Nothing makes Premier League supporters happier than watching a youth talent become a talisman and make their way into the main team. Phil Foden at Manchester City and Bukayo Saka at Arsenal are just two instances of young players who rose to stardom from their clubs’ youth ranks.
Some managers, like Erik ten Hag, who ended a trophy drought while he was at Manchester United, are willing to trust young players and see the results. Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo were partly responsible for that.
It would be intriguing to observe which teams will be depending on their young players performing well in the upcoming 2025–2026 Premier League season. Here, each team is evaluated according to how many academy players are on their starting lineup; teams with the same number of players are ranked according to the player or players’ value.
20-16 Everton, Nottingham Forest, Burnley, Brentford, and Bournemouth
Going into the upcoming season, four Premier League clubs have just one member of their first teams from their development academies. Despite being teams whose players are frequently targeted by English football’s elite, Bournemouth, Brentford, Burnley, and Nottingham Forest appear hesitant to put their trust in young players.
The sole academy graduate in Andoni Iraola’s Cherries team, English custodian Will Dennis, is hardly ever selected in goal. The 25-year-old goalie, who has spent time on loan at Slough and Kilmarnock over the years, did not play a single game last season.
Brentford has discovered some hidden gems, like Tyrick Mitchell of Crystal Palace, and struggles to cling onto their prospects. The Irishman’s familiarity with the club led them to select Keith Andrews as Thomas Frank’s replacement.
Although his current club only has one academy player, Andrews may have extensive experience of the Bees’ youth teams that could lead to call-ups. Although English custodian Ellery Balcombe returned to the Gtech after spending the previous season on loan at Motherwell, it is quite unlikely that he would replace newcomer Caimohin Kelleher.
Enock Agyei of Burnley, who joined the Clarets’ development system in 2023, is just beginning his career. In order to obtain more experience and first-team opportunities, the 20-year-old Belgian winger has been on loan in his native country.
Ryan Yates, who has been a vital member of the City Ground since making his debut for Nottingham Forest’s first team in 2018, is among the most well-known individuals on this list. Since then, he has been captain, and last season he guided the team to Europa Conference League qualification (perhaps for the Europa League).
Academy Products of Premier League Clubs in the First Team
Rank
Club
The quantity of Academy Players
Gamers
Worth
20.
The Bournemouth
One
Dennis Will
£304,255
19.
Brentford
One
Balcombe, Ellery
£347,800
18.
Burnley
One
Agyei Enock
£522,400
17.
Forest of Nottingham
One
Yates, Ryan
£10.45 million
16.
Everton
2.
Harry Tyrer and Harrison Armstrong
£1.045 million
David Moyes’ first team include two English youths, but neither should be expected to start the following campaign. Harry Tyrer, an English goalie, has returned after a season-long loan with Blackpool Town, where he played in 42 games.
There is a lot of enthusiasm about Harrison Armstrong, the Toffees’ midfield gem, as the 18-year-old draws attention. After a strong performance in the FA Cup last season, interim manager Leighton Baines even gave him praise:
“To see him getting this exposure to the first team is why we all go to work. It’s brilliant to see that and I thought his performance was really good today. It’s a great moment for the football club.”
15–11
Sunderland, Fulham, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, and Aston Villa
The next team is Aston Villa, who have a track record of producing elite Premier League players and have two players from their academy. One of Unai Emery’s favourite players and one of the ones the Spanish coach has utilised the most over the years is Jacob Ramsey.
However, with connections to Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur, the future of the adaptable 24-year-old English midfielder is uncertain. This isn’t the case for Dutch midfielder Lamare Bogarde, who signed a new, long-term contract with the Villans in April.
Last season, Tottenham Hotspur’s injury crisis prompted them to employ their youngsters. Their most promising prospect is 21-year-old English attacking midfielder Alfie Devine, but keep an eye on 21-year-old Dane Scarlett, who has also been displaying flashes of potential when brought into senior duty.
For many years, Brandon Austin has been Spurs’ backup goalie. When Guglielmo Vicario was out for a long time, the 26-year-old wasn’t relied upon.
