In the world of football, the threshold for what constitutes as ‘young’ seems to be constantly evolving. As the sport progresses, the age at which players are making their senior debuts is getting significantly younger.

Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha is the latest teenage star to burst onto the scene, and his dramatic late winner for the Reds on debut will go down in history.

But where does he rank for youngest ever scorers? Fortunately, when it comes to ranking the top 10 youngest Premier League goalscorers, there’s no ambiguity – the facts and figures are all at our disposal. So, without further ado, here are the 10 youngest scorers in Premier League history.

Rank

Player

Age

Date & Opponent

1

James Vaughan (Everton)

16 yrs, 270 days

Apr 2005 v Crystal Palace

2

James Milner (Leeds)

16 yrs, 356 days

Dec 2002 v Sunderland

3

Wayne Rooney (Everton)

16 yrs, 360 days

Oct 2002 v Arsenal

4

Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool)

16 yrs, 361 days

Aug 2025 v Newcastle

5

Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)

17 yrs, 113 days

Aug 2004 v Blackburn

6

Michael Owen (Liverpool)

17 yrs, 143 days

May 1997 v Wimbledon

7

Andy Turner (Tottenham)

17 yrs, 166 days

Sep 1992 v Everton

8

Federico Macheda (Man Utd)

17 yrs, 226 days

Apr 2009 v Aston Villa

9

Lewis Miley (Newcastle)

17 yrs, 229 days

Dec 2023 v Fulham

10

Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)

17 yrs, 247 days

Nov 2024 v Nottingham Forest

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ByLewis Thompson Jun 15, 2024 10 Ethan Nwaneri 17 years, 247 days v Nottingham Forest (2024)

Arsenal starlet Ethan Nwaneri announced himself on the Premier League stage when grabbing his first goal in the competition four months shy of his 18th birthday.

Incredibly, Nwaneri had made his debut over two years prior to this, coming on as a late substitute during a Gunners win at Brentford in September 2022.

Now a part of the first team at the Emirates Stadium, Nwaneri has already shown a knack for goalscoring, with cutting inside onto his left turning into something of a trademark already.

Nwaneri’s first-time finish against Nottingham Forest was his fourth of the 2024/25 season for Arsenal, with three coming in the EFL Cup before breaking his Premier League duck.

9 Lewis Miley 17 years, 229 days v Fulham (2023)

Lewis Miley quickly emerged as a fan favourite on Tyneside after signing his first professional contract for Newcastle United in February 2023.

The technical midfielder became Newcastle’s youngest Premier League debutant when he appeared as a substitute in his side’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea on the 2022/23 season’s final day.

Over the course of the following campaign, Miley would go on to play 26 times for the Magpies, including two away games in the Champions League against PSG and Borussia Dortmund, plus a home tie versus AC Milan.

His first professional goal came in December 2023 in a 3-0 win over Fulham at St James’ Park. That knee slide in front of the Gallowgate End must have felt pretty sweet!

8 Federico Macheda 17 years, 226 days v Aston Villa (2009)

Once hailed as being Manchester United’s future star at Old Trafford, Federico Macheda burst onto the scene with a goal on his debut against Aston Villa in April 2009.

He was just three days younger than Miley when his two-touch strike made it 3-2 for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side after Cristiano Ronaldo had already bagged a brace.

Macheda’s goal essentially sealed the Premier League title for Man United on that day and he would go on to score the winner against Sunderland a week later. However, the Italian striker would only score five more goals for United.

Queens Park Rangers, Doncaster Rovers and Birmingham City were among a host of clubs who would welcome Macheda on loan from United, until his permanent transfer to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Cardiff City in 2014.

Since then, Macheda has played most of his football in Greece for Panathinaikos, scoring 36 goals in 106 appearances.

7 Andy Turner 17 years, 166 days v Everton (1992)

From one slightly unknown to an even lesser-known one:

Andy Turner became the youngest player to score a goal in the Premier League during its inaugural season in September 1992. The overall record, which has only been surpassed four times, stood for five years until a more recognisable 17-year-old named Michael Owen broke it.

The London-born Irishman’s goal came late in a 2-1 home win for Tottenham Hotspur against Everton. Throughout his 16-year career, Turner played for over 15 clubs. The attacking midfielder had loan spells at Wycombe Wanderers, Huddersfield Town and Southend United, along with stints at Crystal Palace and Wolves.

In a 2018 interview with Spurs, Turner mentioned that he runs a non-league academy in the Midlands. He also leads an educational academy under the Pro Direct Academy banner in Birmingham and was once the Under-13 academy coach at Port Vale.

6 Michael Owen 17 years, 143 days v Wimbledon (1997)

Like Turner, Michael Owen was once the Premier League’s youngest goalscorer for a period of five years.

Owen rose through Liverpool’s academy and the FA’s School of Excellence, where he broke numerous England youth goalscoring records. He played a key role in Liverpool winning their first FA Youth Cup in 1996 before joining the first team under Roy Evans and then Gerard Houllier.

In the penultimate game of the 1996/97 season, Owen scored on his debut as a substitute in a 2-1 defeat to Wimbledon, cementing his name in top-flight history.

