The most expensive squads in Ligue 1 according to CIES

March 15, 2023 at 11:00 am by Dridi Amichi

The Football Observatory (CIES) ranks Ligue 1 clubs according to the estimated valuation of their workforce.

In its weekly letter, the International Center for Sports Studies (CIES) analyzes football from different angles. This week, he decided to rank the top 100 clubs in the world according to the estimated market value of the players who make up his collective (whether on loan or not). PSG is the first in France, ahead of, among others, OM and RC Lens and OL.

PSG dominate Ligue 1, on and off the pitch

When it comes to the market value of players, PSG can only be dominant in France. With an estimated market value of 745 million euros for 39 players, the capital club have no competition in the league. This can also be compared with sports results, since the two are intrinsically linked. It is no coincidence that Kylian Mbappé, the main asset of the Parisians, valued by the CIES up to 180 million euros, represents almost a quarter of the valuation of all the players belonging in one way, or another at Paris Saint Germain.

OM, behind AS Monaco and Stade Rennais

If there is indeed a link between the sports ranking and the value of the workforce, this is not always the case. OM, current second in Ligue 1, are fourth in the CIES ranking among French clubs, with an estimated market value of 267 million euros, for 32 players. Ahead of the Olympians, in addition to PSG, are AS Monaco and its 325 million euros for 34 players, and Stade Rennais, whose valuation of the players belonging to them is 321 million euros. Two teams which are, for the time being, outside the podium of the French championship.

RC Lens, penultimate in Ligue 1

Unlike RC Lens, which, despite a slowdown in recent games following a very good first part of the season, is holding on and clinging to third place. The estimated market value of the players belonging to the Lensois clubs is 174 million euros. A valuation that places the Sang et Or in eighth place among the nine most expensive teams in Ligue 1, contrary to its sporting ranking.

The 9 most expensive squads in Ligue 1 according to CIES

PSG = €745m (39 players)
AS Monaco = 325 M€ (34)
Stade Rennais = €321 million (36)
OM = €267 M (32)
OGC Nice = 218 M€ (32)
OL = 203 M€ (41)
LOSC = 192 M€ (34)
RC Lens = 174 M€ (31)
FC Lorient = 111 M€ (36)