Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal are all sitting in vastly contrasting locations once you examine their wage invoice rankings to their league positions after the primary 4 video games of the 2026-27 Premier League season.
After all, it’s nonetheless early within the season. Six matches can inform us solely a lot about how the season will ultimately play out, and the desk continues to be taking form.
Nonetheless, there are already some large, eye-catching variations between wage outlay and efficiency.
Brentford paved the way. They’re fourth within the Premier League regardless of having the Seventeenth-highest wage invoice, which stands at simply £49million. That may be a exceptional +13 distinction between their league place and wage rating.
Brighton are second in that regard. They’re third whereas rating fifteenth for wages, with a £51million annual invoice, giving them a +12 distinction. Hull Metropolis are third, sitting eighth regardless of having the Nineteenth-highest wage invoice at simply £16million. Their +11 distinction is one other exceptional return for a newly-promoted aspect.
Leeds United have additionally made a powerful begin. They occupy seventh place whereas sitting 14th within the wage rankings. Their annual wage invoice is barely £53million, giving them a +7 distinction.
Ipswich are one other aspect punching nicely above their wage invoice. They sit tenth whereas rating 18th for wages, with an annual wage invoice of simply £20million. That’s a +8 distinction.
The standard powerhouses have produced a combined bag. Arsenal are second whereas having the third-highest wage invoice within the division, at £154million. That places them one place forward of their wage place, whereas Manchester Metropolis are high and second within the wage rankings, additionally outperforming their wage rating by one place.
Chelsea are sixth with the seventh-highest wage invoice, £97million, whereas high spenders Liverpool are ninth. The Reds have the very best wage invoice within the Premier League at £177million however sit eight locations under that rating.
The opposite ‘Large Six’ underachievers aren’t arduous to identify. Manchester United are thirteenth with the fourth-highest wage invoice of £152million, whereas Tottenham are 18th and within the relegation zone regardless of having the fifth-highest at £138million. Oof.
Villa are additionally nicely off the tempo. They’re fifteenth regardless of having the sixth-highest wage invoice, with £98million happening salaries. That places them -9 in opposition to their wage rating.
We’ve ranked each Premier League membership by the hole between their league place and wage-bill rating, from the most important overperformers to the most important underperformers. Control this one, as we’ll be holding it up to date because the season progresses.
Word: All wage invoice knowledge is through Capology.
20. Tottenham
League Place: 18
Wage Invoice Rating: 5
Annual wage invoice: £138m
Distinction: -13
19. Manchester United
League Place: 13
Wage Invoice Rating: 4
Annual wage invoice: £152m
Distinction: -9
18. Aston Villa
League Place: 15
Wage Invoice Rating: 6
Annual wage invoice: £98m
Distinction: -9
17. Fulham
League Place: 20
Wage Invoice Rating: 13
Annual wage invoice: £57m
Distinction: -7
16. Liverpool
League Place: 9
Wage Invoice Rating: 1
Annual wage invoice: £177m
Distinction: -8
15. Bournemouth
League Place: 17
Wage Invoice Rating: 11
Annual wage invoice: £63m
Distinction: -6
14. Nottingham Forest
League Place: 14
Wage Invoice Rating: 10
Annual wage invoice: £64m
Distinction: -4
13. Crystal Palace
League Place: 12
Wage Invoice Rating: 9
Annual wage invoice: £66m
Distinction: -3
12. Newcastle United
League Place: 11
Wage Invoice Rating: 8
Annual wage invoice: £68m
Distinction: -3
11. Sunderland
League Place: 16
Wage Invoice Rating: 16
Annual wage invoice: £50m
Distinction: 0
10. Coventry
League Place: 19
Wage Invoice Rating: 20
Annual wage invoice: £13m
Distinction: +1
9. Chelsea
League Place: 6
Wage Invoice Rating: 7
Annual wage invoice: £97m
Distinction: +1
8. Arsenal
League Place: 2
Wage Invoice Rating: 3
Annual wage invoice: £154m
Distinction: +1
7. Manchester Metropolis
League Place: 1
Wage Invoice Rating: 2
Annual wage invoice: £177m
Distinction: +1
6. Everton
League Place: 5
Wage Invoice Rating: 12
Annual wage invoice: £59m
Distinction: +7
5. Leeds United
League Place: 7
Wage Invoice Rating: 14
Annual wage invoice: £53m
Distinction: +7
4. Ipswich
League Place: 10
Wage Invoice Rating: 18
Annual wage invoice: £20m
Distinction: +8
3. Hull Metropolis
League Place: 8
Wage Invoice Rating: 19
Annual wage invoice: £16m
Distinction: +11
2. Brighton
League Place: 3
Wage Invoice Rating: 15
Annual wage invoice: £51m
Distinction: +12
1. Brentford
League Place: 4
Wage Invoice Rating: 17
Annual wage invoice: £49m
Distinction: +13
READ NEXT: Evaluating each Premier League membership’s squad price to its 2026-27 league place
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