The Built Different Index: Average Squad Age

The Average Squad Age factor measures the five-season average age of first-team matchday squads across all competitions. The younger the five-season average, the higher the club ranks.

That longer view matters because it separates a genuine squad-building model from one youthful season caused by injuries, finances or a manager briefly deciding the academy was the answer.

The ranking covers the 92 clubs competing across the Premier League and EFL in the 2025/26 season, using a five-season average rather than a single campaign.

Peterborough trust the kids

Peterborough United top the table with a five-season average squad age of 23.5. Their youngest season was 2023/24 at 22.9, while their oldest across the period was still only 24.1 in 2021/22. Peterborough rise 41 places from their overall Built Different ranking, which suggests this is not a temporary lean towards youth. It is the model.

At that age, half the squad probably still gets asked for ID buying an energy drink.

Fleetwood are barely older

Fleetwood Town come second with a five-season average of 23.6.

Their youngest campaign was also 2023/24, at 23.1, while their oldest was 24.2 in 2021/22.

Fleetwood climb 20 places from the overall table and sit ahead of every other League Two club.

This is what sustained youth looks like lower down the pyramid: fewer finished products, more rough edges and a squad that can probably recover from Saturday by Sunday morning.

Sunderland lead the Premier League

Sunderland rank third overall with a five-season average of 23.8, making them the youngest Premier League club in the table.

Their 2023/24 squad averaged just 23.0, while even their oldest season in the period came in at 24.5.

They rise 15 places from the full Index.

For a club of Sunderland’s size, that is a fairly clear commitment rather than a short-term accident. The squad is young enough to press all afternoon and still have plans afterwards.

MK Dons are the biggest risers

The biggest jump belongs to Milton Keynes Dons, who climb 74 places from 79th overall to fifth.

Their five-season average is 23.9, with a youngest season of 23.5 in 2024/25 and an oldest of 24.4 in 2021/22.

That is remarkable consistency. Even their oldest squad across the whole period would still sit comfortably among the youngest in the country.

Whatever else people argue about MK Dons, nobody can accuse the squad of hanging around too long.

Chelsea’s average has fallen fast

Chelsea sit 15th with a five-season average of 24.7.

The interesting bit is the swing. Their oldest season in the period was 27.1 in 2021/22, while their youngest was 23.7 in 2024/25.

That is a huge change in squad profile over a short period.

You do not need a scouting report to see what happened there. Chelsea went from experienced to extremely online transfer strategy almost overnight.

Newcastle are the biggest fallers

At the other end, Newcastle United drop 79 places, from fourth overall to 83rd.

Their five-season average is 27.6, making them one of the oldest squads in the country and the biggest faller in this factor.

That does not mean the squad is ancient. Football has simply decided that 27 now counts as having served in two wars.

Newcastle’s position is also a useful reminder that a club can be Built Different for travel, support and geography while looking far more conventional in squad construction.

Wrexham have gone experienced

Wrexham rank 90th with a five-season average age of 28.2.

Their youngest season was 27.4 in 2021/22, while their oldest was 28.9 in 2025/26.

They fall 69 places from the overall table.

That age profile makes sense for a club built around rapid progress. When the brief is to get promoted now, experience tends to beat waiting three years for a prospect to fill out.

Wrexham have not assembled a development squad. They have assembled people who know how to win ugly in February.

Fulham sit second-bottom

Fulham come 91st with a five-season average of 28.3.

Their youngest season was 27.1 in 2021/22, with the oldest listed at 28.1 in 2024/25.

Fulham fall 44 places from their overall ranking and sit below every other Premier League club except West Ham.

There is experience, and then there is a squad group chat where everyone remembers dial-up internet.

West Ham finish oldest

At the bottom are West Ham United, with a five-season average squad age of 28.5.

Their youngest season was 27.8 in 2021/22, while their oldest was 28.1 in 2024/25.

West Ham drop 51 places from their overall Built Different position.

They topped the home capacity utilisation table, so the crowd is packed. The squad, meanwhile, has seen some football.

This is not a team learning on the job. This is a team that already knows exactly how long the job is going to take.

What the table tells us

The gap between Peterborough and West Ham is five full years.

In football terms, that is not a small difference. It changes recruitment, pressing, resale value and how much tape the physio gets through.

Peterborough, Fleetwood and Sunderland have spent five seasons trusting youth. West Ham, Fulham and Wrexham have leaned towards experience.

Neither approach is automatically better.

One gives you legs.

The other gives you players who know when not to use them.

The Full Table