Discover the Highest Paid Players In Each Premier League Season, from 1992 to the present. Explore the astronomical wages earned by these players and the financial power of the league. Stay updated on the latest trends in player salaries and the value placed on top talent in the Premier League.
The Highest Paid Players In Each Premier League Season
When it comes to the Premier League, the salaries of the players have always been a topic of interest and discussion. Throughout the years, we have seen a significant increase in player wages, with some earning astronomical amounts. In this article, we will take a look at the highest paid players of each Premier League season, from the inception of the league in 1992 up until the current season.
1992/93: John Barnes – £10,000 per week
The first season of the Premier League saw John Barnes take home a weekly wage of £10,000. Barnes, who played for Liverpool at the time, was one of the most talented and influential players of his generation.
1993/94: John Barnes – £10,000 per week
John Barnes continued to be the highest paid player in the following season, earning the same weekly wage of £10,000. His performances on the pitch made him a valuable asset to Liverpool.
1994/95: Eric Cantona – £18,000 per week
Eric Cantona, the enigmatic French forward, became the highest paid player in the 1994/95 season, earning £18,000 per week. Cantona’s flair and skill made him a fan favorite at Manchester United.
1995/96: Dennis Bergkamp – £25,000 per week
Arsenal’s Dennis Bergkamp took the top spot in the 1995/96 season, with a weekly wage of £25,000. Bergkamp’s technical ability and vision on the pitch made him one of the best players in the league.
1996/97: Fabrizio Ravanelli – £42,000 per week
Italian striker Fabrizio Ravanelli became the highest paid player in the 1996/97 season, earning an impressive £42,000 per week. Ravanelli’s goal-scoring prowess made him a valuable asset for Middlesbrough.
1997/98: Alan Shearer – £34,000 per week
Alan Shearer, one of the greatest strikers in Premier League history, took home a weekly wage of £34,000 in the 1997/98 season. Shearer’s goal-scoring record for Newcastle United was nothing short of remarkable.
1998/99: Alan Shearer – £34,000 per week
Alan Shearer remained the highest paid player in the following season, earning the same weekly wage of £34,000. Shearer’s consistency and leadership qualities made him an iconic figure for Newcastle United.
1999/00: Roy Keane – £52,000 per week
Manchester United’s Roy Keane became the highest paid player in the 1999/00 season, with a weekly wage of £52,000. Keane’s commanding presence in midfield was instrumental in United’s success during that period.
2000/01: Roy Keane – £52,000 per week
Roy Keane retained his status as the highest earner in the 2000/01 season, earning the same weekly wage of £52,000. Keane’s leadership qualities and determination made him a vital player for Manchester United.
2001/02: Roy Keane – £90,000 per week
In the 2001/02 season, Roy Keane’s weekly wage increased to an impressive £90,000, making him the highest paid player in the league. Keane’s influence on and off the pitch was undeniable during his time at Manchester United.
2002/03: Roy Keane – £94,000 per week
Roy Keane continued to be the highest paid player in the 2002/03 season, earning £94,000 per week. Keane’s tenacity and drive made him a formidable force in the midfield for Manchester United.
2003/04: Hernan Crespo – £94,000 per week
Chelsea’s Hernan Crespo became the highest paid player in the 2003/04 season, earning a weekly wage of £94,000. Crespo’s goal-scoring ability made him an important player for Chelsea during his time at the club.
2004/05: Frank Lampard – £98,000 per week
Frank Lampard, the legendary midfielder for Chelsea, took home a weekly wage of £98,000 in the 2004/05 season. Lampard’s goal-scoring prowess and ability to dictate play from midfield made him a key figure for Chelsea.
2005/06: Steven Gerrard – £100,000 per week
Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard became the highest paid player in the 2005/06 season, earning a weekly wage of £100,000. Gerrard’s leadership and match-winning performances made him a hero for Liverpool fans.
2006/07: Andriy Shevchenko – £118,000 per week
Andriy Shevchenko, the Ukrainian forward, took home a weekly wage of £118,000 in the 2006/07 season. Shevchenko’s reputation as one of the best strikers in the world earned him a big-money move to Chelsea.
