Who will be the new Football Manager 2023 wonderkids to sign? Let us take a moment to speculate around the potential FM23 wonderkids that we believe YOU NEED TO KNOW at FM23 release!
As an annual tradition, time has come to look at some of the rising talents coming through in world football over the last season as we bring you the next generation of talents born in 2006. These emerging under-17 players does NOT feature in the Football Manager 2022 database due to their young age. Instead you’ll probably meet these potential Football Manager 2023 wonderkids in FM23.
To build upon the success of last years potential wonderkids list, and to help you be better prepared for scouting for wonderkids at Football Manager 2023 release, we look ahead at the next generation of talents – those wonderkids and best young talents that were too young to be included in Football Manager 2022.
This time, I’ve identified some of the best potential FM23 wonderkids that YOU NEED to know of! These talented players are all ones to watch for Football Manager 2023 and will be aged 16 or younger – meaning they are born between October 2005 and September 2006.
You will meet more Football Manager 2023 wonderkids and a few FM24 wonderkids in our FM22 NextGen Talents Database. This database includes some of the best talents in world football born in 2006, 2007 and 2008!
So before reading, here’s a challenge for you, how many of these potential Football Manager 2023 wonderkids have you heard of, and who are you most excited about for FM23 release?
Top 12 Football Manager 2023 Wonderkids…. ?!
Endrick / 15 / Palmeiras
What do you get if you merge Neymar, Vinicius Junior and Romario? From my perspective, the answer is Endrick Felipe. Labelled as the hottest talent in world football, the Palmeiras wonderkid is a teenage sensation the world have not seen coming through in South America since Vinicius Junior.
The 15 year old Brazilian forward is subjected to sign a professional contract with Palmeiras later in July, putting a €60million release clause on the wonderkid striker. This won’t fend off the interest of European clubs as all the biggest clubs got him on the radar. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t!
Endrick quickly took the spotlight after stunning performances in the Copinha tournament 2022 where he helped Palmeiras U-20 to win the tournament for the first time in 53 years.
Featuring explosive pace, dribbles and flair that reminds us of Vincius Junior or Neymar, finishing and technical abilities inside the penalty box that draws similarities to Romario he stand out on the pitch!
The two-footed striker is majestic on the ball, able to turn defense into attack in an instant by his directness and great movements.
So far, it has resulted in 5 goals in 4 appearances for Brazil U17 and over 165 goals for the different Palmeiras youth teams. Frankly, it seems he can find the target from anywhere on the pitch. Simply just look at some of those stunning long-shots he has scored from in the highlights above.
Potential Rating: [5star]
Paul Wanner / 16 / Bayern Münich
An incredible talent! That’s the words from Julian Nagelsmann to describe his latest prodigy, Paul Wanner. The 185cm tall attacking midfielder of Austrian descent can also play as right or left winger similar to Jamal Musiala.
The Bayern Münich wonderkid received his professional debut against Borussia Mönchengladback January 7th, 2022 becoming the youngest ever Bayern Münich player to receive his debut in Bundesliga and the second youngest ever player in the Bundesliga – just beaten by 14 days by Youssoufa Moukoko.
Since his debut, Paul Wanner has currently received a total of 35 minutes of game time over four appearances for Bayern Münich first team but expectations are high over the next teenage sensation at the Bavarian club ahead of 2022-2023 season.
The German Under-17 international (4 goals in 11apps), stands out for his playmaking abilities. His vision and abilities to thread passes through to the forwards have seen comparisons being made to Thomas Hässler and/or Lothar Matthäus. Gifted at finding space between the lines, receive the ball in pocket of spaces before taking on his marker in one-on-one situations by carrying the ball forward and create space for others.
His great close control and technique has already stunned defenders. Something that will probably continue in the years to come as Paul Wanner glides effortlessly around the pitch dragging the opposing defenders out of position. It will be highly interesting to see how Football Manager rates this German wonderkid in FM23!
Potential Rating: [4halfstar]
“Paul has shown in training with the first team that he has the chance to develop in our team thanks to his talent. The fact that he has already been used in the Bundesliga at the age of 16 confirms not only his ability but also the excellent work being done at the FC Bayern Campus.”
