Football Manager 2019 is a haven for bargain hunters looking to unearth the next generation of superstars. While established stars grab the headlines, it’s the wonderkids and hidden gems who hold the key to long-term success in FM19. Unearthing these future stars can transform your club from pretenders to European giants. But where do you find these players hiding in the depths of the Football Manager database?
Unlocking Potential: Top Wonderkids in FM19
Let’s start with the cream of the crop, the players with the potential to become world-beaters. These wonderkids often come with hefty price tags, but their potential makes them worth every penny:
- Kylian Mbappé (PSG): Need we say more? Already a global superstar, Mbappé is a goal-scoring machine with pace to burn.
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan): A generational talent, Donnarumma is destined to be the best goalkeeper in the world.
- Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax): A commanding and technically gifted center-back, De Ligt is the future of defending.
- Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen): A versatile attacking midfielder with an eye for goal and a killer pass.
- Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid): Lightning-fast winger with incredible dribbling skills, a nightmare for any defender.
Hidden Gems: Affordable Wonderkids in FM19
Don’t worry if your budget doesn’t stretch to sign Mbappé. FM19 is packed with affordable wonderkids ready to explode onto the scene:
- Sandro Tonali (Brescia): Often dubbed the “new Pirlo,” Tonali is a midfield maestro with exceptional passing range and vision.
- Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig): A physically imposing center-back with surprising pace, a steal for any top club.
- Joao Félix (Benfica): A technically gifted forward with a knack for scoring spectacular goals, the next Portuguese superstar.
- Phil Foden (Manchester City): A creative midfielder with exceptional dribbling skills, tipped for stardom at Manchester City.
- Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina): A dynamic and versatile forward with an eye for goal, Chiesa can play anywhere across the front line.
Affordable Wonderkids in FM 2019
Scouting Tips: Finding Your Own Wonderkids
The real joy of Football Manager is uncovering hidden gems yourself. Here are some tips:
- Utilize your scouting network: Set scouting assignments tailored to your needs, focusing on specific positions, ages, and potential.
- Scour youth intakes: Keep an eye out for players with high potential ratings during youth intakes, these players are often available for free or a nominal fee.
- Look beyond the big leagues: South America, Eastern Europe, and Scandinavia are hotbeds for undiscovered talent.
- Focus on key attributes: Look for players with high attributes in areas crucial to their position, such as Pace, Finishing, and Passing.
- Don’t be afraid to take risks: Sometimes, the best players are the ones no one else has heard of.
Building for the Future: Nurturing Your Young Stars
Once you’ve found your wonderkids, nurturing their development is crucial:
- Give them playing time: Young players need game time to develop, even if it means loaning them out to a lower league club.
- Provide quality coaching: Invest in top-class coaches to improve your young players’ technical, mental, and physical attributes.
- Be patient: Not every wonderkid will develop into a world-beater overnight, some may need more time than others.
Finding and nurturing the next generation of stars is one of the most rewarding aspects of Football Manager 2019. With a keen eye for talent and a bit of luck, you can build a dynasty that will dominate world football for years to come. Now go out there and find your own wonderkids!