Football Manager 2021 is finally out, and armchair managers around the world can start plotting their rise to glory.
The key to success, whatever league you start in, is a strong and reliable defence. If you want to guarantee yourself that for a long time then grabbing some of these wonderkids is the way to go!
The best defender wonderkids in Football Manager 2021
This article is looking at the best defensive wonderkids FM21 has to offer.
That means they are 19 or younger when you start a save (July 2020) and are a natural at right back, left back, or centre back. If they can play other positions then great, but they must be natural at one of these.
High current ability (CA) is nice, but we are looking for the biggest potential ability (PA) possible. You can see a players' CA & PA in the FM21 Editor.
Most teenagers in FM21 will have a PA range, which means they won't always hit their peak potential. How you develop their talents will play a big part in their ability to reach that ceiling.
Let's dive into the best defensive wonderkids in FM21.
Alphonso Davies (CA 152 - PA Range 150-180)
Age: 19
Position: D (L), WB (L)
Club: Bayern Munich
Value: £6m
It's not a surprise to see the rapid Bayern player atop this list.
The Champions League winner is Canada's biggest football export ever already, and with 18 pace and 18 acceleration he will be rampaging up and down the flank for years.
Capable of playing in a more advanced role too, he has a huge ceiling and with 15 work rate, 14 dribbling, and 13 technique can be deadly at the top of the pitch.
Wesley Fofana (CA 138 - PA 165)
Age: 19
Position: D (C)
Club: Leicester City
Value: £11.75m
You don't expect to find a future world-beater at Leicester City, but Welsey Fofana arrived this summer from Saint-Etienne and is lining up to be a quality defender.
In FM21 he has a fixed PA that while not amazing is plenty good-enough to make a difference. He already has 15 jumping, 14 stamina, and 13 agility to cover ground. Meanwhile, his 13 marking, 13 tackling, and 13 heading are all good baselines that will grow rapidly with game time.
Eric Garcia (CA 135 - PA 165)
Age: 19
Position: D (C)
Club: Man City
Value: £19.75m
Another quality young centre back, Eric Garcia might be a little trickier to buy.
The Man City defender is already in the first team and they won't want to part with him. His 17 determination and 16 composure are superb for his age and will help him develop on the training pitch.
He's got 15 positioning to go with 14 passing, 13 tackling, and 13 marking. He's an ideal centre back for a possession-dominant side.
Tariq Lamptey (CA 135 - PA 165)
Age; 19
Position: D (R), WB (R)
Club: Brighton
Value: £16m
Over on the other flank, Tariq Lamptey offers almost as much attacking energy as Davies.
His 20 acceleration and 16 pace make him a dangerous player, while his 14 work rate will keep him going up and down the touchline.
He lacks technical refinement, with just 11 tackling and 9 passing, but get him in the hands of good coaches and keep his playing time up and Lamptey can be a difference maker.
Nuno Mendes (CA 133 - PA Range 150-180)
Age: 18
Position: D ( L), WB (L)
Club: Sporting
Value: £4.5m
If Davies ends up being to expensive (and he almost certainly will) then Nuno Mendes is a bit of a cheaper option.
He already has the "gets forward" trait so is a great attacking option, while his 15 pace and 16 natural fitness will keep him going all day.
Mendes already has 14 dribbling, 14 crossing, 13 passing, and 13 tackling, making him a player you can slot right in to most teams straight away.
Tanguy Nianzou (CA 119 - PA Range 150-180)
Age: 18
Position: D (C)
Club: Bayern Munich
Value: £115k
A second Bayern wonderkid just goes to show how strong that organisation is.
The young Frenchman is certainly a work in progress at 18, but he has 15 natural fitness, 13 tackling, and 12 marking already. He will also get his nose dirty with 14 bravery and 12 aggression, which is a nice place to start for a centre back.
Josko Gvardiol (CA 119 - PA Range 150-180)
Age: 18
Position: D (C)
Club: RB Leipzig
Value: £950k
You might not have heard of Josko Gvardiol yet, but he'll soon be a common name among FM players.
His 16 natural fitness and 16 determination make him likely to hit the ceiling of his potential. He's already got 14 passing and 14 tackling, along with 15 anticipation, 15 aggression, and 14 bravery.
The Croat is also left-footed and prefers to play on the left of a back four, something that is relatively hard to find.
All the best FM21 Wonderkid defenders
Player | Position | Club | Value | Age | CA | PA/PA Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alphonso Davies | D (L), WB (L) | Bayern Munich | £6m | 19 | 152 | 150-180 |
Wesley Fofana | D (C) | Leicester City | £11.75m | 19 | 138 | 165 |
Eric Garcia | D (C) | Man City | £19.75m | 19 | 135 | 165 |
Tariq Lamptey | D (R), WB (R) | Brighton | £16m | 19 | 135 | 165 |
Nuno Mendes | D (L), WB (L) | Sporting | £4.5m | 18 | 133 | 150-180 |
Tanguy Nianzou | D (C) | Bayern Munich | £115k | 18 | 119 | 150-180 |
Josko Gvardiol | D (C) | RB Leipzig | £950k | 18 | 119 | 150-180 |
Ethan Ampadu | D (C), DM, M (C) | Chelsea | £8.25m | 19 | 128 | 157 |
Sergino Dest | D (R), WB (R) | Barcelona | £10m | 19 | 132 | 140-170 |
Rayan Ait-Nouri | D (L) | Angers SCO | £2.3m | 19 | 124 | 140-170 |
Josha Vagnoman | D (RL), WB (RL) | Hamburger SV | £375k | 19 | 122 | 140-170 |
Noah Katterbach | D (L), WB (L) | Koln | £1m | 19 | 120 | 140-170 |
Liberato Cacace | D (L), WB (L) | K Sint-Truidense VV | £575k | 19 | 118 | 140-170 |
Tomas Esteves | D (R) | FCP | £325k | 18 | 113 | 140-170 |
Riccardo Calafiori | D (L), WB (L) | Roma | £140k | 18 | 104 | 140-170 |