The highest paid player at Burnley, Blackburn, Preston & Bolton ranked | OneFootball

FLW ranks each of the highest-paid players of the four Lancashire sides in the Championship based on ability

There are numerous derbies and rivalries in the Championship next season, but a group that has seemingly gone under the radar is the Lancashire quartet.

Burnley, Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End and Bolton Wanderers do battle next season in a series of Lancashire derbies.

While Blackburn and Preston's meetings last season were fiery, they've been joined by a couple of more local rivals from either end of the football pyramid — Burnley from the Premier League and Bolton from League One.

Everyone knows the history between Burnley and Blackburn, but all four will be wanting to come out with bragging rights across the season, and it'll be intriguing to see the little mini-league between all four come May when all the games have been played.

In the meantime, Football League World is taking a look at who Capology estimates to be the highest-paid player at each of the four clubs, and ranking them based on their ability.

4 ? ? Ethan Erhahon - Bolton Wanderers

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Championship new boys Bolton's current highest-paid player, per Capology's estimates, is Ethan Erhahon, who the Trotters signed from Lincoln City last summer and gave a £10,000 per week contract.

The Scotsman was a high-profile signing, having excelled at Sincil Bank following his time at St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership, and he showcased that throughout his debut campaign at the Toughsheet Stadium.

The defensive midfielder thrived in a Bolton side that dominated possession as one of the bigger teams in League One, but it'll be interesting to see how he adapts to the Championship for the first time in his career.

Because of that lack of second-tier experience, he ranks at the bottom of this list, though.

3 ? ? Ali McCann - Preston North End

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Capology estimates there to be eight players at Preston who earn £15,000 per week. At the top of the list, though, is Ali McCann.

The 26-year-old is about as solid a midfielder as you can get at second-tier level, and has hardly put a foot wrong at Deepdale in the five seasons he's been at the club.

McCann has struggled with injury during his time at Preston, but in recent seasons, when he's been fit, he's played. He even captained the Lilywhites at times during the 2024/25 term.

Last season, he made 26 league appearances, 20 of which came from the off, as he continued to be a strong option for Paul Heckingbottom.

2 ? ? Todd Cantwell - Blackburn Rovers

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The highest-paid player at Blackburn by a landslide is Todd Cantwell, whose estimated £30,000 per week wage is double that of anyone else at Ewood Park.

It's arguably deserved as well, as the Rovers captain has a good career behind him and a lot of talent from his time at Norwich City and his only full season at Rangers. At Blackburn, the 28-year-old has a massive influence, being club captain and the main creative outlet in the team.

Everything goes through him — according to Fotmob, despite missing 18 games last season, he ranked in the top 5% of attacking midfielders in the Championship for successful passes and long passes, and was in the top 10% for touches and fouls won.

The ability is clearly there, and a lot of how Blackburn will be perceived in the upcoming campaign will be whether Cantwell can stay fit and remain in good form for large parts.

1 ? ? Kyle Walker - Burnley

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However, when it comes to ability, Burnley's Kyle Walker, who is estimated to be the highest earner at Turf Moor on £75,000 per week, takes top spot ahead of their Lancashire rivals.

Even at 36, many were thinking that Walker's one-year stay with the Clarets could come to an end after they were relegated and faced Championship football once more, but as it stands, it looks like the six-time Premier League champion will be sticking around.

Walker hasn't played Championship football since the 2010/11 campaign when he was a loanee at QPR from Tottenham Hotspur.