The Premier League’s most expensive team of all time when adjusted for inflation features seven Chelsea players.
The British transfer record has been broken twice this year already - on Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo - and four times in the last two years.
And while transfer fee in excess of £100milliion feels like a new and alien phenomenon, if we adjust for inflation the most expensive Premier League players of all time have been the same for the past two decades.
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According to Sky Sports’ data analysis, Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko remains the most expensive player in Premier League history when adjusted for inflation.
The £31million Chelsea paid AC Milan for his services in 2006 would be worth some £215million in today’s market.
Moreover, Rio Ferdinand is in second place. The ex-United star’s £29million move to Old Trafford from Leeds in 2002 is equivalent to £199million today.
Fernando Torres, Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney, three strikers, round off the top five.
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Indeed, at £115million, Chelsea’s new record signing Caicedo wouldn’t even make the top 30, it has been claimed.
Moreover, according to Sky seven players in the most expensive Premier League starting line-up of all time are Chelsea signings, many of whom were brought in during the early Roman Abramovich era, while the remaining four were all signed by United.
Adjusted for inflation Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is currently on loan at Real Madrid, retains his title as the most expensive Premier League goalkeeper of all time at £93million.
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In front of him is a back four of ex-Chelsea trio Paulo Ferreira (£92million), Ricardo Carvalho (£138million), and Graeme Le Saux (£102million) alongside Ferdinand.
The midfield three is made up of United’s Paul Pogba, whose £89million move would is the equivalent of £165million in today's market, alongside Juan Sebastián Verón (£173million) and Michael Essien (£171million).
The front three includes three transfers that failed to make the grade at their respective clubs.
Shaun Wright-Phillips has been named on the right flank, with his £27million Chelsea switch costing £138million in today’s market.
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The aforementioned Shevchenko leads the line while the left wing is occupied by Ángel Di María (£160million), who signed for United in 2014 for £64million.
Topics: England, Chelsea, Manchester United, Transfers, Premier League