Football Manager 2018: Best Wonderkid strikers to sign

A knack of scoring goals is a precious skill, and the earlier you can find one on FM 18 the better. These wonderkid strikers don’t come cheap though, but they will certainly be worth it in the long run, with these teenagers able to play for your club for over a decade.

What is a wonderkid striker?

These forwards are all teenagers and have striker (ST) as their best position. They all have a potential ability (PA) of over 150, meaning they can go on to become some of the best attackers in the world. 

For a full list of our wonderkid strikers, please look at the table at the end of this page. 

Where are the star ratings?

Star ratings that you see on your own players and those that you scout are only a reflection of the player’s ability compared to the rest of your squad. So a 3-star Premier League player could be a 4-star player in the Championship. The current ability (CA) and potential ability (PA) ratings we give reflect a player’s ability in relation to the whole world, not just their club.

Kylian Mbappe (CA 147 – PA 179)

Age: 18

Positions: AM (R), ST

Club: Paris Saint-Germain (on loan from Monaco)

Country: France

Best attributes: 18 ambition, 18 flair, 17 acceleration

Value: £52 million

Wage: £17,400 a week

The most talented teenager on the planet. The 18-year-old Kylian Mbappe blew the world away last season, scoring 26 goals for Monaco as they took the Ligue 1 trophy and got to the last four of the Champions League. Those goals earned him a summer move to rivals Paris Saint-Germain, joining on an initial loan to avoid an FFP breach which will become permanent next summer. 

On this year’s Football Manager he has a 147 current ability score, but his potential of 179 is higher than the current level of Robert Lewandowski. With him only on loan at PSG, you will need to wait to get hold of his stats of 18 ambition, 18 flair and 17 acceleration. In a year’s time you are looking at a price of close to £150 million to sign him, but his current wages are only £17,400 a week. 

Pietro Pellegri (CA 110 – PA 178)

Age: 18

Positions: ST

Club: Genoa

Country: Italy

Best attributes: 18 ambition, 15 determination, 15 jumping

Value: £2.8 million

Wage: £228 a week

Italy U19 international Pietro Pellegri looks to have made the breakthrough for his local club Genoa. Two goals in five Serie A games this season suggests he has great potential so be sure to keep an eye on his development this season.

You will need £30 million to sign striker Pellegri on the FM 18, with his current wages just £228 a week. 18 ambition, 15 determination and 15 jumping make up his 110 current ability rating with his potential at 178. 

Patrick Cutrone (CA 124 – PA 173)

Age: 19

Positions: ST

Club: AC Milan

Country: Italy

Best attributes: 15 natural fitness, 14 finishing, 14 anticipation

Value: £42.5 million

Wage: £7,900 a week

A similar story to Pietro Pellegri, AC Milan striker Patrick Cutrone is now getting his opportunity in the first team. The 19-year-old striker has six goals and two assists in 14 appearances so far this season, as Milan try to gel their new look team together. 

The Italian U21 international has a 124 current ability rating with a 173 potential on the game. 15 natural fitness, 14 finishing and 14 anticipation are impressive attributes and they will cost your over £100 million to sign. Cutrone’s £7,900 a week wages are bound to increase if he moved club.

Alexander Isak (CA 124 – PA 169)

Age: 17

Positions: ST

Club: Borussia Dortmund

Country: Sweden

Best attributes: 16 jumping, 15 anticipation, 15 acceleration

Value: £3.1 million

Wage: £13,400 a week

Already a full Sweden international, Alexander Isak is tipped for a big future. The 17-year-old claimed a goal and an assist in his only start of the season in the German Cup this season, so expect him to get more opportunities as the competition progresses. 

16 jumping, 15 anticipation and 15 acceleration contribute to Isak’s 123 CA on the game, with his potential a superb 169. Those stats will cost you a hefty £70 million, with the forward’s wages currently £13,400 a week.

Jann-Fiete Arp (CA 105 – PA 168)

Age: 17

Positions: ST

Club: Hamburg

Country: Germany

Best attributers: 15 finishing, 15 bravery, 15 important matches

Value: £450,000

Wage: £4,100 a week

Another youngster looking to breakthrough in Germany is Hamburg striker Jann-Fiete Arp. The six foot two striker has smashed in 18 goals in 19 games for Germany U17s before getting his chance in the Bundesliga with two goals in three games.

15 finishing, 15 bravery and 15 important matches show the 17-year-old is ready for the big stage, with his 105 current ability rating just needing a slight bit of growth. It won’t be long given his 168 potential, but you are looking at a price of close to £60 million for him. Wages of £4,100 a week are reasonable, so keep tabs on the forward as he develops. 

