One of the standout trends in European football this season has been the rise of youth. While many top clubs continue to rely on experienced stars, others are putting their trust in the next generation—sometimes out of necessity, but often by choice.
We’ve taken a closer look at which clubs in Europe’s top five leagues are giving the most minutes to U21 players—and ranked them from 20 to 1. The results might surprise you.
20. Southampton – 6,260 minutes
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Southampton continue to trust their academy, giving over 6,000 minutes to U21 players this season. While they’re battling in the lower half of the table, youth remains at the heart of their identity.
Despite a turbulent campaign, Lyon have found room for young talent. Their U21 players have seen significant minutes as the club tries to rebuild around a new core.
Real Madrid may be known for superstars, but they’re also giving chances to the next generation. With players like Arda Güler and others, the future is being groomed steadily.
17. Lille – 6,742 minutes
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Lille’s reputation as a talent factory holds true again this season. Their commitment to developing young players is evident in the amount of time given to U21s.
16. Valencia – 7,307 minutes
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Valencia have leaned on youth out of both necessity and strategy. Their younger squad members have stepped up admirably in a tough La Liga campaign.
15. Manchester City – 7,344 minutes
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Pep Guardiola has slowly started to integrate U21 players into his rotation. While the minutes aren’t massive, the quality and trust in youth are clear.
OGC Nice are quietly becoming a youth-friendly team in Ligue 1. Several U21 players have made meaningful contributions across the season.
13. Juventus – 7,654 minutes
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Juventus have relied on a younger core than usual, giving nearly 8,000 minutes to U21 players. It marks a noticeable shift in their long-term approach.
12. Manchester United – 8,164 minutes
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United’s long-standing tradition of promoting youth lives on. With injuries in the squad, several U21 players have seized their chance to shine.
11. Chelsea – 8,363 minutes
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Chelsea’s investment in young talent is starting to pay off. They’ve offered significant playing time to U21s, reflecting a new era under their ownership.
Celta have made youth a cornerstone of their survival strategy in La Liga. Their trust in young players has brought both energy and unpredictability.
9. Tottenham – 8,932 minutes
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Under Ange Postecoglou, Spurs have embraced a more youthful, attacking approach. Several U21 players have been key to their dynamic style.
8. Reims – 9,005 minutes
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Reims continue to be one of the best incubators for talent in France. U21 players have flourished under Will Still’s progressive coaching philosophy.
7. Brighton – 9,172 minutes
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Brighton’s scouting and development model remains among the best in the Premier League. Young players continue to play a central role in their success.
AS Monaco are no strangers to producing stars, and this season is no exception. U21 players have received close to 10,000 minutes in Ligue 1 action.
5. Eintracht Frankfurt – 10,196 minutes
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Eintracht Frankfurt have been one of the Bundesliga’s most youth-friendly teams this season. Midfielder Hugo Larsson has earned significant playing time and shown maturity well beyond his years. Defender Nnamdi Collins has also started to break into the first team setup.
4. Paris Saint-Germain – 10,214 minutes
PSG are finally opening the door to their academy talents. Warren Zaïre-Emery has been a regular starter and is already showing leadership qualities. Rising stars like Senny Mayulu and defender Yoram Zague have also made their debuts in Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
3. RB Leipzig – 10,896 minutes
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RB Leipzig continue to stay true to their identity as a development club. Xavi Simons and Castello Lukeba have been key figures in both the Bundesliga and Europe. Leipzig have also handed valuable minutes to young talents like El-Chadaille Bitshiabu.
Barcelona’s commitment to La Masia remains as strong as ever. Lamine Yamal has had a breakout season and is already a full international. Pau Cubarsí has impressed in central defense, while Fermín López has contributed with energy and goals from midfield.
1. Strasbourg – 17,220 minutes
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Strasbourg lead all top-five league clubs in U21 minutes this season. Backed by BlueCo, the same group that owns Chelsea, the club is leaning heavily on youth. Abakar Sylla, Habib Diarra, and Dilane Bakwa have all played major roles throughout the campaign.
