An interesting new proposal from FIFA would mandate all clubs to have at least one homegrown player from the under-20 or under-21 category on the pitch at all times.
The Athletic report that: ‘A consultation process with all relevant stakeholders for the proposed obligation has been unanimously approved by the council, world football’s governing body said in a statement, and is set to be submitted to the FIFA Council in the next year.’
An intriguing development if it does become reality.
Especially when it comes to the Premier League and many clubs having so few English players that get minutes on the pitch, never mind young ones.
The report adds that: ‘Sources briefed on the matter, speaking anonymously as they were not authorised to do so publicly, have indicated that, while nothing is set in stone, positive discussions were held between all six confederation presidents on Monday night about changing this to aid player development.’
The Premier League’s current rules say a club’s squad must have “no more than 17” players who are not homegrown in their maximum 25 player squads, leaving up to eight slots available for those that fit that criteria.
This table of stats put together by The Athletic, showing….
Minutes Played By English Under-21 Players, Premier League 2025/26
Premier League Young English Players Minutes Played by Club
| Club | Minutes |
|---|---|
| Newcastle | 3290 |
| Man City | 2850 |
| Man Utd | 2262 |
| Crystal Palace | 1782 |
| Brighton | 1570 |
| Spurs | 1494 |
| Fulham | 1223 |
| Chelsea | 1217 |
| Everton | 1004 |
| West Ham | 823 |
| Sunderland | 752 |
| Arsenal | 655 |
| Liverpool | 320 |
| Nottm Forest | 218 |
| Bournemouth | 80 |
| Aston Villa | 49 |
| Brentford | 38 |
| Wolves | 11 |
| Leeds | 0 |
| Burnley | 0 |
As you can see, Newcastle United (3,290 minutes) right at the top, having seen the most minutes played in the Premier League by English under-21 players this season.
Then you have Manchester City (2,850) and Manchester United (2,262).
At the other side of the spectrum, Leeds United and Burnley have not fielded a single player in that category in the 2025-26 league campaign, whilst none of Wolves, Brentford, Aston Villa and Bournemouth have accumulated 90 minutes each in total.
The table topping Newcastle United total is due to the minutes Lewis Hall and Lewis Miley have played this season in the Premier League.