Mainoo, Rice, Walker & Co - The most valuable Premier League player by their year of birth

Despite the Premier League being the richest league in the world, and what many consider as the best league in the world, it has also still found the time to be the breeding ground for some of the greatest young talent in world football. The English top-flight seemingly has it all. From teenage sensations, to the very best player in their prime, to the older heads using their experience to guide their teams to glory. 

It is also the most valuable league in world football, boasting a total market value of €11.09 billion - some way ahead of the next most valuable league in LaLiga with a total market value of €5b. But who are the most valuable Premier League players from the year they were born? Here at Transfermarkt we have compiled a list of the most valuable players from each year they were born from 1987 to 2007 (yes 2007) and the results make for some very interesting reading.

The most valuable Premier League players ranked on the year they were born

We’ll begin with the golden oldies. Taking the most valuable player born in 1988, who is Fulham’s Willian, aged 35 and valued at €3 million. The Brazilian veteran has played nine seasons in the Premier League and still remains a vital part of Marco Silva’s team. In 1999, it’s Everton holding midfielder Idrissa Gueye, valued at €4m and 34 years old. The Senegalese international has made 19 Premier League appearances for the Toffees this season. The most valuable player born in 1990 is Manchester City and England full-back Kyle Walker with a market value of €13m. Walker remains a key cog in Pep Guardiola’s defensive armoury.

The most valuable player born in 1991 goes to the great Kevin De Bruyne. Man City’s great Belgian playmaker is still valued at €60m at 32 years of age and is considered by many as the greatest ever Premier League midfielder. Born in the year of 1992, it goes to another Premier League legend in Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. With a market value of €65m at 31, the Egyptian has 26 direct goals involvements in the Premier League this season. In 1993, it’s Man City goalkeeper Ederson who retains a market value of €40m - the joint second most valuable keeper in the world.

We're now getting towards the players in the primes of their career. Born in 1994, Man City’s Bernardo Silva takes the most valuable player accolade with a value of €80m at 29 years of age. In 1995, it’s Man City’s Jack Grealish, valued at €65m at 28 years old, and in 1996 it’s Sky Blues lynchpin 27-year-old Rodri with a market value of €110m - the first player on the list to exceed €100m in market value. All three of those players are essential figures for last season’s treble winners.

The most valuable player born in 1997 is Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães with a market value of €85m. He’s followed in 1998 by Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard, who boasts a market value of €95m. Born in 1999, the most valuable player is another Gunner in midfielder Declan Rice. With a market value of €110m, the Englishman has taken Arsenal to another level following his transfer from West Ham last summer. The most valuable player born in 2000, is the most valuable player in the entire Premier League and the joint most valuable player in the world in Man City’s Erling Haaland. The prolific Norwegian has a market value of €180m.

Next up, born in 2001 is Arsenal’s ‘starboy’ Bukayo Saka with a market value of €130m at 22 years of age. The most valuable player born in 2002 goes to Josko Gvardiol - the Man City defender is currently worth €75m. In 2003, it’s the first Manchester United player to feature on the list in 21-year-old striker Rasmus Højlund with a market value of €65m for the Danish forward. The most valuable asset born in 2004 goes to Brighton’s teenage forward Evan Ferguson with a current market value of €60m.

Getting to the real youngsters now, the most valuable player born in 2005 is Man United’s teenage sensation Kobbie Mainoo, who has burst on to the scene for the Red Devils this season and already has a market value of €35m at 18 years of age. Born in 2006, it goes to Newcastle’s Lewis Miley - the 17 year old valued at €22m. Finally, the most valuable player born in 2007 is Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, who became the youngest ever Premier League player last season aged 15. He’s worth €8m already.