The ten most prolific producers of young talent in Europe.
With debate currently raging in England over the recent proposals for a ‘B’ League to facilitate Premier League sides, an interesting stat popped up in the FA Chairman’s commission report as he points out just who the biggest and best are for producing young talent in Europe.
10. Stade Rennais
Number of academy trained players: 35
The French outfit have a strong mix of youth and experience in their side, but make sure to draw on the resources of their youth academy to keep them in business as they often move the players on for a sizeable fee later on.
Youngsters Steven Moreira and Wesley Said are currently being heralded as the brightest star coming out of the club.
9. Lyon
Number of academy trained players: 38
The former French champions revolutionised youth development during their spell of domination, and they were able to build on that with the money from consistent forays into the Champions League and the sales of the stars who got them there.
Currently boasting the likes on Maxime Gonalons, Clement Grenier, Samuel Umtiti and Alexandre Lacazette, the club have a very bright future ahead of them, despite most of these players being linked with moves away in the near future.
8. Bayern Munich
Number of academy players: 38
The German giants have always made sure they they have been able to produce world beaters on a regular basis and show no signs of slowing down thanks to the emergence of the likes of David Alaba and Julian Green.
What’s more is that some of their original breakthrough stars, like Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger are now the clubs old guard, and they are able to call on the likes of Thomas Muller, Holger Badstuber and Toni Kroos to pepper their side with homegrown ingenuity, making their transfer window shopping lists very short indeed.
7. Arsenal
Number of academy graduates: 39
England’s only entry into the top ten largely have Arsene Wenger’s economical approach to building his squad, even if it does cause the club’s support some considerable grief.
However, it’s what Wenger does best, and the current squad can all point to the likes of Wojciech Szcz?sny, Jack Wilshire Kieran Gibbs and Serge Gnabry as their bright hopes for the coming years.
6. FC Porto
Number of academy graduates: 39
The Portuguese giants have excellent youth training facilities as the nature of Portuguese football has forced them to build on those facilities, even though they have often been able to attract enough big stars to in to help the cause.
Josue Pesqueira is being highlighted as the clubs brightest recent graduate, but keep an eye on their squad in the next few years as there are many more closing in on a spot in the first team.
5. Feyenoord
Number of academy graduates: 44
The Rotterdam based outfit are often overlooked in favour of their great rivals from Amsterdam, but they have a track record that they can be more than proud of.
They are currently relying on a host of talented youngsters such as Daryl Janmaat, Stefan de Vrij, Bruno Martins Indi and Jordy Clasie, who should they fail to bring a considerable amount of success to the De Kuip, will bring a considerable amount of money instead.
4. Real Madrid
Number of academy graduates: 47
Los Blancos often let their money do the talking rather than their youth academy, but every now and again a player, or a series of them, breakthrough into the first team and blend in with the Galacticos.
Those that don’t are often sold on and go to make solid careers for themselves elsewhere. However, those currently making a case for their inclusion at the Bernabeu are Dani Carvajal, Nacho, Jese and Alvaro Morata.
3. Sporting Lisbon
Number of academy graduates: 53
Sporting are slightly more productive in terms of youth than rival Porto are, and their results often show through the trophies that their young sides bring back to the Portuguese capital.
Everyone is well aware of William Carvalho’s talents, after Manchester United reportedly sent a steady stream of scouts to check on him. But also leading the line are Rui Patricio, who has established himself as Portugal’s first choice goalkeeper, Andre Martins, Eric Dier and Carlos Mane.
2. Barcelona
Number of academy graduates: 62
Barcelona perhaps have the most famous names in their youth academies as they are all still in the side. Barca grow their own success with the club’s ethos ingrained into them, and their recent dominance has been a testament to how good a job they do.
Their graduates list is a who’s who of current and future Best Players in the World as Martin Montoya, Victor Valdes, Gerard Pique, Cesc Fabregas, Carles Puyol, Xavi, Pedro, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Marc Bartra, Sergio Busquets and Cristian Tello, with more to follow.
1. Ajax
Number of academy graduates: 69
The Dutch giants are so prolific in their productions line, but not only that; they are consistent too. Ajax rarely keep hold of their stars for too long, but move them on once they’ve reached a certain peak for an obscene amount of money to do it all over again.
Currently half of their first team squad have come through the ranks with Jong Ajax and are propelling them to another Eredivisie league title. Daley Blind, Davy Klaassen, Stefano Denswil, Joel Veltman, Siem de Jong, Ricardo Van Rhijn and Kenneth Vermeer all occupy spaces in the starting XI.
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