'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Ruben Dias - €120.5M
If any defender can come close to competing against Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk, it has to be Premier League and Manchester City centre-back Ruben Dias.
Ever since the Portuguese came to England from Benfica in the summer of 2020, he has looked every bit the player he was built up to be. Dias has expertly filled the void left by former Manchester City defender and captain Vincent Kompany.
He has looked assured on the ball and clean in his tackles, and his command on the Cityzens' defensive line is commendable. His performances helped Pep Guardiola's side secure another league title last season. Dias also played a vital role as City fell just one step short of claiming the coveted Champions League title.
Dias had a poor Euro 2020 with Portugal but has once again been the star of the show for Manchester City in the current season. He has led from the front with 27 appearances across all competitions, and his displays have been characterized by his defensive acumen and robustness. The Portuguese has contributed a bonus of four goal involvements as well.
Manchester City understandably consider Ruben Dias to be 'untouchable.' It's almost unthinkable that a club can acquire him from the Etihad in the near future.
#2 Mason Greenwood - €133.9M
Manchester United have a rich heritage of academy graduates who become first-team regulars and superstars. Among the current batch, Mason Greenwood tops the pecking order for the claim.
He has easily been the best graduate coming from the academy in the last few years. Greenwood has been fast-tracked into the first-team and has never looked back. Of course, there is still room for improvement within his game, but he has age on his side, and his ability has never come into question.
Greenwood started the current campaign brightly by netting in the first three Premier League fixtures. Since then, he has gone on the backburner and has recorded 21 appearances overall and seven goal involvements. Manchester United fans will be hopeful of witnessing more consistency from him in 2022.
#1 Phil Foden - €152.6M
When the England U-17 squad won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in India, Phil Foden played the most important role in that triumph. The tournament was the first sign of his incredible talent, which has been developed patiently by Manchester City.
Becoming a first-team regular in a star-studded senior side is no mean task, yet Foden has managed to do so without much fuss. His ability on the ball and technical astuteness makes him a perfect player in Pep Guardiola's system. Foden can easily play in both central and wider positions, and is a nuisance for opposition defenders.
Foden's 13 goal involvements from 20 appearances this season shows the red hot form he has been in. He missed the start of the campaign with a foot injury but has been on top of his game since then.
Foden's valuation comes not only from the quality he has but also from the fact that he is immensely versatile. Manchester City have never been in a financial mess since the takeover happened. So unless there are contract disagreements in the future, Foden is set for a long stay at the Etihad and in the Premier League.