The following season, the English forward was named PFA Young Player of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season. Owen also became the first Liverpool player and only the fourth Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or in 2001. He scored 158 goals in 297 appearances for Liverpool before moving to Real Madrid in 2004.

Injuries plagued Owen’s career, limiting him to one season at Real Madrid, where he scored 13 goals in 36 appearances. He later played for Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City before retiring in 2013.

5 Cesc Fabregas 17 years, 113 days v Blackburn (2004)

One of the greatest, most technical midfielders to ever grace the Premier League is also one of its youngest-ever goalscorers.

Cesc Fabregas moved from Barcelona to Arsenal in September 2003 for just shy of £3 million. He made over 200 appearances for the north London club before returning to his beloved Barcelona.

Shortly after becoming Arsenal’s youngest-ever first-team player at the age of 16, Fabregas scored his first Premier League goal in a 3-0 win over Blackburn in August 2004, poking home from a Gilberto Silva header in a game that saw Arsenal go a record 43rd top-flight match unbeaten.

The Spaniard had further success at Chelsea and Monaco before retiring at Como, the side he now manages in Italy’s Serie A.

4 Rio Ngumoha 16 yrs, 361 days v Newcastle (2025)

After signing for Liverpool from Chelsea’s academy in the summer of 2024, Rio Ngumoha quickly impressed those on Merseyside, beocming the second-youngest appearance-maker in the Reds’ history at the beginning of 2025.

He had to wait for his Premier League debut, though, but when it came against Newcastle United, Ngumoha made an instant impact. Sent on in injury time by Arne Slot after Liverpool surrendered a two-goal lead with a player advantage, the teenager calmy slotted home the winner ahead of his 17th birthday.

3 Wayne Rooney 16 years, 360 days v Arsenal (2002)

A name that needs no real explanation to emphasise his prolific goalscoring rate as a youngster.

Wayne Rooney captured headlines worldwide when his 25-yard stunner for Everton in October 2002 ended Arsenal’s 30-game unbeaten run in the Premier League. At just 16 years old, Rooney’s iconic goal marked the beginning of arguably the greatest-ever Premier League legacy.

Rooney moved to Manchester United after just two seasons with the Toffees. He scored over 200 Premier League goals during his illustrious career before transitioning to management. He is the current manager of Plymouth Argyle in the Championship.

2 James Milner 16 years, 356 days v Sunderland (2002)

James Milner was just four days younger than Rooney when he scored his first Premier League goal against Sunderland in December 2002.

As a childhood fan of Leeds United, Milner began his career as a teenager there, making 48 appearances over two seasons.

Known as one of the most versatile footballers in Premier League history, Milner has excelled for multiple clubs, including Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton.

Ahead of the 2024/25 season, Milner only needs 20 more top-flight appearances to equal Gareth Barry’s record of 653. He has played in 22 seasons, 46 different stadiums and had 280 teammates during his Premier League career.

He has also won every English domestic trophy, as well as the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup with Liverpool.

1 James Vaughan 16 years, 270 days v Crystal Palace (2005)

James Vaughan is the Premier League’s youngest-ever goalscorer, but couldn’t quite follow in the footsteps of those who had gone before him.

Vaughan made history on his debut when he scored Everton’s fourth goal in a 4-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace at Goodison Park in April 2005. The result moved Everton four points clear of Liverpool in the race for Champions League qualification.

Everton reached the third qualifying round of the Champions League the following season but lost out to Villarreal. Ironically, Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League triumph meant they made it to the group stages for the following season’s competition via the qualifiers, where they reached the round of 16 before losing out to Benfica.

As for Vaughan, his record-breaking goal at the age of 16 was a highlight in a career that promised much but was hampered by injuries. He made just six appearances for Norwich City before joining Huddersfield in 2013. Vaughan also represented Sunderland, Wigan, Bradford and Tranmere before transitioning into a role off the pitch.

In March 2024, Vaughan was made the head of academy recruitment and player pathways at Everton. It seems likely that his record won’t stand forever in this day and age, but for now, it remains a remarkable achievement.

Those of a Celtic persuasion are in mutinous mood right now, and rightly so, having been forced to witness a calamitous summer of transfer activity.

An unbeaten start to the new domestic season has also been overshadowed by last month’s grim Champions League exit, with the failure to properly enhance Brendan Rodgers’ ranks leading up to that tie having undoubtedly backfired.

In the Premiership, away from the chaos, things appear to have gone a little bit stale, with the current crop producing displays that are a far cry from the scintillating style of the glorious Ange Postecoglou era.

The recent drab Glasgow derby was an obvious case in point, with that 0-0 stalemate at odds with Postecoglou’s outfit at their pomp. Just look back to such performances as the 3-0 win over the Ibrox side in February 2022.

Parkhead was at its buoyant best that night, and the football was simply stunning, with the men in green and white almost playing a different game to their beleaguered opponents.

That magic, that ferocious approach, has since been lost.

From plucking bargains from afar under the Aussie, the Hoops have resorted to paying over the odds during the Rodgers regime, with far too many transfer dealings having gone south of late.

