Scouting for wonderkids has always been one of my favorite things, whether it be in real life or in Football Manager. Finding the next big thing in football ‘before anyone else’ is a passion of mine that I hope my readers will prosper from.
In the lead up to Football Manager 2024 release, the eternal question arises; who will be the new Wonderkids in Football Manager 2024? Who will receive a boost and become worldclass wonderkids? Will FM24 be able to predict the future of some of the best talents in the world today a few years into the future?
Today I like to share my thoughts on the best potential FM24 wonderkids that were either too young to be included for FM23, or will most likely see a greater boost in their potential abilities in the Football Manager 2024 database.
Here, I will share the research I have done when making the FM23 NextGen wonderkids database by me and FM Veteran. This database was created to let you discover the potential FM24 wonderkids and young talents erupting in some of the best club’s youth academies, that are under the age of 17.
Last time when creating a potential wonderkids post, I singeled out Gianluca Prestianni as one of the biggest wonderkids coming to FM23, but were hugely disappointed about his PA (-8) at the initial release.
Now it’s time to speculate on who the new potential FM24 wonderkids will be! Will their potential rating be similar to mine?
If they do receive the potential ability I believe they shall have, then you definitely NEED to sign these amazing wonderkids in Football Manager 2024!
Let us first look at the top 10 potential FM24 Wonderkids, then in the updated release I will look at some other best young players that will likely receive a PA boost for FM24, at least I hope so.
If you’re looking for further suggestions on potential wonderkids in Football Manager 2024, our partner FranklyFM84 has started a Youtube series giving you an early look at wonderkids and talents worth to watch in Football Manager 2024 – all split up by region or nations.
All screenshots of player profiles are taken from the
latest update to the FM23 NextGen wonderkids database
Mickey Moore – Tottenham
We kick off this list of potential FM24 wonderkids with one of the greatest talents within the Spurs Academy. Mickey Moore, born in 2007, is a versatile forward. Able to play both on the left flank where he can cut inside on his strongest foot, in the number 10 role, or leading the line as a deep lying forward.
Mickey Moore stands out for his eye for the goal, finishing technique and vision. This has resulted in 3 goals in 4 appearances in U18 Premier League 23/24. On the 23rd of September he bagged two wonderful goals in the match against Reading. Highlights of the goals, courtesy of TheSecretScout, can be found here.
For England U16, Moore has scored 5 goals in 7 appearances – making him one of the most interesting Totenham strikers since Dane Scarlett and Will Lankshear.
Passion4FM Potential Ability: -85
Chris Rigg – Sunderland
The next English wonderkid is a central midfielder deemed a great future! Chris Rigg became Sunderland’s youngest ever goalscorer earlier in September, on his first team debut. The same happened in the EFL Cup in August. One goal in 1 appearance.
Chris Rigg is able to play in any position in the middle of the park, whether he needs to play as a DM in a double pivot system, as a box to box midfielder in a 4-3-3 system, or behind the forward.
The left footed midfielder born in 2007 could easily be the new Jude Bellingham, eventhough he is a rough diamond in the making. Standing out for his vision, ball control, teamwork and passing. He’s also a set-piece specialist and got the creativity and determination needed to enable the team to come to goalscoring opportunities.
Wanted by Newcastle, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool, Chris Rigg kept his feet on the ground by continuing his development at Sunderland – something that might work to our favours in FM24 as he will be available at a reasonable price.
Passion4FM Potential Ability: -8
Noah Darvich – Barcelona
Barcelona made a somehow surprising move when signing Noah Darvich for €2.5Mill from Freiburg this summer. Labelled as the next Mesut Özil, Barca’s new German wonderkid is a versatile midfielder. At Freiburg he was used as an AMC or AML but has been converted into a CM for Barca Atlètic.
Noah Darvich is a modern playmaker. More physical imposing, as he is 187cm tall, got sublime technique as well as the vision and agility to create space for himself to make those valuable key passes.
