Top 5 Premier League clubs whose academy players have played most minutes this season

#3 Chelsea | 24.5%

Liverpool v Chelsea - Premier League

Chelsea didn't particularly have a reputation for being overly insistent on promoting their youth players into the senior side. Barring the great John Terry and, perhaps, Jody Morris, there aren't too many memorable names among their recent alumni.

That was, however, until Frank Lampard was appointed as head coach of his former club last season. To deal with a FIFA-imposed transfer ban, Lampard turned to the academy and gave regular minutes to a group of highly talented players.

22 - At 22 years and 15 days Mason Mount is the second-youngest Englishman to score in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, after Wayne Rooney (21y 182d vs Milan). Mount is the first Englishman to score at this stage for Chelsea since Frank Lampard in 2008. Blue. #CHERMA pic.twitter.com/GAeF1cryWA

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 5, 2021

This group, including Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Reece James, among others, played a huge role in Chelsea's 2020-21 season. Mason Mount, the recently-crowned Blues Player of the Season, leads the way with 2802 league minutes.

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#2 Manchester United | 27.2%

Manchester United v Liverpool: The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round

Manchester United, in stark contrast to the Blues, have historically believed in blooding their youth. Some of the greatest players in their history have come through their academy, including George Best, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Sir Bobby Charlton, and many others.

Current boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has also placed his trust in many of his academy players since taking over. This season, Manchester United's youth products have accounted for a stunning 27.2% of their league minutes.

🔴 @masongreenwood - 1️⃣6️⃣🔴 @WayneRooney - 1️⃣5️⃣Mason Greenwood overtakes Wayne Rooney as the top scoring teenager for @ManUtd in the #PLpic.twitter.com/LbLJOhPgfQ

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 9, 2021

Players such as Dean Henderson, Scott McTominay, and Mason Greenwood have taken up key positions in the starting XI under Solskjaer. The Red Devils' number ten, Marcus Rashford, has accumulated 2928 league minutes, more than any of his fellow Carrington graduates.

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#1 Brighton & Hove Albion | 30.1%

Southampton v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League

Over the last few years, Brighton & Hove Albion have quietly yet effectively established one of the most impressive youth set-ups in the Premier League. The Seagulls have a conveyor belt of talent they can choose to call upon and have done so this season under an excellent manager in Graham Potter. The coach has not blooded his youth for the sake of it, but has built his side around them.

Potter has instilled the likes of Robert Sanchez, Aaron Connolly, and hometown hero Lewis Dunk at the heart of his impressive Seagulls side.

15 - Lewis Dunk has now scored 20 league goals for Brighton (excluding play-offs), with 15 of those being converted via headers. Slam. pic.twitter.com/r9CA5Q9D9i

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 14, 2021

Star defender Ben White is currently one of English football's hottest properties and has started 35 top-flight games this season, amassing a staggering 3015 minutes of Premier League football.

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