Top Wonderkids and Best Young Players in Football Manager 26

Explore the Talent: FM 26 Wonderkids You Need to Scout

In Football Manager 26, the challenge goes beyond winning a single match; it’s about strategically guiding a team to greatness over multiple seasons. This journey involves cultivating promising young talent, allowing a squad to evolve and improve consistently.

Building your team from the ground up is significantly easier with the top FM 26 Wonderkids in your starting lineup. These players combine exceptional skills and youthful exuberance, offering immense potential to become stars. Their abilities not only impress but also promise growth in the coming years.

However, acquiring Wonderkids in Football Manager 26 presents unique challenges compared to other football simulations, notably due to wage structures. Financial Fair Play rules impact spending on established players, leading top clubs to prioritize signing young talent. This approach generates profits from player sales, allowing these clubs to invest in marquee signings more effectively.

This strategy explains why prominent teams such as Chelsea, Manchester City, and PSG maintain a roster of high-potential players with long-term contracts and substantial wages, even if these players seldom see first-team action. Unfortunately, this trend significantly limits lower-league clubs from stockpiling future stars, making it impractical to fill your squad with high-value prospects without strategic planning.

Below, we present a selection of FM 26 Wonderkids across various budgets and roles, ensuring there’s talent available for clubs at all levels. While each player on this list boasts considerable potential, some are better suited for top-tier clubs looking forward, while others can help smaller teams climb higher divisions.

Discover FM 26 Wonderkids

Here’s what you will find on this page:

Goalkeepers
Centre-backs
Full-backs
Central Defensive Midfielders (CDMs)
Attacking Midfielders (CAMs)
Wingers
Strikers

Goalkeepers

Guillaume Restes, Toulouse
Noah Atubolu, Freiburg
Maarten Vandevoordt, RB Leipzig
Matthieu Epolo, Standard Liege
Zion Suzuki, Parma
Pascal Loretz, FC Luzern
Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro, AZ Alkmaar
Josh Keeley, Luton
Mikki van Sass, Wycombe
Murray Johnson, Hibs

With the recent transfer of Lucas Chevallier from Lille to PSG, Guillaume Restes has emerged as Ligue 1’s youngest starting keeper and a prime target for elite clubs. His recent performance might indicate the right moment to secure him before any dip in form.

Noah Atubolu has solidified his position as a top option, particularly following his commendable display at the U21 EUROs with Germany. He has established a reputation in the Bundesliga, especially noted for his unique penalty-saving abilities.

Maarten Vandevoordt remains a promising talent, currently acting as a second-choice goalkeeper at RB Leipzig. Having previously started for Genk in the Champions League, he may seek transfer options soon. From Belgium and Switzerland, Matthieu Epolo and Pascal Loretz offer diverse styles—Epolo as a traditional shot-stopper and Loretz embodying a modern well-rounded goalkeeper.

For clubs looking in lower divisions, players like Josh Keeley and Mikki van Sas are impressing with their first-choice roles. Murray Johnson is also worth monitoring due to potential opportunities should established players ahead of him falter.

Centre-backs

Ousmane Diomande, Sporting
Antonio Silva, Benfica
Nnamdi Collins, Frankfurt
Finn Jeltsch, Stuttgart
Max Rosenfelder, Freiburg
Bright Good Morning, Braga
Lautaro Rivero, River Plate
Joel Ordonez, Club Brugge
Christian Mawi, Monaco
Ryan Flamingo, PSV
Charlie Hughes, Hull
Abubacarr Kinteh, Tromso
Axel Tape-Kobrissa, Leverkusen

Portugal continues to produce highly-rated centre-backs, with Ousmane Diomande and Antonio Silva standing out for their skills. For teams on tighter budgets, Bright Arrey-Mbi presents an attractive alternative without sacrificing quality.

The Bundesliga emerges as a treasure trove for young defenders, as players like Nnamdi Collins and Finn Jeltsch provide the physicality and pace necessary for contemporary defensive play. They are gaining valuable minutes, boosting their marketability.

For budget-conscious managers, scouting players like Jakob Scholler from Austria or Abubacarr Kinteh from Tromso could yield solid investments that blend physical prowess with tactical awareness.

Full-backs

Arnau Martinez, Girona
Fresneda, Sporting
Tom Rothe, Union Berlin
Juanlu Sanchez, Seville
Givairo Read, Feyenoord
Nathaniel Brown, Frankfurt
Elias Baum, Frankfurt
Martim Fernandes, Porto
Joaquin Seys, Club Brugge
Yaimar Medina, Genk
Almugera Kabar, Dortmund
Name Renders, Royal Antwerp
Andre Garcia, Reading
James Dornelly, Peterborough
Ronan Kpakio, Cardiff

Germany continues to be prolific in producing top-flight full-backs, with Nathaniel Brown likely to catch the eye of leading clubs. For those seeking an energetic wing-back, Elias Baum is a teenage talent ready to make an impact.

Tom Rothe offers a unique skill set, providing both aerial ability and an impressive crossing range that many clubs will find beneficial. The Eredivisie remains a fruitful market for searching for young full-backs, with Givairo Read at Feyenoord as a notable option.

