In the last decade or so, our beautiful game has changed dramatically.
Social media is a huge reason behind this monumental transformation, as hundreds of footballers are monitored 24 hours a day. If you look on social media, one of the hottest topics of debate is player wages. In the past 10 years, wage packets have sky rocketed, causing many to question the state of modern day football.
It begs the questions, are certain professionals really worth the ridiculous sums of money? It's one of the biggest discussion points in sport, and has been for many years.
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Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney is one of the biggest earners in Europe, raking in £300,000 a week at Old Trafford, and as a result, the England captain is constantly scrutinised by the media.
As the Chinese Super League continue to spend big, wages will always be a huge talking point in the game, and a recent report from The Times has reignited whether certain players match up to their wage packet.
The report has identified every Premier League clubs top earner, and unsurprisingly, half of the players included in the list are strikers. Goals = money.
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Are they worth it?
Arsenal - Mesut Ozil (£140,00 a week)
Is he worth it?
On his day, Ozil is one of the very best, but some argue that the German international 'goes missing' in big games. If you're someone who lives by the stat book, then this could sway your opinion on the 28-year-old - Ozil's record against the big sides is poor.
In 27 matches against Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Tottenham, Ozil has won just five of those 27 - a win percentage of 19%. On the other hand, Ozil's win percentage in the Premier League against all teams is 63%.
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Verdict: YES.
Bournemouth - Jack Wilshere (£80,000 a week)
Is he worth it?
The 25-year-old has proved his doubters wrong in an impressive stint at Eddie Howe's Bournemouth.
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The fact that Wilshere has already played nearly twice as many minutes in the Premier League for Bournemouth this season (1525) compared to the previous two seasons combined with the Gunners (873), is a huge reason behind his form. He needs regular, first team football, plus he has avoided those persistent injury problems.
Verdict: YES.
Burnley - Robbie Brady (£30,000 - £35,000 a week)
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Is he worth it?
Sean Dyche's side forked out a club record £13 million for midfielder Robbie Brady in January, so he has yet to prove himself on the field. That being said, the transfer fee may be a little steep but Brady has impressed for club and country in recent months.
Brady's performances at the European Championships were probably a big factor behind the deal and at £30,000 a week, his demands are seen by many as a steal.
Verdict: YES.
Chelsea - Cesc Fabregas (£220,000 a week)
Is he worth it?
Despite spending most of the season on the bench, Cesc Fabregas has picked up more assists than anyone else in the Chelsea squad. In fact, Fabregas has now registered 31 league assists since joining Chelsea, more than any other Premier League player in that time.
He has only made five Premier League starts in the league this season, but he has assisted six times. Deadly, but worth the £220,000 a week wage?
Verdict: NO.
Crystal Palace - Christian Benteke (£120,000 a week)
Is he worth it?
During his time at Aston Villa, Benteke bagged 42 league goals in three seasons. At that point, he was one of the most feared strikers in the Premier League, but his spell at Liverpool was labelled a failure, despite scoring nine in 29 appearances.
The 26-year-old's goals are paramount to Palace's survival, but can he live up to his £120,000 wage bill?
Verdict: NO.
Everton - Romelu Lukaku (£75,000 a week)
Is he worth it?
In 2016/17 alone, Lukaku has scored 16 goals in 23 games for Everton, leaving plenty of European clubs interested in his services. In the last four seasons, the Belgian forward has consistently netted 10 or more goals.
That alone makes his £75,000 a week wage worth every penny.
Verdict: 100% YES.
Hull - Abel Hernandez (£35,000 a week)
Is he worth it?
Hernandez was crucial for Hull in the club's promotion to the Premier League last season, scoring 22 goals. The forward has, however, failed to recapture that sensational form in the Premier League, managing to find the net just four times.
As one of the lowest paid players in this list, Hernandez may not be regarded as a big earner but his lack of goals this season is a real concern for a relegation battle.
Verdict: YES.
Leicester - Jamie Vardy/Riyad Mahrez (£100,000 a week)
Is he worth it?
Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez were obviously key in Leicester City's Premier League title win in 2016. 28 goals in all competitions for Vardy, and 17 goals for Mahrez, so you can't really blame the club for offering the duo new deals.
It begs the question - does a higher wage effect a player's state of mind? Leicester are now in a relegation dog fight, despite wages going up. It's certainly an interesting topic of debate...
Verdict: NO.
Liverpool - Philippe Coutinho (£150,000 a week)
Is he worth it?
Liverpool Football Club need Philippe Coutinho. Jurgen Klopp's side have struggled in 2017 and I believe the six week absence of Coutinho is a huge reason behind their dramatic dip in form.
According to the CIES Football Observatory, Coutinho comes in second when it comes to the best Premier League attacking midfielders, just behind Kevin De Bruyne. Is he worth the wage?
