Fire up the engines, it's time to start a new career mode.
It's October, which means a new FIFA game is out. And that means you'll probably be starting a new career mode as you look to take a mid-ranking side to the summit of the game, winning back-to-back Champions League titles with AFC Wimbledon, Finn Harps, or whoever.
Or maybe you're one of those people who takes over at Manchester City and just acquires the most star-studded squad in the history of the game? Each to their own. I am judging you, though.
If you're looking to build a young, exciting squad full of potential then you've come to the right place. In no particularly scientific order, these are the top 20 young players with the highest potential to improve on the game that could help you climb to the top of the game on FIFA 21.
Goalkeepers:
Lucas Chevalier, LOSC Lille
Only 18 years old, Chevalier is rated just 61 on FIFA 21 and therefore costs a measly £430k. But if you're starting with a team in the EFL and want a keeper to grow with your team look no further. He has the potential to rise to an 83 rating, the joint biggest growth differential in any young goalkeeper on the game.
Maarten Vandervoordt, Genk
Also just 18 years old, Vandervoordt is slightly further along in his development. Currently rated
68, he has the potential to transform into an
87 rated player and costs around
£1.4 million.
Right-backs
Jeremie Frimpong, Celtic
Already the best Frimpong to ever play football, Celtic's right-back is set for big things. Currently rated
70 on FIFA 21 and priced at
£3.2 million, he is an absolute steal considering his potential to develop into an
86 rated player.
Neco Williams, Liverpool
There are other right-backs on the game currently rated much higher than Williams - Reece James, Sergino Dest - who will reach the same level, but if you're looking for a bargain, Williams is your man. The 19-year-old Wales international is currently rated just
67 but with the right coaching and playing time, he can reach
85. He also costs just
£1.4 million compared to £11.3m you'd be asked to shell out for James.
Centre-backs
William Saliba, Arsenal
Arsenal signed Saliba last summer before loaning him back to Saint Étienne so he's not exactly a hidden gem, but he is still reasonably priced on the game at just
£9 million (astoundingly unrealistic but there we are.)
He's
, currently rated
and will improve to reach
. That's good investment if you ask me.
There's not exactly swathes of information about this 17-year-old prodigy, but EA Sports believe he is the real deal. Rated
he can supposedly reach an
rating, jumping a staggering 26 rating points. He costs just
and can play at left-back too. What's not to like?
The
German can play at left-back or left midfield, he costs
and he is expected to rise from a
rating to an
rating. What more do you need to know?
More of a left wing-back, for those of you who like a back three system, Sporting CP's 18-year-old is already rated
and will rise to
. One for those of you starting a bit higher up the ladder than League One. He is a bit more expensive than the other players on this list though, valued at
.
Your Sandro Tonalis and the like will set you back several million pounds, so if you're looking to find a rough diamond to shape into the next Sergio Busquets, you could do much worse than Kana, currently plying his trade in Belgium.
He's 17, costs
, and will improve from
to
In real life, Bellingham's next move will be for a nine-figure fee, in all likelihood. But on FIFA 21, despite his recent move to Dortmund, he is only valued at
. Already rated
at the age of 17 and capable of playing multiple positions, he can reach a rating as high as
. You'd be stupid not to.
Another
German lad, this one. Wirtz is expected to jump from
to
and costs just
. Other number 10s are available, but in terms of value for money, Wirtz is far from the worst.
This Danish
has the potential to rise from
to
on the game and is valued at
He can also play on both wings or up front.
No, not Gedson Fernandes. I know this fella sounds like he's been made up by spinning a wheel of Portuguese names but I assure you, he is real, and he is really good. Just
and rated
at the moment, the winger can reach a rating as high as
on FIFA 21 and can play on both wings. On top of that, he costs just
Again, nothing you don't already know with this one. The kid has taken the season by storm so far for Barcelona and will be just as much fun on FIFA 21. It's easy to forget the Spain international is just
Seventeen! You'll need
to take him from Barcelona but he'll probably be the best investment you make on the game, seeing as he will improve from an already decent
rating to
Another Dortmund player, another
you will probably know a lot about. The American is already a regular starter for the Bundesliga club and is on the path to stardom. EA have recognised his huge potential and enabled him to improve from
to
on FIFA 21. All that potential for just
. He's a manager's dream.
You already know Erling Braut Håland and João Felix are going to be the best forwards in the world and reach well into the 90s on FIFA. Let me tell you about a couple of hidden gems.
You won't be able to sign him immediately, as he is spending the season on loan from Inter at SPAL, but as soon as you can, snap up the Italian
for
and take him on a journey from
rated promising talent to an all conquering
rated goal machine.
Another German - they produce a lot of good players, don't they? - you'll want to snap this
up before he gets too high up on the Red Bull ladder. He is projected to improve but 18 rating points, from
to
And those are your 17 wonderkids to buy on this FIFA.
Come back in a couple of months when you've won the league to thank me.
