With the inflation of wages in recent years, footballers are currently earning more than they ever have before. Some of the biggest stars in the sport, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, are taking home ridiculous amounts of money every single week. Even certain managers are picking up massive salaries these days.
Despite this, there are still some players who aren’t that lucky. There are many who, despite being incredibly talented and important to their teams, are being paid pennies in comparison to their direct competitors. From youngsters who are possibly on the verge of a massive payday, to stars who are underappreciated at their teams, there are some very interesting names included in the 15 most underpaid Premier League players this season (wages via Capology).
15–11: FA Cup Winners and Unsung Heroes
Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League, understandably, means they haven’t got the highest wage bill in the top flight. But Robin Roefs’ exploits since arriving at the Stadium of the Light have been remarkable, arguably the best goalkeeper this season.
Roefs has kept seven clean sheets in 23 games but is the lowest-earning starting goalkeeper in the league, and that’s why he lands on this list of the most underpaid players. Goalies aren’t usually as well paid as outfield men, but the 23-year-old deserves more than the £30,000 per week he currently earns.
Steve Parish might have to get the wagebook out soon, as several players warrant more money given their FA Cup win last season. Ismaila Sarr is one of the most underrated attackers in the league, and the Senegalese winger could be turning to his agents if Jean-Philippe Mateta follows Eberechi Eze out the door.
Sarr is on £70,000 per week, and if Mateta were to leave, the 27-year-old would become an even more important player in the Eagles’ side. Daniel Munoz has been equally crucial at Selhurst Park, and the Colombian was statistically one of the most effective wing-backs in Europe last season.
The 29-year-old already has three goals and as many assists in 14 games this season, and that’s in a Palace side struggling for form. It doesn’t get any easier for the South London outfit as Adam Wharton’s future is uncertain amid a host of Europe’s top sides eyeing the English midfielder.
Liverpool and Real Madrid are reportedly chasing his signature, and the 21-year-old would probably jump at the chance to join a Champions League club. That would not only be a sporting decision but, given his £35,000 weekly wages, likely a financial one too.
Jacob Murphy deserves more recognition among Premier League fans for his contributions at Newcastle United, and that includes from the decision-makers at St James’ Park. The English winger registered 12 assists in the league last season, and he produced man-of-the-match performances while taking home just £35,000 per week.
10–6: Main Men
It’s little surprise to hear that Mateta is demanding to leave Palace in the January transfer window, with Juventus keen to bring him to the Allianz Stadium. The French forward was excellent last season, and while he’s come off the boil this term, there’s no doubt most Premier League sides would have him in their team.
Mateta will expect a pay rise on the £50,000-per-week wages he earns at Selhurst Park, an amount that doesn’t reflect the 28-year-old’s status in the Eagles’ team. This is the same situation for Brentford’s Igor Thiago, who has been the Bees’ talisman in an outstanding season for Keith Andrews’ men.
Perhaps not even Matthew Benham expected the 24-year-old to become the revelation he has been at Gtech, and that is why he was handed a £50,000-per-week contract in the summer of 2024. If the Brazilian continues at this level of productivity, he will leave the higher-ups with little choice but to consider a new deal.
Ezri Konsa has cemented his place in Thomas Tuchel’s England team and looks certain to be on the plane to the USA for this summer’s World Cup.It’s not just for his country where the versatile defender has shone but he’s a key man in Unai Emery’s defence at Aston Villa.
Some outstanding displays for the Villans have helped them toy with an unlikely Premier League title challenge. The 28-year-old’s future could be one to watch this summer, given he takes home £75,000 per week and Liverpool have him on their wishlist.
Photo courtesy of Reuters.
Everton’s change in ownership should be factored in when assessing their squad’s wages, but Iliman Ndiaye should be on more than £45,000 per week. The Senegalese winger has been the main man for the Toffees since arriving from Sheffield United in July 2024.
Now that the Friedkin Group has got their Hill Dickinson stadium move sorted, it could be time to head to the negotiating table with the 25-year-olds’ agents. If they let him continue to wow, they risk clubs circling for his signature, though they have time, given his current deal isn’t up until 2029.