Verdict: YES
Manchester City - Sergio Aguero/Yaya Toure - (£240,000 a week)
Is he worth it?
Aguero and Toure have been stalwarts for Manchester City in the past five years. Both players have made over 150 appearances for the club, while contributing massively to the ongoing changes at the Etihad.
That being said, both players have been linked with a move away from the club in recent weeks. If you look at the appearances to wage ratio, it's certainly questionable.
Verdict: YES
Manchester United - Wayne Rooney (£300,000 a week)
Is he worth it?
There's a reason why Wayne Rooney is constantly analysed after every performance. His wage is spectacular and that naturally attracts critics.
In the grand scheme of things, Rooney broke Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time Manchester United scoring record after notching his 250th goal in January. Here's a question - at this very point in time, is Wayne Rooney worth £300,000 a week?
Verdict: NO.
Middlesbrough - Alvaro Negredo (£100,000 a week)
Is he worth it?
If you look through this list, a handful of players earn far less than Middlesbrough striker Alvaro Negredo. The likes of Romelu Lukaku and Jermain Defoe, who have bagged more goals than the Spaniard this season, earn at least £30,000 less every week.
Negredo has Premier League pedigree after his spell with Manchester City in 2013, and his seven goals this season has given Boro hope, but is he really worth £100,000 a week?
Verdict: NO.
Southampton - Fraser Forster (£90,000 a week)
Is he worth it?
The second highest paid goalkeeper on this list, Forster has earned himself several England call-ups in recent months, and despite achieving the third highest save success rate of the regular keepers in the league last season (73.9%), the 28-year-old has struggled in this campaign.
That number has dropped substantially to 54.8% this season.
Verdict: NO.
Stoke - Xherdan Shaqiri/Marko Arnautovic (£65,000 a week)
Is he worth it?
In 2016, Joe Allen said that Xherdan Shaqiri and Marko Arnautovic can be as dangerous as anyone in the Premier League when they're on top form. Little Joe is speaking a lot of sense here.
Both players have been a huge part of Stoke's ongoing improvement, and are arguably among the Potters' best players.
Verdict: YES.
Sunderland - Jermain Defoe (£70,000 a week)
Is he worth it?
Without Jermain Defoe's 14 goals in the Premier League this season, Sunderland would be screwed. The 34-year-old is worth every penny of his £70,000 wage and only looks to be getting better with age.
Aged 32 - 9 goals in 26 apps
Aged 33 - 17 goals in 34 apps
Aged 34 - 10 goals in 20 apps
Verdict: 1000000% YES.
Swansea - Fernando Llorente/Gylfi Sigurdsson (£70,000 a week)
Is he worth it?
Swansea's most important assets are unsurprisingly the club's highest earners. If you want goals and assist, mixed with a superb attitude on and off the pitch, then Gylfi Sigurdsson is worth every penny.
Llorente's impact at the Liberty has been superb, with Antonio Conte even expressing an interest in the Spaniard.
Verdict: YES
Tottenham - Harry Kane/Hugo Lloris (£120,000 a week)
Is he worth it?
Mauricio Pochettino called Harry Kane signing a new long-term contract a huge boost for Tottenham. He became the club's highest ever paid player back in December after winning the golden boot last season with 22 goals. Deserved.
Lloris is in the same bracket as Kane in terms of importance, but a recent stat is really quite telling. Only Simon Mignolet (10) has made more errors that have led directly to a goal in the last four Premier League seasons than Lloris (9).
Something to think about..but YES
Watford - Troy Deeney (£50,000 a week)
Is he worth it?
Troy Deeney's commitment and loyalty to Watford is admirable.
He may have admitted that the riches of China could tempt him, but his 100th Watford goal against Crystal Palace on Boxing Day is proof of his legendary status at Vicarage Road. The 28-year-old has consistency brought goals to his game since signing for the club in 2010.
Verdict: YES
West Brom - Darren Fletcher/James Morrison (£65.000 a week)
Is he worth it?
Darren Fletcher has scored two Premier League goals this season; the most he's managed in a single campaign since 2010/11. That alone is worthy of £65,000 a week.
Kidding. But both Fletcher and Morrison are important players for West Brom. Morrison has spent 10 years at The Hawthorns, while Fletcher brings priceless experience.
Verdict: YES
West Ham - Andy Carroll (£80,000 a week)
Is he worth it?
Some day Carroll's bicycle kick against Crystal Palace was worth the £80,000 wage alone. When Carroll is void of injuries, the big man is one of the biggest attacking threats there is.
If you look at the stats, Carroll is having a better season than Neymar in terms of goals per game. The West Ham forward is netting every 0.50 games, while the Brazilian only scores every 0.29 games.
Carroll > Neymar
Verdict: YES
Let us know your thoughts on the above.
Remember, these are only my opinions, I really don't expect everyone to agree.
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