World-class operators from Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal all feature…
This list appeared originally on the always excellent Fanatix.
10. Frank Lampard – Chelsea – £140k
The legendary midfielder has no doubt earned his monstrous wage packet throughout his Chelsea career, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer and winning three Premier League titles, a Champions League, and multiple domestic cups. At 35-years-old, Lampard isn’t getting any younger, but is still expected to play a vital role for Jose Mourinho’s new look side this season.
9. Samir Nasri – Manchester City – £140k
Nasri is the first, but certainly not the last Manchester City player on this list! The talented Frenchman earned a massive move to the Etihad back in 2011 following a 15 goal season with Arsenal. and helped City win a maiden Premier League title in his first season. Has been criticised at times for drifting in and out of games, but is undeniably a force to be reckoned with when at his mercurial best.
8. David Silva – Manchester City – £160k
The Spanish playmaker was probably the best player in the country when City won the league title back in 2011/12, and won games almost single-handedly with his brilliant intricate passing and unrivalled vision. Last season Silva struggled with injuries, but this year looks to have reignited his attacking relationship with Sergio Aguero.
7. John Terry – Chelsea – £175k
The former England skipper is the most successful captain in the Blues history, winning a host of trophies and regularly putting in heroic performances from centre-back. Jose Mourinho has brought Terry back into the starting lineup after losing his place to Gary Cahill, and the no-nonsense centre-half’s partnership with David Luiz looks as good as anything in the country right now.
6. Fernando Torres – Chelsea – £175k
The Spaniard is still the Premier League’s most expensive player, having joined Stamford Bridge in 2011 for a crazy £50m fee from Liverpool, where he established himself as one of the world’s best strikers. Ever since though, the striker has failed to live up to his fee, and has by no means earned his astronomical wage packet. Torres has only scored 34 goals in 132 matches, and is now a second choice forward behind Samuel Eto’o.
5. Mesut Ozil – Arsenal – £180k
Arsenal smashed their wage structure and their transfer record to bring the world-class German playmaker to the Emirates from Real Madrid over the summer. It is fair to say he has not disappointed. Ozil’s wonderful creative ability has totally reinvigorated the Gunners, who top both their Champions League group and the Premier League table. The 25-year-old is already looking like one of Arsene Wenger’s best ever signings.
4. Yaya Toure – Manchester City – £180k
The giant Ivorian is the central hub of City’s midfield, and drives the team forward as well as providing an immense physical defensive option. At 30-years-old, he’s still arguably City’s most important player. Earlier in the season Toure produced his finest display in a City shirt against arch-rivals Manchester United, completely dominating £27m Marouane Fellaini in midfield.
3. Wayne Rooney – Manchester United – £180k
The highest paid Englishman on the list, Wayne Rooney has slowly started to find the form again at Old Trafford that earned him a £180k per week contract. He’s scored three goals direct from freekicks already this term, and is starting to reform the partnership with Robin Van Persie that strikes fear into most Premier League defences. Rooney’s bagged 202 times in 411 appearances for United, and could eventually become their highest ever goalscorer.
2. Robin Van Persie – Manchester United – £180k
The consecutive Golden Boot winner is already known as one of the Premier League’s greatest ever strikers. With his penchant for wondergoals, and his kraken of a left boot, RVP has earned his reputation as the best forward in the country. In fact, his move to Old Trafford from the Emirates in 2012 is seen by many as the key reason Sir Alex Ferguson managed to wrestle the title back from rivals City last season.
1. Eden Hazard – Chelsea – £185k
Surprisingly, no player in the Premier League is paid more than Chelsea’s young Belgian flyer. Hazard arrived for a mammoth £32m fee in 2012, and despite being only 22-years-old, has shown everyone why he is rated as one of the best players in European football already. Last term he bagged 13 goals, and registered a fantastic 20 assists in all competitions, and has already been involved in six this year. He’s undoubtedly one of the Premier League’s truly world-class operators.
This list appeared originally on the always excellent Fanatix.