Manchester City and Chelsea, even with heavy spending in recent years, are leading the way this season when it comes to the use of academy players.
City have used seven academy players in the Premier League in 2025-26 – more than any other side. Chelsea's graduates, meanwhile, have accumulated the most minutes with 5,673.
Manchester United’s tradition continues – their ongoing run of naming at least one home-grown player in a matchday squad dates back to 1937. They have used six this season, although their combined minutes (1,264) are well short of Chelsea and City (5,162).
There are some nuances within the numbers.
Across the Premier League, there are players from top-flight academies now at other teams.
Some players moved clubs during the season and others moved from one academy to another before making a senior appearance, the most notable example being Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea to Liverpool.
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