Celtic's recruitment record post-Ange

As noted by former Celtic skipper Scott Brown, the club’s recruitment record under Postecoglou was simply “fantastic”, with the experienced coach simply a master at acquiring a hidden gem on the cheap.

Take Matt O’Riley, a player signed for just £1.5m from EFL side MK Dons back in January 2022, before ultimately being sold to Brighton and Hove Albion on a £25m deal in the summer of 2024 – marking a sensational profit.

Such success stories have been few and far between since then, however, with the 2023 summer window proving particularly disastrous. Indeed, of those signed amid Rodgers’ return, only Paulo Bernardo and Hyun-jun Yang are still at the club – albeit with even the Korean having come close to departing for Birmingham City before the recent deadline.

The likes of Gustav Lagerbielke, Maik Nawrocki, Luis Palma and Marco Tilio have all come and gone without so much as leaving a trace, having looked destined to fail from the off amid their limited roles under Rodgers.

While it is too early to judge this summer’s transfer dealings, the recruitment of 12 months ago is also worthy of scrutiny. Adam Idah, for instance, has already been shipped off to Swansea City, while Arne Engels – signed for £11m – has yet to truly establish himself as a regular starter in Glasgow.

Described as “nowhere near the finished article” by his manager, the young Belgian appears to be burdened by such a lofty price tag, with that expensive outlay a constant source of debate among supporters and pundits alike.

The 22-year-old may well still come good, although the race is on to live up to the weight of his transfer fee.

Market Movers

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Would the Hoops not have been better off seeking out a bargain instead, in the mould of say Reo Hatate?

How Hatate's value compares to Arne Engels

Reflecting back on that night in the winter of 2022, the rout of Rangers proved a breakout moment for that man Hatate, with the Japanese genius netting two stunning efforts to properly announce himself to the Parkhead faithful.

As per reporter Michael Bridges, Hatate and his compatriots simply “ripped the league to shreds” following their arrival.

Having been signed from Kawasaki Frontale just a few weeks prior, the all-action midfielder quickly made a mockery of his meagre £1.1m price tag, having been a mainstay under both Postecoglou and Rodgers since then.

After chalking up 13 goals and 14 assists in 66 games under the new Nottingham Forest boss, as per Transfermarkt, Hatate has enjoyed a rather similar record under his successor, with 15 goals and 14 assists under his belt from 81 outings.

While Rodgers did hint at the 27-year-old’s “inconsistency” during their first year working together, he did go on to flourish last term, having also got off the mark in 2025/26 with an outrageous effort away at Aberdeen.

That thumping strike emphasises just why the diminutive playmaker is such a “big talent” – in the words of Rodgers – with his overall record of 56 goal involvements in 147 games in all competitions ensuring he has more than made his mark in Glasgow.

Hatate – 24/25 Premiership stats

Stat (*per game)

Record

Games

37

Goals

10

Assists

4

Big chances created

14

Key passes*

1.2

Pass accuracy*

82%

Tackles*

0.9

Interceptions*

0.2

Total duels won*

44%

Stats via Sofascore

Such a stellar impact can also be felt when considering his soaring market value, with Hatate deemed to be worth as much as €13m (£11m), according to Transfermarkt. For comparison, Engels’ value is now said to be around €12m (£10m).

The subject of interest from Serie A side Udinese back in May, before ultimately staying put at Celtic, the 11-cap international looks like a player who will soon rake in a sizeable profit for the club, should he move on in the near future.

In the meantime, however, the hope will be that Hatate can play a central role in trying to revive this limp season for Rodgers and co, with the Hoops in very real danger of merely letting things drift.

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is currently assessing the remainder of his squad that haven’t gone out on international duty, and the Italian has promised one thing to a highly-rated youngster who’s now looking to turn heads at Cobham.

The Blues take on Brentford in their first game back from the break, four days before a blockbuster opening Champions League game against Bayern Munich at Stamford Bridge on September 17.

After a summer of trimming down Maresca’s squad, partly to comply with UEFA as Chelsea looked to register a ‘positive transfer balance’, Maresca named a 23-man squad for his European A-list — notably missing out summer signing Facundo Buonanotte.

Chelsea’s 23-man Champions League squad
Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen
Defenders: Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Jorrel Hato, Reece James.
Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Dario Essugo, Enzo Fernández, Andrey Santos.
Forwards: Liam Delap, Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Estevao.

Bomb squad members Axel Disasi and Raheem Sterling were unsurprisingly omitted, with reports still suggesting the pair could leave soon, even after the UK transfer window shut its doors at 7pm on Monday.

Disasi has been subject to an approach from Saudi side Neom SC, while former Man United chief scout Mick Brown believes Chelsea could terminate Raheem Sterling’s deal in a bid to rid the club of his £325,000-per-week wages.

As we’ve seen from the last window, you can never rule anything out at Chelsea, with Liam Delap’s injury prompting BlueCo to both re-negotiate a more favourable exit for Nicolas Jackson whilst recalling Marc Guiu from his loan at Sunderland.

The teenager was also named in Maresca’s Champions League A-list squad, so the intention to play him is crystal clear, and Guiu is believed to have received the Chelsea boss’ word on a key issue.

