Football Manager 2022: Wonderkids Groups

[David76]

Football Manager is a game with the scope and potential to drain thousands of hours of your life in the blink of an eye.

What if you want to sign up the best young stars for the future of FM though? Football Manager has always been all about wonderkids, and FM2022 is no different.

Goalkeepers​

Maarten Vandevoordt​

• Club: Genk
• Age: 19
• Transfer Value: £12m-15m

Genk's Vandevoordt is the prime goalkeeper to sign in FM2022 if you want a young player with bags of potential. It takes a tad longer for keepers to upgrade of course, but with a bit of patience, Vandevoordt can be your club's stalwart for well over a decade. Train him up as a sweeper-keeper if you can - his footwork and ball skills are already great and can be boosted even more to start attacks from the back.

Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro​

• Club: AZ
• Age: 17
• Transfer Value: £350k-£3.4m

Even more of a project, Owusu-Oduro of Eredivisie club AZ is just 17 years of age. He's raw, but with time and effort, he can reach the heady heights of the Premier League or other top-tier divisions. His youth makes him a lot cheaper to buy than other young keepers too.

Diogo Costa​

• Club: FC Porto
• Age: 21
• Transfer Value: £9.6m-14m

Diogo Costa is a lot more ready to step right into the limelight. Chuck an offer at Porto on day 1 and they'll accept, and at 21 years of age Costa still has a lot more room to grow. Chuck him directly into your side if you can afford the fee, and watch him fly.

More Wonderkid Goalkeepers​

• Iván Martínez
• Gavin Bazunu
• Coniah Boyce-Clarke
• Alejandro ItuDRe
• André Gomes
• James Trafford
• Giorgi Mamardashvili
• Francisco Meixedo
• Lucão
• Leandro Mathias

 

[David76]

Defenders​

Renan​

• Club: SEP
• Position: DC/DL
• Age: 19
• Transfer Value: £6.6m-£9.6m

Versatility is key in FM2022, and it's been great to see the improvements on how players can be more flexible with the positions they play. Renan is naturally gifted at both left-back and centre-back, so if you have a bit of cash to grab him from the Brazilian league, you'll be getting a hard-tackling defender with bags of offensive ability.

Wisdom Amey​

• Club: Bologna
• Position: DC/DR
• Age: 15
• Transfer Value: £10m-£15m

He's only 15 and will set you back a pretty big wedge of cash, but just think of the offers you'll be turning down just a few short years into his development. Man City will be throwing wads of cash at your door as you develop an amazing defender, both out wide and in the middle.

Kaiky​

• Club: SAN
• Position: DC
• Age: 17
• Transfer Value: £350k-£3.5m

Kaiky represents really good value for a wonderkid-type transaction. He's available for a pretty low cost and grows to be one of the top DCs in the league with a bit of patience. He's not half bad on the ball either.

Julián Aude​

• Club: Lanús
• Position: DL/LWB
• Age: 18
• Transfer Value: £5.2m-£6.2m

With fullbacks and wingbacks dominating the real-life football tactics meta, it makes sense for Football Manager to replicate this realism. Aude is a classic attacking left-back, with the potential to be one of the best in the game thanks to his great physical and mental attributes you can train to an even higher level.

George Bello​

• Club: Atlanta United
• Position: DL/LWB
• Age: 19
• Transfer Value: £600k-£8.2m

This American fullback has a contract nearing its expiry date, so if you're feeling extra cheeky you could go for the free transfer. This is risky though, and you can just as easily get an absolute steal by sliding into Atlanta United's DMs and grabbing yourself a fantastic player.

Calegari​

• Club: FLU
• Position: DR/RWB/DM
• Age: 19
• Transfer Value: £10.5m-£15.5m

Another Brazilian wonderkid? Yeah, this one is really good too. He's a bit pricy for his current ability, but his versatility and flexibility to slot into the defensive midfield role makes him well worth the price.

