50 wonderkids you need to sign on Football Manager 2022
By Tom Gott
The Football Manager 2022 Winter Update is here, and that means one thing: new wonderkids.
There are so many young superstars in this year's game, but only a select few get the privilege of being labelled as a 'wonderkid'. They're the ones with the highest potential, so obviously, you want as many of them in your team as possible.
Scouting around to find them can take a while, so here's a cheat sheet of 50 of the best wonderkids on offer in FM22.
Goalkeepers
Maarten Vandevoordt
Genk
Any seasoned FM player will know all about Vandevoordt at this point. He's 19 and prepared for first-team football, and just a few years of experience can turn the Belgian into a superstar.
Diogo Costa
FC Porto
21-year-old Costa is already good enough for first-team football and is just a few years away from blossoming into one of the best goalkeepers on the game.
Alejandro Iturbe
A. Madrid
Atleti starlet Iturbe has been billed as a wonderkid for a while now. 17 at the start of the game, he's on the hunt for a first taste of senior football.
Andre Gomes
Benfica
One of the younger options around, Gomes is one to add to the youth setup for now, but you can watch on as he blossoms into a world-beater.
Lucas Canizares
R. Madrid
19-year-old Canizares is another one for the future. Give him a loan or two and he'll be shining in the big leagues in no time.
Right backs
Tino Livramento
Southampton
Premier League fans know all about Livramento already. The youngster is tearing it up already and still has so much room left to grow.
Timothee Pembele
Paris Saint-Germain
Comfortable as a centre-back as well, 18-year-old Pembele can grow into an all-time great in either position with the right management.
Goncalo Esteves
Sporting CP
Get Esteves into your academy as soon as possible. The 17-year-old has a lot of work to do before he reaches the highest level, but you'll want to make sure he's on your side when he gets there.
Ethan Laird
Manchester UFC (on loan at Swansea)
Laird starts the game out on loan with Swansea, where he'll pick up some great experience and help him be ready for a top side. There are very high hopes for the youngster in Manchester.
Wisdom Amey
Bologna
Just 15 to start the game, Amey's potential is a little more up-in-the-air, but you've got plenty of time to figure out how to make him great.
Centre backs
Matteo Gabbia
AC Milan
A regular part of Milan's squad at the tender age of 21, Gabbia is the real deal. On FM, he's ready for top-flight football and will become one of the best in the world in just a few years.
Evan N'Dicka
Eintracht Frankfurt
Frenchman N'Dicka has long been watched by a number of top sides on the real pitch and his performances are just as impressive on the virtual field. His 16 pace is a valuable asset.
Oumar Solet
RB Salzburg
Solet, who can play as a defensive midfielder as well, has one of the highest potentials of any centre-back on the game. He's under contract until 2025, but it shouldn't be too hard to convince Salzburg to sell. Make sure you're the buyer, because his value will skyrocket once he reaches a top league.
Arthur Theate
Oostende (on loan at Bologna)
Theate will complete a permanent move to Bologna for a little over £4m, which is an absolute steal for someone of his potential. Get scouting now, because you'll want him once he hits the market.
Josko Gvardiol
RB Leipzig
Gvardiol is arguably the top young centre-back on the game to start off, but if that's not enough for you, he's also a dominant force at left-back as well.
Left backs
Miguel Gutierrez
R. Madrid B
Madrid fans are desperate to see Gutierrez promoted to the first team for good. The 22-year-old isn't ready for that just yet on FM, but give him a year or two and you'll be laughing all the way to the bank.
Luke Thomas
Leicester City
Already a regular at Leicester following Ben Chilwell's departure, Thomas looks like he could be England's left-back of the future.
Nuno Mendes
Sporting CP (on loan at PSG)
PSG are likely going to snap up Mendes when his loan expires in 2022, but he's one to keep an eye on. Mendes is perhaps the best young left-back around and is only going to get better with time.
Owen Wijndal
AZ Alkmaar
Any seasoned FM player will know of Wijndal. The talented Dutchman is out of contract in 2023 so move quickly and you might be get him for a bargain fee.
Amar Dedic
RB Salzburg
18-year-old Dedic is another of those who you want to snap up quick and give time to develop. He's got superstar potential but will need a bit of patience.
Defensive midfielders
Manuel Ugarte
Sporting CP
Having swapped Famalicao for Sporting in the summer, Ugarte isn't as easy to pick up as he used to be, but he's still definitely worth the effort. He can help any squad right away and can become one of the best around with a little patience.
Nicolo Rovella
Zebre (on loan at Genoa)
Rovella has been incredibly impressive with Genoa this season and isn't far off a spot in the Italian national team. The future is bright.
Unai Vencedor
A. Bilbao
There's no doubting Vencedor's potential. The 20-year-old is destined for the top and will only improve on his already well-rounded game. He's the perfect anchor man for any side.
Nicolas Seiwald
RB Salzburg
One of countless starlets to be shining in the Salzburg academy, Seiwald should be your go-to signing if you're looking for some long-term quality in midfield. He's just 20 to start the game and not far off top-flight quality already.
