FIFA 20 wonderkids: best young players with high potential

The kids are alright. We’re running through the best young players you can buy in FIFA 20 Career Mode.

Transforming a group of wonderkids into terrifying world-beaters. It’s one of the best things about FIFA Career Mode. 

There’s just nothing more satisfying than shoving a skinny 17-year-old into your team, then watching him bang in the goals as he turns into the next Cristiano Ronaldo. That’s why signing young players has always been the way forward on FIFA, especially if you plan on staying at a club for more than a couple of seasons. 

But, this year, things are a little different. EA have introduced the ground-breaking Dynamic Player Potential system, meaning that the overall development of your players will depend on how they perform out on the pitch. Fixed potential is – at long last – a thing of the past.

This makes signing young players more important than ever, so I’m going to run you through the best FIFA 20 wonderkids and hidden gems with high potential. Besides, players are expensive these days, and you’ll want to make sure you’re spending your money wisely.

This blog is part of our FIFA 20 series. Check out the rest of the series below:

Best FUT Kits | Best FUT Badges | Top Stadiums | Best Career Mode Teams | Best Wonderkids | Best Cheap Prem Players | Volta Kits | Best Cheap La Liga Players | Pro Clubs Boots

FIFA 20: Best Young Goalkeepers

Alban Lafont – GK – Fiorentina

Image from FIFA 20.

OVR Rating: 79 

Estimated Potential: 88

Age: 20

Alban Lafont has been a Career Mode favourite of mine for a couple of years now, although he’s a bit harder to get hold of following his move to Fiorentina. His reflexes and diving are already impressive, but the Frenchman has the potential to become one of the best keepers in the game. 

He’s on loan at Nantes right now, so you can’t sign him straight away. Trust me, though, he’s certainly worth the wait.

Gianluigi Donnarumma – GK – Milan

Image from FIFA 20.

OVR Rating: 85 

Estimated Potential: 92

Age: 20

Gianluigi Donnarumma is a slightly more obvious and expensive option, and will only leave Milan for one of the top European sides. Having said that, he’s already got an OVR rating of 85 at just 20-years-old, so he’ll certainly be able to slot straight into your first-team lineup. With all the new Dynamic Potential stuff, this game-time will be absolutely crucial. 

Alex Meret – GK – Napoli

Image from FIFA 20.

OVR Rating: 78  

Estimated Potential: 89

Age: 22

Slightly older than the other two, Alex Meret is a capable shot-stopper and a slightly cheaper option. Having said that, he’ll still take some prising away from the claws of Napoli, but you only need to look at his estimated potential to see he should be worth the investment. 

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FIFA 20: Best Young Defenders

Matthijs De Ligt – CB – Juventus (Piemonte Calcio)

Image from FIFA 20.

OVR Rating: 85  

Estimated Potential: 93

Age: 19

If you have the required financial firepower, you need to go all out to sign Matthijs De Ligt. Yes, he’s just got his big-money move to Juventus (sorry, Piemonte Calcio), but the man develops into an absolute beast in the game. Managers in charge of Real Madrid or Manchester City, for example, need to be all over him like a rash. 

Ibrahima Konate – CB – RB Leipzig

Image from FIFA 20.

OVR Rating: 79   

Estimated Potential: 88

Age: 20

For the more patient managers, Ibrahima Konate should be considered an excellent signing. He’s already got incredible tackling stats, but give this boy a good run in the first-team and he quickly develops into one of the best centre-backs in FIFA 20. It’s unlikely he’ll reach De Ligt levels, but he won’t be far away.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka – RB – Manchester United

Image from FIFA 20.

OVR Rating: 79  

Estimated Potential: 88

Age: 21

Alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold, Aaron Wan-Bissaka is one of the best right-backs you can buy. It’ll cost more than a pretty penny to tease him away from Old Trafford, particularly since he’s only just joined, but it’s certainly worth keeping an eye on his development and then making a sneaky bid at a later date.

William Saliba – CB – AS Saint Etienne

Image from FIFA 20.

OVR Rating: 71   

Estimated Potential: 88

Age: 18

Recently signed by Arsenal, William Saliba remains one of the most exciting defensive prospects in football. With an OVR rating of just 71, he’s still a little rough around the edges, but it’ll be interesting to see how he develops during his current loan spell at AS Saint-Etienne. If all goes well, you should consider swooping in.

