Top 10 teams with most minutes given to U21 players in 2022-23 season

Ligue 1 has four representatives in this list of clubs

In the ever-evolving world of football, the nurturing of young talent holds the key to sustained success. The 2022-23 season provided a platform for several teams across Europe to showcase their commitment to youth development by granting significant playing time to their U21 players. From Troyes to FC Barcelona, these teams have invested in their young prospects, providing valuable opportunities for growth and contributing to the future success of their clubs.

Among these clubs, a notable trend emerged with the dominance of Ligue 1, as four of its teams secured a place in the top 10. If we had explored the top 20, a total of eight French teams would have stood out. These teams not only prioritised the growth and maturation of their young prospects but also set an example for other leagues to follow in their footsteps.

The 2022-23 season also witnessed a remarkable surge in minutes handed to U21 players in Ligue 1, solidifying its reputation as a breeding ground for emerging talent. With an astonishing number of minutes, Rennes, Montpellier, and the other two clubs showcased their dedication to nurturing young stars.

This Ligue 1 dominance serves as a testament to the league's commitment to developing homegrown talents and providing them with invaluable first-team experience. Furthermore, it highlights the significance of these clubs in shaping the future of French football and potentially influencing the landscape of European football as a whole.

In this article, we will look at the top 10 teams that gave the most minutes to U21 players in Europe's top five leagues.

Top 10 teams with most minutes u21 players 2022-23

10. Brighton and Hove Albion (Premier League) - 4,875 minutes

Brighton and Hove Albion, a Premier League club, beat Ligue 1's Lorient for the tenth spot as they demonstrated their commitment to nurturing young talent by providing 4,875 minutes to U21 players in the 2022–23 season. Lorient are closely followed with 4,728 minutes. Under the guidance of manager Roberto De Zerbi, Brighton offered opportunities to Moisés Caicedo and other promising prospects to shine and gain valuable top-flight experience.

9. Valencia CF (LaLiga) - 5,007 minutes

Spanish club Valencia CF showcased their belief in youth development by giving a total of 5,007 minutes to U21 players. Despite a challenging season that saw them narrowly avoid relegation, Valencia demonstrated their commitment to nurturing young talent and providing the likes of Nico González, Yunus Musah, and several others with opportunities to prove their worth on the LaLiga pitches.

8. Troyes (Ligue 1)- 5,170 minutes

Troyes, a French club, competed in French League in 2022–23, although their 19th league finish saw them get relegated to Ligue 2. Still, they gave prominence to the development of U21 players during the 2022–23 season. The 18-year-old Wilson Odobert tops the club charts with a total of 2371' minutes given to the young winger. Obobert's four goals and two assists served as an output of the faith put in him.

7. Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga) - 5,553 minutes

Borussia Dortmund, known for their focus on youth development, granted U21 players a substantial 5,553 minutes on the field in the 2022-23 season. Rising star Jude Bellingham contributed eight goals, while Youssoufa Moukoko and Gio Reyna showcased their talent with seven goals each, exemplifying Dortmund's commitment to nurturing emerging talents. They are also the only Bundesliga side to feature in the top 10.

6. Atalanta (Serie A)- 5,574 minutes

Italian clubs such as Udinese, Verona, and Empoli made it to the top 20, but only Atalanta demonstrated enough dedication to foster young talents to make it to the top 10. The Gewiss Stadium hosts handed out 5,574 minutes on the pitch to U21 players during the 2022–23 season. Atalanta's commitment to developing promising youngsters has been a significant factor in their rise to prominence in Serie A in recent years. The 20-year-old Rasmus Hojlund, currently in charge of Manchester United, stood out with nine goals.

5. Montpellier (Ligue 1)- 6,659 minutes

Montpellier, another French club, stood out for their investment in young players during the 2022–23 season. With an impressive total of 6,659 minutes given to U21 talents. Montpellier successfully provided a platform to the 20-year-old Elye Wahi, who stood out with 19 goals and 5 assists. The French forward is highly rated and is under the radar of Arsenal's Mikel Arteta.

4. Rennes (Ligue 1) - 6,965 minutes

Rennes, a club in Ligue 1, demonstrated their dedication to youth development by providing a substantial 6,965 minutes to U21 players in the 2022–23 season. Rennes' commitment to nurturing young talents has contributed to their reputation as a breeding ground for future stars. They also finished fourth in the league to grab a Europa League group stage spot for the upcoming 2023–24 season.

3. Southampton (Premier League) - 7,687 minutes

Southampton had a dismal season that saw them drop to the EFL Championship after 11 years in the top flight. But they managed to put a Premier League club in the top three standings in this category. The Saints, renowned for their youth academy, continued to prioritise the development of young players in the 2022–23 season. With an impressive total of 7,687 minutes given to U21 talents, Southampton FC relied on 21-year-old Irish keeper Gavin Bazunu in between the sticks for Premier League games.

2. Barcelona (LaLiga) - 8,555 minutes

One of Europe's football powerhouses, Barcelona, has maintained its tradition of promoting and developing young talents. In the 2022–23 season, the Catalan giants provided an impressive 8,555 minutes to U21 players such as Gavi, Alejandro Balde, Pedri, and Ansu Fati. La Masia graduate and current FC Barca number 10, Fati, notably scored seven goals in La Liga in just 1,381 minutes, which predominantly included 24 substitute appearances.

1. Lyon (Ligue 1) - 11,153 minutes

Lyon, a French club with a rich history of developing young talents, tops the list by providing a remarkable 11,153 minutes to U21 players in the 2022–23 season. Centre-back Castello Lukeba topped Lyon's chart as he managed to get 3290' minutes, while Rayan Cherki follows in at second with 2044' minutes. However, Les Gones couldn't manage to grab an European spot with a seventh-place Ligue 1 finish, so other European clubs might be tempting to the under-21 stars.