If you need the Paul McGrath barometer, you can probably assume it’s good.
Riyad Mahrez and Paul McGrath: two PFA Player of the Year winners; two 400k bargains.
The recognition of the best player in the Premier League has come full circle from when the Irish legend clinched the individual accolade way back in the 1992-93 season. Back then, McGrath cost Villa £400,000 and, 24 seasons later, Leicester’s finest is the league finest and he cost the exact same price.
There were still three more cost effective players in the history of the award but, generally, it isn’t the big-money signings that impress most in the Premier League. Far from it as this list from the dearest to the cheapest PFA Player of the Year winners would tell you.
But for Eden Hazard’s success last term, there wouldn’t be one player over the transfer price of £30m. Even with the Chelsea star, only three players in the history of the 24-season award cost more that £20m.
Food for thought the next time you want to spend your money on Andy Carroll.
| Rank | Player | Team | Year | Price |
| 24 | Eden Hazard | Chelsea | 2014-15 | £32m |
| 23 | Wayne Rooney | Manchester United | 2009-10 | £25.6m |
| 22 | Luis Suarez | Liverpool | 2013-14 | £22.7m |
| 21 | Ruud van Nistelrooy | Manchester United | 2001-02 | £19m |
| 20 | Alan Shearer | Newcastle United | 1996-97 | £15m |
| 18 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United | 2006-07 | £12.2m |
| 18 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United | 2007-08 | £12.2m |
| 16 | Thierry Henry | Arsenal | 2002-03 | £10.5m |
| 16 | Thierry Henry | Arsenal | 2003-04 | £10.5m |
| 15 | Dennis Bergkamp | Arsenal | 1997-98 | £7.5m |
| 13 | Gareth Bale | Tottenham Hotspur | 2010-11 | £7m |
| 13 | Gareth Bale | Tottenham Hotspur | 2012-13 | £7m |
| 12 | Les Ferdinand | Newcastle United | 1995-96 | £6m |
| 11 | Roy Keane | Manchester United | 1999-2000 | £3.75m |
| 10 | Alan Shearer | Blackburn Rovers | 1994-95 | £3.6m |
| 9 | Teddy Sheringham | Manchester United | 2000-01 | £3.5m |
| 8 | Robin van Persie | Arsenal | 2011-12 | £2.75m |
| 7 | David Ginola | Tottenham Hotspur | 1998-99 | £2m |
| 6 | Eric Cantona | Manchester United | 1993-94 | £1.2m |
| 4 | Paul McGrath | Aston Villa | 1992-93 | £400k |
| 4 | Riyad Mahrez | Leicester City | 2015-16 | £400k |
| 1 | John Terry | Chelsea | 2004-05 | Free |
| 1 | Steven Gerrard | Liverpool | 2005-06 | Free |
| 1 | Ryan Giggs | Manchester United | 2008-09 | Free |
