Ten clubs that produce home grown players on a prolific scale.
There has been a lot of talk recently about clubs producing more of their own talent rather than spending exorbitant amounts on shipping players in. With that in mind we present to you the ten clubs that produce the most home grown players in the world.
SEE MORE:
Liverpool Make Offer for Quality Spanish Keeper to Replace Simon Mignolet
Real Madrid Happy to Sell Gareth Bale to Man United In £90m Deal
Rickie Lambert Believes He And Mario Balotelli Will Help Each Other End Their Liverpool Goal Droughts
10. Arsenal
In the club: 7
In another ‘big five’ club: 15
Total: 22
The Gunners have often sought to bring through a fresh selection of homegrown talent, but perversely, many of these players are from overseas rather than being actually English. The likes of Cesc Fabregas have come and gone, but the likes of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain now carry the torch for Arsene Wenger’s men.
9. Bordeaux
In the club: 11
In another ‘big five’ club: 11
Total: 22
The former Ligue 1 champions aren’t blessed with an abidance of riches, so have often had to play the lie of the land in order to get their own stars. And they’ve had some serious success, growing such legendary names such as Christophe Dugarry, Bixente Lizarazu and Alain Roche. In more recent years they’ve brought the players like Marouane Chamakh and Rio Mavuba.
8. Stade Rennais
In the club: 5
In another ‘big five’ club: 19
Total: 24
Rennais are another club that tend to move on the bulk of their starlets once they reach a certain age, and the majority of those players have been produced since the year 2000. With the likes of Stephane Mbia, Jimmy Briand, Yoann Gourcuff and Moussa Sow all coming off the production line, it likely won’t be long before they unearth their latest gem.
7. Real Sociedad
In the club: 15
In another ‘big five’ club: 9
Total: 24
There’s not been much money flowing around in northern Spain, but Real Sociedad have performed admirably whilst bring through a number of top youth prospects as well as bringing in the likes of Sergio Canales to help elevate them into the Champions League. Furthermore, these youngsters, like the explosive Antoine Griezmann, fund the club’s coffers to help them fight another day and stay competitive.
6. Athletic Bilbao
In the club: 15
In another ‘big five’ club: 9
Total: 24
Bilbao have a high quota because they still retain their Basque only policy that ensures that players from the region are given precedence and the chance to further strengthen their identity as Euskadi’s capital club.
5. Paris Saint Germain
In the club: 5
In another ‘big five’ club: 22
Total: 27
PSG have only a few home grown players in their midst now with the likes of Yohan Cabaye and Adrien Rabiot. However, PSG are one of those clubs looking overseas for the majority of their stars, but their output has been impressive.
4. Olympique Lyonnais
In the club: 15
In another ‘big five’ club: 18
Total: 33
Lyon have always had a strong production line stretching back to the days when they were the dominant force of the French top flight. However, since falling behind the likes of PSG, Monaco and Marseille they have had to rely on their youth academy to keep them competitive. They employ a similar model to Arsenal, where they keep these players until the reach their peak value before moving them on for a healthy fee.
3. Real Madrid
In the club: 8
In another ‘big five’ club: 26
Total: 34
The bulk of Real’s home grown stars are now plying their trade elsewhere, as at the time the club were too invested in their Galacticos project to really give them much significant game time. However, the likes of Isco and Dani Carvajal are now carrying the beacon, as is Sergio Ramos, but they still would rather look elsewhere for their first team playing staff.
2. Manchester United
In the club: 12
In another ‘big five’ club: 24
Total: 36
United have always had a good record of bringing through their own young players. Starting with the ‘Class of 92’ they have often looked to give young British talent their chance, even when they have brought them in like Wayne Rooney. United may have to bring in a few more now as they look to bear through this transitional period following Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
1. Barcelona
In the club: 13
In another ‘big five’ club: 30
Total: 43
Barcelona’s young players are central to retaining their identity as the club continues to grow its own philosophy. The likes of Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets are all still at the club, with many staying long until their twilight years, like Xavi. Undoubtedly the most prolific club in terms producing their own talent, as they seldom look elsewhere for inspiration.
SEE ALSO: Best young football players in the world!