Ranking the average age of Premier League XIs: Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs in top four
Three of the four youngest teams went down last season so it probably does not pay to be too young. Burnley did not take heed.
20) Fulham (29)
Tim Ream and Willian are still first-choice starters at 35 and 36, while summer signing Raul Jimenez is 32. Calvin Bassey and Rodrigo should eventually drag down this number.
19) West Ham (28.3)
He’s not one for youth is David Moyes. And with Declan Rice gone, they are just getting older. But at least he has belatedly had the good sense to bench Michail Antonio.
18) Newcastle (27.5)
A couple of teenagers have been given their chance in recent games as injuries and fatigue have bitten, which should eventually bring down a number inflated by that back five.
17) Crystal Palace (27.4)
They’d be even older if they factored in the age of the manager.
16) Everton (27)
They were firmly mid-table on this list last season, but they have since signed the 38-year-old Ashley Young. There’s no shortage of youth in Jarrad Branthwaite, James Garner, Amadou Onana and Dwight McNeil, mind.
15) Brighton (26.9)
It’s not all James Milner; seven of their first-team squad are over the age of 30, which feels counter-intuitive for a club so good at spotting and developing young talent.
14) Liverpool (26.7)
Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister are 22 and 24 respectively, so this is a massive step in the right direction for a Liverpool midfield that had looked more than a little tired.
13) Manchester United (26.7)
Almost a year has been knocked off this average age since last season, with the exit of David De Gea and the benching of Christian Eriksen having an impact. Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund are 19 and 20 respectively.
12) Aston Villa (26.5)
Younger than last season with Moussa Diaby and Pau Torres added to the mix, while Ashley Young has been jettisoned.
11) Luton Town (26.5)
Andros Townsend is the oldest outfield player by no small margin. They might be lacking quality but there is no shortage of energy here.
10) Wolves (26.3)
Older players have left this summer – chiefly Joao Moutinho and Raul Jimenez – to bring down that average age.
9) Sheffield United (26.2)
Six 25s-and-under in their latest starting XI. A good mix but a good mix of not quite enough, unfortunately.
8) Manchester City (26.2)
Without Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan, the number has inevitably come down this season, with Josko Gvardiol bringing it down further.
7) Brentford (26.0)
Shown some signs of naivety this season.
6) Nottingham Forest (25.9)
A good mix of the wily over-30s and youth is making this season seem relatively smooth.
5) Bournemouth (25)
Seven permanent signings this summer and all seven are 24 or younger.
4) Tottenham (24.7)
That night v Chelsea has handed starts to Eric Dier, Ben Davies and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, which should see that number creep back up again.
3) Chelsea (24.6)
Thiago Silva is the outlier. Nine of the starting XI that drew 4-4 with Chelsea were 25 or under. These are Mo’s boys.
2) Arsenal (24.5)
A young side came up short last season so the Gunners have become even younger, with Jorginho the only 30-plus in the top 15 most-used players.
1) Burnley (24.2)
Ten players have joined for money and Sander Berge is the old man of the crew at 25. So far it is going really very badly.
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