Investing in players of the future is a quick way to create an unstoppable team in Football Manager 21 while making plenty of profit in the process. The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Joao Felix, and Erling Braut Haaland are already shining on the biggest stage, but which players are next in line to take the football world by storm?
From future stars in attack to stalwarts in defense, a number of young players stand out as options that football manager fans should look to target quickly if looking to build a team for the future. Here's our guide to the young players you'll want on your team.
Harvey Elliott
Harvey Elliott's performances in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers are giving Jurgen Klopp a decision to make with the 17-year-old attacker producing a goal every other game when playing on the right-wing.
While not the quickest player, Elliott's flair and elegance on the ball have earned him a place in the official list of the top 50 wonder-kids in the world. Sign him in the first season to avoid having to pay upwards of $60m in a short space of time.
Jean-Clair Todibo
France is always a good place to look for young talent and Jean-Clair Todibo looks to be one of the next dominant central defenders in Europe.
The 20-year-old already has the physical stats to compete in the biggest games and after some maturing of the mental stats, is comfortably one of the best defenders on the game. Pick Todibo up early to guarantee a center-back of the future in the heart of your defense.
Ansu Fati
It didn't take long for another star to emerge out of Barcelona's youth system and Ansu Fati looks like the next star who is aligned to play a significant part in the Barca first team.
While the young winger's technical stats stand out with 16 dribbling and 14 finishing, the 17-year-old also has 14 composure, 14 anticipation, and great off-the-ball movement. It's almost unheard of for players of this age to have such good mental stats, which indicates that Fati can become one of the best players in the game.
Eduardo Camavinga
Camavinga came to light after dominating against Paris Saint-Germain as a 16-year-old. Now 18, the young French midfielder isn't going to be around too long before one of Europe's big clubs moves in.
Camavinga is still at Rennes (for now), but FM fans need to act fast to lockdown a midfielder of the future.
Amad Diallo Traore
The price of this Ivorian winger could be inflated after Manchester United secured his services in January, but Diallo is yet to break into the first team which means he can still be acquired.
Football Manager fans playing on an early patch could still have a chance to take him for cheap from Atalanta in the Series A and the 18-year-old won't take long before he is blitzing past defenders with dribbling that is way beyond his years.
Antony
From Sao Paulo to dominating in the European leagues. Brazilian winger Antony adds flair to any midfield with the ability to beat players in 1v1 situations out wide.
The Ajax star could cost around $55m but that value will double if developed correctly. Giving Antony the creative freedom to run at defenders should be a consistent way of creating a big chance to score as Antony eases his way into the opponent's box.
Alexander Isak
Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic has big boots to fill but the Scandinavian nation looks to have found a future star striker in Real Sociedad's Alexander Isak.
The 21-year-old forward stands at 190cm tall but can also threaten defenses in behind when playing the ball into space.
Jude Bellingham
Borussia Dortmund is familiar territory for wonderkids with the academy producing stars every season, but the Dortmund scouting team is just as good at identifying talent that will grow in value exponentially after some development. Think Jadon Sancho and Erling Haaland who are already both worth over $100m - it's a style of scouting that is profitable both on and off of the field.
Jude Bellingham looks next up with the England international recently being capped for his national team and his style in football manager reflects that. Bellingham is calm on the ball as well as being a solid defender, which makes him a great 'deep-lying playmaker' option. But aged just 17, FM players have the flexibility to develop this player any way they want.
Giovanni Reyna
Christian Pulisic and Sergino Dest are the United States recent stars who have made it to the top of world football, but Dortmund's Giovanni Reyna is showing signs that he could soon join them.
The 18-year-old is capturing attention after contributing to seven goals in 18 Bundesliga starts, this season - and his age means he can be developed to play in any attacking position on the game. A must-buy for any fans of the US men's national team.
Diego Lainez
The Mexican Real Betis attacking midfielder can be picked up for cheap and can produce right away when playing in the number 10 position or on the wings.
Lainez may not be an instant starter, but a run of games will quickly see the young star develop into a player whose value could quadruple if given enough time.