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Money is an important factor in modern football. Particularly in England, the TV deals have completely changed the fortunes of the teams. This means that the players are handed lucrative deals and sometimes atrocious weekly wages.
Every top club has a star player. Undoubtedly the entire team functions around that player. These footballers pocket a huge amount of money on a weekly basis. Hence, the club has to compensate for that by paying lesser to the other teammates.
A tad unfair, don’t you think?
Sometimes, the players who deserve to be among the top earners in the league are paid less. This is so that the club can balance their books. Here we look at the top six clubs in the EPL, and the most underpaid player from each team.
#6 Arsenal: Nacho Monreal (£65,000 per week)
Nacho Monreal is probably the most underrated player in Arsenal's squad. According to the demands of the manager, the versatile Spaniard can play as a centre back and even as a left-back. He is strong defensively and has a good awareness of the game.
His reading of the game is impeccable, which makes him a vital cog in Arsenal’s backline. More importantly, Monreal does not hesitate to venture forward either and is a constant figure in the opposition box too. He has so far scored four times in all competitions this season and has notched two assists as well.
Monreal is confident with the ball at his feet. This is evident by the fact that he has averaged an impressive 91.5% pass success rate this season. Last week, he carried Arsenal to the finals of the Carabao Cup as the Gunners defeated Chelsea in the semifinals.
However, despite his experience and importance to the team, Monreal is paid just 65,000 pounds per week. Players like Shkodran Mustafi and Danny Welbeck earn more than him and the Spaniard deserves a better deal soon.
#5 Tottenham Hotspur: Harry Kane (£100,000 per week)
Harry Kane’s future at Tottenham has been subject to immense speculation in recent times. Kane outscored the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the calendar year 2017. However, the Englishman is still underpaid by the Spurs.
Kane is arguably the best number 9 in Europe currently. He has lightened up the entire region with his performances since the past few seasons.
His finishing prowess is exemplary and Kane can shoot the ball accurately from all the angles. He is remarkable while shooting from long range as well and has been an asset for Tottenham Hotspur.
This season alone, Kane has scored 22 goals in his 25 appearances in the Premier League. He is technically adept, aerially strong and links well with his teammates. At Tottenham though, the club pays him far too less.
Kane should be up amongst the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the club’s reluctance to pay better wages means that Kane is not even amongst the top earners in the Premier League.
Real Madrid have shown immense interest in him. Accordingly, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Harry Kane decides to leave North London in search of better glory and more money.
#4 Chelsea: Eden Hazard (£200,000 per week)
Surprise, surprise!
£200,000 is considered to be a lot of money. However, when the player in question is Eden Hazard, money always falls short. Hazard has long been about as one of the best players in the Premier League. This is due to his extraordinary abilities and talent on the field.
Brought to England from Ligue 1, Hazard is on course to become a true Blues legend. He has been integral to the team’s success in the past few years and is almost irreplaceable in the team. Capable of playing as a left winger, as a false 9 and even as a central attacking midfielder, Hazard brings in a whole set of unparalleled qualities to the field.
His skills on the ball, his impeccable vision, the goal scoring touch and finesse in his game is incomparable. Ironically, for all the money that Chelsea have, Eden Hazard is paid lesser compared to other players of the same quality.
Hazard is on the level of the likes of Alexis Sanchez or Mesut Ozil. Accordingly, Chelsea need to break the bank and pay him well enough to ward off possible interest from Real Madrid. This season itself, the Belgian has scored nine goals and assisted twice in 22 appearances in the league.
More often than not, the other forwards have let the Belgian down though his efforts have been commendable. Chelsea needs to build their future around Eden Hazard. Hence, they need to prize him with ample rewards to make sure that he stays put at Stamford Bridge.
#3 Liverpool: Mohamed Salah (£120,000 per week)
When Mohamed Salah left Chelsea some years ago, few would have expected him to roar back with this kind of form in England ever. Liverpool brought Salah from AS Roma ahead of this season and the Egyptian has taken the league by storm with his talent.
In a mixed season for Liverpool, Salah has been a shining light on the right wing. His ability to cut in from the flank and score goals have reduced the goal-scoring burden from the likes of Sadio Mane. Salah’s finishing is exemplary and the Egyptian shows some incredible close control in the box.
His dazzling runs from the right flank have increased the threat of an already formidable Liverpool attack. His combination with Sadio Mane can give any defender nightmares as both of them possess searing pace and are potent threats from the counter attacks.
Salah has scored 21 goals and assisted five times in his 25 matches in the Premier League. He has been called as the ‘Egyptian Messi’ due to some striking resemblances between the duo. He runs a lot, presses high up on the pitch and then using his skills to tame the defenders.
Even after being one of the top goal scorers in the league, Salah is paid £120,000 per week. This is considerably less compared to the likes of Hazard, Lukaku, and Sanchez.
Given his recent form, Salah can turn out to be an incredible leader of the team in the future and Liverpool should make sure that they pay him better.
#2 Manchester United: Marcus Rashford (£20,000 per week)
With cash at their disposal, Manchester United hardly underpay their players. The Red Devils believe in keeping their players happy and more often than not, fulfill their wage demands. Hence, Jose has been able to build a cohesive unit despite the team boasting of some great egos.
However, if there is one player who certainly does not get the money that he deserves, then it is Marcus Rashford. The young Englishman was drafted into the first team in February 2016.
Rashford has blistering pace and can tire out the opposition’s fullbacks with his tenacity and willingness to run. He was initially seen as a centre-forward but has been mostly played as the left-winger under Jose Mourinho.
Rashford is a team player and is always ready to fit in any position that the manager demands. His work ethic has been impressive and lad looks set to achieve greater heights in the future.
He has already scored 10 times in all competitions this season. Moreover, Rashford will certainly benefit from the experience of Alexis Sanchez by his side now.
Maybe, he is paid less to ward off his interest in things outside of football. This is a ploy that big clubs usually use to groom younger players and Marcus Rashford will surely earn more in the future.
However, as of now, doesn’t he earn a tad too less?
#1 Manchester City: Fernandinho (£90,000 per week)
Another cash-rich club from Manchester, the Citizens have spent a lot on buying players in recent seasons. Pep Guardiola focuses on playing a free-flowing, attacking brand of football.
The gaffer has some of the best-attacking players in his squad. However, a player who makes the entire team tick is Fernandinho.
The Brazilian plays as the central defensive midfielder. He is the one who glues the entire team together. Fernandinho is the focal point of all the attacking moves of Manchester City. He breaks down attacks and then initiates counter attacks with his slick and accurate passing.
Fernandinho is very versatile and can play as the right back too. However, he has mainly played as the central midfielder this season. His incessant running helps the team to drive ahead with authority.
Due to his abilities on the ball and the tenacity to shut down opposition's attacks, Fernandinho is a vital cog in Manchester City’s lineup.
However, the Brazilian is paid £90,000 per week. This amount is a lot lesser than that of Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva. Undoubtedly, Fernandinho is equally important to the way the team plays on the field.
The midfielder must be earning more than what he is pocketing currently.
