CIES Football Observatory recognise Valencia CF's commitment to the future

Valencia CF are not only looking out for their present; they are also taking care over the stars of the future.

Such is the strategy of bringing through youth, that according to the latest study carried out by the CIES Football Observatory, the average age of the Valencia CF starting XI on the opening matchdays of the 2020/21 LaLiga season is 25.2 years. No other club in the top tier of Spanish football can boast such a strong commitment to the future.

The VCF Academy is one of the main cornerstones of the project, and the work being carried out at the Ciudad Deportiva has carried over to the first team, as the study shows.

Valencia CF: 25.2 years

Real Sociedad: 25.3 years

Celta de Vigo: 26.7 years

Athletic Club: 27.5 years

Atlético de Madrid: 27.5 years

Getafe CF: 27.6 years

Granada CF: 27.9 years

FC Barcelona: 28.0 years

Elche CF: 28.0 years

Real Madrid: 28.3 years

Villarreal CF: 28.3 years

Levante UD: 28.4 years

Real Valladolid: 28.5 years

Sevilla FC: 28.8 years

Real Betis: 28.8 years

Deportivo Alavés: 28.9 years

SD Éibar: 29.0 years

CA Osasuna: 29.0 years

Cádiz CF: 29.4 years

SD Huesca: 29.6 years

Only seven teams in Europe's Top 5 leagues (according to UEFA rankings) have a younger average starting age: AC Milan (24.5 years), AS Mónaco (24.7), Stade de Reims (24.8), AS St-Etienne (24,8), VfB Stuttgart (24.9), RB Leipzig (25.1) and Stade Brestois (25.2).