For the second time in three seasons, the UEFA Champions League final was contested between two English teams, with young homegrown talent playing a key role for both Manchester City and Chelsea throughout the season.
Phil Foden, Mason Mount and Reece James are great examples of players who have come through their club's ranks and established a place in world-class squads since the launch of the Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) 10 years ago.
The long-term strategy aims to develop more and better homegrown players through the Academy system, ensuring players have access to a varied games programme and regular high-level competition.
Foden netted 17 goals in all competitions in 2020/21, while Mount played more minutes and more matches than any other Chelsea player across all competitions, as well as winning the club’s Player of the Year award.
James also continued his impressive progress as he featured in 32 Premier League matches. All three have become regulars in Gareth Southgate’s England squad and will be hoping to reproduce their strong club form for the Three Lions at this summer’s UEFA EURO 2020.
More than a quarter of the players in the matchday squads of the Premier League clubs taking part in the 2020/21 UEFA competition finals were English, with an average age of 24.8.
Did you know?
42.3% of starters in Match Round 37 were eligible to play for England. The season average of 38.2% was the highest for 12 seasons.
