There are new Football Manager 2024 wonderkids to add to your shortlist, with the March update of the game bringing new starlets to the database midseason.
You know the drill by now. Most FM players maximise the most they can from youngsters, either to sell on for a profit or to build their side around as cornerstones. Because while there are big players in their prime that you'll be desperate to sign, there are wonderkids who can not only provide better investments – they're more satisfying to nurture as a manager.
We also have lists on the best bargains you need to sign and the best free agents, but there's something special about a wonderkid: they train harder, they're easier to mould into what you want and they're often cheaper to sign. So here are our picks, from the obvious to the obscure, with the full list below, too.
The Elite List of Football Manager 2024 wonderkids
If you're looking for a discount on FM24, there's a discount on preorder at Fanatical – by shopping via FFT, you can save an extra 5% off the game – making it 22% off overall. That reduces the final price to just £35.05, down from £44.99.
When you head to the checkout, make sure to use the additional discount code 442FM24 to get the extra 5% off Football Manager 2024.
This is our elite list of the 28 players labelled as a ‘wonderkid’ on the game in the media description of the player. Naturally, that evolves over time – but having the status as a wonderkid from the off makes these the most promising bunch.
Of course, a lot of them are also playing for elite clubs. But that gives you another challenge: if you're taking over a top side and looking to establish yourself over the next five virtual years, bringing in one of these lads in their prime will be a massive statement signing. Your board will thank you later.
You can download this list of 28 as a loadable shortlist to use in FM24. Simply go to Scouting > Shortlists and then click the cog – then Load Shortlist and load this one.
FourFourTwo's recommendations
I've been playing Football Manager for years now – and I've rarely loved a player as much as Sverre Halseth Nypan. Norway is enjoying a renaissance in football right now and Nypan is key to that in my current FM24 save. I purchased him at Roma for under £2 million and he's been a bargain: like a Santi Cazorla regen, he's incredibly two-footed, able to play deeper in midfield, further forward behind a striker or on either flank. He has five-star potential almost locked in, too: a genuine world-beater in the making. I can't recommend him enough.
Nypan often plays alongside Luka Vrbancic in that side, too: a Croatian schemer in midfield who can be converted into more of a deep-lying playmaker. With excellent vision and leadership, too, he's a no-brainer at under £5m – even if you loan him out before he's ready. Shoutout to Nantes defender Bastien Meupiyou who cost a similar amount when I bought him in my second summer window. He's just as reliable, able to play left-sided centre-back, left-back or defensive midfield. He's been a brilliant buy – while Abakar Sylla is another left-footed CB in the French leagues who comes with a 19-rating for leadership.
Karim Konate is one that plenty of FM24 players have been discussing rightfully as a top talent in this game, too. The Ivorian is almost inevitable: I've played several saves since this game was released and Konate floats to the top in every single one so far. He has the potential to be world-class and he's well worth bringing in, if you're looking for a striker. Pau Sans is another superb option, who can be signed for just £1m: he's an excellent backup in a top-five league at worst – and he was very reliable when I bought him.
Finally, Ivan Fresneda is a must-buy for me. You can't buy him in your first season – he only joined Sporting last summer – but he's a complete full-back able to master almost any role at right-back: I even trained him at left-back. I usually avoid players with the ‘Doesn't enjoy big games’ trait but it hasn't been noticeable with Fresneda: especially as I've surrounded him with mentality monsters. He'll cost a bomb – but he more than pays it back when he becomes the best full-back in the game come three to five years.
Goalkeepers
Football Manager 2024 wonderkids: Who are the wonderkid FM24 goalkeepers I need to sign?
Goalkeepers in Football Manager tend to mature after the age of 25 – but these are the stars worth keeping an eye on now.
Whether you choose to pick one of these up now for the future or simply have an eye on them ready for when they hit peak, it's good to know who to watch for. Be careful who you sign and how much playing time they get, though: goalkeepers can drop in potential if you only buy them as backups and you'll need to find them loan moves with managers who will actually give them minutes.
Right-backs
Football Manager 2024 wonderkids: Who are the wonderkid FM24 right-backs I need to sign?
Full-back is an evolving position in the sport, making FM24's collection of wonderkid footballers perhaps the most intriguing for some while. Some of these players will become world-class centre-backs in real life, others might have other lives as midfielders – while you might want to convert a player from another position to play right-back.
These are the specialists, however, who are destined for big things in your save. With some great deals available too, it's worth scouting a handful.
