There are some surprising clubs in this list…
The issue of producing homegrown talent is being taken more and more seriously across Europe’s top clubs as with UEFA’s financial fair play rules kickig into effect and sides having homegrown player quotas to fill, it is becoming more important to raise your own talent through academies rather than spending megabucks to buy it in.
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Here is the list of the top ten European sides, from the big five leagues, who produce the most players who now play in top divisions in the continent:
10 – Rennes & Stuttgart (27)
Somewhat surprisingly, the Ligue 1 and Bundesliga sides have both produced 27 players who now play in the top divisions across England, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Notable graduates being Mario Gomez and Sami Khedira for the German club while former QPR midfielder Stephane Mbia and Yoann Gourcuff came through at Rennes.
9 – Lens (28)
Another French side, who have produced 28 players, Lens boast Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane as an academy graduate, though they are not Ligue 1’s highest ranked side.
8 – Monaco (30)
Monaco recently humbled Arsenal in their own back yard, beating them 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium in the Champions League and that was testament to their commitment to youth. Former youth player Yannick Ferreira Carrasco scored the third and while they have rich benefactors, financial fair play rules dictate much of their recent success comes from their academy.
7 – Bayern Munich (32)
The German champions have once again been in trailblazing form this year, looking nailed on for another Bundesliga title and one of the main contenders for this year’s Champions League. This is in no small part down to their commitment to youth, having produced world class talents such as David Alaba and Thomas Muller.
6 – Arsenal (33)
Arsenal’s youth system is widely regarded as one of the best in England and is the destination of choice for many younger lower league players to continue their development, such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott. Along with this, they also develop their own talent from young ages, with young striker Chuba Akpom one to watch for the future.
5 – Paris Saint-Germain (35)
Another side whose rise to prominence has come very much off the back of wealthy benefactors, but was not without any concentration on youth. Liverpool signed Mamadou Sakho from the French side for £18 million after graduating through their youth system, along with Everton defender Sylvain Distin and West Brom midfielder Youssuf Mulumbu.
4 – Manchester United (39)
The Red Devils are well known for their world class youth facilities, having famously won the Premier League title with a side containing the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, all of which came through the youth ranks. More recently, we have seen England internationals Danny Welbeck and Ben Foster come out of Old Trafford.
3 – Lyon (40)
Chelsea striker Loic Remy along with in-form Alexandre Lacazette and Maxime Gonalons have all come through the ranks at he seven time Ligue 1 champions. The side, who have dropped off the pace in the French top division in the past few years, seem to be having somewhat of a renaissance as they currently sit top of the league.
2 – Real Madrid (47)
Despite criticism that Real Madrid dictate the world transfer market, it is hard to argue that Los Blancos haven’t contributed some world class players themselves. While many never get a fair chance at the Bernabeu, the rest of the world has definitely benefitted.
1 – Barcelona (57)
It is somewhat unsurprising to see the Catalan giants head this list, owing to their fantastic La Masia academy. Their current side is littered with world class graduates of the youth system, including the player widely regarded as the best in the world, Lionel Messi, while the rest are wowing crowds around the continent.