Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Thu 2 April 2026 22:10, UK

Leeds United have handed out just eight minutes of game time to academy graduates in the Premier League this season – but that is somewhat by design.

According to BBC Sport figures, only Bournemouth, Brentford, and Burnley have dished out fewer first-team minutes in the English top-flight than Leeds this term.

Chelsea and Manchester City are way out in front with 5,673 minutes and 5,162 minutes, respectively, while Brighton (3,846) rounds out the top three.

While many of their players are still in the early years of their career, Leeds’ academy product was a certain Sam Byram, who graduated from the club’s youth setup in 2012 but is now 32.

But Leeds’ transfer strategy for staying up in the Premier League always meant youth players wouldn’t get much game time.

Leeds United target players in their ‘peak’

According to Opta Analyst, Leeds top the Premier League charts when it comes to players in their “peak” years, aka from 24-29.

The vast majority of Daniel Farke‘s squad sit within that age range, as Leeds targeted experienced campaigners who had room to grow in the Premier League.

Summer signings such as Anton Stach (27), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (29), Lukas Nmecha (27), James Justin (28), Jaka Bijol (27), and Gabriel Gudmundsson (26) are examples of that.

Their existing squad also has 25-year-olds Jayden Bogle, Brenden Aaronson, captain Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, and summer recruit Noah Okafor.

Meanwhile, Wilfried Gnonto (22) and loanee Facundo Buonanotte (21) are part of a very small contingent of youthful players in Leeds’ squad.

Leeds targeted a mixture of powerful and energetic performers in their prime years, rather than more up-and-coming ones – an approach Sunderland largely took.

Whether it keeps them in the Premier League remains to be seen.

Leeds face West Ham pre-audition

When the Premier League fixture list was released last summer, some fans would have circled Leeds’ last game of the season away to West Ham.

The way the league campaign is shaping up, the two teams could be in for a make-or-break relegation decider when that contest rolls around.

Leeds are three places and three points ahead of the 18th-placed Hammers heading into their quarter-final FA Cup tie at London Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Due to some injury concerns, Leeds could deploy a slightly changed squad against West Ham.

While an FA Cup run would be a bonus for Leeds, the Premier League has to take precedence due to the riches the division brings with it.

Whoever wins this match could deliver a psychological blow to the other ahead of the final stretch of the season, where everything is to play for.