Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish has seen his value increase considerably in 2021 – with only one other player recording a higher figure.
Each year, football fans see the emergence of several world superstars and established players continuing to improve themselves. The year 2021 has been no different.
Let’s take a look at the three players whose value has increased most in 2021, with data courtesy of Casumo.
3. Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid) – £31.5 million
Marcos Llorente’s career has gone from strength to strength since netting twice in the second leg of Atletico Madrid‘s Champions League last 16 tie against Liverpool last season.
The midfielder didn’t score once for Real Madrid in his spell there between 2015 and 2019. Los Blancos used him as more of a defensive midfielder.
However, under Diego Simeone, Llorente has featured as a wide midfielder or second striker. The results have been incredible. Last season, he netted 12 goals and provided 11 assists in LaLiga.
The Spaniard’s market value has jumped from £40.5 million to £72.8m over this calendar year. That is a difference of 77.8 per cent.
2. Jack Grealish (Aston Villa/Manchester City) – £45 million
Jack Grealish started the season as the vital cog in Aston Villa’s side and completed a £100 million move to Manchester City.
That transfer has undoubtedly boosted Grealish’s value, but so too have his performances.
In his opening eight games of the calendar year, the midfielder provided four assists and scored one goal.
It is perhaps indicative of his importance to Villa that in the 12 games he was injured between February and May, they won just three times.
Since joining City, Grealish has recorded two goals and three assists in 15 appearances in all competitions. He has also featured more regularly in Gareth Southgate‘s England side, starting three of their last five World Cup qualifiers.
His market value has doubled from £45m to £90m over the year.
1. Pedri (FC Barcelona) – £45 million
A midfielder in the Xavi and Andres Iniesta mould, Barcelona and Spain’s Pedri has enjoyed a meteoric rise in 2021.
His club and country have squeezed every drop out of him. Last season, he featured in an incredible 72 games, including Spain’s Euro 2020 and Olympic campaigns. That playing time amounts to 3556 minutes in all competitions (via WhoScored).
Read: Pedri looks completely different after playing 72 games in a single season.
Such is the faith that Barcelona have in him, Pedri signed a new six-year deal with the club in October 2021. It has an incredible €1 billion release clause.
The 18-year-old’s value has jumped from £27 million to £72 million this calendar year. That is a difference of 166.7 per cent.
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