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Lost among the hyperbole of big-money transfers in the modern Premier League is a fundamental part of running a football club - promoting youth players. The pressures associated with running an elite English club leads to managers taking fewer risks on their academy players and instead opting for proven players to pad out their 25-man squad.
While Premier League rules state that clubs may use an unlimited number of players aged under 21, it is extremely rare for managers to dip into their club's youth system during the season. Therefore, only players who are initially named in the 25-man squad have a chance of actually picking up some playing time for the first team.
Every Premier League club this season boasts excellent youth facilities and an envious academy setup. Yet, many of the elite teams still opt to spend large sums of money on foreign imports, hindering the opportunities of the players who come through the youth ranks.
In this article, we look at which top-flight teams in England boast the most academy players in their 25-man squad for the 2018/19 season.
Note: Only players who have played for the under-19 or below youth teams for the same club are considered. Players must also be included on the official first team squad list.
All data is courtesy of Transfermarkt.com.
1 Player - Bournemouth, Burnley, Watford & Cardiff
Bournemouth
Players: Jack Simpson
Total Market Value: €250,000
Total Premier League Matches Played: 1
Total Premier League Goals: 0
A graduate from the Bournemouth under-18 side, Jack Simpson joined the first team squad in January of this year. The centre-back is yet to establish himself, making just a single Premier League appearance along with two EFL Cup starts and an FA Cup outing.
Of all the teams in England's top flight, Bournemouth youth graduates have the joint-lowest number of appearances.
Burnley
Players: Aiden O'Neill
Total Market Value: €500,000
Total Premier League Matches Played: 3
Total Premier League Goals: 0
Having come through the under-18 team at Burnley, Australian-born Aiden O'Neill has spent the last couple of seasons on loan in the English lower divisions. However, he earned his place in the Burnley first team squad in January this year and remains on the 25-man list for this season.
The central midfielder will hope to challenge Jack Cork, Jeff Hendrick, and others for a place in the starting lineup over the coming months.
Watford
Players: Adrien Mariappa
Total Market Value: €1.5 million
Total Premier League Matches Played: 54
Total Premier League Goals: 0
At the age of 31, Mariappa has played for both Reading and Crystal Palace since graduating as a Watford youth player. Having left Watford in 2012, he returned on a free transfer in 2016 and has made 54 Premier League appearances for the Hornets since then.
This season, he is the only Watford first team player who has come through their academy.
Cardiff
Players: Joe Ralls
Total Market Value: €5 million
Total Premier League Matches Played: 1
Total Premier League Goals: 0
Having just come up from the Championship, it is perhaps not that surprising that Cardiff is opting for established players rather than academy graduates. Joe Ralls is the only player named in the first team squad who has come through the system at Cardiff.
The 24-year-old central midfielder started during Cardiff's 2-0 opening day defeat against Bournemouth.
Next Up, teams with 2 former academy players in their squad.
2 Players - Huddersfield Town & Brighton & Hove Albion
Huddersfield Town
Players: Ryan Schofield & Philip Billing
Total Market Value: €2.6 million
Total Premier League Matches Played: 17
Total Premier League Goals: 0
Huddersfield Town has two youth academy graduates in their squad for the 2018/19 season. The 18-year-old goalkeeper, Ryan Schofield, has yet to make a first-team appearance for the Terriers but will hope to get an opportunity at some point this season.
The central midfielder, Philip Billing, played 16 times last season and started Huddersfield's opening game against Chelsea this term. He will hope for plenty of game time over the course of the next few months.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Players: Solly March & Lewis Dunk
Total Market Value: €15 million
Total Premier League Matches Played: 76
Total Premier League Goals: 2
Both Solly March and Lewis Dunk have become regulars in the Brighton first team since graduating from the academy. March has played 37 times on the left side of midfield for the Seasiders while Dunk has made 39 appearances at the heart of the Brighton defense.
Both players started Brighton's opening Premier League match against Watford and are expected to be permanent fixtures in the starting XI for the remainder of the season.
Next Up, teams with 3 former academy players in their squad.
3 Players - Newcastle United, Manchester City, Leicester City & Liverpool
Newcastle United
Players: Freddie Woodman, Rolando Aarons & Paul Dummett
Total Market Value: €4.7 million
Total Premier League Matches Played: 105
Total Premier League Goals: 4
Of the three academy products in Newcastle's first team squad, Paul Dummett is by far the most experienced. The left-back graduated from the under-18 team before going on loan for a couple of seasons between 2012 and 2013.
