Oldest and Youngest Premier League Teams 2025/26: Average Age of Every Club’s Starting XI – Does Youth Trump Experience?

Everton are the oldest team in the Premier League this season based on the average age of their starting XIs under David Moyes.

The average age of Everton’s starting line-ups this season has been 28.49 years.

Moyes has his Toffees team packed with experience — he has started Idrissa Gueye (36), James Tarkowski (32), Michael Keane (32) and Jordan Pickford (31) in all seven of his side’s top-flight fixtures so far this season.

It’s working out pretty well too. Everton, powered forward by the £50m-rated Jack Grealish (30), are currently eighth in the Premier League table — level on points with the division’s youngest team.

That team is Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea, whose starting line-ups this season have an average age of 24.40.

But does age matter? When it comes to the Premier League, does older generally mean better? Those are questions that FootballBlog.co.uk wanted to find the answers to — so we decided to crunch the numbers during the international break.

2025/26 Premier League teams ranked by average starting XI age — oldest to youngest

Is younger better in the Premier League?

The numbers suggest that youth might just have the edge.

So far this season, the average age of winning starting XIs has been 26.46 years, compared to 26.97 years for losing teams. Sides that drew averaged 26.42 years.

That pattern indicates that slightly younger teams tend to produce better results — perhaps reflecting the league’s increasing emphasis on intensity, pressing and mobility.

The scatter graph below compares each club’s average starting XI age with its current league position. There’s no perfect pattern — but teams near the top generally skew younger, while several older squads are clustered mid-table or lower.

The top five teams in the Premier League table (Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Bournemouth and Man City) are all among the nine youngest, with the three sides currently in the relegation zone (Wolves, West Ham and Burnley) among the seven oldest.

Meanwhile, Manchester United — married to Ruben Amorim’s beloved 3-4-3 formation, for better or for worse — are mid-table both in terms of age (11th oldest average starting XI) and actual Premier League position (10th).

 

Youngest Premier League players in 2025/26 season

Includes players who featured as substitutes.

Player	Club	Opponent	Date	Age
Max Dowman	Arsenal	Leeds	23/08/2025	15 years 7 months 23 days
Rio Ngumoha	Liverpool	Newcastle	25/08/2025	16 years 11 months 27 days
Bradley Burrowes	Aston Villa	Crystal Palace	31/08/2025	17 years 5 months 27 days
Chris Rigg	Sunderland	West Ham	16/08/2025	18 years 1 month 29 days
Veljko Milosavljevic	Bournemouth	Brighton	13/09/2025	18 years 2 months 16 days
Estevao	Chelsea	Crystal Palace	17/08/2025	18 years 3 months 24 days
Ethan Nwaneri	Arsenal	Leeds	23/08/2025	18 years 5 months 2 days
Harrison Armstrong	Everton	Bournemouth	24/08/2025	18 years 7 months 5 days
Josh King	Fulham	Brighton	16/08/2025	18 years 7 months 13 days
Myles Lewis-Skelly	Man United	Liverpool	17/08/2025	18 years 10 months 22 days
Ayden Heaven	Man United	Everton	24/08/2025	18 years 11 months 2 days

Oldest Premier League players in 2025/26 season

Includes players who featured as substitutes.

Player	Club	Opponent	Date	Age
James Milner	Brighton	Wolves	05/10/2025	39 years 9 months 1 day
Seamus Coleman	Everton	Crystal Palace	05/10/2025	36 years 11 months 24 days
Martin Dubravka	Burnley	Aston Villa	05/10/2025	36 years 8 months 20 days
Idrissa Gueye	Everton	Crystal Palace	05/10/2025	36 years 9 days
Kyle Walker	Burnley	West Ham	05/10/2025	35 years 4 months 7 days
Jordan Henderson	Brentford	Leeds	05/10/2025	35 years 3 months 18 days
Kieran Trippier	Newcastle	Nottingham Forest	05/10/2025	35 years 16 days
Karl Darlow	Leeds	Tottenham	04/10/2025	34 years 11 months 26 days
Danny Welbeck	Brighton	Man United	05/10/2025	34 years 10 months 9 days
Tom Cairney	Fulham	Bournemouth	03/10/2025	34 years 8 months 13 days
Marco Bizot	Aston Villa	Crystal Palace	31/08/2025	34 years 5 months 21 days

Have Premier League starting XIs gotten older or younger since 1992?

