The thrill of uncovering a five-star potential gem remains the ultimate goal of every Football Manager save. Wonderkids act as blank canvases, on which you can paint your tactical masterpiece. In a game like Football Manager 26, where budgets are tight and every player role matters, uncovering these hidden gems can make the difference between fighting for relegation and glory.
In this guide, we’ll be looking at groundbreaking attributes, personalities, and just raw young talent you can snag for cheap. We will provide you with players who range from someone who can bag goals game in game out to players that make your defence unbeatable.
Best Young Goalkeepers In FM26
- Senne Lammens – 23 – Manchester United
- James Trafford – 23 – Manchester City
- Tommaso Martinelli – 19 – Fiorentina
- Mike Penders – 19 – Chelsea
Senne Lammens and James Trafford are solid choices for goalkeepers if you want someone with prior experience at the top level. They provide longevity and replace the need to change your goalkeepers every few seasons. Tommaso and Mike Penders are great choices as well, although they lack experience; they look to be stars of the future.
Best Young Center Backs In FM26
- Dean Huijsen – 20 – Real Madrid
- Willy Kambwala – 20 – Villareal CF
- Leny Yoro – 19 – Manchester United
- Pau Cubarsi – 18 – FC Barcelona
Dean Huijsen has been great for Real Madrid since his transfer and shows signs of becoming better and better. Willy Kambwala showed his ability at Manchester United. Being only 20, he can still very much make his comeback to the top level. Cubarsi and Yoro need no introduction either; they shine at the top level and make for great center backs for the long term.
Best Young Left Backs In FM26
- Myles Lewis-Skelly – 18 – Arsenal
- Lewis Hall – 20 – Newcastle
- Patrick Dorgu – 20 – Manchester United
- Jorrel Hato – 19 – Chelsea
Any solid defense requires good left-backs, running up and down that left flank, and providing crosses into the box for the attackers to convert. The above-listed players do just that and more. Provide depth for your star players on top of progressing into becoming your star players.
Best Young Right Backs In FM26
- Rico Lewis – 20 – Manchester City
- Hector Fort – 18 – FC Barcelona
- Martim Fernandes – 19 – FC Porto
- Marcos Palestra – 20 – Atlanta
Just like the left backs, the right backs have a more or less similar role. They provide support on the flanks and watch out for any attacks coming their way. The players listed above do just that. Especially Rico Lewis, with his experience at the top level at the ripe age of 20. Martim Fernandes has shown great potential as well and looks to be a solid option for your FM26 save.
Best Young Defensive Midfielders In FM26
- Kobbie Mainoo – 20 – Manchester United
- Carlos Baleba – 21 – Brighton
- Noah Sadiki – 20 – Sunderland
- Marc Bernal – 18 – FC Barcelona
Kobbie Mainoo and Carlos Baleba need no introduction if you’re an avid watcher of the Premier League. Both underrated players and great in the midfield for that defensive touch. Noah Sadiki and Marc Bernal are also young and show a lot of potential, great additions if you look for longevity.
Best Young Central Midfielders In FM26
- Gavi – 20 – FC Barcelona
- Archie Gray – 19 – Tottenham Hotspur
- Joāo Neves – 20 – Paris Saint-Germain
- Tom Bischof – 20 – Bayern Munich
A strong midfield is essential for all teams, and these young lads help you do just that. Joao Neves, at such a young age, bossed the midfield and went on to win the UCL final with PSG. He can do the same in-game, too. Archie Gray, too, is a talented Englishman and shows signs of being a starter in the future. Gavi needs no introduction, having already proved so much at a young age. Tom Bischof has something to prove, but he looks great even now.
Best Young Attacking Midfielders In FM26
- Franco Mastantuono – 17 – Real Madrid
- Nico Paz – 20 – Como
- Arda Guler – 20 – Real Madrid
- Rodrigo Mora – 18 – FC Porto
Two Argentines are making the list, both extremely talented as well. Franco is the true wonderkid here as he comes in at just 17 years with plenty of experience. Similarly, Arda Guler plays a beautiful game as well and has proved the critics wrong with great performances this season. Nico has been class as well and awaits a move to a top team, which could very well be your FM26 save. Rodrigo Mora is a great talent as well and shows great potential.
Best Young Left Wingers In FM26
- Kenan Yildiz – 20 – Juventus
- Alejandro Garnacho – 21 – Chelsea
- Malick Fofana – 20 – Lyon
- Jeremy Monga – 15 – Leicester City
Kenan Yildiz has been superb at Juventus and keeps showing he is a wonderkid each game. He makes running the left flank easy, so does Garnacho. Malick Fofana has been great over in the Ligue 1and shows his ability in a great way. Jeremy Monga, the youngest player so far, might not make your first team just yet, but could easily make it in a few years.
Best Young Right Wingers In FM26
- Ethan Nwaneri – 18 – Arsenal
- Désiré Doué – 20 – Paris Saint-Germain
- Jose Reyes – 17 – Real Madrid
- Tyler Dibling – 19 – Everton
Désiré Doué was insane last season as he went on to win the UCL with PSG, showing his incredible abilities at such a young age and stunning everyone. Ethan Nwaneri has been in and out for Arsenal and has definitely had a positive effect on Arsenal. The same goes with Jose and Tyler, although they don’t have the same experience as the other two, they are a great option for super subs.
Best Young Strikers In FM26
- Mathys Tel – 20 – Tottenhm Hotspur
- Endrick – 19 – Real Madrid
- Vitor Roque – 20 – Palmeiras
- Harry Gray – 16 – Leeds United
If you need clinical strikers who get the ball into the goal, then these are your best bets. Mathys Tel has already proved himself at Bayern Munich and is now doing so at Tottenham, a great player with great potential. Endrick can be a dangerous striker on his day, striking the ball from anywhere he finds space. Vitor Roque and Harry Gray are also great options for a rotation striker or as a backup until they don’t reach their true potential.
