Chelsea Makes History with Youngest FA Cup Lineup

The Blues field a starting XI with no players over 30 for the 105th consecutive match.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Chelsea will take on Hull City in the FA Cup fourth round this Friday, and their starting lineup will continue a remarkable streak - the Blues have not fielded a single player over the age of 30 in their last 105 matches, more than double the previous Premier League record held by Aston Villa.

Why it matters

Chelsea's commitment to developing young talent and fielding a youthful squad is highly unusual in the Premier League, where many top clubs rely on experienced veterans. This streak demonstrates the club's long-term vision and investment in their academy.

The details

Under manager Liam Rosenior, Chelsea has built a squad with an average age well below 30, bucking the trend of many rival clubs. The Blues' current 105-game streak without a player over 30 in the starting XI is more than double the previous Premier League record of 47 games set by Aston Villa nearly 30 years ago.

  • Chelsea will face Hull City in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Liam Rosenior

The current manager of Chelsea, known for his commitment to developing young talent.

Aston Villa

The Premier League club that previously held the record for the longest streak of fielding a starting XI without a player over 30, at 47 games.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Chelsea's historic streak of fielding the youngest starting lineups in the Premier League demonstrates the club's long-term vision and investment in developing homegrown talent, rather than relying on experienced veterans. This approach has paid dividends, with the Blues consistently challenging for trophies despite their youthful squad.