Footballers' salaries consume a significant portion of club budgets, and while transfer fees grab the headlines, it’s the wages of stars that truly reflect how effectively clubs spend their money.
=10) Marcus Rashford and Bradley Barcola (0 goals or assists)
Bradley Barcola joined Liverpool a few weeks after the season kicked off, costing the club £1.7 million in wages. Although new to the league, he scored in the Champions League, which puts him at least a step above Rashford.
Marcus Rashford, the seventh highest-paid player in the league, hasn't made a single goal contribution in the Premier League, Champions League, or the League Cup. This means Manchester United have effectively thrown away £2.4 million on him.
8) Jeremy Doku — £2.2 million per goal or assist
Manchester City’s winger takes home £280,000 a week under a deal running until 2028. He can be given some leeway, having spent just 49 minutes on the pitch in the Premier League due to limited game time. Nevertheless, his lone goal—a stunning strike against Liverpool—means City are shelling out £2.2 million for every bit of output.
7) Phil Foden — £1.2 million per goal or assist
Earning £300,000 a week, Foden has cost City £2.4 million so far, with just two assists to his name from a game against Crystal Palace. He has also missed two matches due to suspension, leaving City to pay £1.2 million for his time spent in the stands.
6) Kai Havertz — £1.1 million per goal or assist
Establishing himself as Arsenal’s main striker, Havertz has tallied two goal contributions—both of which were goals, one against Coventry and another against his former club, Chelsea. However, he has spent three matches without adding to his tally. Note: Victor Diekeresh has played just 56 minutes in the Premier League, costing Arsenal £1.3 million without any contributions.
5) Bukayo Saka — £800,000 per goal or assist
On a fresh, hefty contract of £300,000 a week, Saka is Arsenal's top earner. He kicked off the season scoring in two successive matches, but in the following four games, he has found the net just once and is yet to provide a single assist in the league, leading to a cost of £800,000 per contribution.
4) Erling Haaland — £700,000 per goal or assist
The highest-paid player in the Premier League with wages exceeding £500,000 a week, Haaland's output justifies the spend. Over eight weeks, City have paid him £4.2 million, but he has responded with six league goals. Three of these were match-winners (against Coventry, Manchester United, and Liverpool), bringing the cost per goal down to £700,000.
3) Cody Gakpo — £620,000 per goal or assist
Surprisingly earning £310,000 a week (hence Liverpool’s summer efforts to trim the wage bill), Gakpo has proven his worth with four contributions—three assists and a goal against Newcastle in the opener. His output costs the club £620,000 per contribution.
2) Alexander Isak — £600,000 per goal or assist
Given his overall worth, Isak has a relatively modest weekly wage of £300,000 for a top forward. After a slow start last season, he has begun this campaign impressively, netting four goals in five Premier League matches (two against Ipswich, one each against Forest and Bournemouth), costing approximately £600,000 per goal.
1) Morgan Rogers — £448,000 per goal or assist
Bursting onto the scene at Chelsea, Rogers boasts the best cost-to-value ratio among the top ten. The former Aston Villa player, with a salary of £280,000 per week, has delivered five contributions (four goals), showcasing his impact in every match except the heavy defeat to Brentford (0-3). The final tally stands at an impressive £448,000 per contribution.
