World's most expensive XI
World's most expensive XI
Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga
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| Chelsea bought Kepa from Athletic Bilbao after triggering his release clause. |
Transfer: Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea FC
Transfer fee: € 80 million
The 23 year-old has played his entire career for Athletic Club, but now sees himself thrust into the spotlight as the most expensive goalkeeper in this history of football. Has been compared to Spanish legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas and has been described as "the goalkeeper of the future".
Kepa by contrast, is a great shot-stopper and is also comfortable with the ball at his feet, making him ideal for Maurizio Sarris's more expansive style.
At 23 year, he has many years ahead of him too and if he ends of staying for decade, his fee will be just an anecdote.
Left-back: Benjamin Mendy
Transfer: Monaco to Manchester City.
Transfer fee: € 57.50 million
The Senegalese-born French national Mendy has one colorful life (you only need to see his social media). The recently-crowned World champion is considered to be one of the best full-backs in the world.
His stunning display at the back for Monaco convinced Pep Guardiola to bring him to the Etihad. After a slight nudging, Monaco finally agreed to sell their charismatic defender to Manchester City for a world-record € 57.50 million.
While Mendy is yet to show that potential which made Guardiola shell out so much money, a fit Mendy can prove to be a solid wall and a potent attacker at the same time for the Premier League champions.
Center-back: Virgil van Dijk
Transfer: Southampton to Liverpool.
Transfer fee: € 78.80 million
The recent record-breaking signing of Alisson is not the first time Liverpool have shattered the transfer market in a bid to be the best. A throwback to last season, Klopp decided to replenish the leaking Liverpool defense.
And that's when Liverpool turned to the team that they always look up to when buying players - Southampton. However, what no one expected was the amount of money spent to buy the rather efficient Southampton center-back.
Breaking all previous records, Liverpool shelled out € 78.80 million to bring in van Dijk who played a big hand in helping Liverpool reach the finals of UEFA Champions League last season. Although there were brief lapses of concentration, van Dijk's contribution cannot be questioned.
Center-back: Aymeric Laporte
Transfer: Athletic Bilbao to Manchester City.
Transfer fee: € 65 million
There's no question about Pep Guardiola's penchant for spending money. An analytics report put him as one of the top spenders in footballing history - this transfer clearly shows why.
After spending a massive amount to sign John Stones from Everton, Guardiola went one step further by buying Laporte from Athletic Bilbao.
With Vincent Kompany's prowess waining, the 24-year old's partnership with fellow central defender will surely be the one to watch out for in the upcoming seasons. His technique on the ball and the aerial presence might turn out to be a keystone in City's rock-solid defense.
Right-back: Kyle Walker
Transfer: Tottenham Hotspur to Manchester City.
Transfer fee: € 52.7 million
Another world-record transfer, another Manchester City player. To be fair, Walker's performances were on an exponential high when City broke the bank to sign him. His spectacular performances at the back have been nothing but a sweet reward for the Premier League champions.
28-year-old Walker had played an instrumental part in Tottenham's rise to recognition in the season when they finished third to champions Leicester. No wonder, Pep snapped him up at the first chance. His pace has proved extremely beneficial to the Citizens' counter-attacking style.
Midfielder: Paul Pogba
Transfer: Juventus to Manchester United.
Transfer fee: € 105 million
While the world may ridicule the red half of Manchester for spending upwards of 100 million euros to buy back their academy player, one simply can't deny the dominating presence that Pogba brings to any team. Recently crowned as a world champion, Pogba silenced his critics by putting up a world-class performance at the World Cup.
The 25-year-old was a Manchester United youth academy product before failing to impress the then-manager and legend, Sir Alex Ferguson. A move to Juventus changed fortunes for the young man who lit up the world with his dominating display.
Four glittering years at the Old Lady prompted a red-faced United board to re-sign their former player, albeit for an exorbitant € 105 million. While Pogba has certainly made an impact at some big matches for United (vs Manchester City last season), he is still to show the explosive form that prompted United to buy him.
