7 terribly underpaid footballers

The stomach is why we all do what we do. The stomach is the main reason for almost everything in the world. No matter how much money one earns, it always begins with the stomach. Once the hunger is satiated, only then do people think about everything else.

One of the most highly-paid professions is football. Footballers earn a lot—and their basic hunger is satiated aplenty with it---but some players don’t earn as much as their counterparts.

For example, a mediocre European player playing in China gets a lot more in wages than someone who plays in a mid-table club in England. Obviously, there will be disparities, but some are world class and yet don’t get the same amount of monetary recognition as they should—and here are 5 of them…

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#7 Paulo Dybala

Argentina is a country that is a mine for attacking players. This is the very country that gave the world three of the greatest players of all time in Alfredo di Stefano, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. And that’s not all.

Over the decades, the nation has been a hub for attacking players and one such gold that was extracted out of the mine was Paulo Dybala.

The Juventus far is a left-footed forward who plays just behind the striker in a support forward role at Juventus.He is one of their prized assets, which is why they doubled his wages earlier this season, but even then, his current wage of £92,000-per-week is something that isn’t among the highest echelons of world football.

And he certainly deserves more.

#6 Cesar Azplicueta

Azplicueta has been a consistent figure for Chelsea

If an underrated players’ list was ever compiled, then Azplicueta’s name would be on the top of the list—and somewhere near the top at least. Ever since the Spaniard arrived from Marseille in 2012, he has been a consistent figure at the club.

Be it at right-back, or central defence or left-back, the Spaniard has always given his 100% and is one of those leaders in the dressing room who always wants to win. Indeed, John Terry mentioned that ‘Dave’s’ relentlessness to win sometimes borders on “annoying.”

His payday, however, isn’t as much as he deserves. Last year in December, he signed a new deal that saw him earn £75,000-a-week. For a player of his caliber—added to that his versatility and leadership—that much money is comparatively peanuts and he deserves a pay-hike.

#5 Dani Carvajal

The best right-back in Europe

From one Spanish full-back to another Spanish full-back. Dani Carvajal is perhaps the best right-back in the world right now. The former Bayer Leverkusen right-back was a Real Madrid youth product that who to Germany to learn his trade and returned as one of the best in his position.

After three years at the Bernabeu, he has sealed himself as the best and is one of the difference-makers for the Blancos. The Galacticos’ attack seems a little toothless without him—and that is special considering he is a defender, a part of the backline.

His wages, however, somewhat don’t reflect his abilities as a footballer. Without him, the right-flank of the Galacticos seems wingless and yet he earns only around £85,000-a-week. Certainly, that is a little less for a player who is pivotal to the club’s playing style.

#4 Christian Eriksen

The most underrated midfielder in the world

Earlier, I mentioned that Cesar Azpilicueta would be the player on the top of the most underrated footballers’ list. However, if there is someone who could displace him from that spot, it is Christian Eriksen.

Whenever we talk of the best midfielders, Eriksen’s name is rarely mentioned or even if it is, it happens at the end of the list. However, over the last 3-4 years, he has shown that he is among the best in the league—a class act in the same bracket as the David Silvas and Coutinhos—and has become the heart of Tottenham Hotspur's attacking line.

His wages, however, just about reflect his underrated abilities as a footballer. With a weekly income of £75,000 from the club, it just about shows that he is someone who deserves way more than what he gets currently.

#3 Mohamad Salah

Mohamed Salah is Awarded with the EA SPORTS Player of the Month for November

The Egyptian has been sensational this season. It is not that he didn’t play like this in Rome or Florence, but now that he is wreaking havoc in the Premier League, he has suddenly become relevant. Salah will perhaps go down as the greatest player to come out of Egypt by the time his career ends.

His calmness in front of the goal and the precision with which he scores coupled with his off-the-ball movements makes him one of the deadliest players in England. It is as though Liverpool have found a new saviour in the former Chelsea man.

But when you look at how much he earns per-week, you realize that Liverpool are more than just lucky to have him. With a weekly salary of £90,000, he is among the middle-level earners in the country. Given that he is the highest scorer in the Premier League so far this season, his wages should also reflect that.

#2 Dele Alli

Dele Alli is England's present and future

The Englishman might not be having his greatest season—or even as good a season as he had last term—but he is still among the most sought-after youngsters in the Premier League. The former Dons player is known for his ability to score crucial goals—especially in games where he is seemingly passive and not contributing much—and win games for his team.

This season, however, has been a far cry from what he could actually do—and his current wages must have something to do with it.

Alli is currently on a meagre £50,000-a-week. For someone who scored 22 goals from midfield—many of which were crucial ones—he is certainly getting less, especially when compared with players of similar calibre as the 21-year-old.

He only signed a contract last year, so it would be difficult to see him sign another in the foreseeable future, but if Spurs are to keep hold of him, they must give him what he deserves.

#1 Harry Kane

Citizen Kane of Spurs

It seems as though Tottenham Hotspur have the ability to keep some of the best players in their teams by paying them the least possible amount they could. Harry Kane is one such player. The England international—who was infamously dubbed as a one-season wonder by many quarters of the footballing fraternity—is one of the most lethal strikers in the world.

In fact, in the last 3 seasons, excluding this one, he has never scored less than 28 goals. He has already scored 18 goals from 21 games this season and is on course to have his best season as a footballer.

And all of this after having a dry spell earlier in the season.

His wages? A mere £100,000-a-week—making him the highest paid player at the Lilywhites. When you consider the wages of Luis Suarez or Edinson Cavani, players who have a similar strike-rate as the Englishman, you realize that Spurs are lucky to have him play for that much.