Hasan Salihamidzic, Bayern Münich sporting Director
Gianluca Prestianni / 16 / Velez
The latest Argentinian wonderkid to arrive through the honorable Velez Academy is starting to make a name for himself. Gianluca Prestianni received his debut in the Liga Profesional 25th of June 2022. A right footed inside forward debuted on the left wing, but is capable of playing both as an inverted winger or an attacking midfielder.
Standing at 165cm, the similarities to Lionel Messi is easily drawn. Not only for his height and body type, but Prestianni’s insane skills both in his movements and on the ball is relatable.
With a low centre of gravity, immense flair and the technic in one on one situations to get past his marker, Prestianni is a wonderful player to watch. Cutting inside from the left to take advantage of his strongest foot, the right, he is not afraid to finish off the attacks from outside the penalty area. Prefers to place the ball in the back off the net, he has scored a number of wonderful goals throughout his youth career.
The wonderkid Gianluca Prestianni in FM23 will be a welcome addition to the game and could be the Argentinian talent everyone wants to buy at the release of FM23.
Potential Rating: [5star]
Arijon Ibrahimovic / 16 / Bayern Münich
In the youth setup of Bayern Münich Paul Wanner is not the only teenage sensation to keep our eyes on for Football Manager 2023. Along with Lucas Copado, Jamal Musiala and Gabriel Vidovic, Bayern got 31 youth players called up to National teams around Europe.
In the German Under-17 national team together with Paul Wanner we got another highly-rated talent – Arijon Ibrahimovic. Even though there are no relations to Zlatan, the Kosovan born youngster got some of the same confidence and professionalism required to reach the top levels.
Playing as an attacking midfielder or winger, Arijon Ibrahimovic stands out for his off the ball movement and work rate. For some, his playing style might resemble Davy Klaassen – a player talented at finding space and being at the right place on the right time. At the same time, as an inverted winger, he is skilled at overloading the center with cut-ins or moves that makes him look like a second forward. His carries and directness with the ball can quickly progress play into the final third.
For the 2021-2022 season, he has trained with the first team alongside playing for Bayern Under-19. In the U19 Bundesliga, he managed to score 5 goals in 16 appearances, as well as serving 9 assists. That’s two more than Tom Bischof managed at TSG Hoffenheim. It just shows what a wonderful servant he is – a natural replacement for Leroy Sané?!
Potential Rating: [4star]
Other German Talents in FM23 You Need to Know of
In Football Manager 2023, you will also meet a few other German Talents that’s destined for great things. Due to age legislations, there were a few German wonderkids born in 2005 that was not represented in FM22. These include:
- Nelson Weiper, who scored 9 goals in 5 appearances in the U19 Bundesliga South. The clinical forward has really stood out for his incredible goalscoring stats. 14 goals in 14 appearances in the Under-17 Bundesliga 2021-2022 and 12 goals in 14 appearances for the German Under-17 national team have seen him being moved to the first team of Mainz for the 2022-2023 season! Perhaps Nelson Weiper could be the one stealing Lewandowski’s records… who knows what the future holds!
- Dennis Seimen, a goalkeeper at German Under-17 levels and got a playing style similar to Manuel Neuer. In fact, Bayern Munich have looked at him as the natural replacement for him. The sweeper-keeper helped Stuttgart to win the German Under-19 Cup last season.
- Tarek Buchmann, a central defender coming through the ranks of Bayern Munich. Labelled as one of the most promising central defenders in the clubs Under-19 he’s got a playing style much like Jerome Boateng. The 188cm tall defender is currently part of the German U-17 national team making 9 appearances and being one of the key players.
Jobe Bellingham / 16 / Birmingham
A new addition to FM23 is Jude Bellingham’s brother Jobe. While Jude Bellingham is one of the best English wonderkids in FM22 at central midfield position, wonderkid Jobe Bellingham is emerging from his brothers shadow as an inverted winger or attacking midfielder.
At the moment he’s plying his trade through the Birmingham Academy but Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester City are all in the race for the versatile teenage starlet. In fact, Jobe Bellingham received his debut in the Championship January 15th, 2022 getting 7 minutes against Preston. Then he received an additional 30 minutes in the last game of the season against Blackburn.