The average age of a starting Premier League player this season (2025/26) is currently 26.10.

That is marginally younger than in the Premier League’s first-ever season in 1992/93, when the average was 26.42.

Over more than three decades, the Premier League’s age profile has stayed surprisingly stable — but the trend since the mid-2010s has been steadily downward, with teams getting younger.

That is likely due to the increased speed of the Premier League. Modern players need to be fitter and recover faster — both qualities that tend to be found in younger players.

Meanwhile, thanks to advancements in academy setups and data-led conditioning, players are generally making their debuts earlier than ever before.

Average age of starting XI in Premier League 2025/26: Club-by-club breakdown

For those who enjoy the gritty details, here’s how every club’s oldest and youngest starting XIs compare this season — from Moyes’ veteran Everton side to Maresca’s baby-faced Blues.

1. Everton: Average age of starting XI 28.49

Everton’s oldest starting XI, 29.0 average age, 1–1 draw vs West Ham: J Pickford, M Keane, J Tarkowski, J O’Brien, K Dewsbury-Hall, C Alcaraz, I Gueye, J Garner, T Iroegbunam, Beto, I Ndiaye.
Everton’s youngest starting XI, 27.9 average age, 1–0 loss vs Leeds: J Pickford, M Keane, J Tarkowski, J O’Brien, V Mykolenko, J Grealish, K Dewsbury-Hall, I Gueye, J Garner, Beto, I Ndiaye.

2. Aston Villa: Average age of starting XI 28.46

Aston Villa’s oldest starting XI, 28.8 average age, 0–0 draw vs Newcastle: M Bizot, M Cash, E Konsa, T Mings, L Digne, J McGinn, Y Tielemans, A Onana, B Kamara, O Watkins, M Rogers.
Aston Villa’s youngest starting XI, 27.9 average age, 3–1 win vs Fulham: E Martinez, M Cash, E Konsa, T Mings, L Digne, J McGinn, H Elliott, L Bogarde, O Watkins, M Rogers, E Guessand.

3. Newcastle: Average age of starting XI 28.06

Newcastle’s oldest starting XI, 29.3 average age, 1–0 win vs Wolves: N Pope, K Trippier, F Schar, V Livramento, D Burn, Joelinton, S Tonali, H Barnes, J Murphy, Bruno Guimaraes, N Woltemade.
Newcastle’s youngest starting XI, 26.0 average age, 0–0 draw vs Bournemouth: N Pope, L Hall, S Botman, M Thiaw, V Livramento, D Burn, S Tonali, J Murphy, J Willock, L Miley, N Woltemade.

4. Fulham: Average age of starting XI 27.74

Fulham’s oldest starting XI, 28.3 average age, 1–1 draw vs Brighton: B Leno, K Tete, C Bassey, J Andersen, J Cuenca, S Berge, S Lukic, J King, R Jimenez, H Wilson, A Iwobi.
Fulham’s youngest starting XI, 27.4 average age, 1–0 win vs Leeds: B Leno, K Tete, C Bassey, J Andersen, S Berge, S Lukic, J King, R Sessegnon, H Wilson, Rodrigo Muniz, A Iwobi.

5. Burnley: Average age of starting XI 27.47

Burnley’s oldest starting XI, 27.9 average age, 2–1 loss vs Aston Villa: M Dubravka, K Walker, Q Hartman, M Esteve, A Tuanzebe, J Laurent, J Anthony, Florentino, L Tchaouna, J Cullen, L Foster.
Burnley’s youngest starting XI, 27.0 average age, 2–0 win vs Sunderland: M Dubravka, K Walker, Q Hartman, M Esteve, H Ekdal, C Ugochukwu, J Anthony, J Cullen, H Mejbri, J Bruun Larsen, L Foster.

6. West Ham: Average age of starting XI 27.36

West Ham’s oldest starting XI, 28.0 average age, 3–0 loss vs Sunderland: M Hermansen, M Kilman, N Aguerd, J Todibo, A Wan-Bissaka, J Ward-Prowse, Lucas Paqueta, E Diouf, G Rodriguez, N Fullkrug, J Bowen.
West Ham’s youngest starting XI, 26.7 average age, 3–0 loss vs Tottenham: M Hermansen, K Walker-Peters, M Kilman, K Mavropanos, J Ward-Prowse, Lucas Paqueta, E Diouf, Mateus Fernandes, T Soucek, C Summerville, J Bowen.

