FM 21 Wonderkids: Defenders (DR, DC, DL) - Davies, Fofana & more


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.

FM21 Davies
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+ 7
WORLD BEATER: Davies is already an elite talent

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.

FM21 Fofana 1
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+ 7
UP AND COMER: Fofana is going to be a great player for years

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.

FM21 Garcia
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+ 7
CALMING FORCE: Garcia is confidence and in control at the back

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.

FM21 Lamptey 1
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+ 7
FLYING FORWARD: If you want a threat on the overlap Lamptey is your guy

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.

FM21 Mendes 1
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+ 7
GOLDEN GENERATION: An elite group of Portuguese players are coming

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.

FM21 Nianzou 1
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+ 7
LONG ROAD: Nianzou has some work to do but bags of potential for the future

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.

FM21 Gvardiol 1
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+ 7
WISE HEAD: Gvardiol has amazing mental attributes for his age

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

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