5-1: Superstars and Starlets
Kobbie Mainoo’s contract saga has been a talking point at Old Trafford over the past year with doubts over the Manchester United midfielder extending his stay at his boyhood club. If the Red Devils are to get him to pen a new deal, he might be demanding terms that make him one of their highest earners.
Michael Carrick’s arrival as caretaker manager has led to a U-turn, and the club are ready to enter talks over a contract extension. The English midfielder sits on a mere £25,000 per week, earning less than the likes of Tom Heaton (£45,000) and Tyrell Malacia (£75,000) who can’t even get a game.
United were keen to bring Carlos Baleba to the Theater of Dreams last summer but Brighton insisted the Cameroonian midfielder wasn’t for sale. The Seagulls run the risk of the 22-year-old potentially pushing for the move as he makes just £12,500 per week at the Amex.
Baleba hasn’t quite been at his best this season amid links with the Red Devils, but it seems insane that he is on such a low salary. That could lead to a summer exit if Tony Bloom doesn’t quickly come up with new terms.
Another of English football’s midfield gems is Elliot Anderson, who could also be joining Mainoo at United in the summer. The Red Devils are keen on the England international, who has been a regular under Tuchel, and his £40,000 per week wages make him highly sought-after.
That’s because Anderson has been pulling the strings in midfield for Nottingham Forest and lived up to expectations after a slow start. He arrived at the City Ground from Newcastle back in the summer of 2024 and the Magpies’ decision to sell the 23-year-old looks foolish.
Arsenal spent £60m on Martin Zubimendi last summer, and maybe that’s why he is only earning £75,000 per week at the Emirates. It’s a huge surprise to see the Spain international not at least over the £100,000 mark, given he is regarded as one of Europe’s most highly-rated midfielders.
Zubimendi has starred in his debut season with the Gunners and will have played a massive role in a title win should Mikel Arteta’s men indeed become champions. The 26-year-old eanrs less than fellow signings Noni Madueke (£150,000) and Eberechi Eze (£180,000) despite playing a more integral role in the team.
How Jeremy Doku is sitting on £50,000 at a club with the riches of Manchester City in his third season at the Etihad is anyone’s guess. The Belgian winger has been one of Pep Guardiola’s top performers this season and put in one of the best performances of any winger in recent years in the 3-0 win over Liverpool in November.
It seems unlikely the 23-year-old will be leaving anytime soon, but it could be one to watch if the likes of Real Madrid come calling. He’s registered three goals and nine assists in 28 games across competitions this season and surely is knocking on Hugo Viana’s door about an improved contract.
15 Most Underpaid Players in Premier League This Season
By and large, it was a very good England performance as the Three Lions beat Croatia 4-2 in their opening World Cup fixture. Even so, the Spanish press was not impressed by the efforts of one man.
A first-half brace from Harry Kane saw England take the lead twice, only to be pegged back by a pair of fine goals, first from distance via Martin Baturina and then after a lovely move which saw Petar Musa make it 2-2 just before the break.
There will be some question marks over the defence, with those two goals conceded in the first half, but the second half was much improved as Thomas Tuchel’s men took control and won the game thanks to goals from Jude Bellingham and then Marcus Rashford. Even so, the Spanish media have targeted Anthony Gordon for criticism.
England Starter Upstaged vs Croatia
Kai Pfaffenbach via Reuters
There will naturally be a high interest in Gordon’s performances this summer, as he has just completed a £69m move from Newcastle to Barcelona. Not only that, but he arrives in Spain looking likely to take over from Marcus Rashford, who spent last season on loan with La Blaugrana.
Against Croatia, Tuchel opted to start Gordon ahead of Rashford, but the 25-year-old did not have his most impactful game. Per SofaScore, he managed just two shots, with only one on target, before coming off at 72 minutes.
Rashford, on the other hand, was very lively as he managed to find the back of the net in his 18-minute cameo, while also having as many carries (6), and touching the ball just five times fewer (12 to 17) than the man he replaced. The Manchester United man picked up a much better 7.4 SofaScore rating as well, compared ot Gordon’s lowly 6.3 mark.
Barcelona daily La Vanguardia said: “Tuchel opted for Gordon from the start, but the new Barcelona signing was very subdued. Barca’s new signing covered a lot of ground but to no avail, having very little impact.