Devyne Rensch​

• Club: Ajax
• Position: DR/RWB/DC/DM/DL
• Age: 18
• Transfer Value: £12.5m-£15m

Oh, you want flexibility? Look at all the positions Devyne Rensch can play. This Ajax wonderkid is a natural all through the back line and is extremely worth picking up if you can afford the price. He'll be a Premier League superstar in no time.

More Wonderkid Defenders​

• David De la Víbora
• Benoît Badiashile
• Tanguy Nianzou
• Andrea CaDRoni
• Gonçalo Esteves
• Vanderson
• Jurriën Timber
• Riccardo Calafiori
• Alejandro Francés
• Josha Vagnoman

 

[David76]

Defensive & Central Midfielders​

Rafael Luis​

• Club: SDL
• Position: DM/MC
• Age: 16
• Transfer Value: £150k-£1.5m

The 'Model Citizen' personality trait can't be overstated in its importance. In Football Manager, every variable matters, and having the Model Citizen personality means your hidden statistics are extremely high. Rafael Luis is going to be a superstar.

Aster Vranckx​

• Club: VFL Wolfsburg
• Position: DM/MC/AMC
• Age: 18
• Transfer Value: £5.2m-£8m

Aster Vranckx can develop fantastically as the centrepiece of your team. Working as a ball winner or a more attacking threat depending on how you deploy him, he'll become a real gem as your squad's pivot.

Gabriël Misehouy​

• Club: Ajax
• Position: MC/AMC
• Age: 15
• Transfer Value: £9m-£11.5m

At just 15, Gabriël Misehouy is definitely a project to work on, but if you're a big enough deal to spend about 10 million on a youngster he'll pay dividends later on in your save. Equally adept playmaking and getting into the box, he'll flourish a huge amount if you train him right.

Sandry​

• Club: SAN
• Position: MC
• Age: 18
• Transfer Value: £6.8m-£8.2m

Sandry is injured at the start of a save so you might not be able to grab him immediately, but once those ligaments are repaired you should take steps to get him on your team ASAP - he's just such a great all-rounder.

Samuele Ricci​

• Club: Empoli
• Position: DM/MC
• Age: 19
• Transfer Value: £14.5m-£21m

Samuele Ricci is a classic playmaking midfielder. Could he be the new Pirlo under your tutelage? He's pretty pricy, but his existing stats make him an easy sell for any squad. He's so balanced, and the perfect player to build a team around.

Gabriel Menino​

• Club: SEP
• Position: DM/MC/DR/RWB/MR
• Age: 20
• Transfer Value: £7.2m-£8.8m

Now for another versatile player to fill in the gaps in your squad. As well as being a wonderkid and star of the future, Gabriel Menino can play all over the place, including in the Complete Wing Back role at DR. What a treat.

Burak İnce​

• Club: Altınordu
• Position: AMC/MC
• Age: 17
• Transfer Value: £1.3m-£2.7m

With excellent technique at just 17 years of age, Burak İnce is just fantastic for his price. Get in there early and he'll be a goal and assist machine for a whole lot of his career. And hey, if you can't keep him he'll generate a really sound profit.

Hugo Félix​

• Club: SDL
• Position: AMC/MC
• Age: 17
• Transfer Value: £750k-£1.6m

Hugo Félix is a slightly lower-cost option than İnce but offers just as much potential and the chance to really build your squad around what he'll become. Poor Benfica. You really do keep buying up their faves.

Facundo Farías​

• Club: SDL
• Position: AMC/AML/ST
• Age: 18
• Transfer Value: £900k-£4.6m

Facundo Farías is a really solid potential option for your team's future build, with a low-ish price and the potential to grow into a star. You can even train hard and turn him into a full-on striker if you really fancy a challenge.