The former Barcelona gem was set to further his development with more guaranteed game time at Sunderland, and had already made his mark by scoring for Regis Le Bris’ side in the EFL Cup against Huddersfield Town.

Marc Guiu desperate to impress in Chelsea training after Maresca promise

Now back in west London, Guiu is desperate to impress in Chelsea training, with Maresca promising the 19-year-old that he will be handed game time in the coming weeks.

That is according to GiveMeSport, who state that the Spaniard has set his sights on dazzling Maresca behind-the-scenes as he looks to stake his claim in the Chelsea squad.

It is also noted that, if Guiu can prove to be a constant threat in the final third, then there will be a chance for him to become a prominent figure in the club’s plans moving forward.

The youngster scored six goals in seven Conference League appearances last term, playing a major role in the group stages before missing out on nearly every knockout game with a hamstring injury — bar a three-minute cameo in the final.

Tottenham Hotspur supporters were left in shock earlier this week when it was confirmed that long-serving chairman Daniel Levy would be stepping down from his role at the club.

He spent more than 24 years in the position, since being appointed in March 2001, and played a part in Spurs winning two major trophies during that time, the League Cup in 2008 and the Europa League earlier this year.

Speaking last month, before this announcement, Levy said: “I think it’s one of those situations [in which] when I’m not here I’m sure I’ll get the credit. When you come here and look at this wonderful [stadium], and the fact that other clubs are now trying to copy what we’re doing, that should be a sign that maybe we did do something bold, and something right.”

Perhaps that is now true. Supporters and the wider footballing community may look back at what he achieved as the chairman of the club, with the standout being that they were the most profitable ‘big six’ team during his tenure.

However, Levy was not perfect, no one is, and there were plenty of missteps along the way in North London, particularly when it came to making signings.

Daniel Levy's worst signings for Spurs

As ESPN recently noted, the English supremo was heavily involved in transfer windows, even when sporting directors were in place, and had a hand in every deal in and out of the first-team.

A quick glance at Levy’s ten most expensive signings during his time as the club’s chairman will tell you that he was far from perfect in the transfer market, albeit more than one person decides and acts on a signing.

Xavi Simons

£56m

Dominic Solanke

£55.7m

Mohammed Kudus

£55.3m

Tanguy Ndombele

£53.7m

Richarlison

£50m

Brennan Johnson

£47.7m

Cristian Romero

£45m

James Maddison

£39.8m

Davinson Sanchez

£36.4m

Archie Gray

£35.7m

Davinson Sanchez and Tanguy Ndombele immediately stand out in this list for the wrong reasons, whilst Dominic Solanke, Richarlison, and Archie Gray have been at the club for at least a year and are yet to prove they were worth the massive money spent on them.

Time will tell whether or not recent summer signings Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons will turn out to be good signings, particularly given that the latter is yet to play a game for the club.

Beyond the current top ten, you can also point to the £26m club-record signing of Roberto Soldado from Valencia in 2013, because the Spaniard only scored 16 goals in 76 matches in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

Some players within the current first-team set-up could be considered among Levy’s worst signings during his time as chairman, as he failed to provide recent managers with enough quality talent across the pitch.

One current Tottenham Hotspur player who was seemingly a poorly considered signing by the former Spurs chief is central defender Radu Dragusin.

Why Spurs should cash in on Radu Dragusin

In January of last year, Spurs reportedly splashed out a fee of up to £26m to sign the Romania international from Genoa to bolster Ange Postecoglou’s defensive options.

Cristian Romero

£195k

Xavi Simons

£195k

James Maddison

£170k

Dejan Kulusevski

£110k

Richarlison

£90k

Dominic Solanke

£90k

Radu Dragusin

£85k

Pedro Porro

£85k

Ben Davies

£80k

Guglielmo Vicario

£75k

Rodrigo Bentancur

£75k

As you can see in the table above, Spurs also made Dragusin one of the top earners in the squad on £85k-per-week, which is more than twice as much as Djed Spence, for example, earns (£40k-per-week).

Spence, who is currently in the England squad, has started all three matches in the Premier League this season and started 19 of his 25 outings in the division last term, per Sofascore.

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His emergence as an England international illustrates his rapid rise in North London and shows that he is a valuable member of the squad, which is why Dragusin earning so much more than him may be questionable.

The Romanian international has been out with an ACL injury since February, unfortunately, but his first year at the club did not suggest that he was on track to be a successful signing.

Dragusin ranked within the bottom 4% of centre-backs in the Serie A for Genoa during the 2023/24 Serie A campaign for progressive passes per 90 (1.53) and the bottom 29% for pass accuracy (82.1%), per FBref.

This is why it was an odd signing to begin with for Spurs because they signed a centre-back who struggles playing out from the back to play in a progressive and risk-taking Ange Postecoglou side.

The 23-year-old defender only made ten progressive passes and five progressive carries in his nine outings in the Premier League in his first five months in England, per FBref.

