'%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)
It would definitely be a surprise to read that an English club is being criticised for their poor wage structure. In all fairness, Chelsea have some of the best players currently in the league who have proved themselves beyond doubt.
In other words, the performances of a few players have left the fans wondering how the Londoners manage to pull off such bargain deals time and time again.
The Blues are owned by Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire whose take over transformed this club in 2004.
However, they have not been honouring their stars who have been consistent performers for them over the years by not giving them adequate monetary rewards.
Here is a look at the players who are believed to be underpaid at the club.
All the statistics have been derived from squawka.com
All the wage figures have been derived from sillyseason.com
#5 Andreas Christensen: £35,000-a-week
Yes! £35,000-a-week for arguably one of the best young centre-backs in 2017/18 Premier League season. That is not even one-fifth of what Virgil Van Dijk is earning at Anfield at the moment.
Tipped to be a successor to Gary Cahill, the Danish international has been in sublime form for Chelsea this season.
He has featured regularly as a pivotal point in Conte's back-three defence and has impressed with his maturity.
Also read: 5 players who could leave Chelsea this summer
The 21-year-old has made 21 league appearances for the club this season. He has a passing accuracy of 94% and a duel winning rate of 60% domestically for the club. Still, the player is paid less than almost every other player in Chelsea's starting XI.
Chelsea would be doing an injustice to the player by not offering him a contract which would double his wages.
#4 Victor Moses : £75,000-a-week
Victor Moses is yet another top defender the Blues have in their ranks.
The Nigerian wing-back has been one of the best players for the Londoners this season. His pace and crossing have improved substantially over the years. The 27-year-old is a threat on the ball and also has an eye for the goal.
From the wing-back position, he has created 11 chances for his team with a passing accuracy of 78% in the league so far. Winning 48% of his duels, he has been the first choice for Conte at the right wing-back position.
It is unbelievable that the wages of a player of his quality are not as not at par with that of Antonio Rudiger, Marcos Alonso and Cahill.
#3 César Azpilicueta: £100,000-a-week
Azplicueta is just about as reliable as defenders come. The player is enjoying a revival of sorts under the Italian boss, Antonio Conte who has certainly brought the best out of him.
The Spaniard was a renowned full-back in the country before 2016. However, Conte moved the player to the centre-back role and there has appeared to be nothing better for him, since then.
He played every single minute of Chelsea's triumphant 2016/17 season. The 28-year-old is one of the most consistent players in Europe and has been sensational in defence in 2017/18 as well.
The defender is a sublime crosser of the ball and has grabbed six assists in the league. His experience has proved vital to the club of late.
It makes absolutely no sense if arguably the best defender in the league is paid even a penny lesser than those who are not even half as good as him.
# 2. N'Golo Kante : £120,000-a-week
Chelsea had a tough job up their sleeves replacing the legendary Claude Makélélé, until they signed Kante in 2016 from Leicester City.
The 26-year-old is certainly the best central midfielder in the world at the moment and is tipped only to get better.
He already appears to be at the peak of his performances despite Chelsea's poor run of form in 2017/18 season.
Kante single-handedly shackled Lionel Messi at Stamford Bridge and destroyed all the creativity of the Catalans.
The Frenchman has a passing accuracy of 89% and created 33 chances for his team, in the league this season.
It is absolutely ridiculous that such an extraordinary midfielder earns so much lesser than Cesc Fabregas, who bags more than £155,000-a-week at the Stamford Bridge.
#1 Thibaut Courtois: £120,000-a-week
Had it not been for De Gea, the Chelsea No.1 would without a shred of doubt, be the best goalkeeper in the Premier League. Such is the quality of the player that only De Gea or Manuel Neuer can be put ahead of him.
The 25-year-old is in impressive form for the club this season as well. He is only behind De Gea in the race for the English Golden Glove this season.
His reflexes and simplicity between the sticks have salvaged some crucial points for the Blues. Had it not been for the Belgian, Chelsea would have ended with some more embarrassing scorelines this season already.
When compared to the aforementioned ones, the goalie is relatively underpaid. Moreover, talks have surfaced which have linked him with a move to Real Madrid. Chelsea would have to offer improved terms to the player in order to keep a hold of him.
