The Football Manager 2025 wonderkids are already a talking point ahead of the game's release later this autumn.
The new season is underway, the summer holidays are over and the evenings are getting shorter, which means only one thing – the release of the new Football Manager game is on the horizon. As ever, we expect it later this autumn… and we can't wait.
This summer saw the first-ever FM World Cup take place, with Indonesia triumphing in the final, but if you reckon you can mix it with the very best in time for next year's tournament, then you'll know that identifying and nurturing the game's best wonderkids is a crucial part of any save.
So if you're looking to steal a march on your rivals, FourFourTwo has you covered with a comprehensive list of the best wonderkids out there, from the blindingly obvious to the obscure.
Over the coming months, FourFourTwo will be bringing you all the content you need on FM25, from the teams to play as to the players to sign. So stay tuned with us – and if you're an EA FC 25 player, we've got plenty for you, too.
Football Manager 2025 wonderkids: the full list of who we expect to see
Goalkeepers
Wonderkid goalkeepers in Football Manager 2025
It can take a brave manager to parachute a young goalkeeper into their starting line-up. But whether you plan on being bold or taking on a developmental project, there are some decent options.
Toulouse stopper Guillaume Restes is a regular for his club and was Thierry Henry's first-choice stopper in the Paris Olympics. Young Swede Filip Sidklev is excellent with his feet, while if you're looking for a domestic option, 6ft 6in England U20s international James Beadle put in some excellent displays on loan at Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship last season. Gabriel Slonina has a been a solid pick over the last few years, too, and we don't expect that to change in the new game.
Right-backs
Wonderkid right-backs in Football Manager 2025
There are a few more recognisable names here. Premier League viewers will already know all about Rico Lewis, while Spanish starlet Ivan Fresneda is one of the best young talents on this list and was one of FM24's best finds. If your team plays with pace, take a look at Max Johnston, Sturm Graz's Scottish speedster.
If the makers of FM25 are able to create an algorithm that operates like Todd Boehly and company at Chelsea (big if, mind), then Josh Acheampong should be get-able.
Centre-backs
Wonderkid centre-backs in Football Manager 2025
You've no doubt heard of Leny Yoro and Pau Cubarsi, but if you're looking for value options, Ajax's Jorrel Hato should develop into a foundational part of any team, while Giorgio Scalvini could be the next Italian great off the production line.
If you're on a budget or starting lower down the leagues, it's worth trying to prize Jorne Spileers from Club Brugge's clutches or take a punt on Rangers' Leon King.
Left-backs
Wonderkid left-backs in Football Manager 2025
You may not have seen Valentin Barco play in real life yet, but you've probably heard the name this summer after Brighton agreed to send him out on loan to Sevilla for the season. The Argentine is well worth looking at when you fire up FM 25.
Jeanuel Belocian is a solid left-back who can cover at centre-back, a huge plus for any manager looking for versatility in their squad, while Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez has all the attributes to make him a future world-beater at the position. Lecce's Patrick Dorgu is a decent developmental option.
Defensive midfielders
Wonderkid defensive midfielders in Football Manager 2025
If you're looking for the next Rodri on FM 25, then you're spoilt for choice. The likes of Joao Neves, Marc Bernal, Stefan Bajcetic, Romeo Lavia and Adam Wharton will jump out on this list, but dig a little deeper and you'll find more value.
Silvano Vos is a decent budget option, as is the rounded Matteo Prati, while Lesley Ugochukwu is another option to try and land from Chelsea.
Central midfielders
Wonderkid central midfielders in Football Manager 2025
Again, there are plenty of players you'll have heard of here and if you have the budget to go after the likes of Warren Zaire-Emery, Kobbie Mainoo, Gavi or Archie Gray, you won't regret it. Gray has been particularly good in FM for years now
We predict that Manchester United's Toby Collyer is likely to be a name we'll all hear more from over the next year, while Arthur Vermeeren has already won a league title with Royal Antwerp before being snapped up by Atletico Madrid and loaned out to RB Leipzig this summer.
Attacking midfielders
Wonderkid attacking midfielders in Football Manager 2025
Simone Pafundi made his Italy debut as a 16-year-old in 2022 and has continued to develop into one of Europe's best young attacking midfielders.
Bilal El Khannouss, who was snapped up by Leicester City this summer, is excellent on the ball, while Hoffenheim have an excellent reputation in producing young talent, so Tom Bischof is worth keeping an eye on. If you can't resist the pull of trying to develop the next Messi, then River Plate's Claudio Echeverri could be the one of you.
Right-wingers
Wonderkid right-wingers in Football Manager 2025
Some big hitters already here, with Chelsea-bound Estevao, Real Madrid's Arda Guler and Manchester City new boy Savinho all excellent options, if you've got the cash.
Elsewhere, Ernest Nuamah mixes technique and speed in a bargain package and if Ben Doak hits the heights that those at Liverpool believe he can, then he could be a bargain. Gianluca Prestianni is another South American option to consider.
Oh, and apparently there's a lad at Barcelona called Lamine Yamal who's quite decent... if you can prise him away, of course.
Left-wingers
Wonderkid left-wingers in Football Manager 2025
Antonio Nusa's speed and explosiveness make him an intriguing budget option, while at the other end of the scale Desire Doue has been marked as one of France's premier youth players in recent years. Can you tempt him from PSG, though?
Former Reading and Manchester City prospect Jamie Gittens is another bright young talent, as is another young English player plying his trade in Europe, Samuel Iling-Junior. The physics enthusiasts out there meanwhile, might want to invest in an all-Brazilian rotation of Isaac and Newerton. Sorry.
Centre-forwards
Wonderkid centre-forwards in Football Manager 2025
Finally, the frontmen. Again, there are plenty of names you'll know here, but if you're looking for bargains, then Mainz forward Nelson Weiper could be one to get in early and develop – he was fantastic last season – while Monaco's Elisse Ben Seghir oozes creativity.
Karim Konate was another banker on the last term. Rodrigo Ribeiro could be a good target man and if you're willing to part company with more cash, Youssoufa Moukoko can be a staple of your team for years to come.
Frequently asked questions
What is a wonderkid?
A wonderkid is a young player on Football Manager 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.
How can you find wonderkids in Football Manager?
To find wonderkids in Football Manager, you can use the scouting system. In the 'players' tab you can isolate players by age and then use several diffrerent filters to find the best young talent, including the 'world reputation', 'media description' and 'international caps' filters.
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.'
