It doesn't matter if you're building your club from the grassroots or running a well-established team, planning for the future in your Football Manager 2020 save it vital.
Goalkeepers tend to be forgotten about in favour of the blockbuster names that play outfield, but a strong shot-stopper is key to a successful side.
In the modern game, 'keepers don't just need to be able to block shots, but also instigate attacks from the back line with their ball playing ability. Therefore finding the perfect fit is crucial.
How to choose the best Wonderkid Goalkeepers on Football Manager 2020
To qualify for this list, these players are aged 21 and under, and have a Potential Ability (PA) range of at least 140-170. This means they can progress into the best players on the planet. Any players with a fixed PA of 155 or higher have also been included.
Current Ability (CA) and Potential Ability are hidden when in-game, and can only be viewed by using the Football Manager Editor tool or In-Game Editor.
READ MORE: All the best Wonderkid Strikers (ST) to sign on FM20
Star ratings only reflect how good a player is in relation to your first team squad, so if you want accuracy you must follow the CA & PA.
For reference, all CA & PA values are out of 200 and highest-rated goalkeeper in the game currently is Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer with 176.
Gianluigi Donnraumma (CA 155 - PA 160-190)
Age: 20
Club: AC Milan
Country: Italy
Best Attributes: 18 jumping reach, 18 reflexes, 16 anticipation
Value: £29 million
Wage: £184,000 a week
Once again topping the wonderkid goalkeeping charts is AC Milan's Gianluigi Donnarumma. Still just 20 years old, the stopper is into his fifth season at the Rossoneri's first choice. After the international retirement of Gianluigi Buffon, Donnarumma is now the undisputed #1 for the Italian national team also.
Stats of 18 jumping reach, 18 reflexes and 16 anticipation take him to a CA of 155, making him the 14th best goalkeeper on FM20. His potential between 160 and 190 gives him the second highest ceiling behind Manuel Neuer.
Bartlomiej Dragowski (CA 133 - PA 159)
Age: 21
Club: Fiorentina
Country: Poland
Best Attributes: 17 jumping reach, 16 reflexes, 15 one on ones
Value: £5.5 million
Wage: £23,000 a week
Still only 21, Bartlomiej Dragowski was Fiorentina's backup goalkeeper for two seasons, but a loan spell at Empoli during the second half of last term as thursted him to first choice. His next challenge? Wrestling the Poland starting spot off Wojiech Szczesny (CA 165).
Dragowski will set you back arounf £24 million plus bonuses, with wages starting at just £23,000 a week. That will get you his 133 CA and fixed PA of 159.
Wuilker Farinez (CA 136 - PA 140-170)
Age: 21
Club: Millonarios
Country: Venezuela
Best Attributes: 16 reflexes, 15 decisions, 15 natural fitness
Value: £875,000
Wage: £9,750 a week
Not someone you will be familiar with, but Wuilker Farinez has a glowing reputation in South America. Aged just 21, the Venezuelan already as 22 caps for his country, seeing him linked with a move to Barcelona.
READ MORE: How to download the FM20 Demo
The 'keeper has a FM20 CA of 136, rising to a PA between 140 and 170. For his 16 reflexes, 15 devisions and 15 natural fitness you will only need around £2 million.
Alban Lafont (CA 130 - PA 140-170)
Age: 20
Club: Nantes (on loan from Fiorentina)
Country: France
Best Attributes: 17 jumping reach, 16 reflexes, 15 natural fitness
Value: £4.1 million
Wage: £18,500 a week
Alban Lafont was Fiorentina's first choice goalkeeper last season following his £6 million move from Toulouse, but has since been ousted by Bartlomiej Dragowski. As a result, he has been loaned back to his homeland with Nantes, and aged just 20, he has plenty of time on his side.
17 jumping reach, 16 reflexes and 15 natural fitness see the French U21 international achieve a 130 CA, rising to a potential between 140 and 170. Nantes have a £6 million option to buy so you cannot move for him.
Diogo Costa (CA 121 - PA 140-170)
Age: 19
Club: FCP (FC Porto)
Country: Portugal
Best Attributes: 15 bravery, 15 determination, 14 reflexes
Value: £1.5 million
Wage: £3,200 a week
19-year-old 'keeper Diogo Costa has come into the first team fold for Porto this season, with two appearances thus far. This due to Iker Casillas' (CA 138) recovery from a heart attack, with Costa contesting with fellow backup Agustin Marchesin (CA 142).
On FM20, Costa has stats of 15 bravery, 15 determination and 14 reflexes, giving him a CA of 121. He can improve to a potential between 140 and 170, meaning you will need to fork out in excess of £35 million for him.