How he glides past the opponents when he sets pace with the ball is just wonderful to watch. It might not be too long until we see him debut for Barca’s first team.
Regardless, the German U18 international, is a world class wonderkid we’ll hear lots more about in the years to come!
Passion4FM Potential Ability: -85
Luka Vuskovic – Hadjuk Split
Luka Vuskovic is one of the best centre back talents under-17 probably in the world today. The 193cm tall defender has come through the Academy of Hadjuk Split. Now part of the first team, despite being born in 2007, the central defender has made 8 appearances for Hadjuk Split.
He is close to come to an agreement with Tottenham but PSG are also monitoring his progress. It will be a hard fought battle for Spurs to fend off the interest from the bigger clubs.
Standing out for his positioning, tactical intelligence, aerial threat and quickness to regain possession by being strong, brave and determined when tackling, Luka Vuskovic has everything you want in a modern defender. Able to bring the ball out of defence and overload the midfield, he’s got the on the ball abilities of Gerard Pique, as well as the defensive skills of Virgil van Dijk.
Passion4FM Potential Ability: -9
Sverre Nypan – Rosenborg
The Haaland and Ødegaard effect has really made an impact on Norwegian football. Lately Eliteserien clubs has sold players for roughly €70Mill. The next Norwegian wonderkid to end up at one of the biggest leagues in Europe is Sverre Nypan.
Born in December 2006, the Norwegian midfielder narrowly missed the cut for FM23 database. He got his major breakthrough in November 2022 when he became the youngest ever Rosenborg debutant at the tender age of 15 and 322 days.
Since then, he has received 16 appearances for a struggling RBK, scoring the second most goals. With three goals, it’s two less than RBK’s topscorer.
Sverre Nypan can be described as a versatile playmaker. Standing out for his vision, passing and off the ball movement, he got many of the same capabilities of Martin Ødegaard.
The way he moves into channels, play those beautiful through passes or anticipate the play makes him seem more mature and experienced than his real age.
His performances has led to interest from some of the biggest clubs. You just need to sign him up on FM24! He’ll likely be the new wonderkid bargain, surpassing Sivert Mannsverk.
Passion4FM Potential Ability: -8
Kendry Paez – Independiente del Valle / Chelsea 2025
As always, Chelsea has done a remarkable job to tie down one of the best wonderkids in South America. Kendry Páez is an attacking midfielder packed with flair.
Born in 2007, the new Ecuadorian wonderkid stand out for his silky left foot. Remarkable first touch is coupled with excellent agility, dribbles and an awareness in one on one situations that dazzles the opponents.
In additional to his quick feet, low center of gravity and wonderful ball control, Kendry Paez got the vision and passing technique to create chances for his teammates.
His finishing technique and the way he cuts inside from the right wing draw similarities… It’s like Messi and Neymar in one person!
Passion4FM Potential Ability: -95
Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
We couldn’t create a list of potential FM24 wonderkids without including Lamine Yamal. Since the age of 9, it’s been clear what kind of a sensational talent Lamine Yamal is. Now, at the age of 16 he has debuted for both Barcelona first team, and the Spanish National team. In his first international appearance, he scored – becoming the youngest ever player AND goalscorer. In the La Liga he has earned 7 caps.
Lamine Yamal is often used as an inside forward on the right, where he’s able to cut inside onto his strongest foot. His astonishing ball control, quickness and dribbling technique makes him a lethal player in one on one situations. Very agile, sky high flair and a low centre of gravity draws similarities to Messi.
As the crown jewel of La Masia, there’s no wonder he’s compared to Messi. His style of play and his abilities to take long shots from the edge of penalty box and place it in the corner has the Blaugrana fans seen before.
Lamine Yamal is subjected to be one of the players with the highest potential ability in Football Manager 2024. He’s definitely a Ballon D’Or candidate if he continues his progress.
Passion4FM Potential Ability: -10
Ljubo Puljic – Bayern Münich
Ljubo Puljic is another Croatian defender with a promising future. His performances at the UEFA Under-17 Championship Finals 2023 led Bayern Münich to pay €2.8Mill for one of the biggest talents ever to come through at Osijek.