The current English Under-17 international player has played in a number of positions in the last year. He has showcased his finishing skills as a centre forward for the England U17 and Birmingham Under-18 – scoring two goals in the 7-2 defeat against Southampton. He has even made an appearance as a right winger and a central midfielder. Regardless, he’s natural in the attacking midfielder or left wing position capable of cutting inside from the left drifting into space with great ball control and stunning on the ball skills.
The playing style and skills on and off the ball between the two brothers aren’t that different as you would believe, despite playing in two different roles. While Jude is a more modern box-to-box midfielder, both drifts around the park with much elegance – offering passing options and being able to thread passes to the forwards. Their versatility, vision, technique and capabilities in one-on-one situations draws comparisons to eachother.
Jobe Bellingham will be a highly welcomed addition to Football Manager 2023. With great potential and magnificent on-the-ball skills, we might be in for a great treat as he’s yet to sign a professional contract – meaning he will hopefully be a cheap wonderkid bargain in FM23!
Potential Rating: [4halfstar]
Warren Zaire-Emery / 16 / Paris SG
Paris SG have done a remarkable job with their youth development program in recent years. The latest to make his professional debut at Paris SG is El Chadaille Bitshiabu, but behind him you have a number of first team candidates. Xavi Simons, Ismäel Gharbi, Ilyes Housni and Noah Lemina might all be well-known. One that you will definitely hear more about for FM23 is Warren Zaire-Emery.
The 16 year old defensive midfielder was part of the French Under-17 team to win the UEFA Under-17 Championship. Playing in the double pivot, the deep-lying playmaker scored two goals in the French teams way to the final.
I believe it won’t be long until Warren Zaire-Emery makes his Ligue 1 debut. He’s already shown his magnificent abilities to dictate the tempo of the game, his vision and passing range. From his DM-position he uses his tactical intelligence to stamp his mark on the game; either he uses it to intercept passes or positioning himself in a manner that helps the team to build out from the back, or put in a necessary tackle to regain possession with ease.
Simply put, Warren Zaire-Emery’s style of play draws similarities to Luka Modric. While Modric is 172 cm tall and not known for his physic and body mass, Zaire-Emery is 178cm tall and got a great natural fitness, more physical power and aggressiveness to his style of play.
His abilities to keep control of the ball despite under immense pressure and his anticipation is a real treat for any possession-sides. Whether he uses his vision and passing technique to make inch perfect through balls like Xavi or use his decision-making to make driving runs forward, Warren Zaire-Emery is a player that’s difficult to pick up for the opposition team.
His off-the ball movement and accuracy in his runs and passes have resulted in both goals and assists in the youth teams. If he continues on this path, he too will be a natural candidate for the Ballon D’Or award one day in the future. Mark my words!
Potential Rating: [5star]
Rayane Bounida / 16 / AFC Ajax
The Belgian-Moroccan wonderkid Rayane Bounida have been in the spotlight since the first footages of his remarkable technique received media attention at the age of 9 (2014/15). The immense pressure to live up to his hype and actually become the next big thing might have made most kids buckle under the pressure. But here we are 7 years later. At his 16th birthday Rayane Bounida, who have worked his way through the honorable Anderlecht Academy, announced that he has signed a contract with AFC Ajax.
Entering the gates of ‘De Toekomst’ is a telling of his potential and his ambitions.
Unless you have lived under a rock for the last years, the teenage prodigy is a wonderful football talent gifted with elegance, flair and mesmerizing ball control.
Like Messi, he’s not tall nor physical strong, but uses brilliant ball control, technique, eye-catching dribbles and feints to maintain possession and work the ball forward. With agility, low centre of gravity and sleek touches on the ball, Rayane Bounida makes everything look easy!
It will be quite interesting to see Rayane Bounida’s Football Manager 2023 player profile and how the makers of the game will replicate the attacking midfielders stunning skills into the game.
I myself, can not wait to see Rayane Bounida in Football Manager 2023 – something I’ve been eagerly anticipating for years!
