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Football is a rich game, with extravagant spending and costly mistakes the name of the game.
The current pandemic, though, has shown a different side of various clubs across Europe. They are more prudent with their expenditure, with careful thought involved in every action that is taken.
Even some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona, have shown constraints, despite criticism from their huge fan following across various social media platforms.
We look at the:
10 most valuable clubs in the world (2021)
#10 Tottenham Hotspur - €1.93 billion
Tottenham Hotspur's recent results under the management of Jose Mourinho have left a lot to be desired, but they remain one of the most valuable clubs in the world.
The Lilywhites are 7th in the Premier League, and were knocked out of the Europa League in surprising fashion by Dinamo Zagreb. They will face Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in the EFL Cup final, a fixture which could very well determine Mourinho's future at the club.
Spurs have constructed a good squad, with superstars like Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Gareth Bale complemented by talents like Tanguy Ndombele, Sergio Reguilon and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
However, given the money that has been invested in the squad as well as in the construction of the new stadium, Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy will be keeping a close eye on the performances.
#9 Paris Saint-Germain - €2.10 billion
Managed by former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino, Paris Saint-Germain are cementing their position as one of the biggest clubs in the world.
When the Ligue 1 giants paid a world-record transfer fee of €222 million to sign Neymar from Barcelona, and then went on to buy Kylian Mbappe from AS Monaco for €145 million, it was a show of intent which made the world sit up and take notice.
Those two superstars have been in fine form for Paris Saint-Germain, especially in the Champions League. Having lost in the final last season to Bayern Munich, the Parisien club are among the favorites to win the trophy this time around. They will face Manchester City in the semi-finals of the tournament.
#8 Arsenal - €2.35 billion
There has been debate as to whether Mikel Arteta is the right man to manage Arsenal, with fluctuating results a key reason for concern.
Arsenal are not renowned for splurging money on players. The Gunners have made some expensive additions to the squad in recent seasons, but remain a work in progress. They are currently 9th in the Premier League, and are in the semi-finals of the Europa League.
With the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City not afraid of spending big bucks, Arsenal will have to be clever with their acquisitions.
Champions League football will attract players, but the best chance Arsenal have of playing Champions League football next season is if they win the Europa League.
Also Read: 10 most overpaid footballers in the world right now (2021)
#7 Chelsea - €2.68 billion
Chelsea were constantly in the news last summer, having spent €247 million in the summer transfer window to strengthen their squad.
Arrivals included German forwards Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, as well as left-back Ben Chilwell, attacker Hakim Ziyech, centre-back Thiago Silva and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Despite such an outlay, the Blues sacked manager Frank Lampard in January this year after some poor performances.
German manager Thomas Tuchel has reinvigorated the side, with Chelsea now in the semi-finals of the Champions League. They are 5th in the league table and will face Manchester City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
#6 Manchester City - €3.35 billion
Manchester City are involved in four competitions at the moment, and stand a good chance of winning all four of them.
If they manage to do that, manager Pep Guardiola's name will forever be etched in Premier League as well as continental history. Manchester City have been extremely lethal and impressive with their performances this season, and have arguably been the best team in Europe.
However, none of this will matter if they squander their chances of winning trophies. While the Premier League looks wrapped up, they will face Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup final, Chelsea in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final of the Champions League. These fixtures will decide Manchester City's season.
#5 Liverpool - €3.43 billion
Liverpool were the best team in the Premier League last season and deserved winners. It remains to be seen whether they finish this season in the top four.
Jurgen Klopp's side have dropped off massively, with injuries playing a key role. Centre-backs Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are all out with long-term injuries, and as a result Liverpool have tried various combinations at the centre-back position, with varying degrees of success.
A rebuild is said to be on the horizon, with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino linked with moves away. Jurgen Klopp has also been linked with the German national team job, as well as with Bayern Munich.
#4 Manchester United - €3.52 billion
Manchester United are quietly functioning well under the management of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and have produced some good performances this season.
They are 2nd in the Premier League, and in the semi-finals of the Europa League. While the the gap between Manchester United and league leaders Manchester City remains big, winning the Europa League is an achievable goal given the resources Manchester United have.
The likes of Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw have been essential to their good form this season. With players like Rashford, goalkeeper Dean Henderson, centre-back Axel Tuanzebe, midfielder Scott McTominay and forward Mason Greenwood all products of the Manchester United academy, the future looks bright for the club if they act cleverly in the transfer market.
Also Read: 10 best finishers in world football right now
#3 Bayern Munich- €3.53 billion
Bayern Munich were in scintillating form last season, winning the treble under manager Hansi Flick.
This season has been less successful. The club have been knocked out of the DFB-Pokal as well as the Champions League, with the Bundesliga being the only possible title for Bayern Munich. They are at the top of the table in the Bundesliga, five points ahead of second-placed RB Leipzig. However, they have not been in full flow.
Flick looks set to depart Bayern Munich in the summer, with the German national team job reportedly his if he wants it. RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann has been linked with the managerial role, while Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has also been suggested as an option.
#2 Real Madrid - €3.98 billion
Real Madrid have been an inconsistent unit this season, but have managed to perform when needed the most.
Zinedine Zidane's side are 2nd in La Liga, one point behind league leaders Atletico Madrid. Los Blancos have struggled this season with injuries, with players like Eden Hazard and Sergio Ramos missing chunks of the season due to various injury issues.
They will face Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Champions League and it remains to be seen whether Hazard will be fit to face the club he made his name at. Real Madrid manager Zidane has also been linked with a move to Juventus this summer.
#1 Barcelona - €3.99 billion
They are still finding their feet after a tumultuous previous season. However, Barcelona are the most valuable club in world football.
Having arguably the greatest player to have played the game in Lionel Messi as part of your squad helps. The Argentina international's contract expires in the summer, and Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked as potential destinations.
Keeping Messi will be key for new club president Joan Laporta. Barcelona are currently 3rd in La Liga, two points behind league leaders Atletico Madrid. A league title is still possible, despite the fact that Barcelona are undergoing a transitional period.
Also Read: 5 greatest central midfield trios of the 21st century
Note - All values have been taken from Forbes