2007/08: John Terry – £135,000 per week
Chelsea’s John Terry became the highest paid player in the 2007/08 season, earning a weekly wage of £135,000. Terry’s leadership and defensive prowess made him one of the best center-backs in the league.
2008/09: Robinho – £160,000 per week
Manchester City’s Robinho took home a weekly wage of £160,000 in the 2008/09 season, making him the highest paid player in the league. Robinho’s arrival at City signaled their ambition to compete with the top teams.
2009/10: Carlos Tevez – £250,000 per week
Carlos Tevez, who played for Manchester City at the time, became the highest paid player in the 2009/10 season, earning a staggering £250,000 per week. Tevez’s goal-scoring ability and work rate made him a fan favorite.
2010/11: Carlos Tevez – £250,000 per week
Carlos Tevez retained his status as the highest paid player in the following season, earning the same weekly wage of £250,000. Tevez’s performances on the pitch made him one of the most feared strikers in the league.
2011/12: Carlos Tevez – £250,000 per week
Carlos Tevez continued to be the highest paid player in the 2011/12 season, earning £250,000 per week. Tevez’s goal-scoring ability and leadership qualities made him a vital player for Manchester City.
2012/13: Carlos Tevez – £250,000 per week
In the 2012/13 season, Carlos Tevez’s weekly wage remained at £250,000, making him the highest paid player in the league once again. Tevez’s contributions on the pitch were instrumental in Manchester City’s title-winning campaign.
2013/14: Wayne Rooney – £300,000 per week
Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney became the highest paid player in the 2013/14 season, earning a weekly wage of £300,000. Rooney’s goal-scoring record and versatility made him a valuable asset for United.
2014/15: Wayne Rooney – £300,000 per week
Wayne Rooney retained his status as the highest earner in the following season, earning the same weekly wage of £300,000. Rooney’s leadership qualities and ability to score important goals made him a key figure for Manchester United.
2015/16: Wayne Rooney – £300,000 per week
Wayne Rooney continued to be the highest paid player in the 2015/16 season, earning £300,000 per week. Rooney’s experience and goal-scoring ability made him a crucial player for Manchester United.
2016/17: Wayne Rooney – £300,000 per week
In the 2016/17 season, Wayne Rooney’s weekly wage remained at £300,000, making him the highest paid player in the league once again. Rooney’s contributions on and off the pitch were invaluable for Manchester United.
2017/18: Alexis Sanchez – £350,000 per week
Alexis Sanchez, who played for Manchester United at the time, became the highest paid player in the 2017/18 season, earning an eye-watering £350,000 per week. Sanchez’s arrival at United was met with high expectations.
2018/19: Alexis Sanchez – £350,000 per week
Alexis Sanchez retained his status as the highest paid player in the following season, earning the same weekly wage of £350,000. However, his performances on the pitch did not live up to the expectations.
2019/20: David de Gea – £375,000 per week
Manchester United’s David de Gea became the highest paid player in the 2019/20 season, earning a weekly wage of £375,000. De Gea’s performances in goal made him one of the best goalkeepers in the league.
2020/21: Gareth Bale – £560,000 per week (majority paid by Real Madrid)
Gareth Bale, who was on loan at Tottenham Hotspur from Real Madrid, took home a weekly wage of £560,000 in the 2020/21 season. Bale’s return to Tottenham was met with excitement from the fans.
2021/22: Cristiano Ronaldo – £480,000 per week
In the 2021/22 season, Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United saw him become the highest paid player in the league, earning a weekly wage of £480,000. Ronaldo’s presence brought a sense of excitement and anticipation to Old Trafford.
2022/23: Kevin De Bruyne – £400,000 per week
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne became the highest paid player in the 2022/23 season, earning a weekly wage of £400,000. De Bruyne’s creativity and ability to dictate play from midfield made him one of the best players in the league.
2023/24: Kevin De Bruyne – £400,000 per week
Kevin De Bruyne retained his status as the highest earner in the following season, earning the same weekly wage of £400,000. De Bruyne’s performances on the pitch made him a vital player for Manchester City.
As the Premier League continues to grow in popularity and revenue, it is likely that we will see even higher wages for players in the future. The astronomical salaries earned by these players highlight the financial power of the league and the value placed on top talent.