Performance vs. Salaries – Ligue 1

We end this series of articles about the relationship between sporting performance and the average annual salaries paid per player with the clubs from Ligue 1.

First, we will look at each season between 2016/2017 and 2019/2020 to analyze which clubs achieved better results between these variables. Then, we will examine the 14 clubs that remained on Ligue 1 during these seasons and how they performed compared with how much they paid on average per player.

2016/2017

In the edition of 2016/2017, AS Monaco won the competition also presenting the 2^nd highest annual average salary per player.

From a positive perspective, Nantes achieved the 7^th position in the competition with only the 2^nd lowest average salary amount per player. In the opposite perspective, Bastia was the case with less success finishing in the last place with the 12^th highest average annual salary per player.

None of the clubs presented the same position in the salaries ranking as they did in the competition.

2017/2018

In the next season, Paris Saint-Germain was crowned champion with the highest annual average salary per player.

Dijon and Guingamp were the surprises achieving the 11^th and 12^th positions in the league with only the 17^th and 18^th highest salary values. On the opposite side, Lille was again the case with less success finishing in the 17^th place with the 7^th highest amount per player.

PSG, AS Monaco, Girondins Bordeaux and Strasbourg presented the same position in the salaries ranking as they did in the competition.

2018/2019

In the 2018/2019 edition of the Ligue 1 it was not different and PSG won once more the competition presenting the highest annual average salary per player.

From a positive perspective, Nimes achieved the 9^th position in the competition with the lowest salary value. In the opposite perspective, AS Monaco was the case with less success finishing in 17^th place with the 4^th highest average annual salary per player.

PSG, Olympique Lyonnais and Angers presented the same position in the salaries ranking as they did in the Ligue 1.

2019/2020

With the cancellation of the season due to the pandemic, PSG won the league once again with the highest annual average salary per player of the league.

On the positive side, Stade Reims performed incredibly well finishing in the 5^th position in the competition with the 17^th highest salary amount per player. In the opposite perspective, Saint Étienne was the case with less success occupying the 17^th place with the 6^th highest average annual salary per player.

Only PSG presented the same position in the salaries ranking as it did in the Premier League.

2016/2017 to 2019/2020 – Which club profits more from the players’ salaries

Finally, we analyzed the performance and salaries of the 14 clubs that took part in the Ligue 1 between 2016/2017 and 2019/2020.

The giant Paris Saint-Germain is the club with the highest average annual salary per player. Nantes and Angers were the clubs with more success when comparing sporting performance and salaries since, on average, they achieved the 10^th and 12^th places with only the 13^th and 15^th highest average amounts per player.

Sources: sporting intelligence; football-industry.com; zerozero.