The most valuable XI in world football

Defensive midfielder: Paul Pogba (Manchester United) – €80 million

He might be some sort of a polarising figure at Old Trafford, but Paul Pogba’s talents and importance to Manchester United since returning from Juventus in 2016 cannot be overstated.

A versatile midfielder who’s excelled in various positions, the Frenchman won the Europa League and the League Cup in his debut season, but since then, it has been mixed fortunes for him with inconsistencies, rifts with managers, recurring injuries, and persistent exit rumors.

He remains a fine talent, as evidenced from his performances for France in the World Cup success and his form towards the tail end of last season, but with a little more consistency, he could be one of the best in his position and fire United to more silverware success.

Right-winger: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – €120 million

Not many were impressed when Liverpool splashed the cash in 2017 to bring Salah back to the English shores, after all the Egyptian had underwhelmed during his short spell with Chelsea. However, fast forward by three years, and he’s already regarded as one of the league’s best ever.

With 94 goals under his belt from 153 games, Salah has been at the heart of this trophy-laden era under Jurgen Klopp, becoming the chief goalscorer by devouring every team on his way and stepping up to the plate for the Reds in crucial moments.

His blistering exploits won him back-to-back domestic Golden Boots in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons, the first of which even culminated with the star setting a new top-flight record for goals with 32, whilst also picking up the PFA Player of the Year award.

Having lifted the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup, and the Premier League in the last 12 months, Liverpool are aiming for more silverware in the upcoming campaign, and the 28-year old target man’s influence will undoubtedly be crucial.

Attacking midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) – €120 million

After an unsuccessful stint with Chelsea, De Bruyne moved to Wolfsburg where his talent was on show again, causing several top shouts to renew interest in the star, but Manchester City snapped him up eventually for a then club-record fee of €54 million.

Highly talented and incredibly versatile with the ability to excel in various positions, De Bruyne is the creative chief that keeps the Skyblues ticking, running into spaces to create goalscoring opportunities with inch-perfect crosses and accurate passes.

Since returning to the English shores, he’s made 66 top-flight assists, more than anyone in that period, with his best figures coming in the 2019/20 season when the ex-Wolfsburg star made 20 assists, equaling the record set by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry as he picked up the PFA Player of the Year award for his heroics.

Besides, he’s also adept at set-pieces and possesses a keen eye for goal too, netting 57 times in all competitions so far, as De Bruyne has been a key component of Pep Guardiola’s swashbuckling side that has romped to a multitude of silverware in the recent years, including two league titles.

Left-winger: Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) – €128 million

Neymar’s current value is a massive drop from the €222 million outlay, which brought him to PSG from Barcelona in 2017, but after a phenomenal season, it’s clear that it doesn’t reflect his true value.

The Brazilian was the leading figure in his side’s march to its first-ever Champions League final, scoring or assisting once each in all the knockout-ties leading up to the showpiece clash, whilst also contributing 19 goals in Ligue 1 from just 15 appearances before the league’s suspension.

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Despite reports of rifts between him and the club’s chiefs as well as rumors of a shock return to Barcelona, Neymar maintained a prolific record throughout the campaign and once again reminded everyone he’s still one the best players currently active.

Having enjoyed tremendous success during his four years at Barcelona, the 28-year old has continued in the same vein with the Parisiens, winning eight trophies, including three consecutive league titles, and showing an imperious goalscoring ability by netting 75 times in 80 games.