Now that the January window has passed, we’ve taken another look at the suggestions. Many of the youngsters we tipped to have breakout seasons have earned themselves a move - we’re looking at you Erling Haaland - and as such are no longer available for transfer in the first season. Also, for this list we’ll be discussing wonderkids that are 22 years old and under (sorry Fabian Ruiz), and we’ll also try to keep the suggestions interesting. You’ve heard of Vinicius Jr, Frenkie De Jong, Jadon Sancho, and Kylian Mbappe, you don’t need us to tell you they’re the best wonderkids in FIFA 20. We’ll also split the wonderkids into a few categories: young players you can add into a top-tier first-team squad, lower overall players that need some training, and a few that you can definitely sign in your first season. If you want sniff out some bargains for yourself, there’s no better place for career mode data than SoFIFA.
Best FIFA 20 Wonderkids
Highest overall players 22 and under
A lot of these won’t come as much of a surprise, but here are the highest overall rated players that are 22 and under. The list contains a lot of superstar names that will go on to be icons of the game, but there are a few interesting pickups. With the new balance of gameplay towards dribblers, players like Joao Felix, Mbappe, and Sancho are extremely usable at the top levels of the game, especially combined with 5-star skill moves. However, there are a lot of skillful, fast, and powerful young midfielders as well. Take a look at Houssem Aouar, Donny van de Beek, or Goncalo Guedes and play them on the left or right of a three-man midfield - they’ll burst into the box for tons of goals.
Low overall, high potential teenage wonderkids
Where the last list of players could be thrown into just about any top team, these wonderkids have a bit further to go. We’ve stuck to teenagers with this one so they have the most time to develop before they lose the promising player tag. All of these players would be a silver or bronze card in FUT, with an overall of 74 and under. Dominik Szoboszlai from Salzburg is a brilliant player in FIFA 20, but one of the more expensive on the list so wouldn’t work for smaller sides. As for other offensive options though, Alphonso Davies, Jeremy Doku, and Jan Hurtado look great, while Jonathan David is closer to the finished article.
Players you can definitely sign in the first season
When you’re doing your own career mode, you want players that you can sign in the first season. A few of our original suggestions have moved on from their starting clubs, so we’ve added a different player underneath their entry. These are a few high potential wonderkids that you can add to your roster straight away:
Dani Olmo - CAM - 79/87 - 21 - Zagreb - MOVED TO RB LEIPZIG
At almost 80 overall, Olmo is already a decent addition to any squad. He’s been linked with a move away from Croatia for a while now, so it’s not unrealistic to tempt him away in the first window. Olmo’s starting stats in dribbling and passing make his effective high up the pitch, but he has good enough stamina to track back too.
Francisco Trincao - RW - 75/88 - 19 - Braga
With Dani Olmo off the table, try Francisco Trincao from Braga. While he’s not as good technically from the start, Trincao is similarly tall and quick with 4 star skill moves. Although his tackling is poor, he has well-rounded stats elsewhere across the board, including decent stamina and strength - which is rare in young wingers.
Nicolas Dominguez - CM - 75/87 - 21 - Sarsfield - MOVED TO BOLOGNA
With CDM and RWB in list listed positions, Nicolas Dominguez is a good defensive option to add to your squad. He has solid pace and defending, and sky-high stamina, so you also know that you’re going to get some industry in the centre of the park.
Weston McKennie - CDM - 76/86 - 20 - Schalke
A lot of young DMs who’re available in the first season have poor stamina, like Ryan Gravenberch at Ajax, making them a poor replacement for Nicolas Dominguez. However, the American Weston McKennie starts with a load of great physical stats. He’s also tall enough to play at the back without sacrificing technical ability.
Sandro Tonali - CDM - 75/89 - 19 - Brescia
With his cultured range of passing and headful of luscious locks is it any surprise that Italian wonderkid Sandro Tonali is tipped as the next Andrea Pirlo? If you’re looking for a classy playmaker at the base of midfield with tons of room to grow, add Tonali to your team.
Dayot Upamecano - CB - 77/88 - 20 - Leipzig
Upamecano is a quality young centre back who’s very attainable for a lot of teams. He seems to get bought by the AI a lot though, so move fast if you want him (or start your career with Leipzig). Upamecano is quick, strong, tall, and has decent technical stats, although that’s his weakest area.
Ibrahima Konate - CB - 79/88 - 20 - Leipzig
The more expensive and higher starting overall of the two Leipzig CBs, Konate is taller, quicker, and has better passing than Upamecano. They’re both the same age, so your choice will come down to personal preference. Konate might be more difficult to acquire since he’s in the default starting 11 at Leipzig.
Carlos Soler - RM - 80/87 - 22 - Valencia
While he comes with a hefty release clause of nearly 50 million Euro, Soler is a talented playmaker with years and years left to run. What he lacks in physical prowess on the wing, he makes up for in technical ability, and could be good teamed with a pacey full-back.
Phil Foden - CAM - 76/90 - 19 - Man City
Fancy saving Phil Foden from Pep’s clutches and giving him the play time he deserves? England thanks you! We’re only joking of course, but Foden isn’t a terrible pick-up, especially since he has such a high ceiling.
Sander Berge - CDM - 79/87 - 21 - Genk - MOVED TO SHEFFIELD UNITED
Sander Berge is a physical monster. Standing at 6ft 5” and boasting 91 strength and 87 stamina, Berge is a commanding presence in the engine room. However, he’s not all about athleticism. With starting starts in the high 70s and low 80s for passing, ball control and dribbling, he’s got decent technical skills to back it up.
Denis Zakaria - CDM - 81/86 - 22 - Borussia Monchengladbach
The only other player even remotely like Sander Berge, but still in the same price range, is Manchester United player of the year 2017-18, Scott McTominay. But him leaving Manchester isn’t the most realistic transfer. Instead you could look at Denis Zakaria - a more expensive option, but one that’s quicker and silkier, if a little less physically monstrous.
Pietro Pellegri - ST - 67/86 - 18 - Monaco
He might have the injury prone tag, but Pellegri is a brilliant pick-up for lower league teams thanks to his low release clause of just 4 million Euro. One of the most promising Italian talents, Pellegri doesn’t have much to shout about in his starting skillset, but stands at 6ft 2” and has a lot of room to grow as you progress up the divisions.
Morgan Gibbs-White - CM - 70/86 - 19 - Wolves
Similar to Pellegri, Morgan Gibbs-White has a reasonable buyout clause of around 10 million Euro, but quite high wages. He’s a well-rounded midfielder with a decent frame and no particularly weak areas. Train up his stamina, defending, and passing, and you’ll have a good box-to-box player on your hands. For more on FIFA 20, check out our full review! After years of disquiet from fans, EA Sports has finally tried to add some new changes to Career mode - here’s what they had to say.
