The Career Mode in FC 26 is full of a lot of good young and cheap players, and there’s nothing more satisfying than closing a transfer and developing a player into an icon. The Manager Career Mode has been revamped with deeper simulation, a manager marketplace, and unexpected events/challenges.
But the core strategy that worked best in previous games remains the same: finding high-potential talent early and turning them into stars. You can grow a player with an overall rating in the low 70s to the mid-to-high 80s with proper development. That’s how you win in this mode long-term.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up some of the best wonderkids in FC 26 that have sky-high potential, relatively good affordability, and great skills on the pitch.
Best Wonderkids With High Career Mode Potential
Endrick
- Age: 18
- Club: Real Madrid
- Position: ST/RW
- OVR: 77
- POT: 91
- Value: €24M
This guy is one of the most hyped Brazilian prospects in recent years. Endrick is a striker who always proves to be a considerable threat. In FC 26, he lives up to his hype with a huge 91 potential rating. He starts at 77 overall, so don’t expect a superstar from the get-go. But if you give him consistent minutes and play him in attacking roles, he can become a lethal striker who is capable of leading your line.
The best part about him is his value. At under €25M, you’re essentially paying early for a player who could become one of the world’s best strikers. In Career Mode terms, this is exactly the kind of signing that rewards patience.
Dean Huijsen
- Age: 20
- Club: Real Madrid
- Position: CB
- OVR: 82
- POT: 89
- Value: €56M
We have another Real Madrid player on this list, but this time it’s a defender. Huijsen is the kind of defender you won’t have to worry much about. He’s tall, robust, and great in the air. This player also possesses strong tackling and positional awareness. Starting with an 82 overall, he’s already very usable, giving our defensive stability from his first match.
As he progresses with good development, he hits several high defensive and physical stats, meaning he becomes more than just a wall. Expensive, sure, but he’s worth every euro if you want a defense that you can trust long term.
Jorrel Hato
- Age: 19
- Club: Chelsea
- Position: CB/LB
- OVR: 78
- POT: 89
- Value: €29M
This is a relatively cheap investment that will pay off in drones. Hato is a 19-year-old Chelsea player who happens to be one of the most exciting defensive prospects in the game. He starts with an 78 overall rating, and while he’s not the best starting out, he surprisingly fits well with top-flight squads. He has good strength, composure, and solid tackling ability. Being a left footer also gives him value in formations where balance matters.
He has a very high ceiling with an 89 potential, jumping up a total of 11 points. At that stage, you’re looking at one of the most complete defenders in Career Mode. At €29M, he might not be the cheapest, but for what you’ll get out of him, it’s a complete bargain. He can develop into a great leader at the back and still give tactical flexibility.
Franco Mastantuono
- Age: 17
- Club: Real Madrid
- Position: CAM / RW
- OVR: 77
- POT: 88
- Value: €22M
Argentina seems to pump out attacking midfield talent like it’s nothing, and Mastantuono is next in line. At a young age of 17, he starts with a very respectable 77 rating. His dribbling, agility, and vision are well above his age, though. Mastantuono precisely pulls strings in the midfield or drifts wide, making him highly versatile in various formations.
With an 88 potential rating, he’s a very hot pick in Career Mode right now. You can pick him relatively early at €22M, and he’ll become your midfield engine within a few seasons. For the money, he’s arguably one of the best young midfielders you can poach right now.
Archie Gray
- Age: 19
- Club: Tottenham Hotspur
- Position: CM/CDM
- OVR: 75
- POT: 86
- Value: €11.5M
This 19-year-old is a modern midfielder who brings a mix of defensive stability and attacking support. Starting with an overall rating of 74, he’s solid for a Championship-level starter but needs time before he’s Premier League-ready. Fortunately, his stamina and work rate make him a player you can use right away.
His 86 potential makes him an excellent growth project if your club is operating with a tight budget. For €11.5M, you get to invest in a midfielder who can cover multiple roles, adapt to different systems, and become a reliable starter a few seasons down the line.
Lewis Hall
- Age: 20
- Club: Newcastle United
- Position: LB
- OVR: 80
- POT: 86
- Value: €30.5M
This 20-year-old English lad is a Newcastle player who delivers on versatility. Officially a left-back, he’s just as comfortable stepping into midfield roles as the need arises. This makes him an important tactical asset to add to your arsenal. He already starts with a high overall rating of 80, making him an excellent addition to your defense.
With a potential of 86, he won’t quite hit superstar levels but has enough talent to develop into a consistent top-flight team option. He’s not exactly the cheapest defender at €30.5M, but he’s a good addition if you care about countering from defense and making plays that way. Pick him if you want tactical depth.
Kobbie Mainoo
- Age: 20
- Club: Manchester United
- Position: CM/CDM
- OVR: 77
- POT: 85
- Value: €23M
Mainoo is already showing signs of being a competent and complete midfielder, both for United and his country. Starting with a 77 overall, he offers quite a lot of balance in the midfield. He possesses strong passing, awareness, and good control. He fits best in deeper midfield roles where he can dictate tempo.
His 85 overall potential might not put him in elite “wonderkid” status, but not every player you buy needs to develop into an 88, 89, or 90 rating. At 85, when developed properly, Mainoo is a very safe option. He’s also not a bad shout for a Road to Glory run, as you can pick him up in the early to mid stages of your run for just €23M.
Senne Lammens
- Age: 22
- Club: Manchester United
- Position: GK
- OVR: 78
- POT: 87
- Value: €27.5M
Rounding off this list, we have a Belgian goalkeeper who plays for the Red Devils. Every squad needs a good goalkeeper, and Lammens is a good, cheap option if you’re planning ahead. With a 78 overall, he’s already a solid addition but quickly develops into a high-tier keeper with a potential rating of 87.
He tops out as a very strong starting goalkeeper, and his path makes him reliable for many seasons. Shot-stopping and positioning become his standout traits, and at €27.5M, you’re locking in stability between the posts for nearly a decade of Career Mode.
