Every football fan is aware of the premium on English players compared to the rest of the world.
Because, for one reason or another, by virtue of being young, English and semi-talented they’re suddenly priced in the same class as the most expensive players on the planet.
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Kyle Walker is set to become the most expensive player of the lot after Manchester City agreed an eye-watering £50m (plus potential add ons) with Tottenham.
It’s an extraordinary amount of money for a player not even regarded as first choice by Spurs.
But can you work out or remember the top 10 most priciest English players of all time before the Walker deal goes through?
David Beckham and, er, Darren Bent are notable mentions after just missing the cut – but the actual top 10 might make you feel a little uneasy…
10 Adam Lallana (Southampton to Liverpool) – £25m in 2014
Lallana was one of three Saints players to make the now well-trodden path north to Merseyside and, after a debut season plagued by form and fitness issues, is now one of Jurgen Klopp’s favourite players.
9 James Milner (Aston Villa to Manchester City) – £26m in 2010
Mr Reliable is now a left-back at Liverpool, but once upon a time he was a key cog of Manchester City’s title-winning side after impressing at Aston Villa.
8 Rio Ferdinand (Leeds United to Manchester United) – £29m in 2002
Ferdinand was in many ways the perfect centre-back prototype and United splashed out a then record £29m for him in 2002 – a record he held for 12 years.
7 Luke Shaw (Southampton to Manchester United) – £30m in 2014
Another raid on the south coast, but Shaw’s career hasn’t panned out as many hoped after a horrific leg break nearly two years ago derailed his development.
6 Jordan Pickford (Sunderland to Everton) – £30m in 2017
The first of the current bunch to make the cut, Pickford’s outstanding and almost singular attempts to keep Sunderland in the Premier League last season convinced Everton to splash the cash.
5 Wayne Rooney (Everton to Manchester United) – £30m in 2004
Rooney’s move in 2004 is looking like better value for money by each passing year after an incredible career that saw him become United’s record goalscorer last season.
4 Michael Keane (Burnley to Everton) – £30m in 2017
Arguably the most alarming entry of the lot, the Toffees forked out £30m for Keane off the back of just one fairly impressive season in the Premier League.
3 Andy Carroll (Newcastle to Liverpool) – £35m in 2011
Somehow remains Liverpool’s record signing and Carroll, depending on the success of Pickford and Keane after their moves this summer, is the only guaranteed flop on the list.
2 John Stones (Everton to Manchester City) – £47.5m in 2016
Stones is the archetypal Pep Guardiola defender and has all the credentials to grow into a top class player for years to come.
1 Raheem Sterling (Liverpool to Manchester City) – £49m in 2015
After one of the most acrimonious transfer sagas in recent memory, Sterling has had his ups and downs at City and may now find himself out of the starting line up after the signing of Bernardo Silva.