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The Premier League is home to numerous world-class players. England’s top flight has always been competitive and popular.
However, it is only recently that Premier League teams have started competing regularly for continental honours. Holders Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City are three teams that could win the UEFA Champions League this season.
Premier League players’ wages are seldom justified
It is imperative Premier League teams pay hefty transfer fees and player wages to compete with the likes of PSG and Bayern Munich. However, many Premier League players are overpaid, considering their on-field contributions. On the flip side, a few do not earn as much as they deserve.
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On that note, here’s a look at five Premier League players who merit a pay rise.
Note: All player wages are as per Sportac.
#5 Wilfred Ndidi - £75K/week
Wilfred Ndidi has been the commander-in-chief for Leicester City under Brendan Rodgers. The tenacious defensive midfielder knows a thing or two about winning the ball back and supplying it to his teammates ahead of him.
Along with N’Golo Kante, Fabinho and Rodri, Ndidi is regarded as one of the best holding midfielders in the competition.
The Nigerian earns only £75K per week at the King Power Stadium, though. That figure is substantially lower than the likes of Saul Niguez, Tanguy Ndombele and Thomas Partey. Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, although superior in ability to Ndidi, earn almost four times more than the Nigerian.
The 24-year-old Ndidi is admired for his consistency and nonchalance. Widely tipped for a move to a top-4 club, Ndidi could soon earn what he rightly deserves.
#4 Reece James - £58K/week
Chelsea youth academy product Reece James is a versatile defender who can slot in at centre-back, right-back, right wing-back or even central midfield.
The Londoner has started his 2021-22 campaign on a bright note. Defensive prowess has always been his forte. But he has also registered four goals and as many assists in the Premier League this season.
James earns only a meagre £58K per week at Stamford Bridge, though, making him one of the lowest earners at the club. As many as 22 Chelsea players earn more than the right-back. Malang Sarr, who barely gets a kick, earns twice as much as James.
Along with right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and right-back-turned-left-back Joao Cancelo, James is one of the best full-backs in the Premier League. Considering his promising performances, he should get a wage hike when he extends his contract.
#3 Edouard Mendy - £52K/week
Edouard Mendy took the Premier League by storm when he arrived from Rennes last season. He’s now regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers in the league. The Chelsea goalkeeper kept 16 clean sheets in the Premier League last season and has already recorded eight this term.
The Senegalese international is massively underpaid, though, earning only £52K per week. He is the 24th-highest earner at Chelsea, earning three times less than substitute keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£155K/week). Even Bernd Leno and Dean Henderson bag double what Mendy earns at Stamford Bridge.
Nevertheless, Mendy is one of the most vital players in Thomas Tuchel’s setup. He might not have the passing ability of Alisson or Ederson. But he has the best save percentage (86%) this season among Premier League regulars.
#2 Sadio Mane - £100K/week
Sadio Mane has gone from strength to strength since his move from Southampton to Liverpool.
Liverpool’s No.10 has won the Premier League and Champions League under Jurgen Klopp. The 2018-19 Golden Boot winner (22 goals) has already netted seven times this campaign.
Mane is one of the best Premier League players, but his wages don’t justify his talent. The winger is currently on a £100K per week contract. Players like Jadon Sancho (£350K/week), Raheem Sterling (£300K/week) and Timo Werner (£272K/week) make Mane’s salary seem absurdly low.
Although he is the most highly paid player on this list, Mane is still grossly underpaid. In a world where Anthony Martial bags a quarter of a million pounds every week, Mane merits a pay rise.
#1 Bukayo Saka - £30K/week
Bukayo Saka is undoubtedly the most underpaid player in the Premier League at the moment. The versatile midfielder was a key figure in Gareth Southgate’s England side that finished runners-up in Euro 2020 this summer. Arsenal’s 2020-21 Player of the Season is not among the team’s top 15 earners, though.
Saka makes a mere £30K per week, less than 25% of Nicolas Pepe’s. Lacazette and Martinelli earn six and three times as much as the 20-year-old, respectively. Although Saka starred for England in the summer, bench players Sancho and Grealish earn around £300K every week.
Despite being one of their stars, the Arsenal wonderkid is reportedly the club's 19th-highest earner. Arsenal tied down Saka to a long-term contract last year, which means he could stay on low wages for a while.
