England’s World Cup campaign got off to the perfect start in Dallas as the Three Lions romped to a 4-2 win against Croatia, the team that famously eliminated them from the semifinals in heartbreaking fashion back in 2018. Harry Kane’s first-half brace, coupled with second-half strikes from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford, was enough to secure all three points against an opponent that has caused the English numerous pains in recent years.
The performance was so impressive that online betting sites have slashed prices on England claiming a first World Cup crown in 60 years. The latest odds from Lucky Rebel now make the Three Lions a 13/2 second-favourite to lift the trophy on July 19th, with only back-to-back finalists France considered more likely champions at 4/1.
At the heart of England’s success was Arsenal’s Declan Rice, who was a typically immense presence in the heart of midfield. Fellow gunner Noni Madueke started on the right wing, and he too impressed, despite coming in for criticism from some England fans in recent weeks. Bukayo Saka, another Arsenal title winner, replaced Madueke in the second half and played a key role in Rashford’s 85th-minute strike.
But while England are on the hunt for that second star in North America, one of the players in the squad is under the spotlight. Elliot Anderson delivered yet another stellar performance alongside Rice in central midfield, once again proving just how elite he truly is. In the days leading up to England’s opener, his current club Nottingham Forest rejected a monstrous £120m offer from Manchester City, who are intent on securing Anderson’s services. Had the offer been accepted, it would have made the 23-year-old the most expensive Englishman of all time, as well as the fourth most expensive player ever.
So, which current players are the most expensive Englishmen of all time? Let’s take a look.
Much of England’s hopes this summer rest upon the shoulders of captain and talisman Harry Kane. The skipper netted a mighty 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern Munich last season, and he has already hit the ground running with a brace against Croatia in England’s opener. His move from Spurs to Bayern three years ago for a reported £86.4m makes him the fourth most expensive Englishman ever.
The move came off the back of a goal-laden stint with boyhood club Tottenham. Kane netted some 280 goals throughout 13 years on the white half of North London before heading over to the Allianz Arena in a bid to win trophies with German football’s biggest club. Should he lead England to World Cup glory this summer, perhaps Arsenal fans will be able to forget the fact that he is considered royalty to their biggest rivals.
There were plenty of question marks surrounding Jude Bellingham heading into the World Cup. The former Birmingham City youngster was coming off the back of unquestionably the worst of his three years with Real Madrid as injuries took their toll on his young body. Many wanted Aston Villa man and Arsenal target Morgan Rigers to start ahead of the 22-year-old, but he proved just how good he truly is with a dominant display against the Croats.
Bellingham netted England’s all-important third goal just two minutes after half-time, a goal that set the Three Lions on their way towards a massive three points. He has proven just how important he is to Thomas Tuchel’s team, and he is now set to be a guaranteed starter throughout the rest of the tournament.
His £25m move from boyhood club Birmingham to Borussia Dortmund made him the most expensive 17-year-old of all time back in the summer of 2020. However, it was his £88.5m move to Real Madrid three years later that made him the third most expensive Englishman ever.
Jack Grealish is the only player on this list not included in England’s World Cup squad this summer. The boyhood Aston Villa fan swapped Villa Park for Manchester City for £100m immediately after the 2021 European Championships came to an end, but the winger’s time at the Etihad has been hindered due to his having to adapt to Pep Guardiola’s style of play.
Rather than running at defenders and taking them on, the trait that made him one of the most electric wingers in the entire Premier League, Guardiola wanted Grealish to turn back inside and recycle possession. As such, much of his brilliance was lost, resulting in him ending up on loan at Everton last season and missing out on a place at the World Cup. Still, the £100m transfer fee makes him the second most expensive Englishman of all time.
Arsenal moved heaven and earth to sign Declan Rice that very same summer. The Gunners had become known as one of the Premier League’s most frugal outfits over the years, so to see them fork out £105m to secure the services of the West Ham United captain came as a shock to many. The move made Rice the most expensive English player ever, but what a signing it has turned out to be.
With Rice in midfield, Arsenal immediately looked transformed. Challenging for the Premier League title and the Champions League suddenly became commonplace with his tenacious presence in the centre of midfield, and while there have been some near misses in his three years at the Emirates, their Premier League win, confirmed back in May, has ensured that Rice has more than justified his lofty transfer fee.
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