The Premier League's underpaid stars: A closer look at the players who are not getting their due
The Premier League is known for its high-profile players and hefty salaries, but there are some gems who are flying under the radar. These players, while not household names, are making significant contributions to their teams and deserve more recognition. Let's take a closer look at some of the Premier League's most underpaid players and the factors that contribute to their relative lack of compensation.
One of the most reliable goalkeepers in the league, Bart Verbruggen, is on a weekly wage of just £35,000. This is a surprise given his quality and the fact that he has been Brighton's number one for the past three seasons. For context, Bernd Leno is taking home £130,000 per week at Fulham. Several Champions League clubs have been linked with his signature, which further highlights the discrepancy in his pay.
Djed Spence, a World Cup hero, is on a weekly wage of £40,000. This is one of the lowest wages at Tottenham, which is surprising given his whole-hearted performances on either flank. Inter Milan are rumored to be interested in the defender, which is hardly a surprise given his weekly wage.
Sepp van den Berg, a center-back for Brentford, takes home £20,000 a week. This is a surprise given that the highest-paid Premier League player, Erling Haaland, makes that in about seven hours. Brentford's low wage bill is a factor, but van den Berg's quality and contributions to the team deserve more recognition.
Nathan Collins, another Brentford center-back, is on a weekly wage of £30,000. This is surprising given that he is both Brentford and the Republic of Ireland's captain. The 25-year-old is one of the most underrated defenders in the Premier League, making 41 appearances for the Bees in all competitions last year.
Nico O'Reilly, a left-back who looks destined to become a midfielder, is on a weekly wage of £30,000. The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakout year in 2025-26, forcing his way into Manchester City's first-choice XI and scoring both goals in the Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal. O'Reilly is still young and will likely receive a hefty pay rise for his next contract.
Carlos Baleba, a defensive midfielder, is on a weekly wage of £12,500. This is on the low side for a player of his quality and obvious potential. Baleba has attracted attention from several richer clubs, and his weekly wage seems on the low side for a player of his caliber.
Adam Wharton, a Crystal Palace midfielder, is on a weekly wage of £35,000. This is simply red meat for bigger clubs, if they can get over their strange aversion to signing him. How he wasn't picked for England's World Cup squad is beyond us.
Kevin Schade, a right-winger, is on a weekly wage of £10,000. This is either a mistake or Brentford are getting away with it. The 24-year-old has scored 19 Premier League goals over the past two seasons, making him an FPL favorite for a reason.
Iliman Ndiaye, Everton's best attacker, is on a weekly wage of £45,000. This has increased speculation around his future, with Saudi clubs circling. However, Ndiaye's father has squashed that particular rumor.
Eli Junior Kroupi, a Bournemouth striker, is on a weekly wage of £20,000. This reflects his tender youth rather than his ability. He scored 13 goals last season, which was the most by a teenager in a single Premier League season, and has been in high demand.
Wilson Isidor, a Sunderland striker, is on a weekly wage of £25,000. The 25-year-old played for Haiti at this summer's World Cup, scoring one of the goals of the tournament against Morocco. Sunderland will possibly be looking for more in 2026-27, but Isidor's contribution has already outstripped several higher-paid strikers in the division.
These players are making significant contributions to their teams and deserve more recognition. While the notion of any Premier League footballer being underpaid is slightly ridiculous, these things are all relative. The factors contributing to their relative lack of compensation include team wage bills, individual contract negotiations, and the balance of power in the transfer market. However, these players are certainly not getting their due, and their performances deserve more attention and appreciation.