Potential Rating: [5star]
Julien Duranville / 16 / Anderlecht
Last season, Anderlecht Under-18s was lucky to feature two of the biggest talents born in 2006 in Belgium. In the attacking midfield spot you would have Rayane Bounida and to the right of him you would have Julien Duranville. The explosive winger became the third youngest player to receive his debut for the first team in the rivalry against Club Brugge.
Even though it was the last game of the season, it’s a telling story of the clubs focus on youth development and their experience and skills to do so. As Julien Duranville made his debut he would follow in the paths of Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans, Jeremy Doku, Alexis Saelemaekers and a whole lot of gifted technical attacking wingers and forwards.
Standing out for his acceleration, pace and drive with the ball at his feet, Julien Duranville could draw similarities to another FM wonderkid Jeremy Doku. Both have wonderful technique, agility and stands out in one-on-one situation with carries and dribbles that will be highly needed in the attacking transition.
When the sensational Anderlecht wonderkid penned his professional contract the director of Academy, Jean Kindermans used these words to describe him:
Julien is a pure talent who can do very well on both sides. He is lightning fast, he is an unpredictable dribbler and he is also very efficient in front of goal. Julien is also a real winner. If he continues to progress at this rate, our supporters will have a lot of fun thanks to him!
Jean Kindermans, Director of Academy at Anderlecht. Source Archyde.com
Potential Rating: [4halfstar]
Jardell Kanga / 16 / Bayer 04 Leverkusen
One of the biggest revelations ahead of FM22 release last year was Roony Bardghji – the Swedish wonderkid signing for FC København ahead of 2020-21 season. Now, a new Swedish wonderkid could steal the spotlight for FM23. I’m talking about the one month younger Jardel Kanga.
Unfortunately, Jardell Kanga became too young to feature in FM22 when he made the transfer from Brommapojkarna to Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Born in Stockholm with Congolese descent, Jardell Kanga debuted for the Swedish club famous for their youth development skills in August 2021 at the tender age of 15.
After scoring 5 goals in 23 appearances, and making one assist, the German club came calling fending of interest from other major clubs across Europe, such as Barcelona.
Jardel Kanga is a versatile player who is both quick and skilled within the final third, both with the ball and off it. Able to play as a shadow striker, inverted winger or on the left wing, he brings vision, creativity, ball control and directness to the teams attacking play. His abilities in one-on-one situations to create space for himself by dribbles and quick change of directions could dazzle the opponents in the German league in the years to come as he surges into space with great mobility and off the ball movement.
In this summer’s UEFA Under-17 Championship, Kanga scored four goals – becoming the tournaments joint second top goal-scorer. Even though Sweden Under-17 went out in the group stage on goal difference in the group of death with Denmark and Portugal, Kanga showcased his skills as a candidate to one day put on the Swedish international jersey.
Potential Rating: [4star]
Sana Fernandes / 16 / Lazio
In my entire lifetime, Sporting CP have manage to produce some of the best Portuguese wingers in modern history. From Luis Figo to Cristiano Ronaldo. Include Ricardo Queresma and latest teenage prodigy Rodrigo Ribeiro, Sana Fernandes could be the next in line to graduate from the Sporting CP youth Academy.
Sana Fernandes is the little brother of Joelson Fernandes and has been a highly important member of the youth setup for years. The inside forward, who is capable to play at both flanks, has really excelled this season – scoring 10 goals in 21 appearances for the Under-17 side.
Standing at 164cm, he’s a player with low centre of gravity and explosive pace. Much like Messi, he’s got the flair and creativity, remarkable body feints, dribbles and quick change of directions that can lure any defenders. By using his sublime ball control and attacking directness to carry the ball through the defensive lines of the opposition, or use his technique to get the necessary space to deliver a through ball, or a shot, his on the ball skills are brilliant to his young age.
The Portuguese Barcelona target loves to drift around the pitch with the ball glued to his feet. Once entering the penalty box he favours to place shots in the back of the net. He’s good at creating space for himself and roam into space to be at the end of the delivery, but could be better at setting up his teammates as he can be a bit egoistic in possession. Despite of that, he’s a rough diamond in the making who shows glimpses of great vision with some lovely weighted through balls.