Despite needing to improve parts of his play, especially his passing, his positioning, tackling, marking, anticipation and aerial abilities makes him into a reliable defender who can provide the necessary security at the back.
His physical dominance and determination makes him a valuable player when chasing the opponent and trying to regain possession through pressing.
Partner him up with a quick and pacy ball-playing defender and you’ll have a rock solid defence!
Ljubo Puljic – remember the name!
Passion4FM Potential Ability: -8
Ethan Nwaneri – Arsenal
Arsenal has two promising wonderkids coming through their renown Academy. Besides Myles Lewis Skelly, a defensive midfielder, the jewel is probably Ethan Nwaneri.
Ethan Nwaneri was born in London March 2007 and is a 165cm tall attacking midfielder / inverted winger. Yet again a left-footed forward with incredible technique, flair and one-on-one skills.
Currently he’s part of the Arsenal U21 and has hit out well in the Premier League 2 with four goals in four appearances. However, in September 2022, he got his first team debut and thereby became the youngest ever player to appear in the Premier League at the age of 15 and 5 months.
Ethan Nwaneri has always trained and played with boys older than himself. He is often training with the Arsenal first team and could be seen as the new Bukayo Saka as he’s able to play in any positions up front.
The English Under-18 international has everything needed for an AMC in a 4-2-3-1 system. Creative, hard working and decent movements, as well as capable of finding the net with both close range or long range shooting.
A definite one to watch for Football Manager 2024!
Passion4FM Potential Ability: -9
Paulo Iago – Real Madrid
The youth academy of Real Madrid does not have the same reputationAs La Masia but has developed a number of great players over the years. In FM, it’s a place to find cheap wonderkids gems, such as Nicolas Paz or Jaime Vazquez.
For FM24, Paulo Iago is a player worthy to watch. The Spanish Under-18 international is a left footed central midfielder with decent flair, off the ball movement and technique.
Even though he lacks the natural fitness and experience, he’s a player with great potential. His tricks and body feints gives him the upper hand in one on one situations along with the creativity and technique to create chances for himself, or his teammates.
His got a great understanding of when to place the ball in the back of the net or shoot with power. At his current age, he got everything you want from an attacking midfielder or shadow striker: quick, creative and composed in front of the goal.
Passion4FM Potential Ability: -85
Ethan Mbappe – Paris SG
Kylian Mbappe’s younger brother is starting to make a name for himself. Unlike Kylian, Ethan Mbappe is a deep-lying playmaker or holding midfielder suitable to play as a single pivot in a 4-3-3 system, or as a number 6 in a 4-2-3-1 system.
The midfielder is yet to make his first team debut but plays for PSG’s Under-19 side. So far this season he has made 2 assists and one goal in four appearances. Last year he scored 2 goals in 17 appearances – playing against guys four year older than himself.
Born in December 2006, he was one of the players I had imagined would be added in the FM23 winter transfer update but unfortunately not.
Ethan Mbappe is another left footed player with great technique, vision and anticipation. His passing and positioning when building out ftom the back are worthy skills for any possession-oriented clubs. Able to keep control, shield the ball or retain possession in limited spaces draws similarities to Warren Zaire-Emery, especially in the way they dictate tempo and control the ball.
Time will tell when Ethan Mbappe receives his first team debut but he could become a star in FM24.
Passion4FM Potential Ability: -85
Estevão Willian – Palmeiras
Endrick, Luis Guilherme, Vitor Roque and Rayan are just some of the Brazilian wonderkids we have been able to enjoy in FM23. Now, a new wonderkid is making waves in Brazil. Estevão Willian is dubbed one of the most sensational players coming through the Palmeiras Academy after Endrick.
