5. Arsenal — 2008-09
EVEN YOUNGER THAN their similarly youthful 2007-08 side with an average age of 22, the midfield alone often included 21-year-old Denilson, 18-year-old Aaron Ramsey and 20-year-old Theo Walcott, while the central defence featured 21-year-old Alex Song and 22-year-old Johan Djourou. All that considered, they did pretty well to finish fourth, in addition to reaching the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and Champions League.
4. Leeds — 2000-01
One of the youngest teams in Premier League history with 26-year-old Dominic Matteo a veteran compared with most of his teammates, David O’Leary’s ‘babies’ finished fourth in the Premier League and reached the Champions League semi-finals. Of the youngsters in question, Paul Robinson, Rio Ferdinand, Jonathan Woodgate, Lee Bowyer, Alan Smith and Mark Viduka were among those to enjoy decent Premier League careers thereafter, even if the future of the club itself was not quite so bright.
3. Tottenham — 2015-16
With an average age of 24.7, the youngest of all the teams in the league this season, Tottenham have far exceeded expectations. Previously tipped as top-four hopefuls at best, Spurs have launched an improbable title challenge, with youngsters including Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Erik Lamela, Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen all playing integral roles in their success.
2. Liverpool 2013-14
In one of Liverpool’s best performances of 2013-14 season, when they went to White Hart Lane and beat Spurs 5-0, the average age of the team was just 24. Of course, there was some experience provided that season by the likes of Steven Gerrard and Kolo Toure, but the side also had a number of young players performing exceptionally on a regular basis, including Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho and Jon Flanagan.
1. Man United 1995-96
Following their 3-1 opening-day loss to Aston Villa, Alan Hansen famously remarked on Match of the Day that “you can’t win anything with kids”. The former Liverpool defender was made to eat his words, however, as United went on to win the title, with the inexperienced likes of David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Gary & Phil Neville and Ryan Giggs all playing important roles in the triumph.
Do you agree with our rankings? Let us know in the comments section below.
When a national team is playing the national broadcaster should be just allowed show the match without having to fight for the rights and/or pay out millions.
@Jason Ebbs: a scam to try and get an increase in the tv licence RTE and its licence fee is of another age shut it down a complete con
@Richard Russell: not that I’m justifying it, but there has not been licence increase since 2008. Plus it’s not going to increase this year because if there is an increase it happens in the budget.
@Jason Ebbs: they are showing it – this article is incorrect
What’s the point of a national broadcaster if they can’t show their national teams of major sporting events?
Telly bingo will be next !
Sky’s coverage is way better. End of
@Keith ☘️: it’s a no brainer with dodgy box readily available
@Keith ☘️: Sky sucks!
@Keith ☘️: that not the point and I’m not sure it’s true anyway. The point is the national broadcaster should show national games particularly ones of such importantance so everyone has the opportunity to watch it.
First the 6 nations now this…just scrap the place!!! Money pit!!!
Oh oh
They will asking for an higher licence fee.
Is anybody else going off the boys in green….I’m not even that bothered if we qualify
Probably be humiliated in the finals playing ape_man football…
Lads, what’s the problem? Find a cafe, use the wiki, and go onto the sky channel on Mobdro. Either way, it’s free.
@Conor Alexander Lynott: a cafe? To watch the game? I’d say you are a bundle of laughs
@Conor Alexander Lynott: Nothing like watching the match in Starbucks, the atmosphere is electric.
@Conor Alexander Lynott: besides going to a cafe to watch a game, mobdro is as useful as a waterproof teabag.
@Eric Gaffney: that got a good laugh out of me.
@Mel Roberts: A big group. big scree with Chromecast, pizza and a load of chocolate fudge cake and soft fizzy drinks, mot to mention coffee
for afterwards?I would have thought it would have been great craic with all the caffeine floating around, but each to their own All possible with a little negotiation beforehand. Gotta think outside the box, Rob.
@King B Probably useless for you because you have an Iphone. Works just fine on android
@Conor Alexander Lynott: aye sounds fun alright if you are a 14 year old girl!
@Mel Roberts: I’ll make sure Guiness include that line in their Guiness Clear ad. Nice innovation, son.
@Conor Alexander Lynott: is Friday, Friday gotta get down on Friday.
I am beginning to hate sports and sky. Fcuk you sky
€160 a year for a TV license means isn’t free to air for the viewer.
They have €50million to play with. They don’t have to do much fighting.
This article is incorrect – RTE will be showing the playoffs & the Slovakia gamme
Remember me da sayin in the late 90’s..” bbc show no England football anymore sky have the lot it’s a disgrace Ireland would never let that happen to Irish games” I replied “If sky buy the rights they’ll lose them” His reply. “no chance ever” Ok then…
Genius. Pay a fortune for matches that will probably be called off.