidance, they defeated Ajax to claim victory in the finals.
Most of Manchester United’s achievements in Europe were accomplished under Sir Alex Ferguson, who secured six European trophies during his time with the team, encompassing two UEFA Champions League victories.
Nevertheless, Matt Busby claimed United’s maiden European crown by leading them to victory in the European Cup in 1968.
European trophies won:
3 times Champions League champion, 1 time Europa League winner, 1 time UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup victor, 1 time UEFA Super Cup champion, and 1 time FIFA Club World Cup winner.
2. Chelsea – 10 titles in European competitions
Chelsea has consistently shown an ability to secure prestigious European trophies, even during periods when they weren’t performing at their best in domestic competitions.
Boasting two UEFA Champions League titles, two Europa League victories, and multiple additional European honors, this club ranks as England’s second-most successful team internationally.
European trophies won:
2 times Champions League champion, 2 times Europa League winner, 2 times UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup victor, 2 times UEFA Super Cup champion, 1 time Conference League winner, 1 time FIFA Club World Cup champion
1. Liverpool – 14 titles in European competitions
With 14 European titles under their belt, Liverpool stand as undeniably England’s top-performing team in continental competitions.
They’ve clinched an impressive six Champions League titles along with three Europa League victories, four Super Cups, and one Club World Cup.
Considering the form they’re showing right now, we wouldn’t be shocked if Arne Slot secures an additional European trophy within the coming one to two years.
European trophies won:
6 times champions of the European Cup, 3 times winners of the Europa League, 4 times victors of the UEFA Super Cup, and 1 time holders of the FIFA Club World Cup
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