Progressive passes

2.66

Bottom 35%

Progressive carries

0.50

Bottom 42%

Errors

0.29

Bottom 2%

Miscontrols

0.58

Bottom 23%

Long pass accuracy

43.9%

Bottom 3%

Pass accuracy

85.2%

Bottom 26%

As you can see in the table above, the former Genoa star ranked poorly among his positional peers in a host of possession-based metrics in the Premier League across his 16 appearances in the division before his injury.

In December of last season, pundit Chris Sutton described Dragusin’s decision-making as “terrible” in a 6-3 loss to Liverpool at home in the Premier League.

It is hard to disagree with that assessment when you consider that the central defender made four errors that led to shots or goals for the opposition in just 14 starts in the division in the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore.

Dragusin, to put it simply, does not look comfortable in a team that wants to have plenty of the ball and play out from the back in a league that is as intense as the Premier League, because of the speed of the press from opposition teams.

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This is why the Romania international was among Levy’s worst signings, because he seemed doomed to fail from the start, and why the club should look to move him on when he is back fit, as he has proven himself to be too much of a liability in possession.

Real Madrid are arguably the biggest club in world football and therefore have the financial power to pay big wages. In fact, in the 2025/26 season, Real Madrid have an annual payroll of €305,400,000, with the average Galactico earning an incredible €12.2m per season.

But who earns what at the Bernabeu? Here is every Real Madrid player in the first-team squad ranked in order from highest to lowest in terms of wages for the 2025/26 season, with the help of Capology.

Disclaimer – only the club and the players themselves truly know their wages, so take each of these figures as you will.

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1

Kylian Mbappe

€600,962

€31,250,000

2

David Alaba

€432,692

€22,250,000

=3

Vinicius Junior

€400,577

€20,830,000

=3

Jude Bellingham

€400,577

€20,830,000

=5

Federico Valverde

€320,577

€16,670,000

=5

Rodrygo

€320,577

€16,670,000

=5

Trent Alexander-Arnold

€320,577

€16,670,000

8

Thibaut Courtois

€288,462

€15,000,000

=9

Antonio Rudiger

€280,385

€14,580,000

=9

Eder Militao

€280,385

€14,580,000

=11

Aurelien Tchouameni

€240,385

€12,500,000

=11

Eduardo Camavinga

€240,385

€12,500,000

=13

Dani Ceballos

€200,385

€10,420,000

=13

Daniel Carvajal

€200,385

€10,420,000

=13

Ferland Mendy

€200,385

€10,420,000

=16

Dean Huijsen

€172,308

€8,960,000

=16

Alvaro Carreras

€172,308

€8,960,000

=18

Franco Mastantuono

€140,192

€7,290,000

=18

Brahim Diaz

€140,192

€7,290,000

20

Raul Asencio

€120,192

€6,250,000

21

Fran Garcia

€100,192

€5,210,000

22

Arda Guler

€100,000

€5,200,000

23

Andriy Lunin

€88,077

€4,580,000

24

Endrick

€80,000

€4,160,000

25

Gonzalo Garcia

€31,923

€1,660,000

Here's a detailed look at Real Madrid's top 10 earners… 10 Eder Militao €280,385 per week

Brazilian defender Eder Militao made the move to Madrid in 2019 and has been a star at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid paid FC Porto €50m for the centre-back’s services, and he has made more than 175 appearances since then, with his current contract set to expire in 2028.

9 Antonio Rudiger €280,385 per week

A player who didn’t cost Real Madrid a transfer fee was Antonio Rudiger, who joined the club in 2022 after leaving Chelsea as a free agent.

As a result, Real Madrid chiefs were able to give the Germany international an eye-catching €14.6m-a-year salary.

8 Thibaut Courtois €288,462 per week

Another star who swapped Stamford Bridge for the Bernabeu was goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who has been with Real Madrid since 2018.

The Belgian has had his injury struggles, but has still won 13 major honours with the club and is under contract until 2026.

7 Trent Alexander-Arnold €320,577 per week

Trent Alexander-Arnold also swapped the Premier League for La Liga, leaving Liverpool in 2025.

The right-back was set to join on a free transfer from the Reds, however, Madrid paid those at Anfield €10m to ensure the Englishman could play in the Club World Cup. His Bernabeu deal runs until 2031.

6 Rodrygo €320,577 per week

Another player on €16.67m a year is Brazilian winger Rodrygo, who moved to Real Madrid from Santos back in 2019.

Since then, the attacker has gone from strength to strength, with a new contract coming his way in 2023. He was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in 2025 but remained at the Bernabeu.

5 Federico Valverde €320,577 per week

Real Madrid secured the services of Federico Valverde from Uruguayan side Penarol when he was still a teenager back in 2016.

The midfielder impressed out on loan with Deportivo La Coruna and has been a part of the first-team setup since 2018. He signed a new deal until 2029 and has a release clause of €1bn.

4 Jude Bellingham €400,577 per week

Real Madrid won the race to sign England superstar Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund in 2023, and he enjoyed an incredible first campaign.

The midfielder scored a number of important goals and picked up a La Liga and Champions League title in his debut season, already justifying his €20.8m a year salary.

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ByLuke Randall Feb 29, 2024 3 Vinicius Junior €400,577 per week

Also picking up more than €20m per year is Vinicius Junior, who Real Madrid signed way back in 2018 from Flamengo.

