It used to almost not be a question. Anyone outside of the big three for the Champions League?

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich. Pick one. The stats back it up, only Chelsea’s written-in-the-stars campaign in 2012 has prevented the trio winning club football’s ultimate prize in the past seven years.

But wait. There now seems there’s a wind of change blowing through the very top of football. The sovereignty with supremacy aren’t anything like what they were.

There’s almost an abdication occurring in front of us.

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The powerhouses of the European game are on the wane and it’s opening a window of opportunity for those trying to join them in that elite group.

Sizing it up, PSG and Manchester City. Taking a little look, Tottenham Hotspur. A chasm existed between them all and the heavyweights only a matter of months ago. Now you would argue they’re nearly nudging ahead.

Madrid have put all their eggs in one basket, seemingly prioritising a Champions League hat-trick over La Liga, and it’s backfiring. They are likely to have to settle for second place in their group for the first time in many years – and it opens up a world of problems for the rest of the competition.

Barca, although ahead of the game back home, are aging and confidence that they can win only their second title since 2011’s triumph over Manchester United is almost non existent.

Bayern Munich fans have no faith that this is their season. Having squeezed past Celtic, Jupp Heynckes’ return hasn’t convinced all. He needs to align his stars and get the big names performing but word on the street is that this is a tiring team short of what’s required to win it.

Manchester City and PSG are watching on in the wings waiting for their moment.

Both are cruising through, and if their starts are anything to go by domestically, their eyes will be widening at the prospect of what could in front of them.

It’s not just them, either. Tottenham Hotspur have the manager, the players and the momentum to contend. Last night, their young English players came of age to steam ahead of Real Madrid in Group H. Not lost in the Champions League group stages since 2012? No problem for Spurs.

It was without question the finest performance by a Premier League club in the competition for many years. Now where can it transport them to?

Tottenham have begun the process of removing the kings of Europe from their throne.

They did it on a night that made people stand up and realise there’s actually more to this tournament. By bravely deposing of a giant, they put themselves in line to succeed them.

The crowns are slipping. There’s a reshuffle of royalty going on.