The most successful football production lines in recent memory.
10. Manchester City
City’s youth policy has suffered in recent seasons thanks to the arrival of Saudi Arabian oil money. As the club continue to remain in the hunt for success, the younger player s have suffered and have often been forced to move on elsewhere in order to continue their careers. However, they have unearthed some serious gems, even though only one is still with the club to date.
Stars Produced: Micah Richards, Shaun Wright-Philips, Nedum Onouha, Dickson Etuhu, Daniel Sturridge, Stephen Ireland, John Guidetti.
9. Aston Villa
Villa are the country’s foremost supply line of England internationals, most of whom have been brought through the club’s academy. The current crop are defending European champions of the NextGen series, and they are known for giving youth a chance in their first team. Those that don’t make the cut are frequently given a chance, and when they fail to establish themselves at Villa Park they move on to have successful career elsewhere.
Stars Produced: Gabriel Agbonlahor, Gareth Barry, Craig Gardner, Gary Cahill, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Liam Ridgewell, Peter Whittingham, Marc Albrighton.
8. Everton
The Toffees may not be the most prolific of production lines, but they have a great track record at delivering some truly exciting talent. Famed for only spending big when they need to, the club relies on its younger players to keep them hunting for a top five finish in the Premier League, and they are responsible for two of the English game’s most exciting prospects.
Stars Produced: Wayne Rooney, Leon Osman, Ross Barkley, Victor Anichebe, Jack Rodwell, Richard Dunne, Tony Hibbert.
7. Crewe Alexandra
Under the stewardship of Dario Gradi, the Cheshire club had a long production line of top talent making their way up to the top flight. Starting back in the 1980’s they’ve produced several international stars who have gone on to win great things at the highest level and they are still managing to supply players to the Premier League with Nick Powell and Ashley Westwood both recently making names for themselves.
Stars Produced: David Platt, Neil Lennon, Robbie Savage, Dean Ashton, Danny Murphy, Seth Johnson, Rob Hulse, Nicky Maynard, Ashley Westwood, Nick Powell.
6. Arsenal
Arsenal’s academy acts more like a source of revenue for the club rather than something that keeps them neck-and-neck with the league’s elite, but that’s not to sat that they don’t produce. In amongst their graduates they have had seasoned veterans, international stars and even a World Cup winner.
Stars Produced: Cesc Fabregas, Tony Adams, Ashley Cole, And Cole, Paul Merson, Martin Keown, David Bentley, Jay Bothroyd, Wojcieh Szscesny.
5. Leeds United
In the late ’90s and early ’00s, the Whites were prolific in their output and the future seemed genuinely rosy for them as they sought to return to former glories. However, financial irregularities meant that most of them had to be moved on upon their relegation in 2004. But that said, they’ve still managed to churn out a few stars that have gone on to bigger and better things.
Stars Produced: Paul Robinson, Scott Carson, Jonathan Woodgate, Harry Kewell, Alan Smith, Fabian Delph, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Danny Rose.
4. Liverpool
The Reds have always had a strong production line when it comes to youth, and it has been as strong as it has ever been over the past twenty years. Two of their biggest names have been with the club their whole lives and embody the side in a way that nobody else ever could.
Stars Produced: Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Steve Staunton, Tom Ince.
3. West Ham United
It must be heartbreaking for Hammers fans to contemplate all of the top players that they have produced and not managed to keep hold of. Had some of this bunch played together during their prime then they surely would have brought the Premier League title back to Upton Park.
Stars Produced: Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Jermain Defoe, Michael Carrick, Glen Johnson, Bobby Zamora.
2. Manchester United
United have what could probably be described as the most successful youth academy in the country as the stars they have put into the world have gone on to dominate the game both at home and abroad in a way that nobody else has been able to. They are only kept off the top spot because their production rate has slowed down in recent years.
Stars Produced: David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Darron Gibson, John O’Shea, Ryan Shawcross.
1. Southampton
Over the recent years the Saints have become synonymous with producing some of British football’s brightest stars. Many players that rose through the youth ranks are currently keeping them in the top half of the Premier League table, whilst several were sold early on for astronomical fees that made sure they were able to pump money back into the club to keep producing.
Stars Produced: Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Matt Le Tissier, Wayne Bridge, Adam Lallana, Oxlade Chamberlain, Luke Shaw, James Ward-Prowse, Luke Shaw.