💰 The most expensive XI in PL history with Gvardiol in, Van Dijk out | OneFootball

After two players — Enzo Fernández and Mykhailo Mudryk — were added to the Premier League’s most expensive XI of all-time back in January, the summer of 2023 has brought two more changes to the side.

Naturally, these aren’t the 11 most expensive players in Premier League history — we needed a back four and a goalkeeper! — so Anthony (for example) misses out despite costing more than some of the players included.

GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga

(Athletic Club ➡️ Chelsea, £71m)

The most expensive goalkeeper of all-time has had a bit of an inconsistent time at Chelsea but has won his place back at Stamford Bridge and will be hoping to keep it under new boss Mauricio Pochettino.

RB: Wesley Fofana

(Leicester ➡️ Chelsea, £75m)

One of two defenders sold by Leicester on this list, Fofana fills in at right-back despite really being a centre-half. Injuries have been an issue after the Blues bet big on the Frenchman and he is set to miss the majority of the 2023/24 campaign too.

CB: Harry Maguire

(Leicester ➡️ Man Utd, £80m)

Still the costliest centre-back signing of all-time, Manchester United went to lengths Manchester City wouldn’t to sign Maguire in 2018 but he has lost his place at Old Trafford this season.

CB: Joško Gvardiol

(RB Leipzig ➡️ Manchester City, £77.5m)

Until now, this spot belonged to Virgil van Dijk.

The newest addition to this team, Gvardiol became the world’s second most expensive defender of all-time by completing his move to the champions.

LB: Marc Cucurella

(Brighton ➡️ Chelsea, £62m)

The seventh most expensive defender in the league but the only one who can play left-back, so he gets the nod.

Cucurella was Player of the Season in his only Brighton campaign, catching the eye as an attack-minded left-back or left-sided centre-back under Graham Potter, who joined him at Chelsea just a couple of months after the deal was done. It has not gone to plan so far.

CM: Enzo Fernández

(Benfica ➡️ Chelsea, £106.8m)

The most expensive player ever bought by a British club, Chelsea have more than half of this team and the Argentine is the crown jewel. Bought back in January after winning the World Cup, he signed a nine-and-a-half year deal at Stamford Bridge.

CM: Declan Rice

(West Ham ➡️ Arsenal, £105m)

Another mover this summer, Rice is Arsenal’s record signing after the Gunners broke the nine-figure barrier to sign Rice after he led West Ham to Europa Conference League glory.

CM: Paul Pogba

(Juventus ➡️ Man Utd, £89m)

Pogba’s return to Manchester, having left for free four years earlier, was dogged by injuries and inconsistency as United struggled to find form. Ultimately, just as he had in 2012, he ended up leaving to join Juventus for nothing.

RW: Mykhailo Mudryk

(Shakhtar Donetsk ➡️ Chelsea, £89m)

After Arsenal appeared to have a deal in the bag, Chelsea went all out and Mudryk is their player now. Time will tell how that unfolds.

ST: Romelu Lukaku

(Inter ➡️ Chelsea, £97.5m)

Having already played for Chelsea, Lukaku went back to west London a Serie A star … only to fall out of favour and return to Inter on loan after one season and eight Premier League goals.

LW: Jack Grealish

(Aston Villa ➡️ Man City, £100m)

The most expensive deal in Premier League history saw Grealish leave his boyhood club and win the title in his first season at the Etihad Stadium.

With a little more final product lately, things are looking up for Grealish on a personal level. He’s Man City’s only player in this XI.