Players from Premier League Academies
Rank
Club
The quantity of Academy Players
Gamers
Worth
15.
Villa Aston
2.
Lamare Bogarde and Jacob Ramsey
£33.1 million
14.
Tottenham Hotspur
3.
Alfie Devine, Brandon Austin, and Dane Scarlett
£5.3 million
13.
Wanderers of Wolverhampton
3.
Nathan Fraser, Tawanda Chirewa, and Hugo Bueno
7.93 million pounds
12.
Fulham
3.
Martial Godo, Josh King, and Ryan Sessegnon
£14.4 million
11.
Sunderland
3.
Patterson, Anthony Chris Rigg and Dan Neil
£36.1 million
In order to deal with the departures of Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha, Vitor Pereira might have to rely on youth. Three players have been named in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ preseason rosters: Irish forward Nathan Fraser, 20, Zimbabwean midfielder Tawanda Chirewa, 21, and Spanish left-back Hugo Bueno, 22.
Marco Silva’s senior team at Fulham also has three academy graduates, including English left-back Ryan Sessegnon, 25, who rejoined from Spurs last summer. Two young players who could stay at Craven Cottage for a long time are Ivorian winger Martial Godo, 22, and English midfielder Josh King, 18.
Inexperienced players may find the Premier League intimidating, but Chris Rigg, who is in high demand, is the real deal. The 18-year-old English midfielder, along with 23-year-old Dan Neil and 25-year-old goalie Anthony Paterson, were both outstanding at the Stadium of Light.
10-6 Crystal Palace, Leeds United, Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Newcastle United
Three players from Newcastle’s development system have advanced to Eddie Howe’s first team, just like Sunderland, their Tyne-Wear rivals. Lewis Miley, 19, still has a lot of hope even though the English teenager may have lost last season.
The 33-year-old Dan Burn, who scored the first goal in the victory over Liverpool in the previous season’s Carabao Cup final, keeps proving that age is nothing. Alex Murphy, an Irish left-back who is 21 years old, is another member of the Magpies’ team who came up through the minor ranks.
Brighton & Hove Albion is perhaps the best-run team in the Premier League, and they are successful at nurturing talent. The Seagulls’ current group of academy graduates is the most recent to represent any team in the league.
The longevity of English winger Solly March, 31, and centre-back Lewis Dunk, 33, is responsible for that. Fabian Hurzeler can also use Irish winger Andrew Moran, 21, who spent the previous season on loan at Stoke City, Canadian custodian Tom McGill, 25, and rising star Jack Hinshelwood, a 20-year-old defensive midfield gem.
Players from Premier League Academies
Rank
Club
The quantity of Academy Players
Gamers
Worth
10.
Newcastle United
3.
Alex Murphy, Lewis Miley, and Dan Burn
£19.1 million
9.
Albion, Brighton & Hove
5.
Tom McGill, Andrew Moran, Jack Hinshelwood, Lewis Dunk, and Solly March
£20.8 million
8.
The Arsenal
5.
Karl Hein, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, Reiss Nelson, and Bukayo Saka
£130.5 million
7.
Leeds United
6.
Charlie Crew, Alex Cairns, Mateo Joseph, Sam Byram, Sam Greenwood, and Pascal Struijk
£15.6 million
6.
The Crystal Palace
6.
Hindolo Mustapha, Nathaniel Clyne, Tyrick Mitchell, Justin Devenney, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, and Caleb Kphorha
£21.75 million
Unexpectedly, Arsenal does not finish in the top five. With the recent departures of Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi to Manchester United, the Gunners must demonstrate the clear routes to the first team for their Hale End talent. Saka’s legacy is being followed by two English wonderkids for the Gunners: 18-year-old left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly and right-winger Ethan Nwaneri.
Mikel Arteta’s team also includes 23-year-old Estonian custodian Karl Hein for the upcoming campaign, but there is increasing doubt about Reiss Nelson’s future after the 25-year-old winger’s loan at Fulham. But with 15-year-old Max Dowman, the most exciting youth in the nation, and close to the senior squad, the North Londoners should soon be fighting for first place.
