ISL 2024-25: Top five clubs with most U21 players in squad

These teams have put their faith in their younger contingent despite the competitive nature of the league.

The 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign has gotten off to an exciting start with an interesting early projection of what might be a thrilling title race this time around. The likes of Bengaluru FC, Punjab FC, and Jamshedpur FC have made a stunning U-turn from last season to occupy the top three spots heading into the October international break.

The former two remain the only clubs yet to lose a match and are also playing some clinical, entertaining football to perform at a higher level than the rest. This time around, the focus point of the ISL’s promotion campaign seems to be a sizeable promotion of young Indian footballers and the need to help them flourish in the division.

Some ISL teams are also trying their best to help Indian football grow by playing with a high number of young players. Be it integrating them into their first team or having them train with experienced players, some particular teams are trying that much harder to improve the future of Indian football. Here we look at the five ISL teams with the most young (U-21) players in their squads.

5. NorthEast United FC

Fresh off their 2024 Durand Cup win, NorthEast United have strongly positioned themselves to be in the run-in for a playoff place this season. They’re doing all that by playing refreshing, attacking football under Juan Pedro Benali. The Spaniard also seems intent on integrating as many young players as possible in his plans. The Highlanders currently have seven U-21 players in their squad, the same as the likes of Bengaluru FC and FC Goa.

But what perhaps helps them stand out is that the Highlanders also have 16-year-old midfielder Danny Meitei in their ISL squad. Moreover, 21-year-old Parthib Gogoi continues playing a key role in the team as Benali seems keen on producing quality players that can break through into the Indian team in the near future.

4. Odisha FC

Odisha FC have had a relatively stuttering start to the ISL campaign with only one win from their first four games. The Juggernauts might have some of the oldest foreign players in the division starting regularly for them, but they also have a pretty solid young core. Sergio Lobera’s side currently has eight young (U-21) players in their squad as the Spaniard seems keen to have them gain experience from the senior ones before being integrated into his plans.

21-year-old defender Thoiba Singh has become a regular under the Spanish tactician and has played three matches for them already this season. The Juggernauts might need to use the ingenuity of some of their younger players to add that unpredictable spark to their style this season.

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3. Hyderabad FC

Hyderabad FC has the squad with the youngest average age in the 2024-25 ISL campaign after having to hurriedly put together their team before this season.

Of course, the arrival of new owners has helped them sign some quality foreign players, but the Nawabs are heavily reliant upon young Indian footballers to get them results this season.

Hyderabad FC has eight U-21 players in their squad right now, including exciting wingers like Lalchhanhima Sailo and Amon Lepcha – who are yet to be properly tested. Their young spirit helps Hyderabad FC put on some thrilling displays, even if they come up short on occasions.

2. Punjab FC

Punjab FC have exceeded expectations with their excellent start to the new ISL campaign and are playing some highly entertaining attacking football. They are also acting admirably in terms of helping improve the future of Indian football, as they possess an excellent youth academy, with their youth team impressing in the recently concluded Premier League Next Generation Cup. Punjab FC’s senior team has eight U-21 players currently.

Young midfielder Ricky Shabong has participated in all three games so far and even picked up an assist! They also have exciting young talents like Manglengthang Kipgen and Pramveer in their squad, with the two having impressed in the Next Gen Cup. Punjab FC are doing admirable work in giving the best possible training to young players and it remains to be seen when these young players will be properly integrated into the first XI.

1. Chennaiyin FC

Even though Chennaiyin FC might not have the youngest squad in the ISL, they’ve definitely set the bar in terms of adapting promising young players into their senior squad. The Marina Machans have had a slow start to the new campaign, but Owen Coyle is doing all he can to transfer his expertise to the youngsters in his squad. Chennaiyin FC have 10 U-21 players in their squad this season, some of which they signed in the summer.

Midfielder Lalrinliana Hnamte has been excellent in recent games, with his proactive performances earning him a call-up to the Indian national team. Chennaiyin FC are also blessed to have the explosive young forward Gurkirat Singh as well as many other promising talents.

Coyle is not only trying to get the Marina Machans to compete at the top of the ISL, but also accelerating the development of these young players so that they can become major assets for the Blue Tigers shortly.

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