In a recent survey conducted by Transfermarkt, it emerged that two-time UEFA Europa league/Eintracht Frankfurt boasts the most valuable first team players under the age of 21 in the top five leagues. Out of them, Frankfurt has 18 young players, and these players total market value is €90 million. This shows the clubs’ policy on youth development.
Chelsea’s Youth Team Strategy
Chelsea, the two-time Champions League winner, occupies the second place with 16 under-21 players worth €242 million in total. Over the past few years, Chelsea has developed the youth system as a prime business venture since most of its products compete in different leagues across the globe.
Barcelona and Strasbourg’s Youth Focus
Barcelona and Strasbourg rank third having 14 under-21 players in their respective teams. Catalan giants Barcelona has maintained its tradition of churning out talent with young stars such as Lamine Yamal a living testimony of the La Masia academy success stories.
However, Barcelona boasts young players with the highest market value of € 444 million which is almost double to the 16 players of Chelsea in market value.
Other Notable Clubs
Others in the top 20 include: Newcastle United, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool. Real Madrid – that features only four under 21 players – are ranked second in terms of the overall market value of €320m
This study also highlights how different and effective the elite clubs have been in managing the young players in their first teams.
It emphasizes that youth development is critically important to the contemporary football and may hold great market value for clubs. This is an aspect that has been embraced by various clubs including some of the top leagues such as Eintracht Frankfurt and Barcelona.