However, he established himself as a first-team player for the Magpies in 2013 and has made 87 Premier League appearances during the club's time in the top flight.
Manchester City
Players: Phil Foden, Brahim Diaz & Jason Denayer
Total Market Value: €15 million
Total Premier League Matches Played: 10
Total Premier League Goals: 0
For a club which has invested millions into their youth setup over the past few years, Manchester City can be disappointed with the number of academy products in their first team squad. The three players have a combined 10 appearances in the Premier League to date for the Citizens.
Ranking as the sixth lowest number of appearances for academy graduates of all Premier League clubs, this clearly shows that City's priorities do not currently lie with developing young talent.
Leicester City
Players: Hamza Choudhury, Ben Chilwell & Andy King
Total Market Value: €12 million
Total Premier League Matches Played: 128
Total Premier League Goals: 7
A major success story from Leicester's youth setup is their central midfielder, Andy King. Having moved at youth level from Chelsea, King played for the Leicester under-18 team before establishing himself as a regular first-team player for the Foxes.
A brief loan spell at Swansea for the second half of last season raises questions about his long-term future at the club but for now, he can hope to add to his 83 Premier League appearances for the Midlands club.
Liverpool
Players: Conor Randall, Sheyi Ojo & Trent Alexander-Arnold
Total Market Value: €28 million
Total Premier League Matches Played: 38
Total Premier League Goals: 1
Of the academy graduates in Liverpool's first team squad, Trent Alexander-Arnold stands out as the major success. Still only 19 years old, the defender was a member of England's World Cup squad over the summer and has established himself as the first choice right-back at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold has made 27 league appearances for Liverpool so far, but that is sure to increase this season. The other two players have made a combined 11 appearances for Liverpool since moving to the first team squad.
Next Up, teams with 4 former academy players in their squad.
4 Players - West Ham United, Fulham, Arsenal & Chelsea
West Ham United
Players: Josh Cullen, Reece Oxford, Declan Rice & Mark Noble
Total Market Value: €23 million
Total Premier League Matches Played: 359
Total Premier League Goals: 37
West Ham traditionally boasts a wonderful youth system and have produced numerous great players over the years. This season's squad features four products of their youth academy with Mark Noble the standout name. The central midfielder has made 320 Premier League appearances for the Hammers over the years.
Recce Oxford and Declan Rice are also names that merit a mention. Both aged 19, they display bags of potential and will likely feature for West Ham throughout this season.
Fulham
Players: Luca de la Torre, Marcus Bettinelli, Ryan Sessegnon & Cauley Woodrow
Total Market Value: €39.25 million
Total Premier League Matches Played: 7
Total Premier League Goals: 1
Fulham is back in the big time and brings with them one of the most exciting youth players in Europe at the moment. Ryan Sessegnon has earned plaudits from all corners following his outstanding season in the Championship last term and it is perhaps surprising that the 18-year-old decided to stay at Craven Cottage for this season.
However, we can expect big things from the midfielder in the future and it will be hugely surprising if Fulham doesn't cash in on their player next year. Of the other names, Cauley Woodrow is worth a mention. He is a survivor from Fulham's previous stint in the Premier League, playing six times for the Cottagers in the 2013/14 season.
Arsenal
Players: Emiliano Martinez, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Alex Iwobi & Hector Bellerin
Total Market Value: €63 million
Total Premier League Matches Played: 214
Total Premier League Goals: 14
Having moved from Barcelona's youth team to Arsenal's under-18 side in 2011, Hector Bellerin is counted as an academy product for the Gunners. The Spanish right-back is among the best in the world at his trade and has made 125 appearances for the North London club over the last four years.
Of the other players, Alex Iwobi is an exciting prospect who is yet to fulfill his potential. The Nigerian has made 65 appearances in the league for Arsenal but there is still a feeling that more is to come from the 22-year-old.
Chelsea
Players: Charly Musonda Jr., Andreas Christensen, Tammy Abraham & Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Total Market Value: €73 million
Total Premier League Matches Played: 56
Total Premier League Goals: 1
Chelsea's youth teams have dominated their opposition over the past few seasons, winning numerous titles and trophies. However, the club has a wide network of affiliate clubs where players are loaned out and rarely gain any first-team opportunities upon their return.
Of the few academy graduate players who have made it into the squad for this season, Andreas Christensen displays huge potential. The Dane has played 28 times for the West London club and will hope to establish himself as a first-choice center-back for the rest of this season.
Next Up, teams with 5/6 former academy players in their squad.