When on a budget, consider Andre Garcia, a promising young player with the speed and attacking mindset required for roles at left-back.

Central Defensive Midfielders (CDMs)

Hugo Larsson, Frankfurt
Javi Guerra, Valencia
Ayyoub Bouaddi, Lille
Zeno Debast, Sporting
Lennon Miller, Udinese
Efe Akman, Andorra
Christian Ordonez, Parma
David Watson, Kilmarnock
Matias Siltanen, Djurgardens
Petar Sucic, Inter
Maurits Kjaergaard, RB Salzburg
Bailey Rice, Rangers
Lamine Fanne, Luton
Xavier Simons, Bolton
Bradley Ibrahim, Plymouth

The CDM position offers a variety of roles, whether you need a playmaker or a stronghold. Ayyoub Bouaddi is among the latest in a line of exceptional French midfielders, poised for greatness and ready to dominate the game.

Hugo Larsson at Frankfurt stands out for his ability to combine physical strength and technical skills. In fact, Frankfurt’s entire roster may yield hidden gems perfect for your squad.

For a gritty, no-nonsense defensive player, check out Christian Ordonez at Parma. For teams operating on limited budgets, players like Lamine Fanne and Xavier Simons present dynamic options with fantastic attributes to excel at lower levels.

Attacking Midfielders (CAMs)

Johann Manzambi, Freiburg
Hakon Haraldsson, Lille
Oscar Gloukh, Ajax
Can Uzun, Frankfurt
Mario Stroeykens, Anderlecht
Gianluca Prestianni, Benfica
Rodrigo Mora, Porto
Nico Paz, As
Paul Nebel, Mainz
Gustavo Sa, Famalicão
Alvyn Sanches, Young Boys
Assan Ouedraogo, RB Leipzig
Kees Smit, AZ Alkmaar

Recruiting for the number 10 position can be challenging, as the quality of the attacking midfielder directly influences the team’s cohesion. Identifying players with strong physical characteristics as a starting point can shape their training in technical skills.

Nico Paz emerges as a notable talent, poised for a return to Real Madrid in reality but available in FM 26 for a keen manager. Gustavo Sa offers a more accessible alternative, combining height and playmaking ability, perfect for the role.

Players like Assan Ouedraogo make compelling options with their physical presence and technical flair, enticing clubs to invest in emerging talents.

Left Wingers and Right Wingers

Assane Diao, Como
Luciano Rodriguez, NEOM
Said El Mala, Koln
William Gomes, Porto
Maher Carrizo, Velez Sarsfield
Victor Munoz, Osasuna
Matias Soule, Roma
Giannis Konstantelias, POAK
Jean-Matteo Bahoya, Frankfurt
Roger Fernandes, Al Ittihad
Yeremay, Deportivo
Malick Fofana, Lyon
Gabriel Silva, Santa Clara
Geovany Quenda, Sporting
Newerton, Shakhtar
Mika Godts, Ajax
Ruben van Bommel, PSV
Bazoumana Toure, Hoffenheim
Julien Duranville, Dortmund
Leo Sauer, Feyenoord
Ian Subiabre, River Plate
Bae Jun-Ho, Stoke
Kwadwo Baah, Watford
Findlay Curtis, Rangers
Daniel Bennie, QPR

While the pool of Wonderkid options in attacking midfield is limited, the flanks are teeming with young, dynamic talent boasting speed and skill. Assane Diao, playing for Como, possesses all the qualities to excel in the Premier League.

Portuguese clubs consistently produce exciting talent, and Geovany Quenda, noted for his agreement to join Chelsea, stands out. In addition, players like William Gomes and Gabriel Silva showcase the flair expected from Brazilian wingers.

To explore talents from other leagues, consider scouting young South American prospects like Maher Carrizo and Ian Subiabre, both of whom provide exceptional value.

Strikers

Emanuel Emegha, Strasbourg
Nicolo Tresoldi, Club Brugge
Samu, Porto
Lucas Stassin, Saint-Etienne
Kaua Elias, Shakhtar
Karim Konate, RB Salzburg
Jhon Duran, Fenerbahce
Charalampos Kostoulas, Brighton
Matthis Abline, Nantes
Mason Melia, St Patrick’s
Nelson Weiper, Mainz
George Ilenikhena, Monaco
Jeronimo Domina, Union
James Wilson, Hearts
Calum Osmand, Celtic
Bradley Fink, Wycombe
Harry Leonard, Peterborough
Joe Taylor, Huddersfield

When selecting a striker, the decision often hinges on your tactical philosophy. Emanuel Emegha from Strasbourg is a powerful option, capable of combining strength and speed effectively. His connection to Chelsea may signal high demand in the near future.

Another standout is Samu from Porto, whose impressive goal tally has made him an attractive target, although Portuguese clubs typically ask for significant transfer sums.

For traditional number 9s, Lucas Stassin and Matthis Abline offer solid finishing and physicality. With Saint-Etienne’s relegation, Stassin could be a particularly profitable acquisition.

In the lower leagues, look for hidden gems in Scotland, such as James Wilson, Calum Osmand, and Johnny Kenny, who have all shown promise and room for growth.

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