Football Manager 2023 wonderkids are already making their names in the real world. FM23 has gripped us again this season, as we compete against a robot Erling Haaland almost as good as the real thing.
So if you're looking at who to sign for your team, we have the answers for you. We've scoured the FM database for the stars of tomorrow, digging through the depths of world football to bring you scouting recommendations. Before you ask, yes: we have a score of 20 for judging players' potential ability.
So let's dive in. These are the kids that you'll need for your Football Manager save this time around. Bookmark this page – there may well be movement, yet…
The best 99 FM23 wonderkids
Football Manager 2023: The 99 best wonderkids on FM23
The numbers have been crunched – these are the 99 best wonderkids on Football Manager 2023. To confirm, that's anyone 21 or under at the start of the game.
There are some obvious names on the list, with some of the most valuable footballers on the planet from elite clubs tipped for big things on the FM23 list. Others are a little more undiscovered – it may be a couple of years before they fully break through in the real world: maybe their breakthrough season is upon us.
But signing one or two of these gems will stand you in good stead for your club. If you're looking for something a little more specific, we have lists of the fastest players in the game, the best finishers, the players with the highest leadership stats and the best set-piece specialists to give your squad the edge.
Looking for FIFA 23 wonderkids? We've compiled them, too.
The best of the rest
Are those 99 not enough? Looking for a few more names we recommend you scout?
Well, here are 301 stars across positions. The potentials may vary – but each of them turns out pretty damn decent…
Goalkeepers
Football Manager 2023 wonderkids: Who are the FM goalkeepers I need to sign?
In Football Manager, the goalkeeper is the one position that you want a little experience in – but if you can pick up a wonderkid, you might as well.
Given that keepers tend to mature later, your best bet is probably to sign a keeper aged between 23 and 26 if you're playing the long game. Still, with these options all under 21 set to mature into formidable custodians over the next couple of decades of your save, it's worth having a young stopper or two in the ranks.
Right-backs
Football Manager 2023 wonderkids: Who are the FM right-backs I need to sign?
If you take over an English side in FM, chances are your academy will have five right-backs ready and waiting for you, right?
All jokes aside, right-back is an interesting position of potential. There are naturally more right-footers than left in the game, leaving a clutch of footballers who were shunted out to right-back for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they're natural defenders not good enough in the centre – or maybe they're rapid wingers, capable of man-marking.
One thing to look for in the modern game: a midfielder profile now playing at right-back. Always look through the stats to see what kind of full-back you're signing.
Centre-backs
Football Manager 2023 wonderkids: Who are the FM centre-backs I need to sign?
Buy a dominant centre-back now and you can sort your team for the next 15 years. While many defenders on the game come with adjustment periods, however, it's more than possible that you can use a wonderkid as your third- or fourth-choice in defence.
And with a lot of centre-backs in Football Manager, versatility is your friend. Some of these lads might be able to fill in at full-back for you or even in defensive midfield, should you be trying to hold onto a lead.
Left-backs
Football Manager 2023 wonderkids: Who are the FM left-backs I need to sign?
Left-back might well be the most difficult spot in the team to find a world-class player, just because of how few specialist left-footed full-backs are out there.
In Football Manager 2022, there are plenty of good options under the age of 21 who can flourish into top left-backs, left-wing-backs or even centre-backs.
Defensive midfielders
Football Manager 2023 wonderkids: Who are the FM defensive midfielders I need to sign?
Defensive midfield is somewhere in FM that you need someone with strength, stamina and good reading of the game – so you might not want to entrust such an important role to such a young star.
In the modern game though, there are plenty of youngsters who can thrive at the base of a midfield. These picks are all specialist DMs – but they can just so easily slot into a more central position, too.
Central midfielders
Football Manager 2023 wonderkids: Who are the FM central midfielders I need to sign?
Central midfielders might be the players with the most scope for development of any players on the pitch in Football Manager. A good CM could well be remoulded into just about anything – an attacking midfielder, a controller, a wide-man… perhaps even a full-back.
If you're playing a three-man midfield, you can afford to give a youngster a spot in the side every week. This is the heart of your side, so it makes sense to buy a wonderkid or two who will become the longterm spine of your team.
Attacking midfielders
Football Manager 2023 wonderkids: Who are the FM attacking midfielders I need to sign?
Attacking midfield is perhaps where you'll find the majority of wonderkids in Football Manager on any given year. Given that it's a luxury position in which many youth coaches play their best talents in the hope that they'll develop their technical abilities – and thus make them more valuable – you can move for quality teenage no.10s.
But if you're looking to build a side that might not accommodate a young, pass-heavy starlet, a lot of these players can be re-trained either to wingers or midfielders – some of these, too, are more like second-strikers who can become conventional centre-forwards in time.
Right-wingers
Football Manager 2023 wonderkids: Who are the FM right-wingers I need to sign?
In the modern game, the vast majority of the right-wingers that you'll find will be left-footed – and often, left-footers tend to be more creative. Many of these players are capable of playing as midfielders but generally, these are the players who could well become the creative spark in your team for the next decade.
Be sure to analyse your stats in full to see what kind of player you have on your hands, though – there are plenty of goal-grabbing players in this lot, while there are some touchline wingers, too.
Left-wingers
Football Manager 2023 wonderkids: Who are the FM left-wingers I need to sign?
Traditionally, left-wingers are interesting players in Football Manager. As mentioned, left-footers tend to be rarer and more creative than right-footers – making the majority of left-wingers nowadays attackers who can cut in on their right foot and score.
There are a fair amount of creative players too in this particular list, while players who are equally good with both feet tend to just be described as right-footed. As ever, make sure you analyse exactly what kind of player you're getting.
Strikers
Football Manager 2023 wonderkids: Who are the FM strikers I need to sign?
Find a goalscorer in Football Manager and you've hit the jackpot.
Quite literally, in some cases, as you can sell them on. A good striker in FM will often mature in their mid-20s but if you can find one a little earlier, it's possible to keep the goals rolling for years to come.
