Top 10 Best Academies in Premier League History (2024)

England is renowned for producing talented footballers, and a significant portion of this success can be attributed to the country’s exceptional football academies. These institutions have played a crucial role in nurturing young talent, providing them with the necessary skills and guidance to excel at the highest level. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 most successful football academies in England.

Chelsea Academy

Chelsea’s academy has been instrumental in developing players like Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, and Reece James. With the help of a transfer ban, Chelsea had an influx of academy graduates under Frank Lampard. The Blues have handed out debuts at an impressive rate in recent years, but the majority have been sold on, with Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, Marc Guehi, and Fikayo Tomori being among the biggest names to depart. Reece James, Levi Colwill, and Conor Gallagher are the most notable success stories from Cobham in recent years, but the influence of Chelsea’s academy can be seen across Europe. Chelsea’s modern training facility in Cobham is not just impressive in its infrastructure but also in its ability to produce top-tier talent. With a focus on tactical acumen and technical prowess, Chelsea’s academy is a powerhouse in youth development.

Manchester United

Manchester United’s place on this list is guaranteed thanks to the achievements of the Class of ’92 alone. David Beckham, the Nevilles, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, and Paul Scholes represent one of the greatest academy graduate classes in all of football, let alone Britain. The group starred at one of football’s biggest stadiums for years, dominating the English game. Since then, production has been hit-and-miss aside from Marcus Rashford. The Red Devils boast one of the best youth teams in England, yet there have been plenty of underwhelming academy graduates. There is hope Stockport native Kobbie Mainoo can buck that trend. Having been signed from Atletico Madrid at 16 years old, Alejandro Garnacho is in a bit of a grey area when it comes to giving the academy credit. Unsurprisingly, Manchester United are the most successful team in Youth Cup history with 11 titles. Notably, though, they have only made the final four times since 1995.

Manchester City Academy

Manchester City’s academy has gained a reputation for producing exceptional talent, with players like Phil Foden and Liam Delap making a significant impact. The academy has been part of the vision of Manchester City’s owners. With such a high standard in the first team squad, it takes a special academy player to break into Pep Guardiola’s core group. Phil Foden has been that man, with the England international starring as City won the treble in 2023. Others have begun to earn Guardiola’s trust, with Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb making numerous appearances in 2023-24. City have won the Youth Cup on three occasions, and have made the final five times since 2015. Other high-profile City graduates include Shaun Wright-Phillips, Kasper Schmeichel, Kieran Trippier, Micah Richards, Jadon Sancho, Brahim Diaz, and Denis Suarez.

Liverpool Academy

Liverpool’s academy has a rich history of producing talented players, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson, and Steven Gerrard. Liverpool have always prioritized homegrown talent. Sometimes it’s been to their detriment, but often it has reaped the greatest of rewards. From Phil Thompson through to club legends Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, many of Liverpool’s most iconic players were homegrown talents.

Arsenal Academy

Arsenal’s academy has a long history of producing talented players, including Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Jack Wilshere.

Tottenham Hotspur Academy

Tottenham’s academy has gained recognition for producing talented players like Harry Kane, Harry Winks, and Ryan Sessegnon. Situated in Enfield, Spurs’ academy is a cornerstone of the club’s philosophy, integrating young players into their senior squad regularly. With state-of-the-art facilities and a focus on nurturing local talent, Tottenham has become synonymous with developing well-rounded, tactical players.

West Ham United Academy

West Ham’s academy has a reputation for producing skilled players like Declan Rice, Mark Noble, and Joe Cole.

Aston Villa Academy

Aston Villa’s academy has produced talented players like Jack Grealish, Nathan Baker, and Gary Cahill.

Everton Academy

Everton’s academy has a rich history of developing players like Wayne Rooney, Ross Barkley, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Leicester City Academy

Leicester City’s academy has gained recognition for producing talented players like Ben Chilwell, Hamza Choudhury, and Demarai Gray.

These football academies have played a vital role in shaping the careers of numerous talented players, contributing significantly to England’s football success. By providing young players with top-class coaching, facilities, and guidance, these academies continue to produce exceptional talent, ensuring a bright future for English football.