Cheapest (but best) Premier League XI

Tuesday 10 October 2023 by Jonathan Victoria  Features

These days, the biggest teams in every league are usually the ones who are able to spend £50m+ each window and aren’t afraid to regularly break their transfer record every year.

But that doesn’t exactly equate to success (looking at you Chelsea). 

Oftentimes, the teams lower down in the league who aren’t able to spend as much bring in a hidden gem who ends up as a big bargain for how they have performed. 

Here, we bring you a starting 11 of the cheapest but best Premier League players so far this season.

We did have to stretch a bit in all honesty, as the limit here is under £20m which some may not classify as cheap. But we do, and it’s our piece.

Goalkeeper

Matt Turner, Nottingham Forest, £7m

Having moved on from Arsenal one year after signing there, Matt Turner has started every game and managed two clean sheets so far. He is showing off his quality as a starting keeper and at £7m, he was a good buy for Forest.

Defence

Max Aarons, Bournemouth, £7m 

Bournemouth haven’t been at their best to start this season, and while Max Aarons himself hasn’t been great recently, he started off well and is sure to recapture that form eventually.

Mads Andersen, Luton, Undisclosed (estimated £3m)

15 goals conceded in eight games doesn’t scream ‘great defense’, but Luton’s back line is statistically their strongest aspect in the team. Mads Andersen, who came from Barnsley, has been a focal point in that back line and has even contributed a goal.

Timothy Castagne, Fulham, £13.5m

Timothy Castagne was expected to leave Leicester when they were relegated, and Fulham did well to pick him up. £13.5m for a solid wing back who can also play in the midfield has added a lot of help to Fulham’s squad.

Midfield

Jefferson Lerma, Crystal Palace, Free

Statistically Crystal Palace’s third-best performer this season by average rating, picking up Jefferson Lerma on a free from Bournemouth is possibly the biggest steal here.

Ross Barkley, Luton, Free

Back in the Premier League, former Chelsea man Ross Barkley has been one of the better midfielders in Luton’s side this season.

Zeki Amdouni, Burnley, £15.5m (estimate)

Burnley’s season has been thoroughly underwhelming so far by many’s standards, but Zeki Amdouni has tried to make the most of his opportunities. Statistically the joint-second best player by average rating on their squad this season (really joint-first as the top player has only played once).

Gustavo Hamer, Sheffield United, £15m

Two goals and an assist from Gustavo Hamer in his first season in the Prem is impressive and makes him a standout in the otherwise uninspired Sheffield side.

Forward

Callum Hudson-Odoi, Nottingham Forest, £7m

Like Ross Barkley, former Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has returned to the league and is looking strong again. Scored on his Forest debut and while he hasn’t found the back of the net since, he hasn’t really put a foot wrong and seems motivated to find his best form since moving on from the Blues of London.

Quick note - There are many different numbers out there for CHO's transfer cost. Some say £3m, some £5m. We saw £7m and that's what we've gone with.

Cameron Archer, Sheffield United, £18m

The most expensive player on this list, Cameron Archer has only scored once so far but is capable of getting more. If Sheffield can get themselves into form, expect goals from him.

Manor Solomon, Tottenham, Free

An unexpected star, Manor Solomon has two assists so far in the league in five games. In his two starts, he showed to be a capable backup for Tottenham should anything happen to their starting wingers.