Last season, Leeds United’s 25-year-old Belgian Pascal Struijk was a force at the back. The 31-year-old English left-back Sam Byram frequently partnered the 25-year-old Belgian in defence. English striker Sam Greenwood, Spanish forward Mateo Joseph, Welsh defensive midfielder Charlie Crew, and seasoned English custodian Alex Cairns are also members of Daniel Farke’s academy first team.
Three Crystal Palace players received winners’ medals for their FA Cup victory, which is a noteworthy accomplishment. Among them is Tyrick Mitchell, who joined their development system following his 2016 arrival from Brentford as a 25-year-old English left-back. Nathaniel Clyne, 34, is another Eagles fan favourite and has been with the team for a long time.
Justin Devenny, a 21-year-old midfielder from Northern Ireland, is a rising star who contributed to Palace’s cup victory. Oliver Glasner’s senior squad also includes Sierra Leonean midfielder Hindolo Mustapha, as well as English youths Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, 22, and Caleb Kporha, 19.
5-1 Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, and West Ham United
Only Oliver Scarles, a 19- and 20-year-old English left-back, has more than two Premier League appearances out of the seven in Graham Potter’s first squad, suggesting that West Ham United hoards their academy graduates. The 20-year-old centre-back Kaelan Casey and the 19-year-old midfielder Lewis Orford are two intriguing talents at the London Stadium.
Sir Alex Ferguson has always been adamant about Manchester United’s emphasis on youth development. Chido Obi, who chose to transfer to Old Trafford in order to advance his senior career, is one of seven players who have made it into Ruben Amorim’s first squad.
If Alejandro Garnacho leaves this summer due to the 21-year-old Argentine attacker’s connections to Chelsea, the Red Devils may lose ground. However, it seems that Kobbie Mainoo is sticking put and will be looking to regain the form that made him stand out at Euro 2024. While Tom Heaton, 39, is the third-choice goalie, Toby Collyer, 21, Harry Amass, 18, and Tyler Fredricson, 20, also step up.
Manchester City has one of the best football academies in the world, but they also don’t hesitate to spend money. Cole Palmer was sent to Chelsea by the Cityzens, but Pep Guardiola has other players at the Etihad that are grabbing attention.
Despite having a terrible season the previous year, Phil Foden won the PFA Player of the Year title in 2023–24. He is being followed by English midfielders Rico Lewis, 20, and James McAtee, 22.
Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Nico O’Reilly are also expected to make Guardiola’s senior squad, and Oscar Bobb, a Norwegian sensation, may be someone to watch next season. James Trafford has rejoined his childhood team, and it appears that the English goalie will compete with Ederson for the starting number one shirt.
Players from Premier League Academies
Rank
Club
The quantity of Academy Players
Gamers
Worth
5.
United West Ham
7.
Freddie Potts, Callum Marshall, Krisztian Hegyi, George Earthy, Kaelan Casey, Lewis Orford, and Oliver Scarles
6.96 million pounds
4.
United Manchester
7.
Toby Collyer, Harry Amass, Tyler Fredricson, Kobbie Mainoo, Chido Obi, Alejandro Garnacho, and Tom Heaton
£43.5 million
3.
City of Manchester
7.
Oscar Bobb, Nico O’Reilly, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, James McAtee, and James Trafford
£87 million
2.
Liverpool
8.
Trey Nyoni, Ben Doak, Tyler Morton, Rhys Williams, Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley, Harvey Elliott, and Curtis Jones
£39.15 million
1.
Chelsea
8.
Tyrique George, Josh Acheampong, Jamie Gittens, Alfie Gilchrist, Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, Armando Broja, and Reece James
£47.85 million
Liverpool would be at the top of the list if Jarell Quansah hadn’t been sold, and the wantaway Harvey Elliott would soon follow him out the door. The English midfielder, one of Jurgen Klopp’s “kids,” may need to think about their futures after struggling for playing time the previous season.
Trey Nyoni, Tyler Morton, Rhys Williams, and Ben Doak appear to have limited chances to play for the first squad. After returning from a loan at Las Palmas, Stefan Bajcetic will have a point to prove, and following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure, Conor Bradley might alternate with Jeremie Frimpong.
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