my youth players abilities are quite a bit behind my starters so they don't get to play. I have a couple of academy players in my squad but they just make up the numbers.

I always buy the best 18 year olds available in week 1 of a new season to strengthen my weakest positions then spend the rest of the season using rests so my best 11 to give them loads of extra training. This means players I sign are always the same age as youth players but are much better.

Just got my youth players today (2 am GMT).
Signed the free youth player. ST - (28% - 77 rated).
Waste of time but will train for 2 seasons then sell before his contract expires.

Haven't signed the other academy player yet (12 tokens) AML/LM - (76% - 89 rated). I can sign up to 94 on the transfer market but next season that'll improve so I'll be signing even players next week when the new season begins.
My other players I can use at LM are 113%, 105%, 96% and 95% (all 18-21 yrs old) so I will probably just release him.