Footballers are transferred for ridiculously high amounts of money these days. Whether it be Gareth Bale’s record-breaking transfer to Real Madrid or Anthony Martial’s stunning deadline day move to Manchester United, football clubs are forking out huge amounts of money to get the player they want.
The Premier League’s spending power is well known and sometimes the teams end up paying inflated prices for the players they want. The most valuable XI of the Premier League is predictably made up of the traditional giants of English football although a single player from Everton and Tottenham also make the list.
The market value of the players is calculated using the values provided by transfermarkt.
Formation: 4-3-3
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We take a look at the most valuable Premier League XI currently.
#1 Thibaut Courtois - Goalkeeper €35 million (Chelsea)
The Belgian goalkeeper has been considered as one of the best goalkeepers in the game from the last 4 years now. Still only 23, Courtois has already played at some of the top clubs around the world like Genk, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea.
Considering his high standards, Courtois has had a mixed season at Chelsea so far. With Champions League football not looking possible for Chelsea next season, the young Belgian might be seeking a move away from Stamford Bridge in the summer.
His market value is €35 million currently but reports are suggesting that Real Madrid are ready to test Chelsea’s resolve by bidding a ridiculous €75 million to secure his services. Still very young and already one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Courtois’ market value is only set to rise in the future.
#2 Luke Shaw - Left Back €21 million (Manchester United)
Luke Shaw had one of the most expensive transfers for a teenager when he moved to Manchester United from Southampton for £30 million in the summer of 2014. However, he has not had the best of times at Old Trafford.
Shaw made his name at Southampton where he put in a series of stunning performances at left-back and he was considered to be the next big hope for English football by fans and pundits alike. However, form and fitness issues meant that Shaw never fully cemented his place in the United first squad.
Although he has struggled at Manchester United, Shaw still remains the most valuable left-back in the Premier League. Aged only 20, Shaw’s potential and talent helped him edge out Everton’s Leighton Baines on this list.
#3 Nicolas Otamendi - Central Defender €30 million (Manchester City)
Argentine defender Nicolas Otamendi is the most valuable defender in the Premier League currently. Aged 28, Otamendi is at the peak of his career and Manchester City will be hoping that the Argentine defender puts in the solid performances he was renowned for at Valencia.
Otamendi was wanted by both Manchester United and Manchester City in the summer and the blue side of Manchester finally lured the Argentine to the Premier League by paying an initial fee of £28.5 million to Valencia.
Vincent Kompany's absence this season has seen the Argentine become the main central defender for Manchester City and after a tough start, Otamendi has started to show his class and quality for Manchester City.
#4 John Stones - Central Defender €30 million (Everton)
Everton defender John Stones’ future has been subject to widespread speculation in the last year and a half. The young Englishman first captured the world’s attention with his calm and assured performances at the heart of the Everton defence in the 2014/15 season.
Although the player has put in mixed performances this season, he still remains one of the most sought after defenders in the world. Stones is powerful in the air, good on the ball and not afraid of throwing his body around for a last ditch tackle. Stones’ ability to play the ball out of defence has made him a coveted target for all the big clubs.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Barcelona have all been interested in the Englishman with Chelsea reportedly having had three bids rejected for the youngster in the summer.
The impending departure of John Terry and the defensive frailties for Chelsea will tempt them to go for Stones again although they will face stiff competition from big clubs like Barcelona and Manchester United.
#5 Nathaniel Clyne - Right Back €25 million (Liverpool)
England right-back Nathaniel Clyne has been one of the most consistent players for Liverpool this season. Clyne arrived from Southampton for a fee of £12.5 million and he has already made 38 appearances this season.
Clyne has been performing so well in the last few seasons that he has usurped Kyle Walker as England’s first choice right-back. Clyne is renowned for his powerful runs forward and his stamina and strength make him a solid option for Liverpool both while attacking and defending.
Clyne narrowly edged out Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin to be crowned as the Premier League’s most valuable right-back. Still only 24, Clyne has his best years ahead of him and Klopp and Liverpool will be hoping that the England international maintains his form and fitness.
#6 Nemanja Matic - Central Defensive Midfielder €38 million (Chelsea)
One of Chelsea's best players last season, Nemanja Matic has not had a very good season this time around compared to his usual high standards. Still only 27, Matic has been one of the most consistent defensive midfielders and he has performed admirably for both Benfica and Chelsea in the last few seasons.
A hard-working player, he excels at breaking down opposition plays due to his positional sense, defensive attributes, tactical intelligence, and ability to read the game. Matic is also capable of scoring some stunning goals from long range.
His midfield partnership with Cesc Fabregas completely dominated opposition teams last season and Chelsea will be hoping Matic rediscovers his form soon and becomes the dependable midfield anchor once again for the London side.
#7 Kevin De Bruyne - Central Midfielder €60 million (Manchester City)
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has shown why Manchester City forked out a staggering £55 million to secure his services this season. With 9 assists and 12 goals in just 31 appearances for Manchester City this season, the Belgian playmaker has settled in at the Premier League wonderfully.
The Belgian was at Chelsea a few seasons back, but he was inexplicably not given enough chances to make much of an impact. However after an extremely successful spell at Wolfsburg, De Bruyne has just continued his stunning form at Manchester City.
