A Team For The Price Of Sterling!

Raheem Sterling’s imminent move to Manchester City looks set to become a record transfer fee for an English player.

Most onlookers would agree that a £49 million fee for the 20-year-old represents good business for Liverpool. Even more so when you could have bought the following team this summer for slightly less than Sterling’s price…

Goalkeeper – Asmir Begovic, £8 million

Begovic has been one of the Premier League’s most impressive keepers in recent seasons and, at just 28, his move to Chelsea as understudy to Thibaut Courtois seems like a waste of talent.

However, Petr Cech managed 16 appearances last season for Jose Mourinho’s side and the former Stoke City keeper will be capable back-up should Courtois suffer from injuries or poor form.

Right-Back – Kieran Trippier, £3.5 million

Tottenham’s new right-back was one of Burnley’s success stories last season, despite his side suffering relegation.

The 24-year-old defender will also offer an attacking threat for Spurs – making more accurate crosses last season than any other player across Europe’s top five leagues.

Central Defence – Kyriakos Papadopoulos, £4.6 million

The Greek defender has been linked with the likes of Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and AC Milan in the past but has joined Bayer Leverkusen, where he spent last season on loan.

The 23-year-old has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons but could prove to be a bargain if he can stay fit and return to his early form at Schalke.

Central Defence – Simon Kjaer, £5.5 million

The Dane plumped for a move this summer to ambitious Fenerbahce over Liverpool, citing a desire to win trophies.

Kjaer caught the eye of several big clubs at Palermo, but a 2010 move to Wolfsburg didn’t work out before he got his career back on track in the last couple of seasons at Lille.

Left-Back – Franck Tabanou, £3.5 million

Swansea City’s capture from Saint-Étienne is equally at home in defence or midfield and will add versatility to Garry Monk’s side.

The 26-year-old can operate in left midfield but will probably compete with Neil Taylor for the left-back berth.

Right Midfield – Scott Sinclair, £2.5 million

Sinclair’s big-money move to Manchester City could prove a salutary lesson to Sterling.

He made just 13 appearances for City but could prove a bargain for Tim Sherwood’s Aston Villa if he can return to the form shown at Swansea City.

Central Midfield – Pedro Obiang, £4.3 million

Obiang became Slaven Bilic’s first signing as West Ham manager, when he joined from Sampdoria last month.

The Spaniard became an integral figure for la Samp during his five years at the club and has represented his country at Under 21 level

Gerard Deulofeu, £4.3 million

Deulofeu’s returns to Everton following a successful loan spell in 2013/14, as Roberto Martinez aims to improve on last season’s disappointing 11th position in the Premier League.

He made 29 appearances during his loan stint at the Toffees, with his form at Goodison Park earning him a first cap for Spain.

Left Midfield – Nani, £4.25 million

Nani’s time at Manchester United has been branded a flop but the £4.25 million Fenerbahce have paid for him looks a snip.

He left England with four league titles and a Champions League medal and is part of an ambitious recruitment strategy by the Turkish side, who have also signed Kjaer and Robin van Persie .

Striker – Luiz Adriano, £5.7 million

Adriano’s relatively modest fee is due to the fact he only had six months left on his contract at Shakhtar Donetsk, where he became the their all-time top scorer during his eight years with the club.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar scored more Champions League goals last season, and the Brazilian international will form a formidable strike partnership with fellow AC Milan signing Carlos Bacca.

Striker – Lukas Podolski, £1.8 million

Like Old Spice, there’s an argument that Podolski has only ever been good at a second-rate Cologne.

His loan move to Inter Milan last season was disappointing but the 30-year-old has scored as many goals for Germany as Wayne Rooney has for England, and scored 31 in 82 appearances at Arsenal. The £1.8 million Galatasary have paid for him looks like a risk worth taking.

Total Cost = £47,950,000
Total Cost of Raheem Sterling = £49,000,000