Reading boasts most valuable forwards in the premiership

New research released today reveals the exact value of the Premiership’s top strikers, with Reading’s Kevin Doyle named as the top flight’s most economically valuable front man. The Republic of Ireland striker’s goals have cost his club just over £2,000 each since signing for The Royals in 2005, according to leading independent personal finance website Fool.co.uk.

Worth his weight in goals

Doyle has hit the back of the net 36 times since joining the club for a fee of £68,000 from Irish side Cork, meaning the front man’s goals have cost The Royals just over £2,000 each. This figure puts Doyle, who finished 8th in last seasons’ goal scoring charts, firmly at the top of the table when it comes to finding a striker who really is worth his weight in goals.

David Kuo, Head of Personal Finance at Fool.co.uk said: “Football clubs pay extortionate fees for strikers, far more than teams paid out in the glory days of the 60’s and 70’s. This table exposes the real value that the clubs, and ultimately the fans, are getting from their superstar players”

“This study also teaches us broader lessons about our finances. The flashy, most expensive purchases aren’t necessarily the best and you don’t always have to throw vast sums of money at a problem to fix it. By fully weighing up your options, taking stock of your current situation, and making informed financial decisions, you’ll be able to succeed financially without breaking the bank, just like Reading have done with Kevin Doyle.”

The ‘Frugal Forwards’ survey also reveals:

Big names don’t always bring goals, as Newcastle United and Chelsea have found out with big-money signings Michael Owen and Andriy Schevchenko. Owen’s goals might fly in for England, but his problems at Newcastle have cost the club a staggering £1.6 million for each of his ten goals. Schevchenko has done even worse since his £30million arrival from AC Milan, with the Ukranian flop’s 17 goals costing Chelsea £1.7million each.

Reading’s readies: Reading have the most economic striking partnership in top flight football, with Doyle’s partner Dave Kitson’s £27,000 goals earning him a runner-up spot in the table

Not top four for value: Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie is the only player from the so-called ‘Big Four’ to make it in to the top five of this league table, with his £62,500 per goal strike rate earning him third place