Southampton’s academy is one that is respected the world over and it has proved very fruitful over the years.
Matt Le Tissier, Alan Shearer, Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott are just some of the famous names who have progressed through the youth ranks at Southampton before having incredible careers.
Whilst the well had run a little dry over the last decade or so, Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse are also notable graduates currently plying their trade in the Premier League.
Adam Lallana has returned to Southampton this season after a ten-year hiatus having come through the academy, whilst 18-year-old Tyler Dibling has taken the Premier League by storm this campaign.
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Southampton academy in top ten in England
As well as Dibling, fellow 18-year-old Sam Amo-Ameyaw has also featured in the top flight this season and scored his first senior goal in the Carabao Cup win over Cardiff City in August.
Now, Training Ground Guru have devised a ranking system for all the Category One, Two and Three academies in England to ascertain who has the best academy.
This is based on the number of academy graduates who made at least one league appearance in the 2023/24 season in any of Europe’s top five leagues.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Chelsea top the table, with Arsenal in second and Manchester United in third.
Southampton find themselves in ninth place, sandwiched between Everton and Sheffield United, although that number may be higher next time around given the emergence of Dibling.
Russell Martin providing Southampton pathway for youth stars
One of the reasons Russell Martin was appointed Southampton manager in 2023 is his history of improving young players.
That has certainly been the case at the Saints, with Dibling the most obvious example of this.
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Most managers would be reluctant to throw an 18-year-old into a side who is yet to win in the Premier League, but Martin trusted Dibling and he has repaid his manager’s faith with a string of fine displays.
Amo-Ameyaw is also involved with the first-team, whilst a number of Southampton’s academy talents are gaining experience out on loan this season.