Everyone loves a big win in Football Manager.
But you won't be picking up many titles if you don't find a way to scrape through the tough encounters.
These defensive wonderkids will help you to do exactly that.
Latest News - Winter Update is here
The annual FM Winter Update has arrived, and it's meant big changes as far as wonderkids go.
From the arrival of some new faces - in particular Yousouffa Moukoko - to the upgraded ratings to a number of young talent across the globe, there's plenty to learn about.
Head here for everything you need to know.
Wonderkid Defenders
How do you define a wonderkid?
Well for us, it's any promising young defender who is still within their teenage years.
So this list will be comprised of the best defenders (DL, DC, DR) aged 19 or younger.
Alphonso Davies (CA 152 - PA 150-180)
Age: 19
Position: D/WB (L) / M/AM (L)
Club: FC Bayern
Best Attributes: 19 acceleration, 17 pace, 14-18 natural fitness
Value: £31.5M
Wage: £88,000 per week
Now if you're at a club with a substantial budget, then Alphonso Davies is worth looking at.
The Bayern Munich man may have just a £6M value, but his £88k p/w wages makes for sorry viewing if you're on a budget.
His versatility in his ability to play on either side of midfield makes him even more worthwhile.
Tariq Lamptey (CA 138 - PA 165)
Age: 19
Position: D/WB (R)
Club: Brighton
Best Attributes: 20 acceleration, 16 pace, 14-18 agility
Value: £25.5M
Wage: £40,000 per week
Now if you've watched any Premier League football this season then you're bound to know about the talent of this youngster.
Lamptey is a Regular Starter at Brighton on FM21, so prising him away from Graham Potter may prove tricky. He'd be worth it though!
Wesley Fofana (CA 138 - PA 165)
Age: 19
Position: DC
Club: Leicester City
Best Attributes: 15-19 pace, 16 jumping reach, 12-17 agility
Value: £21M
Wage: £55,000 per week
He's a player that few people had heard of prior to this season, but he's certainly made himself known.
Leicester City centre back Wesley Fofana has become one of the hottest properties in the Premier League and, with another Leicester man on this list, the Foxes could well be worth considering for your next save.
Nuno Mendes (CA 138 - PA 150-180)
Age: 18
Position: D/WB (L)
Club: Sporting
Best Attributes: 14-18 agility, 14-18 dribbling, 14-18 anticipation
Value: £11M
Wage: £5,500 per week
Another left-sided defender who should be high on your list if you're after a wonderkid is Sporting's Nuno Mendes.
The Portuguese teenager has the potential to rise to the very top and won't cost you an arm and a leg, A option worth considering.
Eric Garcia (CA 135 - PA 165)
Age: 19
Position: DC
Club: Manchester City
Best Attributes: 17 determination, 16 composure, 15 positioning
Value: £19.75M
Wage: £12,000 per week
Another wonderkid PL defender to consider is Manchester City's Eric Garcia.
The Spaniard is coming to the end of his deal at the Etihad Stadium and has no intention of signing a new one, so you could shave some big numbers off that near £20M valuation.
Josko Gvardiol (CA 129 - PA 150-180)
Age: 18
Position: DC, DL
Club: Dinamo (On loan from RB Leipzig)
Best Attributes: 14-20 bravery, 14-19 anticipation, 12-19 jumping reach
Value: £3.5M
Wage: N/A
Another youngster worth keeping an eye on is Dinamo loanee Josko Gvardiol.
The versatile Croatian will spend the first season of your save on loan in his homeland, but he may be available come the second. That 16-rated determination means he has the fight required to make it to the very top.
Tanguy Nianzou (CA 119 - PA 150-180)
Age: 18
Position: D (C), DM
Club: FC Bayern II
Best Attributes: 11-17 balance, 11-17 bravery, 12-16 pace
Value: £1.6k
Wage: £33,500 per week
Bayern Munich has been known to develop some world-class talent over the years, and Nianzou could well be next.
Despite his relatively low CA, Nianzou has a rather extortionate wage due to the fact he plays for the German giants. We'd avoid looking to sign the Frenchman.
Bright Arrey-Mbi (CA 110 - PA 150-180)
Age: 17
Position: D (C) / D (L)
Club: FC Bayern II
Best Attributes: 14-20 pace, 14-19 determination, 12-17 strength
Value: £350k
Wage: £1,400 per week
Although, Nianzou's Bayern II teammate Arrey-Mbi is rather affordable.
Despite only being slightly worse than Nianzou in terms of his CA, the 17-year-old's value and wage are far less than his centre back partner. This is one worth considering for sure.
Luke Thomas (CA 130 - PA 160)
Age: 19
Position: D/WB (L)
Club: Leicester City
Best Attributes: 15-19 crossing, 13-17 passing, 12-17 work rate
Value: £11M
Wage: £25,000 per week
And here is that teammate of Fofana's that we mentioned earlier.
Left-back Luke Thomas may not be as well known as Fofana, but his ability is undeniable. The fact that he's homegrown means his value is a little higher than his current ability warrants though.
Ethan Ampadu (CA 128 - PA 157)
Age: 19
Position: D (C), DM, M (C)
Club: Sheffield United (On loan from Chelsea)
Best Attributes: 14-18 pace, 13-17 teamwork, 13-17 marking
Value: £9.25M
Wage: £3,800 per week
Now if you're wanting to add Ethan Ampadu to your side, you'll have to wait 12 months before you can do so due to his current loan deal with Sheffield United.
That being said, the Chelsea youngsters versatility makes him a great addition to any bottom-half Premier League side, one worth keeping an eye on for sure/