Andriy Lunin (CA 120 - PA 140-170)
Age: 20
Club: Valladolid (on loan from Real Madrid)
Country: Ukraine
Best Attributes: 16 one on ones, 16 reflexes, 15 handling
Value: £625,000
Wage: £6,000 a week
Andriy Lunin had the world at his feet after he moved to Real Madrid aged just 19, but he has struggled for minutes since. The Ukrainian international was first loaned out to Leganes and only made seven appearances, and is yet to feature this season on loan at Valladolid.
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There is still plenty of time for the 20-year-old's 120 CA improve to a potential between 140 and 170. His stats of 16 one on ones, 16 reflexes and 15 handling, will cost you his £13 million release clause.
Alessandro Plizzari (CA 110 - PA 140-170)
Age: 19
Position: GK
Club: Livorno (on loan from AC Milan)
Country: Italy
Best Attributes: 16 natural fitness, 15 determination, 15 agility
Value: £575,000
Wage: £250 a week
Another Italian goalkeeper with a great future ahead of him is AC Milan’s Alessandro Plizzari. The 19-year-old is spending a year on-loan at Serie B side Livorno, and will be looking to establish himself as the second tier club’s first-choice stopper.
Plizzari has stats of 16 natural fitness, 15 determination and 15 agility to his name, giving him a CA of 110. His potential enables him to improve to between 140 and 170, costing you around £6 million.
Stefan Bajic (CA 100 - PA 140-170)
Age: 17
Position: GK
Club: Saint-Etienne
Country: France
Best Attributes: 14 natural fitness, 13 bravery, 13 punching (tendency)
Value: £250,000
Wage: £975 a week
France has had a wealth of young talent come through the country and graduate to become World Cup winners last year. The future for Les Bleus looks bright as well, with the 17-year-old Stefan Bajic already picking up seven caps for the U19s.
READ MORE: How to download FM20 & necessary PC/Mac requirements
On FM20, Bajic has stats of 14 natural fitness, 13 bravery and 13 punching (tendency). That takes him to a 100 CA and he has the capability to improve to a 140-170 potential. To buy him, you will need to bid around £11 million.
Manuel Gasparini (CA 89 - PA 140-170)
Age: 17
Position: GK
Club: Udinese
Country: Italy
Best Attributes: 14 reflexes, 14 positioning, 12 one on ones
Value: £105,000
Wage: £900 a week
Italy is a nation that has a rich history when it comes to its goalkeeping talent, and Manuel Gasparini could well be challenging Gianluigi Donnarumma once the teenager breaks into the Udinese first team.
With excellent stats like his 14 reflexes, 14 positioning and 12 handling, Gasparini is a decent acquisition right off the bat, whether it be a full transfer or on loan. Especially with a potential between 140-170.
Marcus Dewhurst (CA 80 - PA 140-170)
Age: 18
Position: GK
Club: Guiseley (on loan from Sheffield United)
Country: England
Best Attributes: 15 determination, 13 bravery, 12 reflexes
Value: £140,000
Wage: £250 a week
The future of England's goalkeeping position is in very safe hands with their current Under-19s stopper, Marcus Dewhurst. Dewhurst has spent the past two seasons on loan at sixth tier-English side Guiseley but is contracted to Premier League outfit Sheffield United.
READ MORE: "Subtle tweaks to a proven formula" - our Football Manager 2020 Review
At just £140,000 in value at the start of the game, you will need over £30 million to sign him. His 15 determination, 13 bravery and 12 reflexes take Dewhurst to an 80 CA, rising to a potential between 140 and 170.
All FM20 Wonderkid Goalkeepers
Player | Age | Club | Country | CA | PA | V | W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G. Donnarumma | 20 | AC Milan | Italy | 155 | <190 | £29m | 184k |
B. Dragowski | 21 | Fiorentina | Poland | 133 | 159 | £6m | £23k |
W. Farinez | 21 | Millonarios | Venezuela | 136 | <170 | £1m | £10k |
A. Lafont | 20 | Fiorentina* | France | 130 | <170 | £4m | £18k |
D. Costa | 19 | FCP | Portugal | 121 | <170 | £2m | £3k |
A. Lunin | 20 | R. Madrid* | Ukraine | 120 | <170 | £600k | £6k |
A. Plizzari | 19 | AC Milan* | Italy | 110 | <170 | £600k | £9k |
S. Bajic | 17 | St-Etienne | France | 100 | <170 | £300k | £1k |
M. Gasparini | 17 | Udinese | Italy | 89 | <170 | £100k | £1k |
M. Dewhurst | 18 | Shef. Utd* | England | 80 | <170 | £100k | £300 |
READ MORE: Absolutely Everything you need to know about Football Manager 2020
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