Bundesliga
How much did the Giants pay for their starting eleven? Madness at City and PSG, cheap Real Madrid and Bayern
Buying stars for big money doesn’t always mean automatic success. Putting together a functioning team is the hardest thing to do in world football. Let’s take a look at the money a select few teams have spent to put together their starting elevens.
Buying stars for big money doesn’t always mean automatic success. Putting together a functioning team is the hardest thing to do in world football. Let’s take a look at the money a select few teams have spent to put together their starting elevens.
For comparison, we have selected Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, PSG and Bayern Munich. We took into account the strongest or most frequently used eleven this season.
Real Madrid
Although Real are famous for their Galacticos, in the last decade, President Pérez has been more into smart buys or youngsters. Therefore, the transfer amounts of the starting eleven are not groundbreaking. What is particularly incredible is how little Real have put together the legendary trio of CKM in the centre of midfield.
Courtois
€35m
Carvajal – Militao – Alaba – Mendy
offspring – €50m – €0 – €48m
Kroos – Casemiro – Modric
€25m – €6m – €35m
Valverde – Benzema – Vinícius
€5m – €35m – €45m
Total – €285m
Barcelona
This year’s Barcelona is much affected by the financial problems that have befallen the club. Thus, it relies a lot on offspring, some still remaining at the club from the glorious era when the La Masia academy ruled the starting eleven. Even so, its eleven will climb to a relatively high amount thanks to individuals.
Ter Stegen
€12m
Alves – Araújo – Piqué – Alba
€0 – €4.7m – €5m – €14m
De Jong – Busquets – Pedri
€86m – offspring – €17m
Dembélé – Aubameyang – Torres
€140m – €0 – €55m
Total – €333.7m
Manchester United
A perfect example that even huge sums don’t have to mean success. Manchester United have invested incredible money in several players, but the trophies are not coming.
De Gea
€25m
Wan-Bissaka – Varane – Maguire – Shaw
€55m – €40m – €87m – €37m
Fred – McTominay – Bruno Fernandes
€59m – offspring – €63m
Rashford – C.Ronaldo – Sancho
offspring – €15m – €85m
Total – €466m
Manchester City
The Citizens are renowned for their spending and regularly spend huge sums on their reinforcements, but unlike their neighbours, they get away with it. In the Premier League, yes, but not in the Champions League. City are the record holder for our squad and that doesn’t even include the record breaking Jack Grealish (€117m) who is more of a substitute and Erling Haaland (€60m) who will be coming in from the new season.
Ederson
€40m
Walker – Dias – Laporte – Cancelo
€52m – €68m – €65m
Bernardo – Rodri – De Bruyne
€50m – €62m – €76m
Mahrez – Sterling – Foden
€67m – €63m – offspring
Total – €608m
Liverpool
Jürgen Klopp has a decently mixed squad of players at almost ‘zero’ cost with expensive reinforcements. However, the club is performing well financially and can afford it, plus it brings success on the pitch.
Alisson
€62m
TAA – Matip – Van Dijk – Robertson
offspring – €0m – €85m – €9m
Henderson – Thiago – Fabinho
€18m – €22m – €45m
Salah – Mane – Diaz
€42m – €41m – €45m
Total – €369m
Chelsea
Chelsea, under Roman Abramovich, aren’t afraid to spend a tidy sum. Last year it led to a Champions League win, this year the Blues have a shot at the FA Cup. From the new season, the London outfit will be under the reign of a new owner, let’s see how much he will put on reinforcements.
Mendy
€24m
Azpilicueta – Rüdiger – Silva – Alonso
€8m – €35m – €0 – €23m
Kante – Jorginho – Kovacic
€35m – €57m – €45m
Mount – Lukaku – Havertz
offspring – €113m – €80m
Total – €420m
PSG
A million dollar team full of stars. And another demonstration that even money doesn’t guarantee certain success. PSG are still waiting in vain to win the Champions League, which even Messi’s arrival didn’t help.
Navas
€15m
Hakimi – Marquinhos – Kimpembe – Mendes
€66.5m – €31m – offspring – €47m
Verratti – Gueye – Danilo
€12m – €30m – €16m
Messi – Mbappé – Neymar
€0 – €145m – €222m
Total – €584m
Bayern Munich
Bayern is a champion of squad composition. It performs very economically and, with a few exceptions (Hernandez €80m), doesn’t get into financial races. At the same time, they can put together a very strong and competitive squad, spending the least amount for the biggest movers in Lewandowski, Muller and Kimmich.
Neuer
€30m
Pavard – Upamecano – Hernandez – Davies
€35m – €42m – €80m – €10m
Kimmich – Goretzka – Müller
€8m – €0m – offspring
Gnabry – Lewandowski – Sane
€8m – €0 – €60m
Total – €273m
Source: Transfermarkt