One of the most interesting things with FM every year is who the biggest wonderkids are. Every year we discover someone new and from a strange kind of connection to them. In FM21 Youssuofa Moukoko came late, but with enough time to undoudelty be the biggest wonderkid of them all. Maybe even the biggest ever?
Who to look out for in FM22?
As always it’s hard to predict who will be the biggest wonderkids, other than the obvious ones. I would guess 99% of all FM gamers are aware of the youth players who already made their mark on senior football. Therefore I’ve tried to come up with someone other than Pedri, Camavinga and Moukoko.
#AMC Daniel Gore (2005) – Manchester United – England
An England U-16 international who joined Man Utd from Burnley in 2018. Some of you may have heard about him already but then as Daniel Kavanagh. He changed his surname to Gore a while back.
He’s described as a tough and technical player with the mentality to go far in the game. He’s been tipped for stardom already and although it’s impossible to know how and if he will make the step to senior football he should be rated highly in the game. He’s known for his ability to make an impact, both with goals and assists. Another creative attacking midfielder in the production line at Manchester United’s famed academy should make it possible to pick him up in the game.
PA Prediction: -8
#AMC Ethan Ennis (2005) – Manchester United – England
Speaking of attacking midfielders at Manchester United they signed Ennis from Liverpool this summer. A bold move rejecting Liverpool to join their biggest rivals. Can play in all four attacking positions and it’s yet to see where he suits best. With great ability on the ball and good pace he may be best suited to play on the flanks, he’s also a goalscorer with good finishing in him. It sure will be excited to see him in the game, and Manchester United may have yet another starlet in the ranks.
PA Prediction: -8
#CM Leo Castledine (2005) – Chelsea – England
Another wonderkid from Cobham. Castledine describes himself as “an all-action goal-scoring midfielder who drives well with the ball”, he’s playing style is a lot like Mason Mount – no pressure. His father played for Wimbledon in the Premier League in the ’90s and Castledine also started his career at Wimbledon before moving to Chelsea.
Castledine got a good right foot on him and is good on set pieces and has decent shot. Should be very highly rated in FM.
PA Prediction: -85
#ST Julian Rijkhoff(2005) – Borussia Dortmund – NetherlandRijkhoff left Ajax to join Dortmund last January and was highly rated in the Netherlands before he left. He impressed for both club and country with a great goal ratio. He scored 9 goals in four games for Ajax U-17s as a 15-year-old and looks like a natural goalscorer. He’s got good technique as you will expect from players from the Ajax academy.
Started this season with 5 goals in 5 games for Dortmund U19 and averaging a goal every 50 minutes so far, bear in mind he’s three years younger than the majority of his opponents.
PA Prediction: -85
#AML Chris Popov (2004) – Leicester – Wales
Joined Leicester this summer after 5 years at Manchester United. Capable of playing in all attacking positions often deployed on the wing. Has a great left foot on him with good abilities on the ball. Made his debut for Wales U-19s in September and is also highly rated in the Wales set-up.
PA Prediction: -8
#AMR Emmanuel Tannor (2005) – Parma – Sweden/Ghana
Left IFK Gothenburg and Sweden for Parma in February and started his Parma career with a bang with 6 goals in 11 games combined for the U17s and 18s. Tannor is the main man for Sweden U17 and has also captained the side. Tannor has his strength in one on one situations with good pace. He often finds space and cuts inside to shoot with his left foot. Can also play upfront. Expect him to be highly rated in FM22.
PA Prediction: -8
#ST Jelani Trevisan Dumas (2005) – Benfica – Belgium
Signed from Gent this September, so he will be almost impossible to pick up early in the game. Not very much information about him out there, but he’s described as a lethal finisher and good on the ball. Very highly rated in Belgium before leaving for Benfica and he was also rumoured to several other big European clubs.
PA Prediction: –75
#ST Fabricio Ventresca (2005) – Boca Juniors – Argentina
A big and tall striker that looks like a classic number 9. Ventresca is good on the ball and effective with his right foot. Has a good record for Bocas youth teams so far and it will be interesting to see if he’s just an early developer or the real deal when his opponents equal his physique.
Could be the next big thing from Argentina and possibly a go to signing like Arezo in FM21.
PA Prediction: -8
#CM Djoseph Bangala (2005) – Parma – Sweden/ DR Congo
Another Swede at Parma. Joined together with Tannor in February and that probably helped them both adapt faster to Italian football. Bangala is an offensive-minded midfielder formerly playing as a forward, Known for his good physique and ability on the ball. Haven’t had the same impact in terms of goals as Tannor has had, but Bangala has been a mainstay in the team since his arrival.
PA Prediction: –75
#CM Aaron Ciammaglichella (2005) – Torino – Italy/Ethiopia
Described as a midfielder who can play in most of the roles in the midfield, he made his debut for the Primavera team last season. Good both ways with his good ability to recover the ball and good on the pressing side of the game. Can find the net himself and also set up his teammates. One of the biggest talents in Italy he signed a new contract with Torino running out the 24/25 season. Will be an expensive addition to your team from the start, but worth watching along the way.
PA Prediction: -8
FM Veteran 