A lot is made every transfer window about the amount of money spent by Premier League clubs. The league’s teams spend heavily in search of silverware, but history shows us that money cannot by trophies – in all cases.
Looking at this season’s table after seven Premier League matchdays, it is easy to see that player salaries are not necessarily being reflected in the standings of the teams currently.
Manchester United are the Premier League’s top spenders in salary in 2020-21 at a whopping £159,635,000, according to Spotrac. The Red Devils are 15th after seven games with just seven points.
Premier League leaders Liverpool have a total estimated salary of £93,756,000. The Reds have posted 16 points from 21 possible and have the league’s fifth highest salary. Liverpool’s scientific and stat-driven approach shows that spending heavily on players alone won’t win trophies.
But don’t fool yourself, Liverpool do spend heavily on players. The difference between Manchester United and Liverpool is that the Merseyside club’s spend is backed up by data.
While Manchester United are the biggest underachiever when it comes to results and salary spend, it is Southampton who boast the best points total and lowest salary total in the league after seven matchdays.
Southampton have taken 13 points from 21 possible and sit fourth. They are just three points off of Liverpool in the race for the title. Ralph Hassenhuttl’s team have a combined salary of £40,456,000.
Money spent in the Premier League, or a lack thereof, shows that results do reflect the amount paid to players. Burnley, Fulham, and Sheffield United are all three at the bottom of the league table after seven games.
Burnley are 15th in Premier League salary spend at just over £28.3m. It is the lack of money spent by the club that has caused manager Sean Dyche to be at odds with the Turf Moor club’s hierarchy.
Fulham are owned by a billionaire, but rank just 16th out of 20 teams in Premier League money spent. The Cottagers pay £25.9m to their players. That spend has helped Fulham record one point from 21 possible.
A trip down to the EFL Championship once more would make them a high-paying second division team. That is an unwanted title in a time when money is in short supply due to a pandemic.
Sheffield United not only have the league’s joint-worst record thanks to one point and a –7-goal difference, but they have the league’s lowest salary spend. The Blades, which look like an EFL Championship quality team, pay £10.42m per season to players.
Leeds United are the only other team that pay less than £20m in salary in 2020-21. In contrast to the Blades, Leeds United are 12th with 10 points from 21 possible.
While there are teams that overachieve and underachieve when it comes to the amount of money, they pay players, spending has a direct effect on just how the teams in the league are positioned after seven games.