France more likely to give youth a chance

France Giving Youth a chance

More French clubs give youth a chance than any of the other big five leagues in Europe

Leading the way is RC Lens with 19 players 21 or under turning out for the club this season in the league, which is four more than any other club, Toulouse

Seven teenagers turned out for RC Lens and four of them were under 18 including the highly rated Real Madrid/Manchester United target Raphael Varane

But third in the list is Premier League side Aston Villa with 13 players, one more than the North East Pair, Newcastle and Sunderland 

Most Players 21 or Under

19: RC Lens

15: Toulouse

13: Aston Villa, TSG Hoffenheim

12: Sunderland, Newcastle, Palermo, Atletico Madrid

In total in France nine teams used 10 or players 21 or under the most in any of the big five leagues

At the other end of the scale there were two team in Europe’s top five leagues who did not field one player under 21, Stoke City and Chievo