Consider this: you are a newborn. You’ve laced up your boots and headed to the neighbourhood park for a simple kick-around. You channel your inner Wayne Rooney if you support Everton, your inner Paul Scholes if you support Manchester United, and your inner Frank Lampard if you support West Ham United, and you consider becoming a professional football player.
Fans feel a gripping affinity for those players who are deemed ‘local lads’; Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer, is loved, cherished, and idolised by many of the St James’ Park faithful; Manchester United legend Gary Neville will forever be a beloved figure for those associated with Old Trafford. Inside Anfield’s echo chamber, Steven Gerrard will long be an icon.
But, in the 2025/26 Premier League season, which clubs have the most ‘local’ players? And why is it becoming more difficult to develop young talents close to home? According to The Athletic’s investigation, four clubs (Aston Villa, Leeds United, Burnley, and Wolverhampton Wanderers) have no local players.
2025/26 Premier League Teams: One Local Player
As previously said, there is a glaring absence of home-grown talent in England’s top division. That is especially true at Anfield following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid in the summer of 2025, as Curtis Jones is currently the sole one carrying the Merseyside flag high. The midfielder has been with his hometown club since the age of nine.
Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest, too, are counting on one player. Ryan Yates, a rugged midfielder who has made just under 250 appearances for the Garibaldi, was born and raised in Nottingham. If it were up to him, he’d probably choose to spend his entire career in the engine room. However, the academy has a large number of Nottingham-born youngsters.
2025/26 Premier League Teams: Two Local Players
Manchester United, a club with a rich history, takes great pleasure in its academy. It has been a cornerstone of their success since their inception – in 1878, when they were still known as Newton Heath – and continues to be an extremely essential part of their history. Kobbie Mainoo, who is fighting to break into the senior squad under Ruben Amorim, is among the Manchester-based players. Tyler Fredricson grew up near Old Trafford. Everton, too, recognises the need of a strong academy.
Wayne Rooney is one of their most well-known former players who grew up in the area. The only Scousers currently on the Hill Dickinson Stadium roster are James Garner and Harry Tryer, a Crosby-born custodian who is yet to make his senior debut. Tottenham Hotspur are keeping the regional and community sense of Spurs alive by signing Dane Scarlett and Brandon Austin, both of whom were born in London.
Premier League Teams in 2025/26: Three Local Players
Manchester City, like their rivals United, is a club that is eager to dive into its academy, select a local youngster, and develop him into a crucial player for the senior side. Phil Foden comes to mind. Rico Lewis and Nico O’Reilly share same sentiment. They are the three local players regularly used by manager Pep Guardiola. Fulham have a three-man squad of ‘local’ players due to their location in London’s south-west district.
Sunderland and Newcastle United, which have one of the strongest rivalries in international football, are two very proud teams from the northeast of England, which has produced a lot of remarkable talent in the past. Eddie Howe’s Magpies feature Dan Burn from Blyth, Lewis Miley from Stanley, and Mark Gillespie from Newcastle upon Tyne. There are three local players across the River Tyne: Chris Rigg, Dan Niel, and Anthony Patterson.
Premier League Teams in 2025/26: Four Local Players
When Brighton & Hove Albion competed in the Championship, as they did until their promotion campaign in 2016/17, they frequently depended on local players who came through their junior system. They now look for talent abroad and flip it for a ridiculous profit, yet Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls have four local players on their roster. Solly March, a Brighton native, is from Eastbourne, while Jack Hinshelwood is from Worthing.
Brentford, who have been in a similar position to Brighton in recent years, have likewise made good use of homegrown, local talent. Ethan Pinnock, a centre-back who represents Jamaica on the international stage, was born in Lambeth, London. Myles Peart-Harris, who was born in London, has switched allegiance to Jamiaca, following in Pinnock’s footsteps, but he remains a Bees fan.
Premier League Teams in 2025/26: Five Local Players
Chelsea has consistently had one of the best academies in Premier League history. Tosin Adarabioyo, who emerged via City’s academy system, is originally from London. Blues captain Reece James is also from the capital of England. Tyrique George, Jamie Gittens, and Josh Acheampong are also on the roster.
Premier League Teams in 2025/26: Six Local Players
Mikel Arteta’s men are the only team in England’s top flight with six ‘local’ players. Bukayo Saka, largely considered as one of the best wingers in the world, was born in Earling, London, and grew up at Hale End. Youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are also local boys. Max Dowman is a teenage phenomenon.
2025/26 Premier League Teams – Seven Local Players
According to The Athletic’s in-depth research, both West Ham United and Crystal Palace have seven players that are native to their respective venues. Max Kilman, who previously played for Wolverhampton Wanderers, will relocate to east London in the summer of 2024, joining promising academy graduate Oliver Scarles and 21-year-old George Earthy, who was born in the London Borough of Havering. Another is Freddie Potts, a defensive midfielder.
Oliver Glasner’s Palace outfit, like many others on this list, benefits greatly from being born in England’s capital city, which has a population of about 10 million people. Unlike many Premier League clubs, the Seagulls have a very England-centric roster, with many of them born in London, including captain Marc Guehi, Romain Esse, Nathaniel Clyne, and Eddie Nketiah.
xz
