If you’ve played FIFA and its Career Mode, one of the most fulfilling achievements in the game is signing a player young, and developing him into one of the best players in the world.

Now, imagine an entire team of world-class players you’ve developed from a young age. There’s really no greater feeling; like a proud father, watching his younglings make it big in life.

Besides the intoxicating sense of achievement, signing a player young could also prove more fiscally responsible than signing the finished article. In this article, we’ll take a look at the 10 best young players you can sign in FIFA 20. By young, we mean players under the age of 21.

Some of these players are cheap, whilst some cost top dollar; they are worth every cent.

 

10. Sandro Tonali

Club: Brescia
Position: CDM
Current Ability: 75
Potential Ability: 89

We start off with one of my personal favourites and a name many Football Manager players will be familiar with: Sandro Tonali. He is available for around £15 million and is a value-for-money signing. Tonali dubbed the heir to Andrea Pirlo, has good passing, dribbling and ball-control attributes. He is also a quick player and would be perfect as a holding midfielder in a 4-1-4-1 setup, but can also function as a regular central midfielder in other setups.

 

9. Trent Alexander-Arnold

Club: Liverpool
Position: RB
Current Ability: 83
Potential Ability: 89

Second on the list is the exciting English right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold. A key member of Liverpool’s Champions League-winning team, Trent has the potential to become the best right-back in the game. Trent will cost you £35 million. With excellent crossing stats and good passing stats, Trent would make a superb addition to your team, as well as offering a dangerous threat on the right.

 

8. Phil Foden

Club: Manchester City
Position: CAM
Current Ability: 76
Potential Ability: 90

Foden is the first player on this list with a 90+ potential. With Pep Guardiola going as far as to hail Foden as the most talented player he’s ever seen, you can see why he’s rated so highly in the game. No pressure, kid! In the game, Foden has good passing, agility, balance, vision, composure, ball control and dribbling stats, perfect for a playmaker.

The Englishman is also quick. Best used as a number 10, Foden is nearly first-team ready but would be an excellent bench option if you’re managing a big team. He’s reasonably priced too at £17 million.

 

7. Gianluigi Donnarumma

Club: AC Milan
Position: GK
Current Ability: 85
Potential Ability: 92

Next, another Italian and the only goalkeeper on our list. It’s hard to believe that Donnarumma is only 20. He’s been Milan’s first-choice goalkeeper since he was 16 and has grown leaps and bounds ever since. Gigio is more than first-team ready and can slot into your team immediately.

Gigio will cost you top dollar, setting you back around £50 million. Signing Gigio will be essential in ensuring your defence is air-tight and you can get a good 10-15 years out of him.

 

6. Kai Havertz

Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Position: CAM
Current Ability: 84
Potential Ability: 92

Another personal favourite of mine, the German international is Bayer Leverkusen’s crown jewel. Just like most on this list, Havertz is as quick as the wind, with a sprint speed of 89.

His passing, dribbling and ball control stats are also really good, making him a dangerous outlet. With decent finishing stats, Havertz also has an eye for goal. The wunderkind won’t come cheap though, costing you a whopping £60 million!

5. Vinicius Jr

Club: Real Madrid
Position: LW
Current Ability: 79
Potential Ability: 92

The Brazilian speedster raised eyebrows when he signed for Real Madrid for around £40 million. He will cost you less in the game, around £25 million. Vinicius is lightning-quick and is one of the fastest players in the game.

His high dribbling and agility stats would make him an absolute nightmare for full-backs. He is probably the best bang-for-your-buck signing you could make in the game.

4. Jadon Sancho

Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: RM
Current Ability: 84
Potential Ability: 92

Next, another Englishman on the list, and another Manchester City product, Jadon Sancho. Sancho is one of football’s hottest prospects. Just like Vinicius, Sancho has bags of pace and skills to burn. Jadon also has decent passing stats. However, Jadon will cost A LOT more, setting you back £60 million.

If you can afford him, go all-in for him. Sancho will slot right into your team and will develop quickly.

 

3. Matthijs De Ligt

Club: Piemonte Calcio
Position: CB
Current Ability: 85
Potential Ability: 93

One of the hottest sagas of the recent transfer window revolved around Matthijs De Ligt. Linked with a multitude of clubs, De Ligt finally chose to join Juventus. Oops, Piemonte Calcio I mean. Because he recently switched clubs, he won’t be available to sign right off the bat. You can sign the Dutch stalwart for £80 million in your second season.

De Ligt is an incredibly physical specimen but with good technical qualities too. He’d be perfect if you like playing out from the back. De Ligt would be an excellent addition to your team, as he has the potential to become the best centre-back in the game.

 

2. Joao Felix

Club: Atletico Madrid
Position: CF
Current Ability: 80
Potential Ability: 93

Joao Felix is Atletico Madrid’s record signing, costing nine figures, joining the £100million club. Felix, just like De Ligt moved in the recent transfer window, so he won’t be available to sign in your first season, however, there’s a release clause of £66.9million you can pay.

Should you decide to wait for the following year, it’ll cost £50 million. The Portuguese playmaker has been likened to Brazilian legend Kaka and has the potential to reach compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo’s in-game stats.

 

1. Kylian Mbappe

Club: PSG
Position: ST
Current Ability: 89
Potential Ability: 95

No prizes for guessing who’s number one on the list. The golden boy of the next generation, Kylian Mbappe. Mbappe isn’t just the best young player in the game, he’s already one of the best players in the game off the bat. He has the potential to become the best player in the game, with his potential surpassing Lionel Messi’s.

The World Cup winner is also the most expensive player on this list, costing £130 million! But it’s worth it, considering you’re getting the very best player in the game.