Revealing the Most Valuable Academy XI
While fans around the world often buzz about new summer signings, nothing quite compares to seeing homegrown talent rise through the ranks to don the first-team jersey. The chant ‘He’s one of our own’ echoes from the stands as supporters feel a deeper connection to players who have progressed within the club. But which Premier League teams excel at nurturing talent from their youth academies? In this analysis from Transfermarkt, we’ve ranked the clubs in the Premier League based on the total market value of their former academy players.
Top Premier League Clubs by Value of Former Academy Players
Surprisingly, Arsenal tops the list with a remarkable combined market value of €269 million from five academy graduates: Bukayo Saka (€150m), Ethan Nwaneri (€55m), Myles Lewis-Skelly (€45m), Reiss Nelson (€16m), and Karl Hein (€3m). Following closely in second place is Manchester City, boasting a total of €229 million from seven former academy players, including Phil Foden (€100m), Rico Lewis (€40m), and Oscar Bobb (€25m). Chelsea occupies third place with seven former academy players currently in their first team, worth a total of €186 million.
Liverpool ranks fourth with a combined market value of €140.2 million from eight academy graduates in their squad. Their position could have been higher had they not sold Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jarell Quansah this summer. Manchester United secures fifth place, with a total worth of €113.2 million from their former academy players. Other clubs that feature in the top 10 include newly-promoted Sunderland (€41.5m), Brighton (€40.1m), Crystal Palace (€39m), Aston Villa (€38m), and Newcastle (€28.3m).
Most Valuable Former Academy XI
Assembling the most valuable XI from current Premier League players who came through their respective academies results in a formidable team. In goal, we have James Trafford (€22m), who has returned to his boyhood club, Manchester City. The backline features Lewis (€40m) from City at right-back and Myles Lewis-Skelly from Arsenal at left-back. Center-backs include Chelsea’s Levi Colwill (€55m) and Trevoh Chalobah (€25m). The midfield is composed of Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo (€50m) and Liverpool’s Curtis Jones (€45m).
In the no.10 role, we have Arsenal’s Nwaneri (€55m), who had a breakout season with the Gunners last year. On the right wing, his teammate Saka (€150m), the most valuable academy graduate in the Premier League, takes his place. Phil Foden (€100m) occupies the left wing. Up front is Manchester United’s Chido Obi (€5m), who was signed on a free transfer from Arsenal’s academy last year. Due to Armando Broja’s (€12m) anticipated move to Burnley, Obi earns the starting spot, illustrating the challenges Premier League clubs face in developing elite strikers from their academies.
