Looking for EA FC 25 wonderkids? We've compiled a list of the world's best youngsters in the game.
After playing the new game extensively, our experts have sifted through the best that Career Mode has to offer, looking beyond the start ratings for the players. There are plenty of huge changes this year – including EA IQ, which has a bearing on Career Mode – but the classic buy-young-and-develop model remains the best.
So who should you buy? Let's run through FourFourTwo's star picks for the game.
FourFourTwo's recommendations
This season's EA FC wonderkids are some of the most impressive in years, with real-life clubs recruiting younger – such as Chelsea, who are signing up young talent on big deals.
FourFourTwo's resident EA FC expert, John-Anthony Disotto has a fair few recommendations, with Blues star Renato Veiga leading the way of the players he's signed so far. Does Cole Palmer count, too? Perhaps a little too old to be a wonderkid, but he's a must-sign – as is Tim Weah from Juventus, at 24.
Fellow Juve team-mate Khephren Thuram is another standout midfielder, Filippo Terracciano is a superb pick and both Pau Cubarsi of Barcelona and Julian Araujo from Bournemouth are good signings to make, too.
This year's Ultimate Team Evolutions mean that there are plenty of opportunities to use wonderkids with silver player cards by boosting their stats to make them high-rated players. One standout from Evolutions is Kobbie Mainoo who can transform from a 77-rated card into an 85-rated powerhouse just by selecting the correct Evolutions path.
Elite-level wonderkids
The elite EA FC 25 wonderkids: The players who WILL reach world-class potential
These are the players who are must-haves in the game. Each of them will reach a potential of around 87 without fail.
But they're not going to come easy. The longer you leave them at their starting club, the more expensive they're going to get over time: FourFourTwo recommends signing them as soon as possible to beat the rush for their signatures.
Goalkeepers
Wonderkid goalkeepers in EA FC 25
Young goalkeepers can sometimes be a liability, especially in game modes like Ultimate Team where there are so many high-rated options to choose from. That said, for Career Mode or even a game of Rush with silver players some of these options could do a handy shift in net.
Guillaume Restes is the only goalkeeper who reaches elite level with no problem – the French-born goalkeeper follows in Alban Lafont’s footsteps at Toulouse as this year’s highest-potential wonderkid goalkeeper. The 19-year-old comes in with an overall of 78, making him a starter for most Premier League teams straight from the offset – but there are plenty of other top options, especially in the Premier League.
Bart Verbruggen has already established himself as a starter at Brighton having made his name at Anderlecht in the early years of his career. The towering 21-year-old starts your save in the high 70s with the potential to grow into a genuinely world-class talent. The allure of unearthing England’s future number one makes James Trafford a must-buy for anyone doing a save in the English pyramid. With a potential of 84, Trafford is expected to surpass Jordan Pickford’s ability in no time.
The best budget option this season comes in the form of Mike Penders, the 18-year-old stopper recently signed by Chelsea. He will be available for around £2 million at the start of the game and has the potential to grow 18 ratings up to 83.
Right-backs
Wonderkid right-backs in EA FC 25
The best young right-back on the game, unsurprisingly, is Malo Gusto who will start your save at 80 overall. Aged just 21, Gusto offers the pace and attacking threat required by the biggest teams in the game, although his high potential means he will cost you a large chunk of your transfer budget.
There are other big Premier League stars, though. Versatile and technically excellent, Rico Lewis’ real-life potential has been recognised by EA, allowing him to grow up 85 later in your save. Able to play in midfield, Lewis could be signed alongside one of our other recommendations at right-back to bolster your squad’s positional coverage.
A Football Manager hero, Tino Livramento’s immense potential has finally been represented by EA this year as the 21-year-old has been given an 85 potential in this year’s game. The pacey Newcastle man is likely to be a mainstay in the England side through the duration of your save. The budget option at right-back, meanwhile, comes from Portugal with Porto’s £3m-ratd 2006-born Martim Fernandes.
Another viable choice for the Premier League is Aston Villa's new signing, Kosta Nedeljkovic who signed from Red Star Belgrade for £8m in January. Elsewhere, we recommend keeping an eye on Arnau Martinez, who is out of contract at the end of the first season on Career Mode as it sounds.
Centre-backs
Wonderkid centre-backs in EA FC 25
There aren't many centre-backs who make world-class level in FC 25 – but there are several who reach a top level and won't cost a bomb.
