World Soccer's Most Valuable Squads: The $30 Billion Elite Revealed

Chelsea have assembled the world's most costly squad according to a fresh analysis.

The London club, valued at €1.314 billion, stands among five clubs that have surpassed the €1 billion (£870 million, $1.18 billion) threshold, according to CIES Football Observatory, with the remaining four all hailing from England's top flight. Manchester City trail closely behind Chelsea, while Manchester United claims third position with their squad valued at €1.071 billion.

Although Liverpool managed the most expensive transfer window in football history recently, they possess only the fourth-costliest squad globally at €1.065 billion, just ahead of Arsenal's €1.001 billion investment.

Below the €1 billion mark, another English club leads the way. Tottenham Hotspur have accumulated squad costs of €974 million, significantly ahead of Paris Saint-Germain (€873 million) in seventh place.

Real Madrid and Newcastle United trail closely, though there's nearly a €250 million gap down to Atlético Madrid in tenth position.

The 30 Most Costly Assembled Squads Globally

The Spanish giants have invested €854 million in total, nearly twice Barcelona's expenditure, with the Catalans positioned 15th at €463 million.

Saudi club Al Hilal, who recruited major talents like Darwin Núñez and Theo Hernández to join existing stars including Rúben Neves, Malcom and Sergej Milinković-Savić, represents the sole non-European entry in the top 30.

Among the 30 wealthiest squads, an impressive 17 originate from the Premier League. Remarkably, only the three promoted clubs - Sunderland, Leeds United and Burnley - fail to feature in this elite group.

Spain contributes three teams to the top 30, while Germany and Italy each provide four representatives, and France plus Saudi Arabia contribute one club apiece.