The club’s faith in Vinicius becoming a superstar known all over the world has paid off, with the Brazilian now arguably one of, if not Madrid’s best player, wearing the famous No 7 shirt at the Bernabeu.

2 David Alaba €432,692 per week

Some may find it a surprise to see David Alaba’s name above the likes of Vinicius and Bellingham, but the Austria international arrived on a free transfer in 2021 after leaving Bayern Munich, hence his hefty pay packet.

He also joined as one of the world’s best defenders at the time and was arguably still in his prime. He’s provided a versatile option at the back and in midfield if needed, earning the equivalent of £360k a week.

1 Kylian Mbappe €600,962 per week

Unlike Alaba, what isn’t a surprise is seeing Kylian Mbappe as Real Madrid’s highest-paid player.

The French superstar finally signed for the club in 2024 from Paris Saint-Germain after years of speculation. Real Madrid didn’t need to pay a transfer fee, which allowed them to give Mbappe a whopping €31.25m-a-year deal.

Kylian Mbappe: Net worth, salary, Real Madrid contract, girlfriend, boots

Everything you need to know about Kylian Mbappe as his transfer to Real Madrid becomes official.

ByCharlie Smith Jun 3, 2024

With zero minutes under his belt this season, Real Madrid's wonderkid Endrick is a shock January target for Paris Saint-Germain, according to a report. The French giants are plotting a move for the out-of-favour striker, but face stiff competition from West Ham, Juventus and Real Sociedad, who are all ready to pounce on a loan deal for the frustrated Brazilian teenager.

• PSG lurking as Endrick's Madrid struggles mount

  PSG are reportedly plotting an audacious January move for Endrick, as a host of European clubs circle the out-of-favour Brazilian. According to a report from Spanish outlet , the French champions are considering an investment in the 19-year-old, whose lack of playing time under new manager Xabi Alonso has put his future at the Santiago Bernabeu under intense scrutiny. While Madrid are not contemplating a permanent sale, the door has been left open for a potential loan move in the winter window.

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  Endrick frozen out under Xabi Alonso

  The striker’s situation has become critical since Alonso took the helm, with Endrick yet to play a single minute in either La Liga or the Champions League in the 2025-26 campaign. After missing the first few matches with physical problems, he has been an unused substitute in the last five games due to a "technical decision." This is a sharp downturn from his debut season under Carlo Ancelotti, where he made 37 appearances, scoring seven goals. Increased competition from new arrivals Gonzalo and Franco Mastantuono has further limited his opportunities, fuelling speculation that a temporary move is imminent.

• European giants on alert for January loan

  PSG are not the only club monitoring the situation. West Ham United have reportedly made a concrete approach to explore a January loan, while La Liga rivals Real Sociedad and Valencia are also keen. Serie A giants Juventus, who were interested in the summer, remain a potential destination. While PSG’s interest is strong, Real Madrid’s strained relationship with the Parisian club makes a permanent deal impossible, though a loan could be considered. Madrid have no intention of selling a player tied to a contract until 2030 with a release clause reportedly upwards of €300 million.

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• Guti advises wonderkid to seek exit

  The pressure for Endrick to seek a move has been amplified by Real Madrid legend Guti, who has advised the youngster to leave for the sake of his own development. The former midfielder stressed the importance of consistent playing time for a young player's growth. "If he doesn’t get any opportunities between now and December, I think his best option is to leave so he can continue to grow," Guti stated. "For a young player, the best thing is to get playing time."

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 2024/25 Premier League campaign has been defined by frustration and disappointment.

Five games in, they are rooted to the bottom of the table with zero points and a goal difference of -9.

Their attack has looked blunt, generating one of the lowest expected goals (xG) figures in the division – only Aston Villa, Burnley, and Leeds rank worse.

This stands in stark contrast to their Carabao Cup outings, where they have shown flashes of potential.

They beat West Ham in the second round with a convincing display and now have an opportunity to build momentum against Everton in the third round on Wednesday night.

For manager Pereira, this cup tie feels like more than just a fixture; it’s a chance to breathe life into a faltering season.

The departure of Matheus Cunha, who was instrumental last year, has left a void in Wolves’ attacking play.

While the defensive structure under Pereira’s three-at-the-back system has shown glimpses of resilience, the final third remains the glaring weakness.

Upcoming fixtures, including clashes with relegation rivals Sunderland and Burnley after the international break, demand fresh solutions.

Arokodare's difficult start at Wolves

When Wolves signed Tolu Arokodare from Genk for £24 million, there was genuine excitement.

The 24-year-old forward had just finished as the Belgian Pro League’s Golden Boot winner, scoring 21 goals and establishing himself as a dominant aerial threat.

In total, he netted 41 times in 113 appearances for Genk, suggesting he could be the answer to Wolves’ goalscoring problems.

So far, however, the transition has been anything but smooth.

Arokodare has featured twice in the Premier League for a combined 156 minutes, starting against Newcastle and Leeds. While his physical presence is undeniable, his output has underwhelmed.