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FIFA 20: Best Young Midfielders

Sandro Tonali – CDM – Brescia

Image from FIFA 20.

OVR Rating: 75  

Estimated Potential: 89

Age: 19

Sandro Tonali is a strong tackler with excellent passing range and a surprising amount of pace. In short, he eventually develops into the complete defensive midfielder: capable of winning the ball back quickly and launching attacks like a quarter-back. He’s an essential purchase for every top club.

Phil Foden – CAM – Manchester City

Image from FIFA 20.

OVR Rating: 76  

Estimated Potential: 90

Age: 19

Manchester City are incredibly reluctant to let Phil Foden go, but the promise of first-team football could just about prise him away from the Etihad. He’s a fantastic purchase for managers who prefer a tiki-taka style of play, capable of finding gaps on the pitch and wriggling into space. Basically, he turns into the next Iniesta.

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Kai Havertz – CAM – Bayer Leverkusen

Image from FIFA 20.

OVR Rating: 84  

Estimated Potential: 92

Age: 20

There’s plenty of hype surrounding Kai Havertz right now, and it’s not really hard to see why. He’s quick, technical and downright gifted with a football, and he’s probably the best wonderkid you can buy in FIFA 20. He’ll be expensive, but I promise you he’ll be worth every single penny. Go get him. 

Houssem Aouar – CM – Lyon

Image from FIFA 20.

OVR Rating: 81  

Estimated Potential: 89

Age: 21

Houssem Aouar is probably the best choice if you’re looking for an all-round central midfielder. Not as defensive as Tonali or attacking as Havertz, the Frenchman is absolutely fantastic in a box-to-box CM role, effectively linking up the play and getting on the scoresheet every now and again. 

Jadon Sancho – RM – Borussia Dortmund

Image from FIFA 20.

OVR Rating: 84  

Estimated Potential: 92

Age: 19

He’ll be a bit pricey, but Jadon Sancho becomes truly frightening on FIFA 20. His pace, balance and agility makes him absolutely deadly while running at defenders, while those incredible dribbling stats ensure he’s more than capable of beating his man. He’s possibly the most exciting youngster in the game, so expect competition for his signature. 

Thiago Almada – CAM – Vélez Sarsfield

Image from FIFA 20.

OVR Rating: 72  

Estimated Potential: 92

Age: 18

Depending on who you take charge of, there’s a good chance Foden and Havertz will be a little out of your price range. In that case, you should direct your attention to Thiago Almada, a young Argentinian currently playing at Vélez Sarsfield. He’s not as complete as the other two to start with, but he can soon overtake them if you’re willing to keep faith in him.

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FIFA 20: Best Young Strikers

Vinicius Junior – LW – Real Madrid

Image from FIFA 20.

OVR Rating: 79    

Estimated Potential: 92

Age: 19

Bags of pace. Excellent dribbling skills. A lethal right-foot. Vinicius Jr. is the complete winger, and he can turn into one of the most dangerous forwards in world football. He demands high wages and an even higher transfer fee, but this man could transform your entire forward line.

Federico Chiesa – RW – Fiorentina

Image from FIFA 20.

OVR Rating: 79    

Potential: 88

Age: 21

I’m a big fan of Federico Chiesa, and he’s an essential asset for anyone playing an attacking 4-3-3 formation. He’ll go absolutely flying down that right-hand side, sending defenders for a quick hot dog and whipping tantalising balls into the box. He’s an Italian superstar, and you need to get hold of him before someone else does. 

João Félix – CF – Atlético Madrid

Image from FIFA 20.

OVR Rating:  80   

Estimated Potential: 93

Age: 19

João Félix was a revelation last season, and he’s now one of the hottest properties in world football. He’s quick, agile and always composed in front of goal, and he’s most effective as either a false nine or second-striker. It’ll cost a bomb to get him out of Madrid but, my word, he’s damn fun to play with. 

Kylian Mbappé – ST – PSG

Image from FIFA 20.

OVR Rating:  89   

Estimated Potential: 95

Age: 20

You already know all about Kylian Mbappé, so I won’t waste your time telling you how good he is. The point to take away, however, is how much better he can become. If you can afford him, get hold of him: it’s as simple as that. 

FIFA 20 is available now on PS4, Xbox One and PC, but make sure to compare prices at FOOTY.COM before bagging your copy!