7. Wolves: Average age of starting XI 26.84

Wolves’ oldest starting XI, 27.7 average age, 1–1 draw vs Tottenham: S Johnstone, M Doherty, Hugo Bueno, Santiago Bueno, L Krejci, M Munetsi, Andre, Joao Gomes, J Strand Larsen, J Arias, Hwang Hee-Chan.
Wolves’ youngest starting XI, 25.7 average age, 3–1 loss vs Leeds: Jose Sa, E Agbadou, Y Mosquera, Rodrigo Gomes, Toti Gomes, L Krejci, J Tchatchoua, Joao Gomes, J Bellegarde, T Arokodare, F Lopez.

=8. Crystal Palace: Average age of starting XI 26.83

Crystal Palace’s oldest starting XI, 27.4 average age, 0–0 draw vs Sunderland: D Henderson, D Munoz, M Lacroix, M Guehi, C Richards, T Mitchell, J Lerma, D Kamada, W Hughes, Y Pino, J Mateta.
Crystal Palace’s youngest starting XI, 26.4 average age, 2–1 win vs Liverpool: D Henderson, D Munoz, M Lacroix, M Guehi, C Richards, T Mitchell, D Kamada, A Wharton, I Sarr, Y Pino, J Mateta.

=8. Nottingham Forest: Average age of starting XI 26.83

Nottingham Forest’s oldest starting XI, 27.1 average age, 3–0 loss vs West Ham: M Sels, N Williams, Murillo, N Milenkovic, O Aina, I Sangare, E Anderson, M Gibbs-White, C Hudson-Odoi, C Wood, D Ndoye.
Nottingham Forest’s youngest starting XI, 26.3 average age, 2–0 loss vs Newcastle: M Sels, N Williams, Morato, Jair Cunha, N Milenkovic, E Anderson, M Gibbs-White, R Yates, N Savona, C Wood, D Ndoye.

10. Leeds: Average age of starting XI 26.77

Leeds’ oldest starting XI, 27.2 average age, 1–0 loss vs Fulham: K Darlow, J Bogle, G Gudmundsson, E Ampadu, P Struijk, J Rodon, S Longstaff, B Aaronson, A Stach, D Calvert-Lewin, N Okafor.
Leeds’ youngest starting XI, 26.1 average age, 1–0 win vs Everton: Lucas Perri, J Bogle, G Gudmundsson, E Ampadu, P Struijk, J Rodon, D James, A Stach, A Tanaka, J Piroe, W Gnonto.

11. Man United: Average age of starting XI 26.57

Man United’s oldest starting XI, 27.4 average age, 2–1 win vs Chelsea: A Bayindir, N Mazraoui, M de Ligt, H Maguire, P Dorgu, L Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, A Diallo, B Mbeumo, B Sesko.
Man United’s youngest starting XI, 25.4 average age, 3–0 loss vs Man City: A Bayindir, N Mazraoui, M de Ligt, P Dorgu, L Yoro, L Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, M Ugarte, A Diallo, B Mbeumo, B Sesko.

12. Liverpool: Average age of starting XI 26.53

Liverpool’s oldest starting XI, 26.9 average age, 4–2 win vs Bournemouth: Alisson Becker, V van Dijk, I Konate, M Kerkez, J Frimpong, F Wirtz, D Szoboszlai, A Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, C Gakpo, H Ekitike.
Liverpool’s youngest starting XI, 25.3 average age, 1–0 win vs Burnley: Alisson Becker, V van Dijk, I Konate, M Kerkez, F Wirtz, D Szoboszlai, A Mac Allister, R Gravenberch, Mohamed Salah, C Gakpo, H Ekitike.

13. Arsenal: Average age of starting XI 26.29

Arsenal’s oldest starting XI, 26.8 average age, 1–1 draw vs Man City: D Raya, W Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, J Timber, R Calafiori, M Merino, M Zubimendi, D Rice, V Gyokeres, L Trossard, N Madueke.
Arsenal’s youngest starting XI, 25.8 average age, 5–0 win vs Leeds: D Raya, W Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, J Timber, R Calafiori, M Odegaard, M Zubimendi, D Rice, B Saka, V Gyokeres, N Madueke.

