The world's most valuable XI

The current transfer market is a ballooned up one and players are transferred for astronomical prices. There was a time when only forwards and attacking midfielders were transferred for more than £40-50 million. However, even goalkeepers and defenders are being sold for prices higher than that.

Teams are shelling out £100-110 million with ease and it forces us to think, whether are trading in money or peanuts. Such is the valuation of players by their respective teams. Goalkeepers were sold for €25-35 million at max, but now, you have Kepa Arrizabalaga who was bought by Chelsea for an astonishing £71 million.

That is the money given for a goalkeeper, who is yet to prove himself as one of the best in the world. Neymar was sold for €222 million last summer and that shows the enormous prices that players are being sold for.

However, those prices aren't their real valuations and there are many parameters that one must consider before coming to a conclusion on the valuation of a player.

In light of that, we shall have a look at the most valuable XI with their actual valuations and not the ballooned up prices. A 3-5-2 formation has been used.

Note: All values courtesy Transfermarkt

Goalkeeper - David De Gea (€70 million)

He is a beast in front of the goal and doesn't let anything go behind him. He is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world and naturally, is the most valuable goalie. He plies his trade for Manchester United and kept 18 clean sheets last year, even though he had a vulnerable defence in front of him.

He has been excellent in front of the goal this season but, his defence has let him down. He has constantly been contributing with saves, but the defenders never support him and as a result, he has conceded 17 goals in 10 Premier League games this season. He has kept just 3 clean sheets in all competitions and if his defence can perform slightly better, he is not going to concede anything.

The former Atletico Madrid player is known for his acrobatic saves and was also named in this year's FIFA World XI. He also won the Premier League Goalkeeper of the Season Award and hence, there is no doubting his prowess between the sticks.

All stats via Transfermarkt

Defenders - Samuel Umtiti (€70 million), Raphael Varane (€80 million) and Kalidou Koulibaly (€60 million)

The Barcelona defender is a top quality centre-back and has earned the reputation of being one of the best. He played a key role in France's World Cup triumph this year and his partnership with Raphael Varane was deadly. He is physically very strong and that helps him succeed at the back. He takes a lot of risks and most of them tend to work. The former Lyon player has assisted once in 7 games and is currently injured.

Another French defender makes it to the list and it just shows France's abundance of talent. He is often considered as the best centre-back in the world and plays for football heavyweights, Real Madrid. Both, his technical and tactical prowess have often been praised and he doesn't melt under pressure (he was very young when he made the error against Germany in the World Cup). He rarely goes forward and always stays back to protect the goal.

He is a beast in every sense and has the ability to produce some beastly performances at the heart of the defence. His height and strength are key factors in his game and his aerial prowess is dominating. He plays for Napoli and has been instrumental in their recent success. He can also play as a fullback and when all these features are grouped together, there is no doubt that he is valued at €60 million.

Midfielders - Philippe Coutinho (€120 million), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (€90 million) and Kevin De Bruyne (€150 million)

Philippe Coutinho is one of the best footballers in the world and is a fantastic playmaker. He also has a keen eye for goal and has scored some stunners in his career. He plays for Barcelona and was a part of one of the most expensive transfers in the history of football. He is an impact player and can play in numerous positions.

He has scored 5 goals and assisted thrice in 14 games this season and will occupy a more central role in this team.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is one of the most sought-after players in the world and is a daunting figure. The Lazio midfielder's rise has been meteoric and his value has increased by a huge €60 million over the last one year. The Serbian can play in any midfield role and has scored and assisted once in 11 games.

He is one of the most complete players in the world and plays for Manchester City. He is perhaps, the most creative player on the planet and can carry teams with his plamaking abilities. He is the most valuable midfielder on Earth and is very consistent. He is brilliant at taking set-pieces and with all these abilities, his valuation is definitely going to increase.

He has had an injury lay-off this season and only returned to competitive football. Manchester City has been performing very well without him, and with the Belgian back, it is going to be a nightmare for oppositions.

Note: Dele Alli (€100 million) and Eden Hazard (€150 million) are more valuable than Milinkovic-Savic and Couthino. However, they haven't been included to give the team some balance.

Wingers - Lionel Messi (€180 million) and Neymar (€180 million)

2 of the best players on Earth, they have the ability to wreak havoc in any game.

Lionel Messi plays for Barcelona and is without a doubt, their main man. He is as consistent as anything can get and is always involved in goals. He has won the Ballon d'Or on five occasions and is joint highest along with Cristiano Ronaldo. His dribbling skills are insane and he uses them to perfection. He has scored 12 goals and assisted 6 in just 12 games this season.

Neymar is a former Barcelona star and currently plays for French heavyweights, PSG. He was transferred for a whopping €222 million last summer and that is a world record. Like Messi, he is always involved in goals and his dribbling skills are great. He is often considered as the best player on the planet when one takes Ronaldo and Messi out of the equation. He has scored 11 goals and assisted 5 in 13 games this season.

Centre-forwards - Harry Kane (€150 million) and Kylian Mbappe (€180 million)

He is the world's most valuable striker and perhaps, the most lethal on the planet. He is a goal scoring machine for Tottenham Hotspur and it is difficult to imagine their team without him. He won the Golden Boot for his exploits at this year's World Cup and led England to the semifinals for the first time since 1990.

However, a long World Cup campaign seems to have taken its toll on him and it looks like he isn't at his best. Nonetheless, he has scored 7 goals and assisted once in 12 games.

Unquestionably, the most talented youngster on the planet, Mbappe has rapidly progressed to make a name for himself as one of the best. The French star won the Best Young Player Award at the FIFA World Cup this year. The former Monaco player has already been compared to Messi and Ronaldo and in a few years time, he could even overtake them.

He has already scored 12 goals and assisted 4 for PSG in 10 games this season.

Edited by Victor R. Lopez M.