Tottenham could have already secured their spot in next season Champions League following UEFA's imminent plans to change the qualification process. European football's governing body is set to scrap their plans to reward teams with the highest co-efficient ranking over the last five years, instead favouring those who have performed best in the competition that season.
Spurs currently sit fifth in the Premier League table and head into Thursday's north London derby with Arsenal knowing a win will edge them to within one point of their rivals.
As reported by the Times, however, the deal will come into being for the 2024/25 season but if applied from this season, it would have resulted in England and the Netherlands being given an extra place each - meaning Tottenham would have already secured their place in the Champions League.
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For the Premier League club finishing in fifth position, this would guarantee them a place in the qualifying rounds, meaning West Ham United would have done so for the 20/21 campaign. As it stands at present, Conte's side would be heading for Europa League football, with plans also in place to increase the number of group matches from 2024 from six to eight - the initial plan to have 10 initial matches having been altered.
The changes come after a wholesale makeover of Europe's elite footballing competition, and would perhaps favour teams like Manchester United following their imperious history in the tournament too.
Under its new and improved format, the Champions League will be expanded from 32 to 36 teams, with the “Swiss model” being brought into play. A single league will then begin, before clubs will earn points from playing eight matches against opponents of different rankings.
Tottenham last qualified for the Champions League back in 2018/19, finishing in fourth position behind Chelsea, Liverpool and runaway champions Manchester City.