More Wonderkid Midfielders​

• Dário Essugo
• Angelo Stiller
• Ruslan Litvinov
• Ivan Ilić
• Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson
• Gabriël Misehouy
• Rayan Cherki
• Thiago Almada
• Chuki
• Emanuel Vignato

 

[David76]

Wingers and Strikers​

Matheus Gonçalves​

• Club: FLA
• Position: AMR
• Age: 15
• Transfer Value: £1.1m-£4.9m

At just 15, Gonçalves is yet another unbelievably talented Brazilian wonderkid. His penchant for flair will hopefully show off the brand new FM2022 match animations, and if you need any more convincing, he's pretty well-priced too.

Antonio Nusa​

• Club: FLA
• Position: AMR/AML/MR/ML
• Age: 16
• Transfer Value: £7.6m-£9.4m

Nusa is a jack of all trades, and he'll become a master of those trades if you play your cards right. Adept on either wing, he's got bags of flair. Once you sort out that rusty finishing, he could become your primary goalscorer.

Jayden Addai​

• Club: AZ
• Position: AMR/AML
• Age: 15
• Transfer Value: £4.4m-£6.6m

Another super-young winger, you won't be able to have Jayden Addai actually play for you for a couple of years. That's okay though - he can continue his development at AZ and hopefully come to your squad with experience in the first team, some upgraded technical stats, and a step closer to his potential.

David Kalokoh​

• Club: Ajax
• Position: AML/AMR/AMC/ST
• Age: 16
• Transfer Value: £7.6m-£11.5m

He can play all along the front line and be extremely dangerous doing so. If the price puts you off, have a look on your own save - he might well have dropped! That's what happened for me which allowed a real deal.

Lorenzo Lucca​

• Club: Pisa
• Position: ST
• Age: 20
• Transfer Value: £240k-£5.6m

Lorenzo Lucca is over 2m tall! He has 17 heading! 17 jumping reach! If you play the kind of football that'll help with and need the perfect target forward to build around, you've found him.

Gonçalo Ramos​

• Club: SLB
• Position: ST
• Age: 20
• Transfer Value: £11m-£16m

Ramos is 20 years of age, so is therefore further into his development than some other players on this list. This makes him pretty pricy. It also makes him ready for action right now in the right setup. Solid stats across the board make Ramos a really good choice.

Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer​

• Club: Dynamo Dresden
• Position: ST/AMR
• Age: 19
• Transfer Value: £170k-£5.2m

Königsdörffer can be poached from the German second tier with surprising ease if you're a club with the sort of pull a player at that level will find attractive. He's got it all really - technical, physical, and mental attributes.

Jason van Duiven​

• Club: PSV
• Position: ST
• Age: 16
• Transfer Value: £950k-£9m

Van Duiven is a raw talent. He won't come into your team and immediately start banging them in - just look at his finishing stat. Give him time and space to grow though, and you're on course for a genuine delight in any role up top.

Eddie Salcedo​

• Club: Inter
• Position: ST/AMC/AML
• Age: 19
• Transfer Value: £8.8m-£10.5m

Eddie is great all-around at just 19. Although he doesn't excel in any ridiculous way like some other wonderkids on this list, he has the potential to become a classic number 9 in the right system. Just keep tabs on his development and give him game time and it'll all go great.

More Wonderkid Forwards​

• Francisco Conceição
• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
• Alan Velasco
• Ângelo
• Sávio
• Matteo Cancellieri
• Karim Adeyemi
• Matías Arezo
• Roberto Piccoli
• Sebastiano Esposito

 

[Tom]

I've signed Maarten Vandevoordt, Josha Vagnoman and Lorenzo Lucca...I didn't realise they were wonderkids.

Vandevoordt has returned to Genk on loan and Lucca has returned to Pisa on loan (I didn't seal a work permit for him so he may not play for Newcastle). I had Vagnoman in my FM21 Koln save and he did exceptionally well despite not having the best attributes so hopefully he can replicate that form in FM22 and kick on in the attributes department.

 

[David76]

Ryan Gravenberch (Ajax)

At just 19 years old, Ryan Gravenberch has already made a name for himself within the Ajax squad.

