Barcelona are continuing to set trends in European football. The Blaugrana have begun this season using far more players from their youth system and for far more minutes than any of their biggests European rivals.

Jordi Gil

The information has come from a study by Esteve Calzada, the founder of Prime Time Sport.

Calzada evaluated the minutes accumulated by players formed in the canteras of the biggest clubs on the continent, which in Barça's case meant La Masia graduates.

And it revealed that Luis Enrique has already handed homegrown players 2,415 minutes in his first four matches in charge of the club.

Following Barça in second place is Bayern Munich. Pep Guardiola's side have counted on players from their youth system for 1,448 minutes of action so far - practically 1,000 less minutes than the Blaugrana.

It is a noticeable amount considering how few games have been played.

Next come Arsenal (823), Manchester United (771) and then, in fifrth position, Real Madrid (706). The four teams making up the study are Chelsea (463), Milan (270), Juventus (270) and Inter (119).

In the case of the Italian clubs, they have played one less league match.

Barcelona's 2,415 minutes have been accounted for by 14 players. Of them all, 11 form part of the first team, while Munir El Haddadi, Sandro Ramirez and Sergi Samper have been included from Barça B.

That number could improve to 15 if and when goalkeeper Jordi Masip, currently injured, makes his debut.