One month, two record transfers - why English midfielders are in demand

In the space of one month, England duo Elliot Anderson and Morgan Rogers have each broken the record for being the most expensive British player of all-time.

Anderson’s £116m move from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City came before Chelsea signed Rogers for £117m from Aston Villa.

Both are English midfielders, both are operating at a high level. Both are just 23 – in theory, years from their peak.

So why are England so strong in this area? Why have the pair been sold for such high fees?

And with Adam Wharton and Alex Scott among those also attracting attention, what is it about English midfielders that makes them so sought after?

Anderson and Rogers in form

At such a relatively young age, both Rogers and Anderson offer the prospect of potential as well as being ready-made Premier League players.

Anderson arrives in Manchester having enjoyed a remarkable domestic campaign and impressed on the world stage, starting all but one of England’s eight matches as they finished third at the World Cup.

The central midfielder was a real engine for the Three Lions and proved City right to spend big to bring him in.

For Forest last season, he was a bright spark in a tough campaign, spent mostly fighting relegation.

He recorded 3,300 touches in the top flight last season, more than any other player, and led the division for duels won (297), possessions won (306) and fouls won (80).

He also topped the charts for most passes completed as a central midfielder (2,038) and led the position with 376 line-breaking passes.

His four goals and four assists along with creating 54 chances, including nine big chances, highlight his proficiency at both ends of the pitch.

Meanwhile, Rogers contributed 14 goals and 12 assists in 55 appearances across all competitions for Aston Villa last season.

A versatile attacking midfielder, Rogers can play as a number 10 or out on the left wing, meaning his defensive stats do not compare to those of Anderson, but going forward he showed himself as one of the most effective players on the continent.

Across Europe’s top five leagues, he ranked second-highest among midfielders for touches in the opposition box (181) while his 16 Premier League goal involvements place him inside Europe’s top 10 in the position.

Statistics from the last Premier League season do not feature Manchester City maestro Rodri as he continued his return from a anterior cruciate ligament injury.

But it is likely he will return to the top of a lot of those charts next season after looking back to his best at the World Cup, winning the player of the tournament award after guiding Spain to the title.

Who next?

With traditional number nines seemingly becoming a dying breed, clubs are turning to other positions to provide the goal threat.

That makes the midfielder, particularly one with a bit of creativity who can unlock defences, a sought-after player.

England seem to have produced a number of players who fit that bill within a similar time period – although Tottenham have spent £185m on midfield duo Sandro Tonali of Italy and Portugal’s Matheus Fernandes this summer.

With the Premier League’s home grown rule in force – requiring a minimum of eight places in a club’s 25-strong squad are set aside for players produced in England or Wales – it is also expected that clubs pay a premium price for players who have come through Football Association academies.

And with Anderson and Rogers securing their moves, could Scott and Wharton be next?

Bournemouth have already rejected a £64m bid from Chelsea for midfielder Scott as they strive to hold on to the 22-year-old, who enjoyed an impressive season on the south coast, particularly from January onwards.

Scott was selected in his first England squad last November and was then called into Thomas Tuchel’s extended pre-World Cup training camp in Florida but is yet make an appearance at senior international level.

Crystal Palace midfielder Wharton has also long been a coveted player, with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City all previously registering interest.

Both aged just 22, the pair highlight the plethora of English talent and potential currently available in that position.

While they may not be the best in the world right now, they are part of a group of players in their early 20s who are nearing their prime and will therefore only move clubs for peak prices.

Why this summer’s transfer fees aren’t as mad as they look

Analysis by football finance expert Kieran Maguire

Transfer fees keep smashing records, but relative to what clubs can actually afford, they have barely moved.

Back in 1992-93, the Premier League’s first season, the average club turned over £9.3m. That summer’s biggest signing, Alan Shearer, cost £3.3m – 35% of average revenue.

Fast forward to 2024-25 – the latest season with full accounts published – and average Premier League revenue has ballooned to £342m – 35% of that is £121m, strikingly close to what clubs have just paid for Anderson and Rogers.

The lesson: it’s not that clubs have gone transfer mad, but that they can simply afford more.

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