Premier League wages have never been higher – and neither has the frustration among fans. With injuries, underwhelming performances, and lost potential, some stars are cashing in without delivering on the pitch. This list highlights 13 players whose salaries far outweigh their contributions, whether due to form, fitness, or fading impact.
13. André Onana – £120,000 per week / £6,240,000 per year
Signed to bring calm and composure to Manchester United’s defense, Onana has instead delivered a season full of high-profile mistakes. Despite flashes of talent, his inconsistency has cost United dearly – both in points and salary.
12. Danny Ings – £125,000 per week / £6,500,000 per year
Now a reserve at West Ham, Ings contributes little on the pitch but remains on a hefty wage. At 32, his best days are behind him, yet his paycheck still suggests he’s a top striker.
11. Darwin Núñez – £140,000 per week / £7,280,000 per year
Still full of energy and promise, but his finishing remains wildly inconsistent. For a forward at Liverpool, he wastes far too many chances to justify his salary.
10. Kalvin Phillips – £150,000 per week / £7,800,000 per year
Once seen as a midfield enforcer, Phillips is now a forgotten figure at Ipswich Town. Injuries and poor form have turned him into an expensive benchwarmer.
9. Luke Shaw – £150,000 per week / £7,800,000 per year
When fit, Shaw can be world-class. The problem? He’s almost never fit. His injury record over the past two seasons makes his salary hard to justify.
8. Ryan Gravenberch – £150,000 per week / £7,800,000 per year
Hyped as a major midfield signing, Gravenberch has yet to settle in or make any real impact. For that kind of weekly wage, fans expect far more.
7. Federico Chiesa – £150,000 per week / £7,800,000 per year
The Italian winger has shown glimpses of his old form but has failed to deliver consistently. Injuries and tactical confusion have hurt his value in the Premier League.
6. Timo Werner – £165,000 per week / £8,580,000 per year
The German forward has returned to England, but unfortunately, so have his finishing problems. His pace is still there, but the goals aren’t.
5. Christopher Nkunku – £195,000 per week / £10,140,000 per year
Arrived with huge expectations but has barely been seen due to injury after injury. For nearly £200k a week, Chelsea fans have seen far too little of him.
4. Wesley Fofana – £200,000 per week / £10,400,000 per year
A talented young defender plagued by non-stop injury setbacks. Chelsea gambled on potential, but right now, they’re only paying for rehab sessions.
3. Reece James – £250,000 per week / £13,000,000 per year
Captain on paper, absent in reality. James has missed the majority of the past two seasons and remains one of the highest-paid defenders in England.
2. Jack Grealish – £300,000 per week / £15,600,000 per year
From England’s poster boy to Manchester City’s forgotten man. Grealish has fallen down the pecking order and hasn’t lived up to his massive price tag or paycheck.
1. Casemiro – £350,000 per week / £18,200,000 per year
Casemiro has shown signs of improvement in recent months and is no longer the complete liability he appeared to be earlier in the season. However, even with his better performances, the veteran midfielder still looks a step behind the pace and remains far from justifying one of the highest salaries in the league.
