Most expensive footballers in the world in each position

By Sai Teja
Modified Aug 19, 2020 15:43 GMT
What would the most expensive XI in football look like?
What would the most expensive XI in football look like?

CDM: Rodri | Manchester City | €70m

Rodri has adapted to the Premier League with ease
Rodri has adapted to the Premier League with ease

Rodri was said to be one of the most talented Spanish midfielders to come through the ranks of LaLiga Santander in years. So much so, that his style of play and intelligence were likened to that of Sergio Busquets, with Rodri being tipped to replace him in the future. Naturally, a Pep Guardiola-led Manchester City were in the running for his signature, and they paid a club-record €70m for his services.

The Spanish international took barely any time to settle into the pace and intensity of the Premier League. He enjoyed an impressive debut season at the base of the former champions' midfield, controlling the tempo of their play and overseeing proceedings effortlessly in the middle. The former Atletico Madrid star has added a sense of physicality to City's midfield along with control, given that he stands at 6'3".

At 24, Rodri has a stellar future awaiting him, especially if Guardiola — a confessed admirer of the midfielder — remains at the helm of the Etihad for a few more years.

CM: Paul Pogba | Manchester United | €105m

Paul Pogba was the world's most expensive player until Neymar's move to PSG
Paul Pogba was the world's most expensive player until Neymar's move to PSG

One of the relatively older record transfers on this list, Paul Pogba was made the most expensive player in the world in 2016 Manchester United. The Red Devils parted with €105m for their former midfielder and purchased him from Juventus in Jose Mourinho's first summer at the club.

His performances and overall career at Old Trafford has divided opinion. While some say that he has been at the heart of everything positive done by the club in a troubled post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, the other section of fans and experts alike have been critical of his displays. Pogba was always tipped to be a player capable of winning the Ballon d'Or and coveted titles, and although he has done the latter, there is a belief his contributions have left a lot to be desired because he's capable of more.

After an injury-laden season, Pogba enjoyed a superb second half of the season under Solskjaer and mainly since Bruno Fernandes arrived. It remains to be seen if Pogba commits his long-term future to the club, but all the signs point to the Frenchman remaining at Old Trafford.

CM: Philippe Coutinho | Barcelona | €145m

Coutinho remains Barcelona's most expensive player
Coutinho remains Barcelona's most expensive player

Replacing a player such as Neymar Jr was always going to be a herculean task for any club in the world. Barcelona were tasked with doing so, and purchased two players in two back-to-back windows when they bought Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho in the summer and winter of 2017/18 for over €100m each. It's safe to say that neither of the moves worked out in the slightest.

Coutinho's controversial move to the Nou Camp from Liverpool has been a dismal one so far, with the Brazilian falling out of favour at the Nou Camp just a year and a half after his move. This was due to several factors, the most important of which were him not being able to adapt to Barcelona and being played out of his preferred position. He was quickly loaned out to Bayern Munich with an option to purchase, which the Bavarians didn't choose to do.

Coutinho remains the most expensive Barcelona purchase in their illustrious history, and has a compelling case to be their worst-ever. It was ultimately a terrible transfer for everyone involved except Liverpool, who purchased Van Dijk and Alisson Becker the money earned from this blockbuster sale.

Also read: 5 Worst signings made by Barcelona under Josep Maria Bartomeu

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