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The Premier League is widely regarded as the most competitive league in the world. The English top-flight, contested for by several well-established clubs, has been the home to an endless list of modern football legends — including the likes of Thierry Henry, Steven Gerrard, Cristiano Ronaldo, and many more.
Regardless of whether or not it is the most competitive league in the world, it certainly is one of the most free-spending top-flights in Europe. The record transfer fees paid for players by clubs in the bottom half of the table are high enough to rival that of others across the continent.
It is the most valuable football league in the world, with financial powerhouses such as Manchester City, Chelsea, and Manchester United going toe-to-toe for the hottest talents on the market.
Premier League sides such as Everton, West Ham, and others have spent considerable amounts to help them break into places higher up on the table, albeit in vain as they have failed to do so.
On the other hand, even clubs such as Burnley and the surprise package of the 2019/20 season, Sheffield United, have done commendably well with limited resources. Their well-drilled displays have helped cause upsets over some of the biggest sides in the league.
Here, we take a look at the ten most valuable football clubs currently competing in the Premier League.
#10 West Ham United | €306.25m
After beginning the season with expectations higher than ever, West Ham endured remarkably poor 2019/20 campaign in the Premier League. The Hammers spent upwards of €100m in the 2019 summer window, fighting off several clubs across Europe to sign players such as Sebastian Haller and Pablo Fornals.
Chilean veteran Manuel Pellegrini was expected to take West Ham to great heights, but things did not pan out as the former Manchester City manager would have hoped. He was replaced by former manager David Moyes, who ensured their survival. With the backing that the London club have, it's safe to say that West Ham would hope to push for a top-half finish as opposed to a relegation battle.
They would hope for a vastly more successful season next year, and are likely to make moves in the transfer market as well, particularly should Declan Rice leave. Regardless of their transfers, the Hammers would undoubtedly look to improve on a disappointing 16th-place finish.
#9 Wolverhampton Wanderers | €342.40m
One of the most exciting underdog stories in the Premier League, Wolves are arguably one among the greatest newly-promoted sides in recent years. Nuno Espirito Santo's high-flying Wolves have taken a liking to the top-flight and have had two excellent campaigns upon their return to the league.
Their significantly impressive rise has seen them go from competing in the Championship to fighting for the UEFA Champions League and Europa League slots on the table. The West Midlands club are currently still in contention to win the latter, having recently sealed their berth in the final eight of the tournament in Germany.
With a host of exciting talents such as Ruben Neves, Adama Traore, and many others, Wolves will expect to cement their spot as a top-half club for years to come, and hopefully, build further on it. Their well-established connection with Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes would enable them to seamlessly conduct business as well.
#8 Everton | €411.85m
Much like West Ham, Everton are another club that have failed to live up to the lofty expectations they brought upon themselves after a lavish summer expenditure. The Toffees spent just under €120m in the summer of 2019 to recruit Alex Iwobi, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, and Moise Kean among others to bolster their squad.
Unfortunately, most of their new signings have had little to no impact whatsoever at Goodison Park, and the club ultimately ended the season with a different manager. Marco Silva was under fire after a string of terrible results as well as performances, consequently losing his job and being replaced by multiple-time UCL winner Carlo Ancelotti.
While the Italian legend has done a commendable job in Merseyside, his valiant efforts weren't enough to push Everton into the top half, finishing 12th with 49 points. With a veteran name like Ancelotti at the helm, Everton could potentially strengthen in the summer as well.
Also read: 10 Premier League signings that have failed to impress (2019-20)
#7 Leicester City | €450.50m
Brendan Rodgers' ambitious Foxes were one of the most impressive sides in the first half of the recently-concluded Premier League campaign. Leicester City were tipped for a competitive season, but they comfortably surpassed them and cemented third place from November until their post-lockdown run-in.
Leicester, unfortunately, suffered heartbreak on the final day of the season after losing at home to fellow UCL qualification contenders Manchester United. The 2015/16 Premier League winners looked nailed-on to play in Europe's elite competition next year, but will have to settle now for a spot in the Europa League.
Nonetheless, it still remains a great achievement from Rodgers' men, as they've qualified for just their second European campaign in the Premier League era. With Ben Chilwell expected to fetch them a British record fee, Leicester could come back even stronger next year and could potentially climb higher up the table.
#6 Arsenal | €576.85m
After a relatively weak start to the season for the Gunners, things went from bad to worse for Arsenal which subsequently lead to head coach Unai Emery getting the sack. However, since his successor and managerial debutant Mikel Arteta took over at the club, the London giants looked like a new team altogether.
The Spaniard, a former Arsenal legend, has instilled a sense of character and structural discipline into the side, having done a phenomenal job with the little time and resources on offer. Arteta guided Arsenal past his old club Manchester City, where he was an assistant manager, in the semi-final of the FA Cup. The Spaniard lifted the trophy after a victory against Chelsea — his first trophy in his half-a-year of senior management.