He’s a versatile forward who can play on both wings, in the AMC slot or as an advanced forward. Wanted by Paris SG, Real Madrid and Barcelona, Estevão has admired Messi since starting his career at Cruzeiro aged 9. Nicknamed Messinho, he stands out for his incredible flair, athleticism, dribbling technique and outstanding close control. How he moves with the ball to create space for himself to take long shots or make through balls is just incredible.
Highly press-resistant and quick footed makes everything he does look easy. His quickness, finishing, vision and powerful long shots are valueable skills that you will enjoy in Football Manager 2024!
Forget Endrick! In FM24, Estevão Willian is the Brazilian wonderkid you just NEED to sign, but it will definitely not be cheap!
Passion4FM Potential Ability: -9
Honorable Mentions
- Shea Lacey, 14.04.2007 – AMR – Man Utd
Watch a PLAYER REVIEW of Shea Lacey in FM23 by Priisek - Bailey Rice, 04.10.2006 – DM – Rangers
Watch a PLAYER REVIEW of Bailey Rice in FM23 by Priisek - Jonah Kusi-Asare, 04.07.2007 – ST – AIK
Watch a PLAYER REVIEW of Jonah Kusi-Asare in FM23 by Priisek - Mattia Liberali, 06.04.2007 – AMR – AC Milan
Watch a PLAYER REVIEW of Jonah Kusi-Asare in FM23 by Priisek - Rodrigo Mora, 05.05.2007 – AMC – Sporting CP
- Marvin Akahomen, 15.07.2007 – DC – FC Basel
- Faniel Tewelde, 09.09.2006 – AML – Odd
- Spike Brits, 24.07.2007 – GK – Man City
- Harry Amass, 16.03.2007 – DL – Man Utd
- Lasse Abildgaard, 27.02.2007 – AMR – AFC Ajax
- Neo Jönsson, 19.01.2007 – AMR – FC Köbenhavn
Who are the potential FM24 Wonderkids you can’t wait to see in Football Manager 2024? Let us know your suggestion of FM24 wonderkids in the comments below.
7 Comments
Thanks so much for the reply! One small question, so would you say the low PAs on Moore/Nwaneri are a result of the database just not getting updated as much (which I totally understand)?
You are partly right. I have been out of business since May due to herniated disc. I’ve actually not been able to work for months.
Adding on to my previous comment, (again bias is present probably) but for Moore and Nwaneri I have heard that those two are two of England’s best prospects, so compared to other players in the FM23 database (I’m assuming the database you are referring to is your own NextGen 2023 database) I’d say they should be rated pretty highly?
You are totally right that the expectations for Nwaneri and Moore is high but I need to say that some of the work on the english players hasn’t been done by me in regard to the English wonderkids. When you made your comment I thought you were only referring to the potential wonderkids post and not the NextGen database in terms of comparison.
I’m a Spurs fan too and got high hopes for Moore. I will make a minor modification to the post – Nwaneri is set as -9 in db and the lowest Pa ceiling of 130 is probably too low on Moore. I can agree on that when looking closer at it.
Really appreciate your feedback!
Thanks for the reply. I am a Spurs fan so may be biased but I was surprised you gave Mikey Moore a -8 and Ethan Nwaneri a -8.5 while also giving Shea Lacey/Kian Noble a -8.5 when they “achieved less” than the first two (in terms of playing up the age group, their impact up the age group, etc.)
Felt Moore was always at least a -9 (-8.5 at the lowest) while Nwaneri a -9.5 (-9 at the lowest). I may be too biased based on Nwaneri’s PL record and Moore’s media coverage tho.
Is there a criteria for rating these guys? Not sure if I agree with some of the ratings (could be me just being dumb)
Potential Ratings will always be a subjective opinion… It’s hard to predict how far they will reach in professional football at such a young age but I’ve tried to set a PA rating based on comparison to other players in the FM23 database, their likeliness to reach top football and the standard of football clubs they might play on 5 to 10 years into the future. Whether it’s -85 or -9 is just a minor detail as the minimum PA is what I consider the most.
What do you think the PA should be? Which players are ‘wrong’? Open for your input