Manchester United memorably disproved the theory that ‘you can’t win anything with kids’ during the nineties, lifting the Premier League title with one of the youngest squads in the division.
Investing in youth comes with risk but also high reward, as clubs target promising players who can develop into world-class assets in seasons to come.
But which Premier League teams have the youngest squads in 2023/24? We’ve ranked the five youngest squads in the Premier League by average age.
The five Premier League teams with the youngest squads:
5. Brighton, Liverpool, Wolves – 25.5
Brighton continue to unearth talented gems before selling them on for large profits, with the Seagulls’ recruitment team targeting emerging names with room to grow.
Julio Enciso, Evan Ferguson and Carlos Baleba are among the teenage talents beginning to make a name for themselves at Brighton right now, whose appearance on this list will surprise few.
The best of Baleba! 😮💨🔥 pic.twitter.com/BbmoZ7pF9v
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) October 9, 2023
Liverpool and Wolves can match Brighton’s average age of 25.5 years old, with the former having overhauled their squad last summer to take on a more youthful look this season.
Over thirties in Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Fabinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were ushered out the exit door, with Ryan Gravenberch (21) and Dominik Szoboszlai (22) among the replacements.
4. Sheffield United – 25.3
Sheffield United are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League after a challenging time since promotion last season, but is it a lack of quality, experience, or perhaps both blunting the Blades?
Paul Heckingbottom’s squad boasts an average age of just 25.3-years-old, with only Gustavo Hamer (26) above that average among the club’s 10 summer signings.
3. Arsenal – 25.2
Arsenal are one of the best teams in the Premier League right now, but also among the youngest.
Mikel Arteta has created an impressive outfit with his squad possessing an average age of just over 25-years-old. Bukayo Saka (22), Gabriel Martinelli (22) and William Saliba (22) are among the most exciting youngsters anywhere in Europe, with the Gunners having moved quickly to tie that talented trio down to long-term contracts.
Arsenal faltered during the run-in last season as Manchester City came from behind to win the title, but the Gunners’ developing team will be better for that experience.
We’ve made some tough decisions to produce a combined XI of the best players in world football aged under 23 right now 🤩
Arsenal look well placed for success in the coming seasons 👀 pic.twitter.com/8ru2ic0mDS
— The Football Faithful (@FootyFaithful_) October 17, 2023
There are just two first-team regulars – Thomas Partey and Jorginho – over the age of 30 at the Emirates.
2. Burnley – 24.4
Burnley have been transformed since Vincent Kompany’s appointment as manager, with the Belgian having stamped his mark on the side.
Kompany brought in a host of young players from the Belgian Pro League before leading the Clarets to promotion last season, before investing once again in youth upon their Premier League return.
Burnley made 15 signings during the summer, including 18-year-old Wilson Odobert – who became Burnley’s youngest ever Premier League scorer this month – and England youth internationals Aaron Ramsey and James Trafford.
1. Chelsea – 23.1
Chelsea have the youngest squad in the Premier League this season, having splashed the cash in a bid to attract some of world football’s next big things.
The west Londoners have twice broken the British transfer record since January, landing Enzo Fernandez (22) and Moises Caicedo (21) in deals worth north of £100m.
Embed from Getty Images
Mykhailo Mudryk (22) also arrived for a big fee last winter, while Chelsea moved on a number of ageing stars during the summer with N’Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Cesar Azpilicueta all shipped out after entering their thirties.
Incredibly, 11 of the current Chelsea squad were not even born when 39-year-old teammate Thiago Silva made his professional debut in 2002.
Read – Choosing the best u23 side in world football right now
Read Also – The five teams with the highest average possession in English football this season
Subscribe to our social channels:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
