Los Angeles, Aug 1 (IANS): Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti feels the return of English Premier League's top clubs to the UEFA Champions League will make the competition all the more difficult.

Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham have already booked their place to the group stage, while Liverpool could be set to joint them if they can make it through the playoff.

"The Champions League this year will be more competitive because there are some really important English teams in the competition," Ancelotti was quoted as saying by ESPNC.

"United, City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool -- I think, and I hope, for Jurgen (Klopp, Liverpool manager) to win qualification. The Champions League will surely be more competitive and more difficult to win," the former Real Madrid boss added.

English Premier League clubs are among the biggest spenders in European football coupled with best managerial names in Antonio Conte (Chelsea), Jose Mourinho (Manchester United), Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham Hotspur) and Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool).