Top 20 Highest Earners in the Premier League- 2024/25

Since the advent of the Premier League, the English clubs have seen an unprecedented rise in finances, and the revenue generation skyrocketed as a result. This financial boom has resulted in the English clubs spending extravagant amounts on transfer fees and wages to attract star players. As a result, some of the best players in the world are currently playing for these clubs who are under lucrative contracts.

This article will explore the 20 highest earners in the Premier League currently, exploring the reasons for such heavy contracts, analysing their careers so far and celebrate their accomplishments and contributions to the league.

Highest Earners in the Premier League Currently

20. Rodri

Rodri is the kingpin of the Manchester City midfield, the player who makes everything tick. Carrying the mantle from Fernandinho, Rodri has been nothing but impressive. His performances were to the point that he was rewarded with the Ballon d’or, which is an award where the journalists are skewed towards attackers while voting.

His passing, his defensive movements, his eye for the goal and his occasional bangers to turn things around have made him the most invaluable player for Pep Guardiola, much to the extent that the Cityzens are now struggling to be in the title race ever since his injury.

19. Phil Foden

Foden, a wunderkind and a graduate of the Manchester City academy, has become one of the most integral parts of Pep’s side. He showed what he is capable of when he stepped up in the absence of club legend Kevin de Bruyne, carrying the team on his shoulders and consistently putting out some of the best attacking plays the league has ever seen. It was only fair that he was given the Premier League Player of the Season and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year. While he’s not been at his best for a few months, we know he won’t be down for a long time.

18. Ilkay Gundogan

Captain of the iconic Manchester City side, Ilkay Gundogan has produced some of the most memorable moments in the history of the league. His double over Aston Villa when his side was 2-0 down to help Manchester City win the Premier League title for sixth time. He has returned back to the club again after leaving to Barcelona, and will be determined to turn the club around and help them get back to where they belong.

17. Martin Odegaard

Odegaard was making a lot of noise ever since he was a teenager and there was a lot of worry in football fandom that he was never going to fulfill his potential. But, he has been incredible at Arsenal, becoming the heart of this side. His immaculate passing, accurate finishes have made him invaluable to the Gunners. His absence recently has signified how important he is to this side.

16. Declan Rice

Declan Rice is one of the few 100M+ signings that actually worked out as intended. Arguably the best English midfielder currently, he was an instant hit. His ability to score spectacular goals, his brilliant in-game awareness to eliminate problems has made this Gunners side defensively rock solid and put them in a title fight with Manchester City.

Also Read: 20 Best African Players in Premier League History

15. Bruno Fernandes

Bruno is one of the few signings in the post Sir Alex era where it worked exactly as it intended to. The Portugese Magnifico was brought in to bring life to the tepid Manchester United attack and he did exactly what he was supposed to do. His ability to turn the tide around, his bulls-eye penalty skills, his impeccable work-rate and fitness and his eye for creating chances has made him one of the most irreplacable players for Red Devils and with the new manager Rubem Amorim in helm, the sky is the limit for the Portugese midfielder.

14. Reece James

A Cobham Blue, James had loan spells away from the club to learn the trade and was given an opportunity by another club legend Frank Lampard. He was an instant success, locking down the right flank with his pace and physicality and also was incredible in attack, often creating goals with his pin-point crosses. Unfortunately, he has been suffering with multiple consecutive injuries which has derailed his career at the moment but it is not surprising why Chelsea were ready to dish out a lucrative contract for him.

13. Mason Mount

Another Cobham Academy product, Mason Mount was also a key player at Chelsea. The wunderkind was the heart of Chelsea’s midfield, contributing offensively with his killer passes, set-piece ability and contributing defensively with his never-tiring workrate. While Manchester United still did not get that version of Mason Mount at Old Trafford, they will hope that he can rejuvenate under the new manager, Ruben Amorim.

12. John Stones

Nicknamed fondly as the “Barnsley Beckenbauer,” Stones played a pivotal role in the success of Manchester City, especially during their treble season, where he moved into the midfield from defensive positions to push the team forward. Arguably the best English centreback currently, Stones will be hoping to prove his worth and put Manchester City back into the title challenge soon.

