The Most Expensive Premier League Starting XI

Defenders: Manchester City raised the market value for defenders tremendously through their signings over the last two seasons. Six out of the ten most expensive deals done for defenders have been done by Manchester City. Hence, it should come as no surprise that three out of the four most expensive premier league defenders are from Manchester City. The one remaining spot is taken up by a Red- a Liverpool Red.

Fun fact: This is the most expensive backline in the entire world.

The most expensive wall in football history costs a total of £237 million.

Benjamin Mendy (Manchester City) - £52M

Benjamin Mendy-Premier League Winner

Manchester City signed Benjamin Mendy from Monaco for a record fee of £52 million in the summer transfer window of the 2017-2018 season. However, much to his and his clubs disappointment, he incurred a serious injury in practice and as a result of which, he missed the entire last season. At the time when Mendy signed for Manchester City, he was the world's most expensive defender. He still has four long years left on his contract and Manchester City will be hoping that he will be able to repay their investment with considerable 'interest'. Powerful and direct, Mendy is one of the best left-backs in the Premier League.

Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City) - £57M

Aymeric Laporte- Second most expensive defender in football

In January 2018, Manchester City broke their own transfer fee record by signing French defender, Aymeric Laporte for £57 million from Athletic Bilbao. In order to prise him away from the Spanish club, City was required to meet the release clause as stipulated in his contract. The release clause of £57 million was no small amount but Pep Guardiola considers him to be one of the best young defenders in the world. In Spain, he's made a name for himself as a strong center back who's good with the ball at his feet. With all that being said, he's yet to make a considerable impact on the Premier League.

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) - £75M

Virgil van Dijk- World's most expensive defender

By the time Liverpool signed Virgil van Dijk in the winter transfer window of the 2017-2018 season, Southampton had already gained a reputation for being Liverpool's 'feeder club'. Keeping that in mind, it came as no surprise when van Dijk chose to join Liverpool. However, his transfer fee raised the eyebrows of everyone in the footballing industry. £75 million is no small amount. And never in football's history, until then, had such a lofty figure been associated with a defender. By signing van Dijk for £75 million, Liverpool broke the transfer fee record for the most expensive defender in the world by £22 million. With all that being said, van Dijk has proved to be a solid investment and has the potential to be one of the best center backs in the world.

Kyle Walker (Manchester City) - £53M

Kyle Walker- Premier League Winner

When Manchester City signed Kyle Walker from Tottenham Hotspur, he was the most expensive defender in the world. City completed his signing just months after making Mendy the most expensive defender in the world. Mid-season in 2016, Walker and Pochettino had a falling out. This opened an opportunity for him to join Pep at City next year. In the summer of 2017, Tottenham cashed in on Walker for £53 million. As one of the best full-backs in England, his stock was already on the high. Walker is a great crosser of the ball and is extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet- a trait that Guardiola looks for in all his defenders.