The TOP FIVE Highest Paid Centre Backs In The Premier League

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2 years ago

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Following our look at the right-backs last week, in today’s post we will be counting down the five highest-paid centre-halves in English football.

Cente-backs are generally the leaders in the squad, and their ability to hold the fort can determine the outcome of games, especially when the two teams are well-matched.

In today’s list, there are actually two players from the same club who have been signed within the last couple of months.

Press the next page as we go through the best paid centre-halves in the Premier League (based on data from Capology.com).

5) Wesley Fofana – Chelsea – £200K A Week

The 21-year-old has shot up to fifth on this list following his high profile move from Leicester to Stamford Bridge. The Blues have shelled out £70m on the defender so they will be hoping that he is worth his transfer fee and salary.

Fofana was actually left on the bench for Graham Potter’s first game in charge against Red Bull Salzburg so it will be interesting to see how often he features in the coming weeks and months.

4) Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool – £220K A Week

Although the Dutchman has had a significant dip in form this season, many still believe he is the best centre-back in world football.

Liverpool’s wage structure, though, means van Dijk is by no means the best paid defender in the Premier League. In fact, the player who is at the top of our list earns £120K a week more than him.

3) John Stones – Manchester City – £250K A Week

The 28-year-old signed a new five year contract last year, and he has certainly been rewarded handsomely by the Premier League champions.

Despite being City’s highest earning defender, though, he has not always been a guaranteed starter for manager Pep Guardiola during his five years in charge.

2) Kalidou Koulibaly – Chelsea – £295K A Week

Chelsea went big in terms of wages when they opted to snap up the Senegalese international from Napoli in the summer.

Koulibaly had an excellent reputation in Italy but, it must be said that, despite starting brightly, the 31-year-old has found it difficult to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.

1) Raphael Varane – Manchester United – £340K A Week

United are not afraid to hand out lucrative contracts and they really pushed the boat out when they snapped up the World Cup winner from Real Madrid last year.

Things did not start off promisingly, with Varane picking up a number of injuries during his first season at Old Trafford, but he has begun the 2022/23 campaign in excellent form.