The Belgian has become such a crucial part of Manchester City that his injury immediately saw a dip in form for the Citizens. Pellegrini has been absolutely thrilled with De Bruyne’s impact and he has hailed him as the perfect player:
"We bought Kevin because we knew is a very creative player who can score and create goals and in that respect he was the perfect player to bring to our club," Pellegrini said.
De Bruyne has certainly shown that he was worth the huge investment and aged just 24, the Belgian playmaker has the potential to become one of the world’s best.
#8 Mesut Ozil - Central Midfielder €50 million (Arsenal)
Arsenal’s assist king Mesut Ozil is the only Arsenal player to feature on this list. The German has been in superb form this season and is one of the main reasons why Arsenal are still alive in the race for the Premier League title.
A left-footed player, his main attributes are his vision, his control, and his passing range and accurate crossing ability, which allows him to create chances, and provide many assists for team-mates.Özil has been called "assist-king" in the media. As of January 2016, Özil has the best ratio of assists per game in the history of the Premier League.
Former Germany teammate Phillip Lahm said of Özil "His vision is probably the best I have ever seen... He is a dream for strikers.", while Mario Gomez called Özil "probably the most brilliant footballer we have or ever had".
#9 Eden Hazard - Left Winger €70 million (Chelsea)
At Chelsea, Hazard matured into a world class player and was primarily utilised as a left midfielder. His development into one of the world's best players was highlighted in the 2014/15 season during this season he won multiple awards and received praise from pundits and manager alike.
Manager Jose Mourinho praised Hazard, saying that "He is already a top player and his evolution has been fantastic. He is still very young and he can become the best player in the world." Hazard's former teammate and Lille captain Rio Mavuba described Hazard as "a great player, with an immense talent. He’s actually not that big, but he’s so fast. He’s also very difficult to dispossess and his finishing is top notch".
Hazard like most of his Chelsea team-mates has struggled this season, however, he is still one of the most sought after players in the world with clubs like Real Madrid and PSG interested in securing his services.
Eden Hazard is the most valuable player in the Premier League.
#10 Erik Lamela - Right Winger €24 million (Tottenham Hotspur)
When Erik Lamela moved to Tottenham from Roma, many fans thought that he will be the ideal replacement for Gareth Bale. However, the talented Argentine has struggled to fill the Welshman's boots at White Hart Lane.
The Argentine has enjoyed a decent season this year and he has made 36 appearances scoring 9 goals. Lamela is only 24 years old and he has shown signs of his precocious talent this season. Lamela is known for his quick runs and silky dribbles and Pochettino will be hoping that the Argentine peaks as Spurs go chasing the elusive Premier League title.
Still only 24, Lamela will still have a lot of clubs interested in securing his services.
#11 Sergio Aguero - Striker €60 million (Manchester City)
Balotelli to Agueroooooooooooo! Who can forget the last gasp winner Aguero scored against QPR to give Manchester City a 3-2 victory and more importantly the Premier League title on the last day of the 2011/12 season. The Argentine striker is already a Manchester City legend and some fans will say that he deserves even more than what he is currently being paid at the Etihad.
Aguero is characterised by agility, acceleration and strength, being described as "sharp and clever" by former Argentine player Osvaldo a view which is shared by his international captain Lionel Messi, who believes Aguero possesses "immense power, strength and an incredible work ethic." Combined with his close control, dribbling skills, and strength to keep the ball, he has been described as "a menace in the box".
Aguero is one of the most complete forwards playing the game, however, the striker is slightly injury prone and Manchester City will be hoping that their most important player remains fit as the season heads for an exciting finish.
Although the 11 is now over, we take a look at the next most valuable player in each of these positions in the next slide. The formation and how the most valuable XI will line up is also revealed.
#12 Alternatives to each position and formation
We take a look at the next most valuable player in each of these positions for the 4-3-3 formation.
Goalkeeper – Thibaut Courtois (€ 35 million) – David De Gea (€ 33 million)
Left Back – Luke Shaw (€21 million) – Leighton Baines (€18.5 million)
Centre Back: Nicolas Otamendi (€30 million) – Eliaquim Mangala (€26 million)
Centre Back: John Stones (€30 million) – Vincent Kompany (€28 million)
Right Back: Nathaniel Clyne (€25 million) – Hector Bellerin (€20 million)
Central Defensive Midfielder: Nemanja Matic (€38 million) – Morgan Schneiderlin (€33 million)
Central Midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne (€60 million) – Cesc Fabregas (€45 million)
Central Midfielder: Mesut Ozil (€50 million) – David Silva (€40 million)
Striker: Sergio Aguero (€60 million) – Harry Kane(€55 million)
Right Winger: Erik Lamela (€24 million) – Theo Walcott (€20 million)
Left Winger: Eden Hazard (€70 million) – Alexis Sanchez (€50 million)
Formation
Sergio Aguero leads the line making a deadly front three along with Eden Hazard and Erik Lamela. Ozil and De Bruyne are the main creative influences in the team, while Schneiderlin provides cover to the formidable back four comprising of Shaw, Otamendi, Stones and Clyne.