5/6 Players - Crystal Palace, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur & Wolverhampton Wanderers
Crystal Palace
Players: Ryan Inniss, Sullay Kaikai, Aaron Wan-Bisaka, Jonathon Williams & Wilfred Zaha
Total Market Value: €32.58 million
Total Premier League Matches Played: 153
Total Premier League Goals: 23
Crystal Palace has always boasted a very good youth setup and is currently reaping the rewards of that effort. By far, the standout player from their academy in recent years is Wilfred Zaha. Following a brief spell at Manchester United, Zaha returned to Selhurst Park and has hugely impressed over the past couple of seasons.
The 25-year-old winger has racked up 130 Premier League matches for the Eagles and is the main threat of this Palace team for the season ahead. Wan-Bisaka is also worth a mention due to his fantastic display in Palace's opening win against Fulham, scoring a goal and looking threatening down the right wing.
Manchester United
Players: Andreas Pereira, Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford & Jessie Lingard
Total Market Value: €208 million
Total Premier League Matches Played: 246
Total Premier League Goals: 42
Despite talk of Mourinho not giving youth a chance, Manchester United boast the most valuable set of academy graduates in the first team squad of all Premier League clubs. Their current academy players have also played the third highest number of games and scored the second highest number of goals of all clubs on this list.
Paul Pogbs is certainly the star of the bunch, however, players like Marcus Rashford, Jessie Lingard, and Scott McTominay will all play a role throughout the course of the season. Andreas Pereira enjoyed a wonderful preseason and it would be no surprise to see him lineup for United a few times this year.
Tottenham Hotspur
Players: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Kyle Walker-Peters, Josh Onomah, Harry Winks, Harry Kane
Total Market Value: €172 million
Total Premier League Matches Played: 204
Total Premier League Goals: 109
Of all the London-based Premier League clubs, Spurs currently boast the best academy to first team ratio. The star player, of course, is Harry Kane who came through the underage groups into the under-18 team and then on to the first team after a few of loan spells. He has now made 154 appearances for Tottenham and has a market value of €150 million.
Kyle Walker-Peters and Harry Winks are two other graduates who are enjoying spells in the Spurs first team at the moment. Winks has established himself as an important squad player, playing 37 times in the league, while Walker-Peters is touted as a future first-choice right back for the Lilly Whites.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Players: Connor Ronan, Domonic Iorfa, Bright Enobakhare, Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Danny Batth, Morgan Gibbs-White
Total Market Value: €5 million
Total Premier League Matches Played: 1
Total Premier League Goals: 0
Coming up as title winners in the Championship last season, Wolves had a busy summer transfer window in an effort to stay in the Premier League this year. Regardless, they still boast six academy products in their 25-man squad, although it is unlikely many of them will get opportunities this season.
It says a lot about the quality of their youth players that the total market value for all six players is only €5 million. Morgan Gibbs-White was the only one of the bunch to play in their opening game against Everton. The 18-year-old played 13 times in the Championship last season and is perhaps one to watch for the future.
Next Up, teams with 7 former academy players in their squad.
7 Players - Everton & Southampton
Everton
Players: Mateusz Hewelt, Kieran Dowell, Matthew Pennington, Tyias Browning, Beni Baningime, Jonjo Kenny & Tom Davies
Total Market Value: €27.5 million
Total Premier League Matches Played: 104
Total Premier League Goals: 5
Everton scrambled some big-name signings towards the end of the transfer window this summer which may spell bad news for most of these players. While the Toffees have the joint most number of academy graduates in their first team squad, it is highly unlikely that they will sit near the top of the table when it comes to minutes played.
Of all the players, only Tom Davies has a real opportunity to play consistently over the season. The 20-year-old midfielder has shown flashes of brilliance during his 59 appearances so far and he will be hoping to really kick on this season to establish himself as an important player for his club.
Southampton
Players: Josh Sims, Harrison Reed, Sam Gallagher, Sam McQueen, Matt Target, Jack Stephens & James Ward-Prowse
Total Market Value: €28.75 million
Total Premier League Matches Played: 302
Total Premier League Goals: 13
Over the past few seasons, Southampton has produced player after player from their youth academy. The only problem for the Saints is that they keep moving on to other clubs before they can truly make a difference at St. Marys. However, despite so many players leaving, the Saints still have the joint most number of academy graduate players in their first team squad.
Of the seven players, Southampton may be most fearful of losing James Ward-Prowse if he has another excellent season. The 23-year-old midfielder has played 167 for Southampton and continues to catch the eye with his hard-working performances and goals. Whatever happens, the Saints are sure to continue producing wonderful players from their seemingly never-ending conveyer belt of talent.
