The minimum squad (14 I think) of your best players is what they use to calculate Cup draw. League and CL I believe it takes into account first your friends, and then maybe your average Q.
So if you can make it pretty far into the Cup, whatever level, it is good for your budget. I have a high Q Team and usually get knocked out of Cup, and do fairly well in League and CL. If you start the Season with a lower Q minimun Squad, and then after Cup draw build up your Team massively, you can do well. But if you have a full roster of higher Q players you will be in a Cup levels above..