Harry Maguire‘s move to Manchester United from Leicester City made him the most expensive defender in football history, earning him his place in the priciest eleven of all time.
The current line-up consists of deals to have taken place in the last three years, with the market having exploded, while all of the players included were 27 years old or younger at the time of their respective moves.
Unsurprisingly, the Premier League dominates the team with six of the players: two for United, two for Manchester City, one for Liverpool and one for Chelsea. The other five are split by Barcelona (two), Paris Saint-Germain (two) and Bayern Munich (one).
Kepa Arrizabalaga
The Spaniard is the most expensive goalkeeper ever after joining Chelsea from Athletic Club for 80 million euros in August 2018, beating Alisson Becker’s move to Liverpool not long previously by five million euros.
Kyle Walker
The Englishman slots in at right back after his 56.7-million-euro move to Manchester City from Tottenham. When he moved in 2017, he was the most expensive defender of all time, now he’s fallen down the list.
Virgil van Dijk
Another who held the title of most expensive defender, at least until Maguire’s move. Liverpool splashed 85 million euros to sign him from Southampton in December 2017 and he’s proven his worth since.
Harry Maguire
Beating Van Dijk by three million euros, the English defender’s reputation saw a massive boost for his 2018 World Cup displays and eventually earned a big-money move this summer to Manchester United.
Lucas Hernández
Bayern Munich paid 80 million euros to Atletico Madrid for the Frenchman. Lucas can also play at centre back, making him a valuable player for the Bavarians.
Rodri
Manchester City again put 70 million euros on the table for Rodri as he swapped the Wanda Metropolitano for the Etihad Stadium. He’s now the second most expensive Spaniard behind Kepa.
Paul Pogba
The oldest transfer of this team came in 2016 when United paid Juventus 105 million euros for the player they let leave a few years earlier. He was the most expensive midfielder ever.
Frenkie de Jong
A 75-million-euro fee with 11 million euros to come in variables, the Dutchman earned his place in the list by impressing for Ajax in 2018/19, becoming their most expensive sale.
Philippe Coutinho
Barcelona broke a club record to sign him for 120 million euros, with 40 million euros more in variables, but the Brazilian hasn’t lived up to the hype.
Neymar
The biggest deal in football came in 2017 as PSG triggered the Brazilian’s release clause of 222 million euros. He was the first to cost more than 200 million euros, and he could become the first to pass the barrier twice.
Kylian Mbappe
As well as Neymar, PSG signed Mbappe from Monaco for 180 million euros to strengthen their ranks. The World Cup winner is the youngest player in this eleven.
Source: https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2019/08/05/5d488c8e22601d23758b4582.html