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The brief wait has come to an end and football fans around the world are gaga over the start of the latest edition of the Premier League. Top-flight football in England has a lot to bring to the table this term.
Expensive arrivals, managerial and team transitions, and the ever-intense competition have got fans on the edge of their seats. A fortnight after the competition kicked off, we have already had a decent amount of nail-biting moments to look back on.
The Premier League is home to numerous top-level clubs. The same reflects in competition between them on and off the pitch. While the players battle it out on the turf to come on top, there's a lot happening behind the curtains to fuel the club.
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That includes the signing of potential players, increasing the club's market value and many such aspects. Since the start of the calendar year, many teams' squad market value has increased significantly.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the
Top 5 Premier League clubs whose squad market values have increased the most this year
(Stats as per Transfermarkt)
#5 Leicester City (+£64.44m)
Leicester City's constant efforts to challenge the Premier League's Big 6 have yielded great results. The Foxes' only title (2015-16) was the result of the same.
Many expected Leicester's run to be a 'one-season wonder'. However, that hasn't been the case in the seasons that have followed. Despite losing some of their key players to bigger clubs, Leicester has managed to regularly finish in the top 10 (except for 2016-17).
The club has invested extensively in youth programs, new training grounds and also in roping in former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers. The squad is currently valued at £501.39m, which is an increase 14.7% since the start of this year, when it was valued at £436.95m
#4 Brentford FC (+£78.80m)
Brentford FC's return to the top-tier was marked in style following a 2-0 victory against Arsenal at home in game week 1 of the Premier League. The club has spent the majority of their time in the lower divisions of England. However, they have made a comeback to the highest division by gaining promotion via the playoffs at the end of the 2020–21 Championship season.
The club's recently found brilliant form has paved the way for its increased reach. Which means more flow of funds and endorsements for The Bees.
Should they continue to maintain their presence in the Premier League, it's certain Brentford will continue to grow as a club and a brand. They will also be able to welcome better players into their squad.
As a combined result of their promotion and their form, Brentford's squad market value has increased by 108.5% since the start of the year, from £72.63m to £151.43m at the moment.
#3 Chelsea (+£86.35m)
The six-time Premier League champions are arguably one of the most promising teams in the EPL at the moment.
Thomas Tuchel picked up from where Frank Lampard had left off. Chelsea legend and former gaffer Lampard employed an array of youngsters who are now being used by Tuchel.
A lot went on behind Chelsea's 2020-21 UEFA Champions League triumph. Now, the Londoners are doing their best to build on that form. On paper, Chelsea is as formidable as defending Premier League champions — Manchester City.
The arrival of Romelu Lukaku has further bolstered their squad depth. Chelsea is home to several expensive players, and as it stands, the squad's market value is estimated to be £830.70m. That's an increase of 11.6% since the start of the year when the squad was valued at £744.35m
#2 Aston Villa (+£92.70m)
It's been a topsy-turvy summer transfer window for Aston Villa. They lost their captain Jack Grealish to Manchester City for a record fee. However, the sale meant Aston Villa added £100 million to their purse.
Additionally, England's most-expensive outbound transfer has allowed the club multiple new signings, thereby increasing the squad's market value. The beginning of this year saw Aston Villa's squad valued at £293.67m. Right now, the squad is valued at £386.37m - a 31.6% increase.
Aston Villa have several quality players like Emiliano Martínez, Emiliano Buendía, Leon Bailey and Douglas Luiz within their ranks. Naturally, they will look to do well in the 2021-22 Premier League season
#1 Manchester United (+£140.31m)
20-time Premier League champions Manchester United have the third-most valuable squad in the Premier League right now. However, they have seen their squad value increase by the most amount among Premier League clubs since the start of the year.
The Red Devils had an impressive summer transfer window this year and they managed to bag a few top players who were up for grabs.
Their latest massive signings - Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho - arrived at Old Trafford with hefty price tags. The same has resulted in Manchester United seeing their squad value move upwards.
The club also houses various other big names within their ranks. Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba, Harry Maguire, Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial — all valued above £40m.
At the start of the year, the Red Devils squad was valued at £678.92m. At the moment, the squad is valued at £819.23 - which is an increase of 20.7%.
