I started this topic because I have something to say and I don't know why the previous topic was locked. SJJ said that if Chelsea finishes outside the Premier League Top 4 and wins the Champions League, the Premier League third place club will have to play in the Playoff Round. I thought all four English clubs would start in the Group Stage in that case. Here are the 22 clubs that start in the Group Stage: Top 3 countries- 3 each for a total of 9 Next 3 countries- 2 each for a total of 6 Next 6 countries- 1 each for a total of 6 Defending champion if not qualified through league position or the champion of Country 13 if the defending champion doesn't need the spot I'm not saying this will or will not happen, but here's what I think would make sense for the non-Champions qualifying path if Chelsea needs the defending champion spot: England would not have a club in this path so there would be only 14 clubs. Six clubs would start in the Playoff Round, the champions of Countries 2 through 5 as usual and the Champions of Countries 6 and 7 who would get bumped up a round. Eight clubs would started in Qualifying Round 3, the Champions of Countries 8 through 15.
The FA Cup spot in the Europa League goes to the FA Cup final loser if the winner is qualified for the Champions League. Let's say Chelsea wins the FA Cup and finishes fifth in the Premier League. Both of those qualify clubs to the Europa League with the FA Cup winner being the better spot. Would the extra spot go the sixth place Premier League club or the FA Cup final loser? I hope it goes to the sixth place Premier League club because I would much rather Everton be in the Europa League than Wigan Athletic or Millwall.
It would go to the team that finishes the highest in the league but hasn't already gotten a spot in one of the European competitions. So this year that would mean it goes to the to the 6th placed team.
