Kolkata: The transfer windows these days offer some crazy deals which make some players staggeringly rich in the modern day football. Today, www.xtratime.in has tried to present a combined world XI which fit to a 4-4-2 combination in terms of their value in the transfer market. Find out the names and the information about them.
David De Gea
The 27-year-old Manchester United goalkeeper is now valued at €40m.
De Gea has proven time and again that he is arguably the finest man between the sticks in the Premier League. His form is the primary reason Manchester United have conceded the least number of goals this season.
And his memorable performance against Arsenal at the Emirates will only make Real Madrid wish their fax machine had been up and running back in 2015.
Leonardo Bonucci
However, last season Juventus fell at the final hurdle in the Champions League, finishing runners-up to Real Madrid. Most clubs would give an arm to retain Bonucci but a falling-out with coach Massimiliano Allegri saw him sit out a few games before he eventually decided to pack his bags and leave for a new project with Serie A rivals AC Milan.
It hasn’t been smooth sailing since but the transfer saw his market value rise up to €40m. The move also saw him become the most expensive player over the age of 30.
Sergio Ramos
The Spanish defender whose market value is steady at €40m is Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos. The only thing keeping his value from going any higher is probably his discipline.
Nevertheless, there was no better leader to take over the duties of wearing the captain’s armband after Iker Casillas’ exit two years ago. And the 31-year-old looks all set to finish his career at Real – at least as long as he stays in Europe.
Gerard Pique
Pique, too, has won everything there is to win in football for both club and country. Barcelona’s decade of dominance came to an end after Real Madrid’s recent rise but Pique remains ever-committed to helping Barca’s cause.
The Catalan club only conceded one goal in the Champions League and seven in La Liga so far – both season bests. Pique has been at the heart of it all and aged 30, he too is valued at €40m.
Marcelo
Undoubtedly the best left fullback of La Liga and perhaps in Europe. The Real Madrid defender has been instrumental in Real Madrid and Brazil’s success of late.
A genuinely fast and committed player and is known for his tremendous work rate. His dangerous crosses from the left creates continuous threat for any opposition. No wonder, he is arguably the highest paid left fullback in the world worth €38m.
Kevin De Bruyne
Under Pep Guardiola, De Bruyne has elevated his game to become one of the most lethal midfielders in the Premier League and Europe. He finished last season with six goals and a whopping 18 assists in the league.
He already has four goals and eight assists in this campaign and we haven’t even reached the halfway stage yet. Such has been his meteoric rise that he is now valued at €75m(in a realistic transfer market, of course).
Paul Pogba
By far the best central midfielder in the world right now. Passing, control, ball holding abilities, goalscoring skills, long range attempts and long range passes make him a complete midfielder.
His €110m move to Manchester United has already proven to be a huge transfer in terms of the impact he makes on the heart of the midfield. Understandably, he is an automatic choice in the most valuable XI.
N’golo Kante
The French midfielder deservedly walked away with the Player of the Year award – a recognition hardly ever given to defensive midfielders – after his peers recongised the difference when Chelsea played with and without him in the XI.
His disruptive influence is what is key to denying opponents a chance to build up play and also initiate Chelsea counter-attacks. Among all the signings Conte has made, convincing Kante to forego Champions League football to sign for the Blues will count as one of the biggest coups of his managerial career so far.
Kante is now valued at €50m but in this inflated transfer market, the 26-year-old is worth almost twice that.
Neymar Jr
Well, Paris Saint-Germain knew which buttons to push and the likelihood of playing in Lionel Messi’s shadow for years to come may have been the last straw for a star who was tired of playing second fiddle.
Neymar’s move shattered not only the transfer record but also notions that clubs would never risk so much and splurge a nine-figure sum to sign a football player. Neymar may have cost PSG €222m but that was a release clause. In reality, he is valued at €150m.
Leo Messi
Off the pitch, a storm was brewing at the Camp Nou regarding his contract extension. With a deal that was set to expire next summer, Messi would have been free to sign a pre-contract with another club in January.
However, Neymar’s departure freed up the money required to pay his astronomical wages which amount to nearly €100,000 a day after you count his salary, image rights, signing-on bonus.
It allows the club to keep him at least until 2021 unless another club opts to pay the release clause like they did for Neymar. But the club have learned their lesson and increased Messi’s release clause to €700m even though his market value is “only” €120m.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The fact that he has now renounced his role as a winger and gradually become a forward at Real suggests Zinedine Zidane would rather play The Goal Machine closer to goal where he is at his potent best.
There was a time nearly a decade ago when his £80m price tag seemed out of reach. He won’t be in the top five next summer when Mbappe officially moves to PSG.
But there’s no question about his place at the top of the game as he continues to set new records and benchmarks for club and country. And at 32, he is valued at €100m!