Chelsea’s encouraging start under Enzo Maresca has meant there have been fewer references to their spending but they fielded central midfielders who cost some £280m. Two of them, Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo, attracted big bids from Liverpool in 2023 and the Ecuadorian, in his defence, created a goal with a defence-splitting pass.

Curtis Jones stepped up brilliantly, outshining Cole Palmer to help keep Liverpool at the top of the Premier League. The Reds midfielder capped off a stellar performance by finding the back of the net at the back post,