Centre-backs
Football Manager 2024 wonderkids: Who are the wonderkid FM24 centre-backs I need to sign?
Buying a young centre-back can ensure the future of your defence for a decade. This is one of the positions that you need to be strongest in – and building a relationship with other players to get those fabled green lines between partners in defence is essential for the chemistry of your side.
We're in a golden age for young defenders in the real world, with centre-backs getting more composed, athletic and better on the ball in recent years. There are plenty of top centre-backs to choose from in FM24 – both right- and left-footed.
Left-backs
Football Manager 2024 wonderkids: Who are the wonderkid FM24 left-backs I need to sign?
Here's a piece of advice to you: if you manage to find a world-class left-back, hold onto him. It's a rarity in football, given that there are so few.
Left-back is a specialist position – and if you're going to conquer Europe, it won't do to play just anyone there. Buying a world-class operator for this position is essential and with so many top young players coming through in this position, it's not too difficult to find a LB who can hold down the role for a decade.
Defensive midfielders
Football Manager 2024 wonderkids: Who are the wonderkid FM24 defensive midfielders I need to sign?
With a range of talents needed for the No.6 position, it's best to assess exactly what you need deeper in your team and go from there. Do you need a destroyer? Or something a little subtler?
This collection of defensive midfielders consists of starlets who have varying abilities and specialisms. It's worth assessing exactly what you need and going from there – though many of these players can be re-moulded into other areas of the pitch for other roles.
Central midfielders
Football Manager 2024 wonderkids: Who are the wonderkid FM24 central midfielders I need to sign?
Central midfielders are often the most important in football: they're the ones who dictate the game, hold onto possession and often, win it back. There are all kinds, from Mezzalas to advanced playmakers, deep-lying playmakers to ball-winning midfielders, but bringing in a wonderkid midfielder could be a good idea for your squad.
With midfielders tending to do the most running, there's a high chance that this is the position that you'll need most cover throughout a season. With that comes expectations of playing time – and wonderkids don't ask for a lot. Sign a youngster with potential who can assume a first-team spot in the future and you can develop a superstar in the background, so to speak.
Attacking midfielders
Football Manager 2024 wonderkids: Who are the wonderkid FM24 attacking midfielders I need to sign?
With the No.10 position said to be endangered in modern football, a lot of these players are not just pure attacking midfielders. Plenty of them have the ability to slot in on one flank or both, others are central midfielders in waiting, while others might make false nines.
And therein lies the beauty of signing a wonderkid AM: these are players at an age in which they're far more easily shaped into the player you want to see. With plenty of exciting stars to lift you off your seat, signing one of these lads is an absolute must.
Right-wingers
Football Manager 2024 wonderkids: Who are the wonderkid FM24 right-wingers I need to sign?
There's a science to football. Left-footers tend to be more creative – don't ask why, they just are – and often, right-wingers are left-footed, so that they can cut inside. A fair few of these stars will be creative sparks able to function as inverted wingers, while others will be inside forwards.
Left-wingers
Football Manager 2024 wonderkids: Who are the wonderkid FM24 left-wingers I need to sign?
In the modern game, most teams will see their goals come from up front primarily… and then from the left wing. Whether you opt for someone creative or someone prolific out on the left, there are plenty of young options who can provide competition in that position.
These players all have incredible potential, with plenty of them capable in multiple positions. Wide roles in FM, too, mean that players can get involved with play and score that fated 7.0 rating for a matchday without scoring: the dream of those strikers who can find themselves isolated as advanced forwards.
Strikers
Football Manager 2024 wonderkids: Who are the wonderkid FM24 strikers I need to sign?
Whatever the age, you can't teach an eye for goal, can you?
These players are all thought to be the next big Golden Boot winners – and getting one or two as backups to your big strikers can pay dividends, especially if you like to use younger players in the cups.
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More Football Manager 2024 stories
We have the beginner's guide for the game. New features have beeen teased ahead of the game's drop. Netflix is set to carry the game, too.
Miles Jacobson of Sports Interactive, the team behind FM, has spoken to FFT about the introduction of the Japanese J-League, how realistic the Saudi Pro League is in the new game and how set pieces have improved – he's also revealed that the FM team are constantly playing catchup to the great Pep Guardiola.
We also have a list of the best teams to play as in FM24 and a surefire way to pick the perfect underdog, along with a list of cheats – we also have a guide to every tactical role in the game.