Pau Cubarsi’s sensational rise as Europe’s most exciting defensive talent has been recognised by EA this season, with the Barcelona man given a potential rating of 88. Starting out at 72-rated at the age of 17, Cubarsi is ready to start for a lot of teams from the offset, while one loan move would likely be enough to start pushing for a starting spot at an elite-level club.
Giorgio Scalvini, meanwhile, enjoyed a fantastic season last year prior to an ACL injury, helping Atalanta to the Europa League final. The 20-year-old is good enough to start for most Premier League teams, while an 87 potential ensures he will go on to be one of the world’s best once he hits his prime.
In the Premier League, Leny Yoro’s move to Manchester United was one of the most exciting transfers of the summer, with a strong campaign for Lille resulting in an overall jump to 78 in this year’s game. An 86 potential and a towering frame mean he will be difficult to pass up on in your saves.
Valued at just over £1 million, Luka Vuskovic is a must-buy for any side this year thanks to his whopping 86 potential. The Croatian teen recently confirmed a 2025 move to Tottenham from Dinamo Zagreb as part of Spurs’ recent youth revolution.
Left-backs
Wonderkid left-backs in EA FC 25
Alejandro Balde has been regarded as one of the most exciting young left-backs for some time now, and this year is no different. Starting at 81, Balde has the potential to reach a whopping 89 overall, higher than any left-back currently in the game.
If you're looking for someone comfortable at centre-back and left-back, meanwhile, Jorrel Hato is the latest hot property off the Ajax production line. The 18-year-old starts off at 75-rated, making him fairly easy to sign for most elite sides.
Already one of the best defenders in the world, it’s easy to forget that Destiny Udogie is still only 21 years old. Valued at over £40 million, Udogie is going to be incredibly hard to pick up, but a potential ability of 86 makes his signing well worth the outlay.
Defensive midfielders
Wonderkid defensive midfielders in EA FC 25
Kobbie Mainoo’s remarkable breakout campaign last season has been recognised by EA, making him the most exciting young defensive midfielder in the game this year. An 87 potential means he could be as good as Frenkie De Jong in his prime, not bad company by any means.
Young Belgian Arthur Vermeeren stands alongside Mainoo with a potential overall of 87, although he is not available immediately due to his loan move to RB Leipzig. Rated 76 at the start of the game, Vermeeren will be capable of starting for any team on the game in just a few short seasons.
Versatility defined, Archie Gray made waves in the Championship last season before his move to Spurs this summer. Valued below £6 million at the start of the game, Gray is a fantastic budget option with the potential to compete with the greatest midfielders on earth after a few years.
Central midfielders
Wonderkid central midfielders in EA FC 25
Arguably the best midfielder at a European giant at the age of just 18, Warren Zaire-Emery already has the world at his feet. Rated 80 at the start of the game and equipped with a potential of 90, the Frenchman’s all-roundedness makes him the perfect midfield in this year’s career mode. Another PSG Midfielder, Joao Neves was a force to behold last season with Benfica, proving effective as a relentless box-to-box midfielder
It’s easy to forget that Gavi still hasn’t even turned 20, such is his impact on Barcelona over the past few seasons. With a 90 potential, Gavi is the ideal creative midfielder for an elite side looking to break down tough defences.
A budget option this year comes from Germany, Assan Ouedraogo joined Leipzig from Schalke this season and can be picked up for as little as £4 million at the start of the game. A towering creative midfielder, the German is unmissable in your save this time around.
Attacking midfielders
Wonderkid attacking midfielders in EA FC 25
It feels illegal to still feature Jude Bellingham in a wonderkid list at that point, but he’s still only 21 years old. Starting the game at 90-rated, you may need to remortgage your stadium to afford him, but a potential of 94 means Bellingham promises to be one of the greatest players of all time in your saves.
Another of the greatest players in the world already, Jamal Musiala’s 93 potential this year makes him one of the most exciting talents in the world. A lofty price means he is only available to the best sides in the world, but his technical ability makes him well worth the price.
An exciting young German with immense creativity and already performing close to his prime – it feels like I’ve heard this before – Florian Wirtz, like Musiala, is one of the best talents available this season while his tender age means he is almost guaranteed to reach his massive potential in your save.