Potential Rating: [4halfstar]
Luis Guilherme / 16 / Palmeiras
For a few years, Brazil have had minor issues with producing top products but the 2006 generation has really something special about itself. Behind Endrick and to the side of Pedro, you have Luis Guilherme – a product of the renowned Palmeiras Academy. Playing together at Palmeiras, Endrick and Luis Guilherme have established a wonderful partnership. Luis is often the one making the necessary through balls for Endrick to come at the end of.
Labelled as the new Rivaldo, Palmeiras wonderkid Luis Guilherme has impressed pundits and European top clubs with his sublime technique, off the ball movements and composure on the ball. The Real Madrid target signed a professional contract yesterday that ties him up at Palmeiras until 2025. Like Endrick, the contract includes a €60million release clause that will hopefully fend off some of the major interest in him as all the top clubs are monitoring his progress.
The attacking midfielder stands out for his brilliant left foot and elegance as he eases past his opponents with excellent close control. In fact, sometimes he doesn’t need to use dribbles or faints to get past his marker, as he is able to shield the ball so well. He’s another teenage prodigy on our FM23 wonderkids list with flair, dribbling and agility that could be wonderful to watch in the FM23 match engine. Regardless, I’m sure you’ll fell in love with such a gifted gem Luis Guilherme is.
Potential Rating: [5star]
Pedro Henrique / 16 / Corinthians
In the same Brazilian Under-17 squad as Endrick, we find Pedro Henrique – a versatile attacking midfielder or inverted winger with explosive pace, creativity and flair – much like Neymar. At the Copa São Paulo de Juniores or Copinha, Pedro scored one goal in four appearances despite Endrick stole the spotlight.
In the tournament, Pedro revealed his remarkable ball control and abilities to maintain possession of the ball despite under pressure and in congested areas. His low centre of gravity, agility and dribbles makes it difficult to win the ball off without making fouls. From his left position he likes to cut inside into the center of the pitch getting the ball on his strongest foot; right.
His remarkable on the ball skills makes him a great candidate to take corners and free-kicks as he is capable of weight his crosses at a perfect spin and trajectory to make them an attacking threat on their own. Include his acceleration and pace to aid your counter-attacking threat and Pedro could be the next talent fitted for Real Madrid or Liverpool.
Forget about Savio or Savinho for FM23 as Pedro Henrique could be the next Brazilian wonderkid to sign! At least, one you can afford as Endrick, or Luis Guilherme could become too expensive!
Potential Rating: [4halfstar]
Ben Doak / 16 / Liverpool
Liverpool have done a great job poaching young talents within UK the last years with the signing of Fabio Carvalho (2022), Kaide Gordon (2021) and Harvey Elliott (2021). In March 2022, Liverpool enhanced its academy with another Scottish gem.
Born in November 2005, Ben Gannon Doak, is another of the young talents that was too young to feature in FM22. The young right winger made his senior debut for Celtic in January 2022 against Dundee United.
The Scottish wonderkid showcased some of his skills for Scotland Under-17 national team in March. By making two assists in three appearances, and scoring a hat-trick against Georgia, his performances alerted the major clubs’ interest.
Ben Doak’s style of play and abilities draws similarities to a number of the previously mentioned potential FM23 wonderkids. Good dribbling, flair, quickness and technique, he could replace Karamoko Dembele as the biggest Scottish teen prodigy. Similar to Dembele, he excels in tight spaces with agility and sublime close control. As he cuts inside, he’s able to utilize his magnificent vision and anticipation to thread passes between the channels to an onrushing forward.
Ben Doak will be a perfect fit to Klopp’s rock and roll football. Bagged with explosive pace and the acceleration needed to get past his marker, he looks like Sadio Mane’s Scottish twin brother – dangerous at counter-attacks.
Potential Rating: [4star]
Discover More Potential FM23 Wonderkids
Download Passion4FM’s FM22 Nextgen Talents Database to discover more potential wonderkids on Football Manager 2023. Find the ultimate list of next generation talents born in 2005-2006.
Which potential wonderkids in Football Manager 2023 are you excited about to see in the new game? Let us know down in the comments.
