The most expensive XI ever: A 2017 update
Eleven months ago we gave you the rundown of the most expensive XI in the game’s history. Less than a year later, there have been changes. Yes, this team is a little Garth Crooks-y…
GK: Ederson (£34.7million)
Finally Gianluigi Buffon’s reign is over. Nothing quite sums up modern football more than him losing it to a goalkeeper who doesn’t even have an international cap. Mental.
RB: Kyle Walker (£50m)
Dani Alves was the previous incumbent of this position, but that fee was almost doubled by Kyle Walker’s move to Manchester City. Because why wouldn’t England have three of the most expensive members of a back four in the game’s history?
CB: David Luiz (£50m)
The Brazilian become the most expensive defender in the world after his move from Chelsea to Paris St Germain was announced in June 2014. He has also moved for £40m, but was at least bloody brilliant last season.
CB: John Stones (£47.5m)
Third behind Luiz and Walker in terms of the most expensive defenders in history, Manchester City could pay an eventual £50m for the Cruyff-turner if they win two Champions League trophies during his time there. All parties would be more than happy with that.
LB: Luke Shaw (£27m)
Luke Shaw is the most expensive left-back ever. Luke Shaw is the most expensive left-back ever. Luke Shaw is the most expensive left-back ever. Luke Shaw is the most expensive left-back ever. Luke Shaw is the most expensive left-back ever. We really wanted him to be brilliant.
CM: Paul Pogba (£89.3m)
Criticised during his first season back in England, which was always likely when moving to Manchester United for a whacking great fee. Is this the season Pogba truly astounds?
CM: Oscar (£60m)
The most expensive arrival in China’s Super League, and the most wonderful evidence of Chelsea’s ability to make massive money out of their unwanted goods. Todd Kane for £72m next?
AM: James Rodriguez (£63m)
Real Madrid threw Monaco an estimated 80 million euros (worth £63million at the time) for the Colombian after he dazzled at the 2014 World Cup. He’s now at Bayern, and with all sorts of accusations about his attitude and lifestyle.
RF: Cristiano Ronaldo (£80m)
Ronaldo developed from a tricky winger into a goal machine while at Manchester United, and Real Madrid shattered the transfer world record in 2009 to land the Portugal star after a long pursuit. He has since become Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer.
CF: Gonzalo Higuain (£76.5m)
Juventus paid the release clause in Higuain’s Napoli contract last summer to land the Argentinian who had scored an all-time record 36 goals in a Serie A season. Promptly scored 32 goals in all competitions last season.
LF: Gareth Bale (£85.3m)
The Welshman shone in the Premier League and Europe for Tottenham, and Real Madrid had to break the world transfer record to take him to the Bernabeu in 2013. Madrid have secured three Champions League trophies during his four seasons at the club.
Team Statistics
Total cost – £648.8m
Nationalities – English, Brazil (three each), Welsh, French, Colombian, Argentinean, Portuguese.
League bought from – Premier League (six), Serie A, Ligue 1 (two each), Primeira Liga.
League brought to – Premier League (six), La Liga (three), Serie A, Chinese Super League.
Likely next inductees – Virgil van Dijk, Benjamin Mendy, Naby Keita.