Chelsea top national academy rankings again

[Getty Images] Chelsea have been ranked the most productive academy in England and Wales for the fourth consecutive year. The Academy Productivity Rankings, compiled by Training Ground Guru, assess which clubs are producing the highest number of players aged 23 and under who are progressing into the men's game, using a data-driven methodology. Manchester United topped the rankings for three successive seasons before Chelsea claimed first place in the 2021-22 campaign. Chelsea have now again finished top of the rankings, ahead of Arsenal , Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham . Speaking about the achievement, academy director Glenn van der Kraan told Training Ground Guru: "On behalf of everyone at Chelsea Football Club, we are incredibly proud to have topped the Academy Productivity Rankings for a fourth successive year. "That record reflects the hard work of so many people across the academy and the entire club, and I thank the club's ownership and sporting directors for their support and backing." Chelsea won Premier League 2 and the Under-18 Premier League title before beating Manchester City 5-1 in the national final between the northern and southern champions last season. The Blues have since renamed their under-21 and under-19 teams as Cobham Next Gen.