Northern Ireland Squad Worth Almost Double Luxembourg’s As Two Sides Prepare For Nations League Clash

Northern Ireland face Luxembourg in Belfast on Thursday night in the Nations League, with a squad value almost double that of their opponents.

The Irish are in action for the first time since their 2-0 friendly victory over Andorra in June. So far this year, they have also beaten Scotland, while drawing with Romania before suffering. 5-1 thumbing away to Spain.

Sunderland’s Trai Hume will captain the side for the first time during this international window. The 22-year-old defender has been trusted with the armband by manager Michael O’Neill following the international retirement of Johnny Evans.

The most valuable player in the current Northern Ireland squad is Liverpool youngster Conor Bradley. The right-back is his nation’s top-rated star at £12.8m, followed by Southampton’s Shea Charles (£8.5m), who is currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday.

Luxembourg meanwhile have lost three of their four games so far in 2024. Defeats to France (3-0), Belgium (3-0) and Georgia (2-0) accompanied a 2-1 victory over Kazakstan in March.

With many players featuring in lower leagues across Europe, Luxembourg’s top talent is Benfica midfielder, Leandro Barreiro, who is valued at £14.5m.

When comparing Northern Ireland and Luxembourg’s squad values, it becomes clear who the favourites will be when they meet.

Using data from Transfermarkt, we have compiled the total squad value for both sides. The data shows Northern Ireland have a squad worth almost double Luxembourg’s.

Michael O’Neill’s squad is worth £46.6m, while Luxembourg’s is valued at £25.9m.

Below is a full breakdown of both squad values, and the current market value of each player.

Northern Ireland vs Luxembourg Squad Values Compared

Northern Ireland Squad Value

Goalkeepers: Bailey Peacock-Farrell (£1.0m), Conor Hazard (£900k), Luke Southwood (£400k), Pierce Charles (£100k)

Defenders: Paddy McNair (£3.0m), Eoin Toal (£700k), Ciaron Brown (£500k), Aaron Donnelly (£400k), Jamal Lewis (£300k), Conor Bradley (£12.8m), Trai Hume (£6.0m)

Midfielders: Shea Charles (£8.5m), Ali McCann (£1.9m), Isaac Price (£1.7m), Caolan Boyd-Munce (£300k), Conor McMenamin (£100k), Ross McCausland (£1.3m), Paddy Lane (600k), Paul Smyth (£400k)

Forwards: Callum Marshall (£1.7m), Dale Taylor (£600k), Shayne Lavery (£400k), Jamie Reid (£300k), Josh Magennis (£100k)

Total Squad Value: £46.6 million

Luxembourg Squad Value

Goalkeepers: Anthony Moris (£1.7m), Ralph Schon (£100k), Tiago Pereira Cardoso (£0)

Defenders: Maxime Chanot (£300k), Enes Mahmutovic (£300k), Dirk Carlson (£200k), Kevin D’Anzico (£100k), Lars Gerson (£100k), Sofiane Ikene (£100k), Mica Pinto (£600k), Eric Veiga (£200k), Fabio Lohei (£0), Florian Bohnert (£500k), Laurent Jans (£200k), Eldin Dzogovic (£100k)

Midfielders: Christopher Martins Pereira (£3.4m), Leandro Barreiro (£14.5m), Mathias Olesen (£1.3m), Timothé Rupil (£100k), Sébastien Thill (£200k)

Forwards: Danel Sinani (£400k), Christophe Andrade Brites (£0), Gerson Rodrigues (£1.3m), Edvin Muratovic (£100k), Jayson Videira (£0)

Total Squad Value: £25.9m