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The Premier League is widely acclaimed as the most entertaining and competitive league in world football. For most of the last decade, Bayern Munich, PSG and Juventus have dominated their respective leagues, while La Liga is often seen as a two-horse race.
However, the top six clubs in the Premier League are all quite strong in their own right. Five different teams have won the English top-flight title in the last decade. English clubs have also prospered on the European stage in this period. The main reason they can do that is because of their spending power.
The lure of the Premier League is unmatched in world football
Chelsea and Manchester City have been splurging huge sums of money on player transfer fees and wages since their takeovers. The two clubs and Manchester United were a few clubs that were not much affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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On that note, here's a look at the five highest-spending Premier League clubs this century:
#5 Tottenham Hotspur - €1.43 billion
Tottenham Hotspur have spent €1.43 billion on transfer fees since the turn of the millennium. The Lilywhites have had some memorable moments in the last two decades. Some of their best football was played during Mauricio Pochettino, when they reached the UEFA Champions League final (2019).
The Antonio Conte-coached side pips their north London rivals Arsenal to fifth place on this list. Despite all their spending, Spurs haven’t clinched much silverware. In fact, the last time Spurs won a trophy was back in 2008 when they beat Chelsea 2-1 in the Carling Cup final.
The Tottenham Hotspur stadium, and previously White Hart Lane, has witnessed many world-class players such as Gareth Bale and Harry Kane. However, it is questionable if the North Londoners are pleased with the amount of success they have achieved even after spending so much.
#4 Liverpool - €1.65 billion
Liverpool, alongside Manchester City, have dominated the Premier League in the last few seasons. The Reds have won the Premier League and UEFA Champions League once apiece in the last four years. Nevertheless, they haven’t been as successful throughout the 21st century.
Despite spending €1.65 billion in the last two decades, Liverpool have been quite disappointing, especially domestically. They were involved in just a couple of title races in the 21st century before Jurgen Klopp’s appointment. They didn’t even finish in the top four consistently.
The German tactician has turned them into serious title contenders. Klopp has had to purchase big-money players such as Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker. However, producing results with these players is what’s important, and the former Borussia Dortmund manager has excelled in that regard.
#3 Manchester United - €2.02 billion
Manchester United are the most successful team in the Premier League era. The 13-time Premier League champions had a challenging but often successful period till 2013. Since Alex Ferguson’s departure, they have struggled to compete with the top teams in the league.
The Scottish manager didn’t have to spend huge sums of money to compete, as many quality players came through their academy. Most of their €2.02 billion expenditure since 2000 have come after Ferguson's retirement. Although Manchester United have splashed the cash in the last decade, the Premier League title has eluded them.
Unlike Chelsea and Manchester City, clubs that have also spent over €2 billion in the 21st century, the Red Devils haven’t spent money judiciously. Costly acquisitions like Romelu Lukaku, Angel Di Maria, and to some extent even Paul Pogba and Harry Maguire, have left a sour taste in the mouths of the United faithful.
#2 Manchester City - €2.35 billion
Manchester City have been a major spending force in the Premier League since Sheikh Mansour’s takeover in 2008. The Cityzens won their first Premier League title in 2011-12.
They have been the most successful side in England since then, winning five of the last ten league titles on offer. This season, they are on course to win their fourth Premier League title in five years.
Moreover, a plethora of domestic cups have been added to their trophy cabinet at the Etihad Stadium in the last decade. However, the UEFA Champions League remains conspicuous by its absence in the Sky Blues' cabinet. Overall, Manchester City have spent their money to good effect.
While it comes as no surprise that their success is built on the back of a rich owner, one has to credit the club for using their money sensibly. Only one Manchester City player features in the list of ten most expensive signings in the Premier League. City have rarely signed any expensive player who has flopped.
#1 Chelsea - €2.44 billion
Chelsea have spent €2.44 billion in the last 22 years, narrowly outspending Manchester City. The Londoners were taken over by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich in 2003. Since then, they have been a force to reckon with both domestically and in the continent.
The Blues have won five Premier League titles, six FA Cups and three League Cups since 2000. Chelsea have been victorious in the UEFA Champions League twice, equalling Liverpool’s tally of triumphs in the competition in the 21st century among English clubs.
The frequent sacking and hiring of managers at Stamford Bridge, though, has had its pros and cons. Nevertheless, Chelsea fans will be pleased with the amount of silverware they have managed to get their hands on. Recently, they added the FIFA Club World Cup to their cabinet, and could add the Carabao Cup to that on Sunday.
