Alexis Sanchez has been named the 9th most valuable player in Europe in a study by CIES. Four other Arsenal players have made the top 50.
It is no surprise that Sanchez is listed as Arsenal’s most valuable player after an incredible season. He makes the list, with Chelsea’s Eden Hazard also overtaking Cristiano Ronaldo in the rankings.
Mesut Ozil (40th), Santi Cazorla (46th), Danny Welbeck (47th) and Aaron Ramsey (49th) are the other Arsenal players to make the top 50.
Arsenal’s aggregated player values make them the 4th most valuable club in Europe, good achievement. They are only behind Barcelona, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
CIES claim that younger players will give higher transfer values in their study:
Footballers with the highest transfer values generally play in competitive teams, are active full internationals, play in attacking positions, have long-term contracts and are under 27 years of age. The 100 footballers listed below3 do not only differentiate themselves from the point of view of the transfer value, but also from that of transfer probability.
What do you think of the study? Is it a fair representation? Bare in mind it shows player value, not necessarily ability. This explains the likes of Romelu Lukaku making the top 50 and Liverpool have the 5th most valuable squad.