Against Leeds, he recorded three shots, but only one was on target. His dribbling attempts yielded no success, and although he contested 13 aerial duels, he only won seven, as per Sofascore.

The numbers reflect a player still adjusting to the intensity and pace of English football.

Wolves fans were expecting a ruthless finisher; instead, they’ve seen a forward struggling to impose himself.

Pereira’s persistence with Arokodare has become synonymous with the side’s wider attacking malaise.

At a time when Wolves desperately need sharpness in the final third, he has looked like a work in progress rather than a solution.

How Pereira can get Wolves firing again

The return of Jorgen Strand Larsen could change the equation entirely.

The Norwegian striker has been Wolves’ talisman since arriving from Celta Vigo, having scored 14 league goals on loan.

That tally accounted for 22% of Wolves’ total strikes, a contribution that proved decisive in avoiding relegation last season.

His commitment was underlined this summer when he signed a new deal until 2030 despite Champions League club Newcastle United tabling bids of £50m and £55m.

Strand Larsen has already opened his account for the campaign, scoring twice in the Carabao Cup win over West Ham.

Yet an Achilles injury has sidelined him for the past two league games, leaving Wolves blunt in attack.

Now fit again, his return offers Pereira an ideal chance to reset the forward line.

The ideal partner for him is Jhon Arias, the Colombian winger-forward who joined from Fluminense for £15m.

Arias contributed four goals and 13 assists in Brazil last season, showcasing his ability to both score and create.

His versatility makes him well-suited to Pereira’s 3-5-2 system, where he could play just off Strand Larsen, stretching defences and linking midfield with attack.

Although Arias has only managed 179 league minutes so far, his technical qualities have been clear, having also been hailed for his “relentless” work off the ball by analyst Ben Mattinson.

Matches Played

12

Goals

1

Assists

4

Progressive Carries

48

Progressive Passes

55

He thrives in tight spaces, has the vision to pick progressive passes, and the pace to break lines – elements Wolves sorely lack when Arokodare leads the line.

If given a run of games, Arias could replicate the kind of strike partnerships Wolves have historically relied upon in Derek Dougan and John Richards.

Everton in the League Cup provides the perfect stage to test this combination.

Strand Larsen’s presence guarantees a focal point, while Arias’ creativity and movement would add unpredictability.

Together, they could finally give Wolves the attacking structure to match the defensive solidity that has, at times, looked promising.

Wolves' most expensive signings of all time

Football FanCast takes a detailed look at Wolves’ 10 most expensive signings of all time.

ByCharlie Smith Sep 5, 2025

Sunderland’s return to the Premier League has been full of energy, unpredictability, and glimpses of promise.

A raucous Stadium of Light watched as the Black Cats stormed past West Ham with a convincing 3-0 win on the opening day.

Reality soon bit as a 2-0 defeat away at Burnley reminded everyone of the ruthless margins in the top flight.

Momentum was clawed back in dramatic fashion as Brentford were undone 2-1 by a stoppage-time Wilson Isidor strike.

However, the subsequent 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace highlighted the attacking inconsistency of a newly-promoted side still finding its rhythm.

A 1-1 home draw with Aston Villa showcased grit and determination. Sunderland battled for the majority of the match with 10 men and were unlucky not to claim all three points. If they had done so, they would have climbed to fourth in the table – unthinkable for a team promoted via the Championship play-offs only months ago.

With the shadow of relegation firmly in the distance for now, Sunderland next face a trip to Nottingham Forest. Ange Postecoglou’s side are still adapting to life under their new coach, and Sunderland will hope to exploit any teething issues.

What is clear, though, is that this squad will need big characters to drag them through the long campaign.

One summer signing in particular has already drawn parallels with a figure who once embodied Sunderland’s fighting spirit.

Henderson is the embodiment of Sunderland’s attitude

When fans think about Sunderland players who gave everything in red and white, Jordon Henderson’s name still comes up.

The midfielder, now 35, began his career at his boyhood club and went on to make 79 appearances, scoring five goals and registering 10 assists, per Transfermarkt.

His £20 million move to Liverpool in 2011 would see him lift the Champions League and the Premier League under Jürgen Klopp.

His 492 appearances for the Reds were defined not just by his technical ability as a defensive midfielder but also his ability to lead.

Named Liverpool captain in 2015, he held the armband for eight years, guiding one of the most successful eras in the club’s modern history.

His leadership extended beyond Anfield.

Henderson earned 85 England caps, scoring three times, including at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, per Transfemarkt.

This summer, he joined Brentford, where he has already made five Premier League appearances

Jordan Henderson – 2025/26

Matches Played

5

Minutes

323

Progressive Carries

3

Progressive Passes

16

Assists

1

Source: FBref

For Sunderland, Henderson’s example serves as a reminder: survival is not just about talent, but about attitude and responsibility.

One player in their current squad has stepped forward to assume that mantle.

Granit Xhaka is Sunderland’s modern-day Henderson

In a transfer that underlined the club’s intent, Sunderland secured Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee rising to £17 million.

The Swiss international, now 32, represents exactly the type of big character they need to stabilise themselves in the Premier League.

Xhaka brings enormous experience and has “been valued by so many” around him, per analyst Ben Mattinson.

