Net spend; as juicy as it gets and yet somehow still as dry as a bone. Numbers, for the most part, are boring. Some of you may disagree with that statement, but as much as you might protest, you know deep down that we’re correct. It’s why this article is written in the Roman alphabet and not, say, binary code.
But sometimes numbers have their uses. In the case of net spends, they can paint a picture of where a side might have gone wrong over the course of a campaign, or indeed, where they may have gone right. In 2022/23, Premier League clubs have spent more money than ever before. Taken holistically, the 20 teams that make up the top flight have forked out a combined £2.8 billion this season. That’s approximately somewhere between the GDP of Liberia and Guyana.
But how do the figures actually break down, and just how much bigger is Chelsea’s net spend compared to everybody else? We’ve pored over all of the top flight’s incoming and outgoing transfer fees and then ranked the division from highest profit to biggest loss. Check out the findings below...
5. Leeds United - -£27.4m
Leeds have actually spent relatively big this season, and their total outlay comes in at over £128 million. Similarly to City, however, they have cushioned that blow with a couple of high profile sales. Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha are big misses on the field, but have helped to balance the books. | Getty Images
6. Crystal Palace - -£36.5m
Palace haven’t exactly spent big this season (indeed, their total expenditure is the lowest in the entire Premier League) but the only player they have sold for any kind of transfer fee is Christian Benteke - hence them being in the red. | AFP via Getty Images
7. Aston Villa - -£40.6m
You have to feel for Aston Villa a little bit. Of their marquee signings, Diego Carlos has missed most of the campaign through injury, and Philippe Coutinho has been decidedly underwhelming. To make matters worse, they lost promising young midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka to Chelsea’s inevitable tractor beam too. | Getty Images
8. Brentford - -£42.2m
Brentford’s moneyball approach to the transfer market has been justifianly lauded in recent seasons, but the Bees have pushed the boat out a little this term, and as their impressive footing in the Premier League table proves, are reaping the rewards. | Getty Images