But progression to what? Champions League contention is essentially only for a self-perpetuating cohort of rich clubs. Europa League? A discredited farce of a tournament. Nothing more than a scrap thrown to second tier clubs. Even if you do progress through (at great expense and little reward) to the knock-out stages, stronger Champions League failures await to in all probability knock you out.
That leaves the League Cup and FA Cup. Take them more seriously by all means, but the chances of winning one is slim. It's all about the Top 4 and Champions League. Everything else has been deeply devalued.