14. Brighton: Average age of starting XI 25.91

Brighton’s oldest starting XI, 28.0 average age, 2–1 loss vs Bournemouth: B Verbruggen, L Dunk, J van Hecke, M De Cuyper, J Veltman, Y Minteh, J Hinshelwood, J Milner, K Mitoma, G Rutter, D Welbeck.
Brighton’s youngest starting XI, 24.9 average age, 1–1 draw vs Fulham: B Verbruggen, L Dunk, J van Hecke, M Wieffer, M De Cuyper, Y Minteh, C Baleba, K Mitoma, Y Ayari, M O’Riley, G Rutter.

15. Bournemouth: Average age of starting XI 25.90

Bournemouth’s oldest starting XI, 26.5 average age, 4–2 loss vs Liverpool: D Petrovic, A Truffert, M Senesi, A Smith, B Diakite, D Brooks, A Scott, T Adams, M Tavernier, Evanilson, A Semenyo.
Bournemouth’s youngest starting XI, 25.0 average age, 2–1 win vs Brighton: D Petrovic, A Truffert, M Senesi, J Hill, V Milosavljevic, D Brooks, A Scott, T Adams, M Tavernier, Evanilson, A Semenyo.

16. Tottenham: Average age of starting XI 25.54

Tottenham’s oldest starting XI, 26.4 average age, 1–0 loss vs Bournemouth: G Vicario, C Romero, P Porro, D Spence, M van de Ven, J Joao Palhinha, M Kudus, P Sarr, R Bentancur, Richarlison, B Johnson.
Tottenham’s youngest starting XI, 24.6 average age, 3–0 win vs Burnley: G Vicario, C Romero, P Porro, D Spence, M van de Ven, A Gray, L Bergvall, M Kudus, P Sarr, Richarlison, B Johnson.

17. Sunderland: Average age of starting XI 25.21

Sunderland’s oldest starting XI, 26.7 average age, 2–0 loss vs Man United: R Roefs, O Alderete, N Mukiele, A Masuaku, T Hume, N Sadiki, E Le Fee, G Xhaka, W Isidor, S Adingra, B Traore.
Sunderland’s youngest starting XI, 24.1 average age, 3–0 win vs West Ham: R Roefs, D Ballard, Reinildo Mandava, J Seelt, T Hume, H Diarra, N Sadiki, G Xhaka, C Talbi, E Mayenda, S Adingra.

18. Man City: Average age of starting XI 25.20

Man City’s oldest starting XI, 26.2 average age, 2–1 loss vs Brighton: J Trafford, J Stones, R Ait-Nouri, Matheus Nunes, A Khusanov, T Reijnders, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, O Bobb, Omar Marmoush, E Haaland.
Man City’s youngest starting XI, 24.3 average age, 1–1 draw vs Arsenal: G Donnarumma, Ruben Dias, J Gvardiol, N O’Reilly, A Khusanov, T Reijnders, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, P Foden, E Haaland, J Doku.

19. Brentford: Average age of starting XI 25.16

Brentford’s oldest starting XI, 26.1 average age, 2–2 draw vs Chelsea: C Kelleher, S van den Berg, E Pinnock, N Collins, M Kayode, J Henderson, M Jensen, Y Yarmoliuk, K Schade, Igor Thiago, K Lewis-Potter.
Brentford’s youngest starting XI, 24.3 average age, 3–1 loss vs Nottingham Forest: C Kelleher, R Henry, S van den Berg, N Collins, M Kayode, M Jensen, F Carvalho, A Milambo, Y Yarmoliuk, Igor Thiago, K Lewis-Potter.

20. Chelsea: Average age of starting XI 24.40

Chelsea’s oldest starting XI, 24.7 average age, 2–1 loss vs Man United: R Sanchez, M Cucurella, T Chalobah, R James, W Fofana, E Fernandez, C Palmer, M Caicedo, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro, Estevao.
Chelsea’s youngest starting XI, 24.1 average age, 3–1 loss vs Brighton: R Sanchez, M Cucurella, J Hato, T Chalobah, R James, E Fernandez, Andrey Santos, M Caicedo, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro, Estevao.