The central midfielder is a regular starter for de Godenzonen and has featured 14 times in the Eredivisie this season, scoring once.

Gravenberch is highly rated within the world of FM22, too — his passing and technique are two attributes that the Dutchman excels in while the game also credits his first touch and decision making.

Valued upwards of £42million, the Netherlands international is one of the hottest prospects in world football — he will make a great addition to any ambitious manager's squad.

Ernest Poku (AZ Alkmaar)

AZ Alkmaar's most exciting talent comes in the form of young Ernest Poku.

Poku, 17, has only played three times in the Eredivisie and has featured predominantly in the reserves for AZ this season.

But the Dutch winger is as comfortable playing in the centre of the pitch as he is on the wing and his versatility is a standout attribute for managers.

With exceptional pace and dribbling, Poku looks to be a wise investment that will pay dividends for the next decade.

Kenneth Taylor (Ajax)

Kenneth Taylor is another Ajax youth product that has caught the attention of virtual managers around the globe.

The 19-year-old midfielder has played three times in the Eredivisie and twice in the Champions League this season — and his impressive performances have earned him the trust of manager Erik ten Hag.

He is valued at around £19m on FM22 and fits the versatile mould of his team-mate Gravenberch.

Operating in the centre of the park, Taylor has a determined attitude and excellent technical ability — he is certainly someone worth adding to your squad.

Naci Unuvar (Ajax)

Our Ajax theme continues with Naci Unuvar, who is catching the eye with his proficiency in front of goal this term.

Unuvar, 18, has been in prolific form in the reserves in 2021, netting nine times in 15 appearances.

Until now, the Zaandam-born winger has only made one senior appearance for his club — he took his chance however, scoring from the penalty spot in a 7-0 KNVB Cup victory against Spakenburg in June 2020.

The £3.5m-rated forward has wonderful technique and is capable of skipping past players thanks to his excellent close dribbling ability, which makes him an exciting prospect for forward-thinking bosses.

 

[David76]

Some of the names below may already be mentioned in this thread...and some are pretty obvious and well-known.

Goalkeepers (name, club, age)​

Ivan Martinez, Atletico Pamplona, 19
Maarten Vandevoordt, KRC Genk, 19
Lucas Canizares, Real Madrid, 19
Gavin Bazunu, Manchester City, 19
Giorgi Mamardashvili, Dinamo Tiblisi, 20

Defenders​

Wesley Fofana, Leicester, 20
Tanguy Nianzou, Bayern Munich, 19
Benoit Badiashile, AS Monaco, 20
Renan, Palmeiras, 19
Wisdom Amey, Bologna, 15

Fullbacks and wingbacks​

Josko Gvardiol, RB Leipzig, 19
Miguel Gutierrez, Real Madrid, 19
Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich, 20
Nuno Mendes, Sporting, 19
Tino Livramento, Southampton, 18
Timber Jurrien, Ajax, 20
Calegari, Fluminense, 19

Midfielders​

Ilaix Moriba, RB Leipzig, 18
Pedri, Barcelona, 18
Eduardo Camavinga, Real Madrid, 18
Jude Bellingham, Borussia Dortmund, 18
Oliver Skipp, Tottenham, 20
Nicolo Rovella, Zebre, 19
Luka Romero, Lazio, 16

Wingers​

Ansu Fati, Barcelona, 18
Harvey Elliott, Liverpool, 18
Kayky, Manchester City, 18
Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chelsea, 20
David Kalokoh, Ajax, 16
Brian Oddei, Sassuolo, 18
Bukayo Saka, Arsenal, 19
Shola Shoretire, Manchester United, 19

Strikers​

Erling Haaland, Borussia Dortmund, 20
Mason Greenwood, Manchester United, 19
Youssoufa Moukoko, Borussia Dortmund, 16
Ransford-Yeboah Konigsdorffer, Dynamo Dresden, 19
Joao Pedro, Watford, 19
Lorenzo Luca, Piza, 20