Nico Gonzalez
Barcelona
Barcelona fans have been introduced to Nico this season and they've loved what they've seen. He's another of those to be first-team ready at the start of the game, but he's not even close to living up to his full potential.
Central midfielders
Jude Bellingham
Borussia Dortmund
Bellingham is another who requires an enormous spend to sign. Dortmund know he's a superstar of both the present and future.
Eduardo Camavinga
R. Madrid
No surprises here. Camavinga has been a consensus wonderkid for a good few years now, but unfortunately for bargain hunters, his move to Madrid has sent his price tag soaring through the roof.
Ilaix Moriba
RB Leipzig
Like Camavinga, Moriba's potential is no secret. He's now strutting his stuff in Leipzig, where his long-term contract will make it pretty difficult to sign him early on.
Vitinha
FC Porto
A more affordable option, Vitinha has been tearing it up for Porto this season and is definitely going to earn himself a huge move soon. Sign him now and slot him into your team straight away. He's ready.
Ivan Ilic
Hellas Verona
Ilic has only just signed a new contract and won't be available for a little while, but he's worth the wait. He's an outstanding playmaker who can shine anywhere across your midfield.
Attacking midfielders
Jamal Musiala
FC Bayern
A regular part of the rotation in perhaps the scariest side in Europe, Musiala is doing things most 18-year-olds can only dream of.
Pedri
Barcelona
A dominant force for both Barcelona and Spain, Pedri is already unreal. The fact that he's just 18 when the game starts is mental.
Florian Wirtz
Bayer Leverkusen
Wirtz's talent is no secret now. The 18-year-old has exploded in Leverkusen and is on the cusp of becoming one of the best players on the game. With the right management, you could easily have a superstar on your hands in just a year or two.
Hamed Traore
U.S. Sassuolo
Long seen as a star of the future, Hamed, the brother of Man UFC's Amad Diallo, is a great signing for any side.
Fabio Vieira
FC Porto
You can use Vieira anywhere across your forward line, but the 21-year-old is most at home in this central role. You'll get the most out of his as an advanced playmaker.
Right wingers
Dejan Kulusevski
Zebre (on loan at Tottenham)
Tottenham will sign Kulusevski permanently for around £30m if they qualify for the Champions League, but that's no guarantee. If he doesn't get his move, make sure you offer him another transfer.
Harvey Elliott
Liverpool
Elliott is so good that he can shine in a number of positions. He ships as a right winger, but he's excellent on the left or in midfield.
Yeremy Pino
Villarreal
Some impressive form at club level has earned Pino a call-up to the Spain national team this year, so his career is only on the up from here. Buy your stock now while you can afford it.
Kayky
Manchester City
Brazilian starlet Kayky made his switch to England in the summer and has a long-term contract with one of the richest teams on the planet. Signing him isn't going to be easy.
Angelo
SAN
Speaking of Brazilian starlets, there are some who believe that Angelo could be the next superstar export from South America. The 16-year-old is truly special.
Left wingers
Ansu Fati
Barcelona
You should already know all about Fati. He's one of Barcelona's best players already and is clearing out space in his trophy cabinet for the countless individual awards that are going to come his way soon.
Nico Serrano
A. Bilbao
On the cusp of the first team in Bilbao, Serrano has a little work to do before he's really ready for a long-term role in the top flight, but once he gets there, there'll be no looking back.
Jeremy Doku
Stade Rennais
Doku has been a staple of wonderkid lists over the last few years. Following his move from Anderlecht, the Belgian youngster's stock has only risen even higher.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Rubin Kazan
More than just a good score on Scrabble, Kvaratskhelia is a fantastic prospect whose almost first-team ready. The 20-year-old is destined for a big move away from Russia, so pick him up soon while his price is still relatively low.
Pedro Neto
Wolverhampton Wanderers
A nasty injury slowed Neto down but he's still destined to become a major star in FM. With 17 dribbling and 16 flair, it's not hard to see why.
Strikers
Karim Adeyemi
RB Salzburg
The latest gem from the Salzburg talent factory is Adeyemi, who is wanted by pretty much every team on the planet and is available for a comparatively cheap price. Expect fierce competition if you lodge a bid.
Youssoufa Moukoko
Borussia Dortmund
16. He's still just 16. Moukoko defies all logic and is undeniably one of the best buys you can make early on. He's worth £100m+ in just a few years.
Benjamin Sesko
RB Salzburg
Shining alongside Adeyemi in Salzburg is Sesko, who comes with Erling Haaland size and Kylian Mbappe speed. Not bad company to keep.
Joao Pedro
Watford
Watford have been high on Pedro for a while now, and understandably so. He's only 19 but is already a great finisher with so much room left to grow. You won't regret signing him.
Giacomo Raspadori
U.S. Sassuolo
Italian football has high hopes for Raspadori, who is being watched by most of the nation's elite. Still only 21, he's a dangerous false nine who can play pretty much any role you ask of him across your front three.