He made 297 appearances for Arsenal across all competitions, where he won two FA Cups and wore the captain’s armband, per Transfermarkt.

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After leaving North London, he joined Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen project and played a pivotal role in their historic unbeaten Bundesliga title win in 2024.

The German side came agonisingly close to completing an unbeaten treble, only halted by Ademola Lookman’s famous Europa League final hat-trick for Atalanta.

For Sunderland, his decision to return to England is invaluable.

Xhaka has spoken about wanting to experience “solidarity and suffering” in this phase of his career, a mentality that fits perfectly with a club battling against the odds.

Already made captain at the Stadium of Light, he also continues to lead Switzerland, having represented his country at six major tournaments.

Xhaka has wasted no time showing his influence on the pitch.

In the 2-1 win over Brentford, he registered a 7.7 match rating across 90 minutes, contributing one assist.

His 73 touches and 59 passes (49 accurate) underlined his role as the heartbeat of Sunderland’s midfield, while his defensive contribution – three ground duels won and five clearances – provided balance.

That blend of composure in possession and determination without the ball is exactly what Sunderland require.

Just as Henderson once rallied those around him, Xhaka’s leadership and quality make him the modern-day equivalent.

He is a player who elevates those beside him, provides direction in tough moments, and gives fans belief that this squad can survive the Premier League storm.

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Posts ByKelan Sarson Sep 24, 2025

England A 317 for 4 (Scholfield 138*, Capsey 108) trail Australia A 343 (Trenaman 77, Ginger 54, Knott 52, Faltum 52, Wong 5-63) by 26 runsPaige Scholfield and Alice Capsey seized the initiative in the unofficial women’s Test in Sydney with a fourth-wicket stand of 210, as England A’s batters built on a bowling effort led by Issy Wong’s five-for to move towards a first-innings lead on the second day at Cricket Central.Both batters made centuries in the course of a dominant day’s work, and by the close, Scholfield was still going strong on 138 not out, with England A well set on 317 for 4, trailing by 26 runs with two days of the contest remaining.After extending their overnight 315 for 7 to a first-innings total of 343, Australia A seemed to have taken charge when England slumped to 34 for 3 in reply. Lauren Cheatle had a role in each of the three wickets, first by catching Mady Villiers at fine leg in Tess Flintoff’s first over of the innings, and then in bowling Hollie Armitage and Grace Scrivens in consecutive overs.But Capsey and Scholfield turned the momentum of the innings in a boundary-studded 52-over alliance that spanned the afternoon session. Capsey swept and pulled Sophie Day for four fours in an over as England pushed on at a brisk tempo, and they weren’t parted until Maitlan Brown trapped Capsey lbw for 108, with the deficit already reduced to double figures.Scholfield, however, found another solid ally in Jodi Grewcock, with whom she saw out the rest of the day in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 73. Grewcock reached the close on 29 not out from 84 balls, with three fours.Earlier, England had needed 10 overs to pick off the remaining three wickets of Australia’s first innings, for the addition of 28 runs. Grace Potts grabbed two of these, including the final wicket of Sianna Ginger for 54, but the key moment came when Wong fired a yorker through Lilly Mills’ defences to pick up a well-deserved fifth wicket.

Dhoni said the team was looking for consistency from the batters and better powerplay bowling performances

Sreshth Shah14-Apr-2025Chennai Super Kings stand-in captain MS Dhoni won the toss and chose to field against Rishabh Pant’s Lucknow Super Giants on Monday.”Blessed,” Dhoni said, about the sea of yellow at the Ekana Stadium, after winning the toss. He wanted to bowl first because of chances of dew later. He said the team was looking for consistency from the batters and better powerplay bowling performances. Shaik Rasheed replaces and Jamie Overton come into the team, in place of Devon Conway and R Ashwin.Pant confirmed Mitchell Marsh was back into the XI after missing the previous game. Himmat Singh goes out of the team. Pant hoped the openers continued their fine form.The teams are playing on pitch no. 5 today, which is the centre wicket. There are square boundaries of 66 metres on both sides and 73 metres straight. The pitch is a mix of 70% red soil and 30% black soil, so it won’t be very slow and some runs should be available.CSK are looking to break a five-game losing streak while LSG are trying to make it five wins in a row.LSG XI: 1 Aiden Markram, 2 Mitchell Marsh, 3 Nicholas Pooran, 4 Rishabh Pant, 5 Ayush Badoni, 6 David Miller, 7 Abdul Samad, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Avesh Khan, 10 Akash Deep, 11 Digvesh RathiLSG’s Impact Player options: Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Shahbaz, Breetzke, Himmat SinghCSK XI 1 Shaik Rasheed, 2 Rachin Ravindra, 3 Rahul Tripathi, 4 Ravindra Jadeja, 5 Vijay Shankar, 6 Jamie Overton, 7 MS Dhoni, 8 Anshul Kamboj, 9 Noor Ahmad, 10 Khaleel Ahmed, 11 Matheesha PathiranaCSK’s Impact Player options: Dube, Nagarkoti, Curran, Hooda, Ramakrishna Ghosh