If you are looking to build a team that will dominate in FIFA 23, snapping up the best wonderkids is a great tactic to employ.
While investing in the world’s top players is exciting, it is arguably more fulfilling to help the next generation of talent become global superstars.
With that in mind, we look at the best young players in FIFA 23 to build a 4-2-3-1 line-up that will develop into world beaters.
The criteria we will apply are that players must not be older than 20 at the beginning of Career Mode, must have a potential of 84 or higher and must be affordable.
Goalkeeper
We have narrowed the field down to just two young goalkeepers – Gavin Bazunu (Southampton) and Maarten Vandevoordt (KRC Genk).
Both players have the potential to be mid-80-rated goalies, and it isn’t easy to choose between the pair given their respective talent.
We have a slight preference is for Vandevoordt, who has been the wonderkid of choice for many FIFA players over the past couple of seasons.
Full-Back
AZ Alkmaar left-back Milos Kerkez has received upgrades in his FIFA 23 ratings and is arguably the pick of the bunch in that position ahead of Borussia Monchengladbach’s Luca Netz.
Kerkez possesses excellent pace and superb technical ability, while his greater stamina gives him the edge over the German defender.
Southampton youngster Tino Livramento could be a good bet for the right-back role, although Lyon’s Malo Gusto is a similarly valued alternative.
However, Brentford defender Aaron Hickey’s versatility makes him the sensible choice, given his potential future rating is the same as the other pair.
Centre-Back
RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol is extremely expensive, but his high potential makes him a superb signing for elite-level clubs.
Sporting Lisbon centre-back Goncalo Inacio is another pricy option with massive scope for growth, but there are a couple of more affordable options available.
Castello Lukeba (Lyon) and Morata (Benfica) undoubtedly fit into that category and are both worth acquiring as future prospects.
Tanguy Nianzou (Sevilla) and Armel Bella Kotchap (Vfl Bochum) are other defensive prospects whose FIFA 23 ratings are worth checking out.
Central Midfield
There are some ridiculously priced wonderkids in central midfield who are ready to transform the engine room in your team.
They include Pedri (Barcelona), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund) and Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) – all of whom have +90 potential.
However, given that we established ‘affordable’ as one of the criteria we are using to pick the team, we have identified two Serie A wonderkids worth signing.
Nicolo Rovella (AC Monza) and Fabio Miretti (Juventus) could form a formidable partnership if you pair them together in FIFA 23.
Attacking Midfield/Winger
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to promising attacking talent in FIFA 23, but we have whittled the list down to three options who could cause havoc in the future.
Antonio Nusa (Club Brugge) has been described as the ‘Norwegian Neymar’, and the youngster is a shoe-in for the left-wing role in our team.
Most FIFA players are already familiar with Rayan Cherki (Lyon), and we think he is an excellent option on the opposite flank.
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Sporting Lisbon) and Fabio Carvalho (Liverpool) are options for the attacking midfield role, with slight preference for the former.
Striker
We perhaps made our team selection more challenging by setting criteria that excluded Manchester City star Erling Braut Haaland.
However, there are plenty of other affordable wonderkid strikers in the game including Henrique Araujo (Benfica), Marko Lazetic (AC Milan) and Benjamin Sesko (Red Bull Salzburg).
The player that stands head and shoulders above the rest is Youssoufa Moukoko, who is destined to step into Haaland’s shoes at Dortmund.
The 17-year-old’s finishing ability, pace and dribbling make his low valuation seem like an absolute steal. He even has the potential to be a FIFA cover star in the future.
Best Wonderkids XI
Here is our best wonderkids XI for FIFA 23:
- GK: Maarten Vandevoordt – KRC Genk
- RB: Aaron Hickey – Brentford
- LB: Milos Kerkez – AZ Alkmaar
- CB: Castello Lukeba – Lyon
- CB: Morata – Benfica
- M: Nicolo Rovella – AC Monza
- M: Fabio Miretti – Juventus
- RW: Rayan Cherki – Lyon
- LW: Antonio Nusa – Club Brugge
- AM: Abdul Fatawu Issahaku – Sporting Lisbon
- F: Youssoufa Moukoko – Borussia Dortmund
