A Premier League Starting XI Earning Less Than Leicester's Top Wage Earner

Leicester City's drop into League One represents a seismic shift in English football, made all the more striking by one uncomfortable statistic: their highest-paid player will be earning more than an entire starting eleven of current Premier League stars.

The Foxes' fate was sealed following their 2-2 draw with Hull City on Tuesday evening, condemning them to third-tier football next season. What makes this particularly galling is that Leicester carried the Championship's largest wage bill into this campaign—a financial reality that will haunt them as they prepare for life among the minnows.

Players will inevitably depart or accept significant pay reductions, yet Leicester will transport a contingent of expensively-maintained talent into the third tier. Leading that unfortunate exodus is former Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks, pocketing £90,000 weekly according to Capology figures.

To illustrate just how absurd this scenario is for a League One outfit, here's a perfectly functional XI of Premier League performers currently taking home less than Winks alone:

GK: Robin Roefs (Sunderland)

Sunderland understand the perils of tumbling through the divisions, but have finally reclaimed their Premier League berth and spent shrewdly upon their return. Roefs has emerged as their goalkeeper of choice, registering nine league clean sheets whilst reportedly collecting £30,000 per week.

RB: Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace)

Palace handed Munoz his European elite opportunity when acquiring him from Genk in 2024. The Colombian fullback accepted terms worth £60,000 weekly and has impressed sufficiently to earn selection in the season's Premier League team of the season.

CB: Malick Thiaw (Newcastle United)

The centre-back has settled seamlessly into life at St James' Park following his switch from AC Milan, establishing himself as a cornerstone of Eddie Howe's defence. Curiously, despite departing one of Europe's genuine powerhouses, Thiaw secured a wage increase by joining Newcastle—though his reported £75,000 per week still trails Winks by £15,000.

CB: Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)

Konsa's journey from League One football with Charlton through a Championship spell at Brentford to consistent Premier League performances since 2019 represents a genuine success story. A 2023 contract extension saw his earnings climb to an alleged £75,000 per week, with an England World Cup squad place now within realistic reach.

LB: Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City)

At just 21, O'Reilly has orchestrated a season worthy of young player of the year consideration. Following his September contract extension through 2030, the left-back remains among City's more modestly compensated performers at £30,000 weekly.

CM: Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal)

Arsenal's £51 million summer acquisition has justified the outlay with impressive displays, yet his wage packet of £75,000 per week appears modest for a midfielder of his calibre. At 27, Zubimendi operates in his prime, competing across both domestic and continental competitions.

CM: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)

Anderson's performances have attracted serious interest from several Premier League heavyweights, virtually guaranteeing a substantial wage increase should he depart this summer. The 23-year-old currently earns £40,000 weekly at the City Ground.

CM: Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

Another midfield talent destined for bigger things, Wharton remains on the terms he negotiated upon stepping up from Blackburn Rovers in 2024. Palace's coffers are reportedly disbursing £35,000 per week for the midfielder's services.

RW: Harry Wilson (Fulham)

Wilson's contract situation presents intriguing possibilities, with his ten Premier League goals this season providing considerable leverage for his next negotiation. Fulham have been paying the winger £55,000 weekly since his 2021 arrival from Liverpool.

LW: Jeremy Doku (Manchester City)

City's recruitment of Doku from Rennes in 2023 saw the winger's earnings roughly double, though he remains among the Etihad's lower-paid personnel at £50,000 per week. The 23-year-old may need to sharpen his finishing to fully justify his place in Guardiola's long-term plans.

CF: Igor Thiago (Brentford)

This season's Premier League's second-highest goalscorer—behind only Erling Haaland—Thiago represents exceptional value at £75,000 per week. Jointly topping Brentford's wage structure, he'd still trail Leicester's Winks in the hypothetical League One pecking order.

Substitutes: Senne Lammens, Maxence Lacroix, Pedro Porro, James Garner, Kobbie Mainoo, Enzo Le Fee, Iliman Ndiaye, Justin Kluivert, Eli Junior Kroupi