Two of region’s clubs have football firepower to make global 100

A new analysis of the finance muscle of football clubs around the world has placed two West Midlands clubs in the top 100.

Stoke City are ranked 33rd, one place above AC Milan, and Aston Villa are 91st in the Soccerex Football Finance 100.

Manchester City are top of the table and four other Premier League clubs are in the top 10. West Bromwich Albion were one of only three Premier League clubs not to make the top 100, along with Watford and newly-promoted Huddersfield Town.

The rankings factor in five variables – playing assets, fixed assets, money in the bank, potential owner investment and net debt. One consequence of the methodology is that member-owned clubs, for example in Spain and Germany, are ranked below clubs in England and China. China’s Guangzhou Evergrande are fourth in the global rankings while La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are sixth and 13th respectively.

Soccerex marketing director David Wright believes the study highlights “how the global football landscape has shifted” in recent years.

“We wanted to create a study that provided a broader evaluation of football finances, one that reflected the modern reality of football, impacted by increased owner investment and the need for better financial management,” he said.

“By looking at factors like asset value, debt levels and crucially the amount the owner or ownership group could invest in the context of their direct environment, the report evaluates both the financial standing of each club and the economic potential they have in the market.”

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