There's no question that as the standard of Southeast Asian football grows so too does the interest in players from the region.
With increasing technical levels, players from Southeast Asian nations are in real demand from clubs elsewhere in the region, from other Asian nations and even those in Europe.
The AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022 will feature a collection of players valued at more than ten million dollars and standout performances at the tournament in front of watching scouts could lead to career-defining moves for multiple players.
With the help of the industry-leading website transfermarkt.com we've combed through the values of the top dozen players from Southeast Asia and listed them below, a group that features stars from the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
We've also listed the most valuable player/s from the five remaining nations and you have a chance to vote as to who you think is the most important from our list.
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(All values are listed in USD)
12. Irfan Fandi (Singapore) $525,000
The only Singapore player on the list after his move to Thailand and with a mooted move to Europe he could rise even further in future years.
11. Suphanat Mueanta (Thailand) $525,000
One of a handful of young Thai stars that have been sent to train with English Premier League side Leicester City and if a move there eventuates then he could rocket to the top of this list.
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10. Ekanit Panya (Thailand) $525,000
Both a creative threat and a finisher, the attacking midfielder/forward has been linked with a possible big-money move to Japan.
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9. Supachok Sarachat (Thailand) $525,000
One player who is already on the books of a J.League club is Supachok Sarachat and with the 24-year-old impressing in limited starts last season, next year could be a real breakout one for the creative forward.
8. Neil Etheridge (Philippines) $630,000
The only goalkeeper on the list, the Azkals stalwart has had a long and storied career in English football and is currently on the books of Championship side Birmingham City.
7. Thitiphan Puangchan (Thailand) $630,000
The vastly experienced midfielder has been an influential presence at both club and national level for many years and with a stint abroad in Japan already under his belt he may be eyeing another move should his impressive form continue.
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6. Theerathon Bunmathan (Thailand) $630,000
The dynamic full-back did what few Southeast Asian players have done in winning a J.League title with Yokohama F. Marinos and such is his standing in the game that he could be the national captain leading into the 2022 AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup.
5. Dion Cools (Malaysia) $900,000
Malaysia's only entrant in the top twelve most valuable players is a defender with experience in several leading European leagues, including five years at Belgian powerhouse Club Brugge where he won two league titles and two cups.
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4. Jordi Amat (Indonesia) $1,050,000
A central defender who spent six seasons in the English Premier League and a further three in Spain's La Liga and that's the kind of pedigree that speaks for itself.
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3. Chanathip Songkrasin (Thailand) $1,475,000
The Thai superstar joined J.League giants Kawasaki Frontale this year after several successful seasons with Consadole Sapporo and after an injury-plagued season will be looking to help both his club and national team win more trophies in the coming seasons.
2. Sandy Walsh (Indonesia) $2,100,000
The 27-year-old right-back is expected to make his regional bow this month at the 2022 AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup and could be a key part of helping Indonesia lift their first title, bringing with him years of experience from the Belgian top flight and several years spent with the Netherlands youth teams.
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1. Gerrit Holtmann (Philippines) $4,750,000
Easily the number one player on the list where his value is more than double that of his closest contender and it is little wonder why as he's a regular starter in the German Bundesliga for VfL Bochum and last year was the winner of the prestigious Goal of the Year award in all of German football.
âš½ #Bundesliga Goal of the Year 2021 ? - Gerrit #Holtmann ??@VfLBochum1848EN pic.twitter.com/LSMoHXJpUB
- Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) January 6, 2022
OTHER NATIONS' TOP PLAYERS
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM: Haimie Abdullah Nyaring $130,000
CAMBODIA: Boris Kok, Noron Mat, Chanthea Sieng & Keo Sokpheng (All $130,000)
LAOS: Billy Ketkeophomphone $370,000
MYANMAR: Maung Maung Lwin $210,000
VIETNAM: Nguyen Hoang Duc & Nguyen Quang Hai (Both $420,000)
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