With rumours suggesting that they are set to be bolstered by the arrival of Willian and possibly even Philippe Coutinho, Arsenal are certainly a side to keep an eye on in the coming season.
#5 Tottenham Hotspur | €698.35m
Much like their North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur have also undergone a transitional 2019/20 season. Former head coach Mauricio Pochettino, despite his commendable body of work at the helm of the club, was fired after a miserable run of games. Then-14th-placed Spurs then appointed former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, whose damage control job was remarkable.
Despite not having the services of star men Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son, and club captain Hugo Lloris for extended spells, Mourinho's Spurs ended the season in sixth place, qualifying for the UEL. Their performances were dire and left a lot to be desired, but the Portuguese got the job done after Spurs' notably poor beginning to the campaign.
Although playing Europa League football is a significant downgrade for the 2019 UCL finalists, their recovery on the table despite torrid injuries was remarkable. They are rumoured to have already kicked off their summer spending, and could be in contention for a top-four finish in 2020/21.
#4 Manchester United | €763.68m
13-time Premier League champions Manchester United have endured a challenging eight years since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. The Red Devils have tried a host of different combinations of managers, transfer strategies, and other personnel to try and return to the summit of the top-flight. Although they haven't come close to winning the league let alone actually win it, Manchester United appear to be heading in the right direction under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Norwegian, a treble-winning legend with the club, has been immensely criticised for his side's lacklustre displays throughout his time at the helm, barring perhaps his caretaker-manager phase. However, since the turn of the year, they've turned it around to make up lost ground on a 14-point deficit to Leicester City's third place. The ended the campaign in third place, dethroning the Foxes with a win at the King Power on the final day.
With Solskjaer's men reportedly keen on acquiring Jadon Sancho and a host of other talents ahead of next year, Manchester United would hope to build on their third-place finish in 2019/20.
Also read: Premier League 2019/20: Individual stat leaders of the season
#3 Chelsea | €833.45m
Considering the circumstances surrounding the club and the mess than Frank Lampard inherited in the summer of 2019, the Englishman has done a fantastic job in his first Premier League campaign as head coach. The Blues were in a state of turmoil due to their FIFA-inflicted transfer ban, the departure of Maurizio Sarri to Juventus, and losing their best player and club legend Eden Hazard to Real Madrid.
Despite the dire state that Chelsea found themselves in, Lampard was a breath of fresh air at Stamford Bridge and blooded young academy players at every opportunity. The likes of Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Reece James, and a host of other talents have come through to the first-team and left an excellent account of themselves. The Blues were not notable contenders for a top-four spot, but Lampard guided them to UCL qualification and an FA Cup final.
Fourth place is nothing to rejoice about, particularly for Chelsea's ruthlessly ambitious owner Roman Abramovich. Nonetheless, Lampard is set to be backed heavily in the transfer market and could challenge for a top-three spot at the least.
#2 Liverpool | €1.01bn
Undisputedly the best club on the land over the course of the 2019/20 campaign, this Liverpool side boasts of a truly marvellous group of players. Jurgen Klopp has been a transformative figure for the champions and emphatically ended their 30-year-wait for a Premier League title.
Anfield is currently home to several players who are arguably the best in the world in their respective positions. The likes of Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, and Liverpool's devastating pair of inside forwards Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are all regarded as some of the finest footballers on the planet at the moment. Klopp's men are currently the holders of both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League, being one of only two clubs to have won both in the last decade.
With reports suggesting that they are set to purchase Bayern Munich metronome Thiago Alcantara and possibly a couple of young talents, Liverpool could create more history and retain their English crown next season. They are in pole position to establish a dynasty of dominance in the Premier League.
#1 Manchester City | €1.08bn
Former champions Manchester City are financially the most valuable club in the English Premier League. The Citizens are regarded as one of the best clubs in the world, and reigned supreme on the domestic fronts for two years prior to the 2019/20 season. Pep Guardiola guided his side to two back-to-back Premier League titles, amassing a staggering 198 points through the course of the 2017/18 and 2018/19 campaigns.
Their only Achilles heel remains a lack of impetus and pedigree on the European front, despite their star-studded squad and seemingly endless resources. Guardiola could atone for his side's failures this year after sending out a statement victory against 13-time European champions Real Madrid in the round of 16.
After an embarrassing attempt at a title defence — having lost the league by 18 points — City have already begun their summer spending with two quick purchases in Ferran Torres and Nathan Ake. With Kalidou Koulibaly, Joao Felix, and other star names on City's wishlist, Manchester City could be back in contention to bring the Premier League title back to the Etihad Stadium.
Also read: 5 Best signings made by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City | Premier League 2019-20