Had he played in any other position, Arda Guler would be the most exciting youngster in his role. A potential rating of 90 is dwarfed by those ahead of him, although he is much, much more affordable than the above three.
A budget option for an attacking midfielder is Kendry Paez, who is due to join Chelsea next season. The Ecuadorian teenager is expected to grow by around 20 by the time he hits his peak, while an initial value of around £5 million makes him a realistic option for a large number of teams.
Right-wingers
Wonderkid right-wingers in EA FC 25
Undoubtedly the greatest youngster in this year’s game, 16-year-old and future Ballon d'Or winner Lamine Yamal has converted a remarkable debut season at Barcelona into a 94 potential this year. Starting at 80-rated, he can be signed for as little as £60 million at the start of the game, a fraction of what he might cost after just a few seasons.
Johan Bakayoko has been lighting up the Eredivisie for a number of years now and has been rewarded with an 88-potential this season. A powerful winger with skills and a weak foot to match, Bakayoko is a solid pick-up for any side capable of paying the fee required to land him at the start of the game.
A relative unknown in comparison to the others in this list, Sporting’s 17-year-old winger Geovany Quenda starts off the game at 70 rated, possibly growing to a whopping 88 rated in his prime. Imagine picking up Bukayo Saka for just £4 million. Need I say more?
Left-wingers
Wonderkid left-wingers in EA FC 25
A monstrous Euros campaign has seen Nico Williams enter this year's game at a whopping 85-rated, making him the most exciting young left-winger in the game this year. Remarkable pace and creativity make him a must-have for any big club, while Savinho is another young star has already proven what he can do under Pep Guardiola this season, worth a pickup, with 88 potential.
Touted as the long-term successor to Kylian Mbappe, Bradley Barcola is yet another wonderkid coming out of PSG this year. Expected to reach the same rating as Heung-Min Son, Barcola is a must-buy this year.
Needing no introduction, EA have put their faith in Alejandro Garnacho reaching his potential after an electric start to like as a Manchester United regular. A lofty pricetag may put off a number of sides, but the long-awaited heir to Ronaldo looks to finally grace Old Trafford in the game.
A budget option out wide this year is Borussia Dortmund’s 17-year-old Belgian Julien Duranville, available for around £3 million, and capable of starting for any team in Europe at full potential. Finally, it's worth mentioning Antonio Nusa at RB Leipzig, another speedster this 19-year-old will be perfect for the start of Ultimate Team where Bundesliga teams are often incredibly cheap to help get you started.
Centre-forwards
Wonderkid centre-forwards in EA FC 25
What more needs to be said about Endrick? A Real Madrid and Brazil starter before even turning 18, one of the world’s most exciting strikers has been rated as the highest-potential striker in the game this year. With a modest price tag in the early seasons, Endrick is an absolute must-buy.
Bayern’s French teenage sensation Mathys Tel has been knocking on the door at the Allianz for a while now, and it finally seems like he’s going to truly explode onto the scene this year. Comfortable across the front line, Tel offers a versatile option with plenty of pace to add to your attacking line-up.
Another Bundesliga pick, towering Slovakian Benjamin Sesko shows shades of Haaland with his style of play for RB Leipzig earning him a massive 88 potential this year. Quick, strong and comfortable on both feet, Sesko is a fantastic option up front in this year’s game.
The budget option up front is Turkey’s Semih Kilicsoy. The 18-year-old currently plays for Besiktas and can be signed for as little as £6 million. Capable of reaching the same rating as Antoine Griezmann, the youngster looks like a fantastic pick-up early in your save.
Frequently asked questions
What is a wonderkid?
A wonderkid is a young player on EA FC that has a high potential ability. If you are able to nurture and manage them correctly, they should turn into one of the game's best players.
How old are wonderkids?
Wonderkids in Football Manager are players under the age of 21. In EA FC, however, it's a bit more flexible so we like to look for youngsters with huge potential most of which are close to that 20 mark.
How can you find wonderkids in EA FC 25?
The best way to find wonderkids in EA FC is by searching for players by age in Career Mode or by potential. In Ultimate Team, you'll need to use your real-life football knowledge to find those hidden gems.
Is it wonderkid or wunderkind?
'Wunderkind' is a German phrase that translates directly to 'child prodigy', with the English language borrowing and adapting the term to 'wonderkid.'