Midfielder: Ousmane Dembélé
Transfer: Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona.
Transfer fee: € 115 million
Panic buy or an eye to the future? With the imminent exit of Neymar Jr. to cash-rich PSG, Barcelona had to pull off a move to show their rivals. That's when the board decided to spend € 115 million on a relatively young Dembélé from Borussia Dortmund.
They say talent comes packing in the young guns. Dembélé introduced himself to the world while plying his trade for the German club. With his explosive pace and link-up play, it sure reminds one of a particular Neymar. While the club managed to win the La Liga, it is yet to see if Dembélé is truly the ideal replacement of Neymar.
Midfielder: Philippe Coutinho
Transfer: Liverpool to Barcelona.
Transfer fee: € 125 million
It was a case of 'History repeats itself' for Liverpool when they had to let go of their star-player to Barcelona. Long after Luis Suarez traded the English county for Spanish fields, Liverpool had an ideal replacement in the form of Phillippe Coutinho. An eye for the goal and excellent vision, Coutinho was the next big star in Liverpool's history.
However, as history goes, Liverpool had to bow down once more to the demands of their star player. Countless rumors and € 125 million later, Phillippe Coutinho joined the Spanish champions. Liverpool has since moved on with a certain Egyptian.
Forward: Neymar Jr
Transfer: Barcelona to PSG.
Transfer fee: € 222 million
There were days when people would be talking about Barcelona's MSN vs Real Madrid's BBC, as the two Spanish teams fought for supremacy. However, constantly being in Lionel Messi's shadow was something that was not okay for the ambitious Brazilian as he wished to carve out a name for himself. With a lot of takers, Neymar finally joined the cash-rich PSG for a mouth-watering € 222 million.
PSG have gone to win the Ligue 1 since then. They have also marked their presence in European football by challenging the traditional top teams and dethroning some. While Neymar's outing as a PSG player is marked with certain feuds with Edison Cavani, there's no denying the fact that he is turning out to be one of the best players in the world.
Forward: Kylian Mbappé
Transfer: Monaco to PSG.
Transfer fee: € 135 million
If one would question PSG spending such a huge amount for a teenager, one needs to look at his performance for France at the World Cup 2018. The world's most expensive teenager has certainly shown the world what he is capable of.
Starring for Monaco, Mbappe had sent ripples across the world with his Zinedine Zidane + Thierry Henry type of performances. With a lot of suitors ready to line up for him, he finally signed for PSG. With Cavani and Neymar, he has created a triumvirate of his own by helping PSG crowned as champions.
Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo
Transfer: Real Madrid to Juventus.
Transfer fee: € 117 million
Does this man need any introduction? The 5-times Ballon d'Or winner has officially challenged the God-gifted Lionel Messi to be crowned as the world's best player. After furious battles on the Spanish fields, Ronaldo has finally broken the rivalry to move to Italy.
At 33, while players have hung up boots or plying their trade for American/Chinese/Japanese clubs, Ronaldo keeps getting better. From single-handedly taking Portugal to international victories to helping Real Madrid win the Champions League multiple times, Ronaldo is every bit worthy of the price shelled out for him.
Forward: Neymar Jr
Transfer: Barcelona to PSG.
Transfer fee: € 222 million
There were days when people would be talking about Barcelona's MSN vs Real Madrid's BBC, as the two Spanish teams fought for supremacy. However, constantly being in Lionel Messi's shadow was something that was not okay for the ambitious Brazilian as he wished to carve out a name for himself. With a lot of takers, Neymar finally joined the cash-rich PSG for a mouth-watering € 222 million.
PSG have gone to win the Ligue 1 since then. They have also marked their presence in European football by challenging the traditional top teams and dethroning some. While Neymar's outing as a PSG player is marked with certain feuds with Edison Cavani, there's no denying the fact that he is turning out to be one of the best players in the world.
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