Haaland tops value list; Rogers leads efficiency in Premier League

Morgan Rogers stands out as the most cost-efficient attacker among the league’s highest earners, delivering a goal or assist for every £448k of wages paid by Chelsea. This analysis covers the first eight weeks of the Premier League season, examining the top 10 highest-paid attackers according to Capology data.

Rogers and Isak lead efficiency rankings

Rogers’ strong start at Stamford Bridge places him at number one on the value-for-money list. The former Aston Villa player has recorded five goal involvements this season, four of which were goals. He contributed in every match except Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat away at Brentford. With a reported weekly wage of £280k, he has earned £2.2m since the season began.

Alexander Isak ranks second, costing Liverpool £600k per contribution. Despite a lower ranking among top earners at £300k a week, the Swedish striker has proven effective after a slow debut campaign. Isak scored four times in his first five Premier League appearances, with two goals against Ipswich and one each versus Forest and Bournemouth.

Cody Gakpo occupies third place with a cost of £620k per goal involvement. His weekly salary of £310k was reportedly a factor in discussions about moving him during the summer transfer window. Gakpo stayed and delivered four contributions, tying with Isak for joint-top status. Three of these were assists, while his single goal came against Newcastle on the opening day.

Haaland shines despite premium wages

Erling Haaland sits fourth, offering significant value relative to his status as the Premier League’s top earner. Manchester City pays him more than half a million pounds a week, totaling £4.2m over the eight-week period. In return, Haaland produced six goal involvements, all of which were goals. Three of these strikes decided matches against Coventry, Manchester United, and Liverpool, resulting in a cost of £700k per goal.

Bukayo Saka follows in fifth place, costing Arsenal £800k per contribution. His new contract made him the club’s highest-paid player at £300k a week. Although he started with back-to-back goals, Saka managed only one goal in the subsequent four games and has yet to register a Premier League assist. This leaves him with three league goal involvements so far.

Struggles for Rashford and Barcola

Kai Havertz ranks sixth, with Arsenal paying £1.1m per contribution. He has established himself as the first-choice No.9, scoring twice early in the season against Coventry and Chelsea. However, Havertz has gone three matches without a goal or assist. Viktor Gyokeres, who played just 56 minutes, has cost the club £1.3m with minimal output.

Phil Foden is seventh, costing Manchester City £1.2m per goal involvement. Earning £300k a week, Foden accumulated £2.4m in wages but provided only two assists, both in a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace. He missed the last two matches due to suspension following a red card against Manchester United.

Jeremy Doku takes eighth place, with City paying £2.2m per contribution. The winger has played only 49 minutes of Premier League football but receives a reported £280k weekly wage until his contract expires in 2028. His sole goal involvement was a whipped finish against Liverpool.

Marcus Rashford and Bradley Barcola share the bottom spot, having registered no goal involvements in the league. Neither player is currently proving good value for money. Barcola joined Liverpool two weeks into the season and has cost £1.7m in wages, though he did score in the Champions League. Rashford, the seventh-highest earner in the league, has not scored or assisted in the Premier League, Champions League, or League Cup. Manchester United has paid £2.4m for zero returns from the English forward.