These are the (then) U22 central midfielders from Premier League who managed to reach at least 2000 minutes of game time last season:
Pape Matar Sarr Tottenham
Amadou Onana Everton
Moises Caicedo Chelsea
Dominik Szoboszlai Liverpool
Billy Gilmour Brighton
Enzo Fernandez Chelsea
James Garner Everton
The only one of these who cost less than £12m in their last move was indeed Billy, with Garner and Sarr costing their respective around £15m, both bought from clubs in desperate need for money.
£12m is just about enough to get you a promising midfielder from the Ecuadorian league.
If you want one of the most experienced young midfielders in the best league of the world.... £12m is not really getting you anywhere.
£50m. At least.
Pape Matar Sarr Tottenham
Amadou Onana Everton
Moises Caicedo Chelsea
Dominik Szoboszlai Liverpool
Billy Gilmour Brighton
Enzo Fernandez Chelsea
James Garner Everton
The only one of these who cost less than £12m in their last move was indeed Billy, with Garner and Sarr costing their respective around £15m, both bought from clubs in desperate need for money.
£12m is just about enough to get you a promising midfielder from the Ecuadorian league.
If you want one of the most experienced young midfielders in the best league of the world.... £12m is not really getting you anywhere.
£50m. At least.