Secondly, on average, Germany’s top flight is the youngest across all five divisions in Europe’s finest footballing countries. With an average age of 25.7-years, the Bundesliga is 3.1-years younger than the aging Serie A and 1.3-years younger than the Premier League. As you would have thought then, Germany’s international side is much younger than many of their counterparts: however, due to the lower average age of their league, the young German players are already experienced for the world stage having performed domestically already.
Yet, in defence of English football, The Premier League are still coming out on top when it comes to club-trained players. From Arsenal to Wigan, from league leaders Manchester United to bottom of the table Wolves, the Premier League is host to more club-trained players this season than their counterparts in the Bundesliga.
This may seem contradicting on the surface: the Premier League is a petri-dish for cash-rich investors and recently the influx of foreign players has seen England’s top flight rise to the top for the charts of expatriates plying their trade in the Premier League – as aforementioned. Nevertheless, it is factual and reads well for fans of English football.
The European average for the top 500 clubs in the continent is 22.2%; in the Premier League it is 16.2% and in the Bundesliga it is 16%. However, whilst Italy’s Serie A has a depressingly low percentage of club-trained players at 7.4%, the lowest in all of Europe, La Liga and Ligue 1 continue to lead the way, ahead of England and Germany.
Whilst the figures do support the plans for English football – the restructuring of youth development with the Elite Player Performance Plan and the soon to be unveiled St George’s Park National Football Centre – it is also a reminder to those that see the Premier League as ailing that it is not and whilst it does so, it should also not go mistaken for accomplishment, but rather a work in progress. At the moment, the Premier League still has a way to go to balance quality imports with talented homegrown players and instant achievement with sustainable success.
Written by Jordan Florit for www.maycauseoffence.com/ For more articles visit my website or my Twitter @JordanFlorit
All statistical data is an evaluation of the top five leagues in Europe (England, France, Germany, Italy & Spain) as provided by CIES Football Observatory and OPTA.
Introducing the neat little app that’ll pay you to view content tailored to your interests:
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.