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Premier League clubs are worth over $1 billion because of elite players and captivating matches. Although attackers get the most fanfare and highest pay, Premier League defenders can earn substantial wages for stopping skillful attackers from scoring.
The highest-paid Premier League defenders earn well over $15 million a year.
Topping the list is Virgil Van Dijk of Liverpool earning $24 million. The captain of the Dutch national team and Liverpool signed a 2-year, $48 million deal in April after much speculation of his future at the club.
Two players are tied for second: Reece James of Chelsea and John Stones of Manchester City. Both players bring in $17.2 million.
James has been with Chelsea for all but one year of his career. He won the 2021 Champion’s League title with them. Stones signed a 3-year deal in 2021 that brought him to Manchester City from Everton.
Two players share the fourth spot, earning $13.7 million a year: Joško Gvardiol of Manchester City and Wesley Fofana of Chelsea.
Gvardiol signed a deal with Manchester City in 2023. He’ll make $52 million with them over five years. Chelsea acquired Fofana midway through the 2022-2023 season for a 6-year, $62.4 million deal.
Even though Chelsea has two defenders among the top five highest-paid, Manchester City has the most of any club with five in the top 15.
Ranking The Highest-Paid Defenders in The Premier League
Here is the entire list of the highest-paid Premier League defenders. The list was compiled with data from Capology.
- Updated: April 18, 2025
| Rank | Player | Team | Total Compensation |
| 1 | Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool | $24 million |
| T-2 | Reece James | Chelsea | $17.2 million |
| T-2 | John Stones | Manchester City | $17.2 million |
| T-4 | Joško Gvardiol | Manchester City | $13.7 million |
| T-4 | Wesley Fofana | Chelsea | $13.7 million |
| 6 | Matthijs de Ligt | Manchester United | $13.4 million |
| T-7 | Harry Maguire | Manchester United | $13.1 million |
| T-7 | William Saliba | Arsenal | $13.1 million |
| T-9 | Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool | $12.4 million |
| T-9 | Rúben Dias | Manchester City | $12.4 million |
| T-9 | Manuel Akanji | Manchester City | $12.4 million |
| 12 | Marc Cucurella | Chelsea | $12 million |
| 13 | Cristian Romero | Tottenham | $11.3 million |
| T-14 | Andy Robertson | Liverpool | $10.99 million |
| T-14 | Nathan Aké | Manchester City | $10.99 million |
| T-16 | Ben White | Arsenal | $10.3 million |
| T-16 | Luke Shaw | Manchester United | $10.3 million |
| T-16 | Oleksandr Zinchenko | Arsenal | $10.3 million |
| 19 | Noussair Mazaroui | Manchester United | $9.3 million |
| T-20 | Tosin Adarabioyo | Chelsea | $8.2 million |
| T-20 | Lucas Digne | Aston Villa | $8.2 million |
| T-20 | Victor Lindelöf | Manchester United | $8.2 million |
| T-20 | Lisandro Martinez | Manchester United | $8.2 million |
| T-20 | Kieran Trippier | Newcastle United | $8.2 million |
| T-20 | Riccardo Calafiori | Arsenal | $8.2 million |
Related lists:
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