“He barely touched the ball and failed to complete either of his two dribbles in the first half. Tuchel’s changes worked and Rashford, in that role he played at Barca, sealed the deal.”
Fellow Barcelona outlet El Periodico struck a similar tone, saying: “Thomas Tuchel wisely substituted Anthony Gordon for Marcus Rashford, reversing the transfer plan Barcelona had devised for the upcoming season.
“Gordon was virtually invisible, barely touching the ball, and Rashford sealed the victory when Croatia threatened to draw.”
On Rashford’s goal, Madrid-based Las Razon said: “It was a goal with a certain intrigue, as Gordon has taken his place in the England starting line-up and his spot at Barcelona.
“But the former Newcastle player was barely involved throughout the match, while the player who spent time on loan at the Camp Nou made his presence felt in a short amount of time. It’s just one game, though; it would be premature to draw conclusions from it.”
Meanwhile, El Mundo said Rashford “showed more promise than Gordon in his limited minutes on the pitch” while Mundo Deportivo said the former Everton man made “little impact.”
The UFC world was left stunned last weekend as Ilia Topuria suffered the very first defeat of his professional MMA career, losing via TKO against Justin Gaethje at the UFC Freedom 250 event in Washington D.C.
The ex-lightweight world champion was pulled out by his corner after the fourth round of the headlining event at the White House as he failed to recover from a devastating left-right combination from the veteran American that left him bloodied in the third.
Gaethje’s explosive display was full of hard-hitting punches plus knees and uppercuts. Topuria’s inability to deal with the constant physical beat down meant an upset occurred and the challenger snatched away the lightweight crown to become a first-time undisputed champion in the UFC.
Topuria, who has also held the belt at featherweight, now has to deal with a fight fallout and feeling which he has never experienced as a professional, which is responding to and coping with a loss.
Ilia Topuria’s Close Friend Opens Up About Fighter’s Reaction
Amber Searls via Imagn Images
In the days since the 31-year-old’s brutal defeat in the American capital, a close friend of his, Pablo Motos, has spoken out to reveal the kind of emotions the fighter is currently experiencing and what his current state of mind is.
Speaking on his ‘El Hormiguero’ chat show, Motos touched on a recent conversation he had with Topuria, stating: “We were talking about something we’re going to do this summer, making jokes, and then he said a phrase I loved.
A lot has been said about Topuria’s health after his war with Justin Gaethje, but a close friend probably knows best, and he’s spoken out.
“He looks at me with his eyes closed and says, ‘Champions, when we fall, we fall hard.’”
Motos then revealed what Topuria’s intentions are in the Octagon and how he wants to go about avenging his world title loss to Gaethje, saying: “They’re already looking toward the future. He was telling me, ‘I’d love to do the rematch in Spain with Gaethje.'”
What Next For Ilia Topuria
Topuria’s desire to jump into a rematch demonstrates that he is keen to rectify his shortcomings against his most recent opponent and reclaim his spot at the top of the lightweight division.
Topuria, who is of Georgian and Spanish descent, has not fought in Spain since the very early days of his professional MMA career, with his last bout in the country coming in a 2016 featherweight title triumph over Jhon Guarin at Mix Fight Events 28 in Valencia.
It remains to be seen what Gaethje intends to do moving forward after achieving his career-long dream of becoming an undisputed UFC champion at 37.
Should Topuria get his wish and get another crack at Gaethje in his home country, it would surely be one of the most anticipated UFC events of recent times.
Arsenal have placed an official bid to sign wonderkid Jeremy Monga from Leicester City, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for the 16-year-old for some time now, with reports of an offer emerging as early as last month.
Monga, who has been compared to Ousmane Dembele and described as a ‘deadly’ finisher, is expected to leave the Foxes this summer following their relegation to League One, despite having broken into the first-team as a 15-year-old.
And Arsenal have shown the keenest interest in him, with talks progressing over the last few weeks between the Gunners and his representatives over a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Now, according to Romano, Arsenal have lodged an official bid to sign the 16-year-old winger. He tweeted: “Arsenal sent official bid to Leicester City to get Jeremy Monga deal done. 16-year-old winger keen on joining #AFC and deal moving quickly now with optimism to sign #LCFC talent, seen as huge prospect for the future.”
