When promotion is at stake, the chance to make it into the play-off places or avoid relegation, clubs may feel giving young players a chance in the first team is too much of a risk.
Established stars or big money signings will take priority and rightly so, especially when there is so much to play for.
The saying is if you are good enough you are old enough and there are enough players in the Championship this season that have proved that to be true.
James has flourished after being given plenty of game time at Wigan
On-loan Chelsea defender Reece James has played 44 times for Wigan Athletic and only missed 77 minutes, earning himself a place in the Team of the Year.
The 19-year-old is being tipped for a first-team role at Stamford Bridge when he returns.
Dean Henderson, still only 22, has not missed a single minute of action for Sheffield United and his 20 clean sheets have helped the Blades go second.
talkSPORT.com has taken a look at which sides in the Championship have given the most minutes to players aged 23 and under this season.
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24. Bolton Wanderers – 4687 minutes
Bolton were relegated to League One
23. Stoke City – 4758 minutes
Stoke are currently 16th in their first season out of the Premier League
22. Sheffield United – 4826 minutes
Dean Henderson has played every game for Sheffield United
21. Middlesbrough – 6607 minutes
Middlesbrough are just outside the play-off places
20. Millwall – 6980 minutes
Millwall are three points above the relegation zone going into the final week of the campaign
19. Birmingham – 7108 minutes
Birmingham are 17th in the Championship
18. West Brom – 7872 minutes
Fourth-placed West Brom are targeting an immediate return to the Premier League
17. Sheffield Wednesday – 8078 minutes
Sheffield Wednesday will miss out on the play-offs
16. Nottingham Forest – 8183 minutes
Forest are 11th having lost four of their last five matches
15. QPR- 8586 minutes
Joe Lumley has played 40 times for QPR this season
14. Rotherham – 8653 minutes
Rotherham are on the verge of relegation
13. Hull City – 10,729 minutes
Hull have lost their last three league games
12. Leeds United – 11,306 minutes
Kalvin Phillips, 23, has made 40 appearances for Leeds
11. Ipswich Town – 12,031 minutes
Ipswich have had a woeful season in the Championship and have been relegated
10. Aston Villa – 12,838 minutes
Tammy Abraham has scored 25 times this season
9. Wigan – 13,144 minutes
Reece James has been outstanding on loan at Wigan this season
8. Norwich – 13,679 minutes
Jamal Lewis has been excellent for leaders Norwich
7. Derby County – 14,015 minutes
Mason Mount has been starring for Derby in the Championship this season
6. Reading – 15,094 minutes
Reading have had a poor campaign
5. Blackburn Rovers – 15,245 minutes
David Raya has played 41 times in goal
4. Bristol City – 15,464 minutes
Bristol City have won once in their last five matches
3. Preston – 18,051 minutes
Ben Davies has played 38 times in defence
2. Brentford – 19,390 minutes
Neal Maupay has benefited from Brentford giving youth a chance this season
1. Swansea City – 23,448 minutes
Midfielder Matt Grimes has played 42 times for Swansea this season
8 thoughts on “Championship: How many minutes have the likes of Leeds United and Aston Villa given to youngsters this season?”
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