With a new TV deal coming in to action next year, the Premier League is set to become richer than ever.
However, it is pretty rich already, as proven by the astronomical wages of some of its biggest stars. Chelsea and Manchester City are both paying multiple players more than £150,000-a-week, and that doesn’t take in to account certain bonuses.
However, the fact that it is only the duo, plus Arsenal and Manchester United, who have players in the top ten shows the widening gap between the top four and the rest of the division. Even Liverpool, who are one of the most supported sides on the planet, don’t seem able to compete with the teams who are regularly playing Champions League football in recent years.
Here are the top ten earners in English football according to the Daily Mail, which perhaps show how well teams like Burnley and AFC Bournemouth have done to compete with them in recent years.
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10) John Terry, Chelsea, £160,000-a-week
Still going strong at 34-years-old, can the Stamford Bridge hero rediscover his form to keep justifying this contract?
=8) Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City, £170,000-a-week
He’s only just arrived, but the Belgium international is already one of the top earners in the league.
=8) Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea, £170,000-a-week
Poor at the beginning of this campaign, and will need to improve quickly to stay among these ranks.
7) Raheem Sterling, Manchester City, £180,000-a-week
By moving to the Etihad from Liverpool, the 20-year-old has boosted his pay packet.
6) Mesut Ozil, Arsenal, £190,000-a-week
The only Gunners player in the top ten. Is this lack of spending why they can’t challenge for the league title?
5) David Silva, Manchester City, £200,000-a-week
The heartbeat of Manuel Pellegrini’s midfield, and perhaps the best passer in the top flight.
4) Eden Hazard, Chelsea, £220,000-a-week
He might be the best player in the Premier League, but he doesn’t earn the most.
=2) Yaya Toure, Manchester City, £240,000-a-week
When the Ivory Coast international is in form, so are the Citizens. The midfielder’s time at the African Cup of Nations last season was a major blow to their title hopes.
=2) Sergio Aguero, Manchester City, £240,000-a-week
If the Argentine can stay fit for an entire campaign, then he could smash several goalscoring records with ease.
1) Wayne Rooney, Manchester United, £260,000-a-week
Maybe not the best player in England, but the England and Man Utd captain may be the most iconic.