Premier League: Most expensive XI ever

The Premier League is arguably the best league in the world. A host of teams fight for the title every season and the race for a spot in the Champions League looks to be even more arduous. The amount of competition was enough to increase the popularity of the league.

With the immense popularity, the amount of money the clubs make is also incomparable to the others around the world. It is no surprise that we are seeing transfer record being broken by the Premier League sides very often and even the ‘smaller’ teams signing big players every time they get a chance.

Here’s a look at the most expensive XI in the Premier League right now:

Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool, €75m)

Liverpool’s new signing has come for a hefty price. The Reds snapped the Brazilian despite having competition from Real Madrid and Chelsea. They had to cough out a World Record fee of €75 million to sign him – almost double of the previous record.

Right Back: Kyle Walker (Manchester City, €57m)

Manchester City went on a spending spree during the summer of 2017 and signed some fantastic players. Kyle Walker was one of them, and he cost them a whopping €57 million. Tottenham were just not willing to lower the price, but Pep Guardiola knew his worth and decided to spend the money and get him.

Centre Back: Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool, €85m)

Third name on the list and the second time for Liverpool. Virgil Van Dijk’s transfer saga was a highly entertaining one, but the Reds finally managed to sign him up. Southampton were reluctant to sell the Dutchman last summer after they found out about Liverpool’s contact with the player, even before entering into negotiations with the club.

However, the centre-back was eventually sold to the Anfield side in January after Liverpool made a world record bid. For €75 million, Van Dijk will remain the most expensive defender for quite some time.

Centre Back: Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City, €65m)

The second Manchester City player on the list in Aymeric Laporte and he won’t be the last one. Signed from Athletic Bilbao in January, Laporte is yet to make an impact at City. Stones and Otamendi were Guardiola’s prefered choice, but it looks like the Frenchman will have a significant role from this season.

Left Back: Benjamin Mendy (Manchester City, €58m)

Benjamin Mendy has won the Premier League, the League Cup and the World Cup in the last one year. All this while playing just seven games! He had an ACL injury at the start of the 2017/18 season and was out for the whole season. He will be raring to have a go this season and help Manchester City retain the title.

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Central Midfield: Paul Pogba (Manchester United, €105m)

When Paul Pogba was signed for a world record fee by Jose Mourinho, a lot was said about the Frenchman. He has been criticised a lot by the fans and the pundits, but all that seems unfair looking at what he does on the pitch. Mourinho’s defensive tactics are clearly not his style, but still, he’s outshining others on the pitch every single time.

Central Midfield: Naby Keita (Liverpool, €60m)

Liverpool were so desperate to sign Naby Keita that they activated his release clause and paid a premium over it to sign him a year before they could have him. Last summer, the Reds tried a lot to get him to Anfield, but RB Leipzig were reluctant to let him leave. Now, Liverpool fans await to see him partner with Fabinho in the heart of the midfield.

Central Attacking Midfield: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City, €75m)

Kevin de Bruyne is probably the only player who has justified his fee so far. The Belgian, who will be labelled as ‘Chelsea’s biggest mistake’ forever, has been running the show in the Premier League and is one of the best attacking midfielders in the world right now. He was signed from Wolfsburg in 2015.

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Left Forward: Angel Di Maria (Manchester United, €75m)

The most expensive flop in the Premier League. Di Maria was signed with much hope by Manchester United, but he just did not suit the system of Louis van Gaal. A year after signing him for a record fee from Real Madrid, he was sold to PSG for a £15 million loss.

Right Forward: Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City, €68m)

Manchester City’s new signing might not be able to get into the starting XI at the club, but he sure does make the most expensive XI. The Algerian winger was signed by City as a cover for Raheem Sterling and will be warming the benches more often than not.

Striker: Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United, €85m)

The second ex-Chelsea player on the list is none other than Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian record goalscorer had a chance to head back to Stamford Bridge last summer, but he opted to join the Red Devils instead. He has done well for the Old Trafford side so far but is yet to justify his fee.