5 most underpaid players in world football right now

#3 Bukayo Saka - £30,000 P/W

Bukayo Saka is one of the most exciting talents in the Premier League.

The Premier League is cumulatively the richest league globally, and Arsenal is one of its richest clubs. The Gunners may have been underperforming on the pitch in recent years, but they have a billionaire owner who can splash the cash when required. Arsenal were, in fact, the highest spenders across Europe's top five leagues last summer.

One would like to think that the club's best prospect would be earning a fortune. Unfortunately, that's not the case with Bukayo Saka, as he is on pretty low wages compared to many of his compatriots. What Saka earns is in stark contrast to what the young Englishman has achieved already in the very early days.

Saka is still a few years away from his prime but is already a regular at the Emirates. He can play in several positions on the left channel and has performed equally well in offensive and defensive areas. This season, Saka has made 24 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals and laying out four assists.

He still has some time left on his current deal but will likely get a new and improved contract in the near future.

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#2 Dusan Vlahovic - £26,000 P/W

Dusan Vlahovic is one of the most sought-after young players in world football right now.

Dusan Vlahovic has been in top form the last couple of seasons and has blossomed into a rising star in Serie A. The striker has been linked with several bigger European clubs, but none of them matched Fiorentina's exorbitant asking price.

As a result, Vlahovic is on one of the lowest contracts in the top five European leagues, and it looks even lower when one considers his performances.

The forward is a proven goalscorer, exceedingly good in the air and on the ground, and uses his frame to out-maneuver opposing defenders.

He has been Fiorentina's best player in the current campaign. In the 24 appearances he has made across all competitions so far, Vlahovic has already scored 20 goals and assisted four more as well.

If rumors are anything to go by, Vlahovic will see a change in environment in 2022.

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#1 Edouard Mendy - £52,000 P/W

Edouard Mendy is one of the best goalkeepers in the world right now.

Edouard Mendy has been in impeccable form since the turn of last year. Thomas Tuchel's arrival has changed Chelsea's fortunes for the better, and Mendy's gloves have been a major contributor in that.

The Senegalese shot-stopper's biggest contribution was the big saves he made in last year's UEFA Champions League final enroute to a cleansheet. Such were his performances that even many rival fans believed he should have won the Yashin trophy that eventually went to Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Mendy's meager wages at club level are a surprise as Chelsea are one of the richest clubs on the planet. The Senegalese is not even the highest-paid goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge, with second-choice custodian Kepa Arrizabalaga earning more than him.

With time left on his existing contract, it's unlikely that Chelsea will have any intentions of selling Mendy. He has looked solid whenever he has been called into action and has often been the difference between a defeat and a win for his team.

Mendy has continued to put on some stellar displays in the current campaign, with 12 clean sheets in 26 appearances across all major competitions.