11. Jadon Sancho

Sancho was popular ever since he was at the Manchester United academy and took the notice of the world with his sensational performances week in week out at Borussia Dortmund which led to Manchester United throwing the bag at him for his services. While he failed to deliver on those promises for the Red Devils, he seems to have found a new life under Enzo Maresca and has been putting good performances for Chelsea. With a title race on the cards, Sancho will be hoping to show that his success overseas was not a fluke.

10. Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Jesus has spent the majority of his career at Manchester City as a deputy to Argentina’s Sergio Aguero. But still, he played an important role, often scoring from the bench and helping the team to close the games off when using the rotated squad. His ability to play as a striker and also on the wings efficiently makes him a unique asset. He is rapid, a great dribbler, and uses his body really well on the ball.

He moved to Arsenal in 2022 and while he is in a bit of a rough patch currently, he has enough talent to turn it around.

9. Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz was a Bundesliga sensation and Chelsea made sure to seal the deal to secure his services. While his overall tenure was mixed, his goal vs Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League final to win the game for them will always be etched into the hearts of the Blues. He has moved to the other part of London now and desires to replicate the success while showing that he is capable of what he showed during his youth days.

8. Marcus Rashford

Made in Carrington, Rashford is Manc born and bred. A pacy, dribbly left winger with an eye for a goal and impeccable set-piece delivery, Rashford had all the tools to become a menace. He started out really well, scoring consistently and producing some of the most incredible moments in the history of the club. He was rewarded with a hefty contract but unfortunately, his performances have stagnated currently and will be hoping to move away from the club for a new start.

7. Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish was a sensation at Aston Villa, often carrying the team alone on his back with his impeccable dribbling skills, spectacular vision and the goals followed as well. Manchester City decided to make him a hundred million pound man but he has not replicated it to an extent City would have hoped for. While he was pivotal in City’s treble campaign often causing a lot of trouble to defenders, Cityzens will be hoping to see the Aston Villa version of him.

6. Bernardo Silva

Bernardo Silva, a Portugese creator and an underrated player throughout his tenure with the Cityzens. He joined the club after an iconic season at Monaco where he played in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League. Considered one of the best midfielders in the world, Silva is known for his creativity, dribbling, stamina, versatility, and work-rate. He has been an irreplacable player for Pep and they will be hoping to retain him for as long as possible.

5. Raheem Sterling

Sterling played for some of the best clubs in English football. His journey from a young sensation at Liverpool to a superstar attacker at Manchester City to an experienced winger for Chelsea has been nothing but incredible. He is very rapid and also capable of playing at either flank, which gives the teams that he plays for flexibility to try out new tactics. He is currently at Arsenal and will be hoping to find his form again and remind everyone how good he used to be.

4. Casemiro

Casemiro is one of the best defensive midfielders of all time and Manchester United brought him in when he was coming off from an incredible season with Real Madrid. A strong midfielder with impeccable reading of the game, Casemiro is known for his dirty tackles and turning around the possession. He is also surprisingly a good shooter, often scoring screamers from outside the box. His time overall has been mixed but he will be hoping to improve his performances and leave the club on a high.

3. Mohamed Salah

The definition of consistency, Salah is arguably the best Premier League winger of all time. Often called “The Egyptian King,” Salah has been consistently churning out incredible performances week in, week out. He has everything – speed, agility, finishing, dribbling, passing, creativity and many more. He is also very fit and rarely gets injured, despite playing multiple full games and working tirelessly on the right flank to contribute both offensively and defensively. While there is a hiccup currently regarding his contract situation and whether he decides to stay or leave, Salah will always be remembered as an all time Premier League great.

2. Erling Haaland

The signing of Erling Haaland was questioned by many, doubting whether he could replicate the success he’s had at his previous clubs. But he has been a monster, scoring goals and hattricks for fun. A athletic freak of nature, the ability of Haaland to convert even half chances into goals made Manchester City a menace and has kept their dominance alive. While he is sometimes criticized for not contributing outside the goals, no one will question his importance to this side and his success so far.

1. Kevin de Bruyne

The Belgian maestro, de Bruyne is magical. While it is comical to look back at the criticisms we were hearing on the day when he was signed, there is no doubt that he is arguably the best midfielder ever to play for Manchester City and it is hardly surprising that he is at the top of this list. There is no one in the world who can match his vision and he has carried the team on multiple occasions, scoring big goals. A once in a lifetime player, KDB will be roaring to get back to full fitness and turn around the fortunes of his club.

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