Sergio Diaz (CA 119 – PA 167)

Age: 19

Positions: AM (C), ST

Club: Lugo (on loan from Real Madrid)

Country: Paraguay

Best attributes: 15 acceleration, 15 dribbling, 15 finishing

Value: £1.1 million

Wage: £3,600 a week

A loan move away from Real Madrid to Lugo has opened the door to first team football for Sergio Diaz, with the striker getting minutes in the Spanish second division and Copa Del Rey. No goals have come his way yet, but there is clearly promise after four goals and five assists in eight UEFA Youth League games last season. 

Already valued at over £1 million, it may take a bid of over £50 million plus add-ons to dislodge Paraguay international Diaz from Real Madrid’s grasp. His 119 CA rating means he will be ready for regular first team action in the second half of the season, so agreeing a deal now for next summer would be ideal. A 167 potential is a mouth-watering prospect, so expect his £3,600 a week wages to rise next summer. 15 acceleration, 15 dribbling and 15 finishing show that he will stretch the defence before putting the ball away. 

Kasper Dolberg (CA 140 – PA 166)

Age: 19

Positions: AM (L), ST

Club: Ajax

Country: Holland

Best attributes: 17 pressure, 16 sportsmanship, 16 temperament

Value: £10.2 million

Wage: £1,300 a week

One of the hottest striking prospects in the world. Ajax striker Kasper Dolberg fired Ajax to the Europa League final last season, and it’s surprising that none of the European heavyweights went in for the 19-year-old over the summer. The Danish international bagged 23 goals in 47 games for Ajax last season, and a similar return this year would undoubtedly tempt the bigger clubs, with Borussia Dortmund linked with a move. 

The striker or left winger has 17 pressure, 16 sportsmanship and 16 temperament shows experience beyond his years, as does his very impressive 140 CA rating. His 166 potential will set you back £70 million or more, with his wages of £1,300 likely to take a giant leap with a move. 

Kuki (CA 111 – PA 165)

Age: 19

Positions: AM (RC), ST

Club: Cartagena (on loan from Malaga)

Country: Spain

Best attributes: 19 adaptability, 17 ambition, 15 temperament

Value: £823,500

Wage: £2,800 a week

The 19-year-old Kuki Salazar made a name for himself playing for Spain U17s, but his career has stalled since. The striker, right winger or attacking midfielder needs his loan move at fourth-tier club Cartagena to be a success or he could easily fall out of the game.

His FM 18 potential of 165 makes this look unlikely, with his 111 current ability deserving better than the Spanish fourth division. 19 adaptability, 17 ambition and 15 temperament show there is plenty of fire in Kuki, and he may cost less than £15 million. With wages of £2,800 a week, the Spaniard could be one of the best punts on the game. 

Andrea Pinamonti (CA 109 – PA 165)

Age: 18

Positions: ST

Club: Inter Milan

Country: Italy

Best attributes: 17 ambition, 16 temperament, 15 finishing

Value: £704,000

Wage: £15,900 a week

Inter Milan striker Andrea Pinamonti picked up three appearances last season, with the Nerazzurri struggling for form, finishing seventh. With the club now third in Serie A, there is little opportunity for 18-year-old Pinamonti, but he will be hopeful of chances in the second half of the campaign. 

His 165 potential means he should come into the fray soon, with his 109 current ability probably needing a season’s growth behind it. 17 ambition, 16 temperament and 15 finishing show his talent, and those stats will cost you close to £40 million. £15,900 a week wages are hefty for a player of his age, so perhaps hold off until he develops more. 

Moise Kean (CA 116 – PA 163)

Age: 17

Positions: AM (L), ST

Club: Hellas Verona (on loan from Juventus)

Country: Italy

Best attributes: 20 ambition, 18 natural fitness, 15 consistency

Value: £1.8 million

Wage: £17,400 a week

After grabbing a goal on his debut for Juventus last season, it was almost surprising to see 17-year-old striker Moise Kean loaned out to Hellas Verona during the summer. Kean has eight goals in 17 matches for Italy U17s, and if he continues his development over the next couple of seasons, he will be knocking on the door of the Juve first team.

A 163 potential means he can reach world class status, with his 116 current ability only needing one season of nurturing before he can make a significant impact on Serie A. You are looking at a price of around £40 million next summer, which will get you his 20 ambition, 18 natural fitness and 15 consistency. His wages of £17,400 are a little steep, so perhaps hold off making a deal until his loan deal is over. 

More Wonderkid strikers

A = Age

V = Value

W = Wage

Have you picked up any wonderkids? Lets us know in the comments section below.

Best Wonderkid Centre Backs

Best Wonderkid Left Backs

Best Wonderkid Right Backs

Who are you looking to sign on Football Manager 2018? Let us know in the comments section below.