I've seen a similar figure on a couple of websites, and it raises a consideration we haven't discussed much: a summer clear out would allow us to not only reduce the wage bill, but much more importantly, to restructure it as a meritocracy.

I've always wondered what Tomkins thought when playing alongside, and often outperforming Sakho, as the latter is on literally double the money.

What does Ayew think when he sees what Benteke is on given their respective outputs and efforts? Is Clyne twice as valuable as Ward?

Ideally you want younger players who are hungry to succeed, but they surely need to see that the rewards must, and can, be earned by performances. What does it say when not only are so many of our higher earners not earning their money, but there seems such a random disparity in salary across the squad?