EA Sports FC 24‘s Manager Career Mode is about building up a team and winning everything with it. Once you choose (or create) a club to manage, a lot of the time you’ll want to focus on the future of the club. This ultimately means signing young promising players. We won’t be listing any obvious options such as Jude Bellingham, Gavi, Pedri, Alejandro Balde, Ansu Fati, Alejandro Garnacho, Bukayo Saka, or Eduardo Camavinga. With the exception of maybe a few starboys, we’ve gone with players that you might not be familiar with in real life. This way, you’re able to discover new wonderkids and young talents that weren’t on your radar before.
These are the best young players in EA Sports FC 24 Manager Career Mode. For more relevant content, make sure to check out these articles on KeenGamer:
- EA Sports FC 24 | How to Make More Coins Fast
- EA Sports FC 24 | Top 5 Players for Evolutions
- EA Sports FC 24 | Best Pro Clubs Builds
- EA Sports FC 24 Review (PS5)
EA Sports FC 24 is available on PlayStation, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
Attackers
Having dependable attacking prospects is vital in ensuring that you succeed. Whether it be a pacey winger or a sharpshooter of a striker, we’ve got you covered. The following options will not only guarantee you goals, but they could even win a future Ballon d’Or in your playthrough. These are the best young strikers (and wingers) in EA FC 24:
Carlos Forbs (LW, LM, RW)
- Position(s): LW, LM, RW
- Age: 19
- Club: Ajax
- Nation: Portugal
- Rating: 70
- Potential: 86
Already possessing the playstyles Rapid and Quick Step is extremely useful as he’s already quite quick with 86 pace. He’s got decent agility and great balance making it so that you have a solid foundation to build up off of. With his high attacking work rate, you can definitely expect to feel his presence on the pitch. Nico Williams is also a great alternative option, although many people already know him so it wasn’t worth listing him in this guide.
Johan Bakayoko (RW, RM)
- Position(s): RW, RM
- Age: 20
- Club: PSV
- Nation: Belgium
- Rating: 75
- Potential: 86
If you’re looking to get yourself another version of Jeremey Doku, then Johan Bakayoko is your man! With already rapid acceleration and sprint speed, you’re able to focus on improving other areas of his game such as shooting. Pretty decent dribbling stats means that you’ll get a headstart when improving his technical abilities. Speaking of, he’s already got the ‘Technical’ playstyle!
Johan Bakayoko in EA Sports FC 24. (Source: ea.com)
Rasmus Højlund (ST, CF)
- Position(s): ST, CF
- Age: 20
- Club: Manchester United
- Nation: Denmark
- Rating: 76
- Potential: 89
Højlund is definitely a familiar name for some, being a hyped-up youngster in real life as well. Regardless of how he’ll do at Manchester United, the important thing is he’s going to be killer for you. A lethal attacker capable both taking on defenders and finishing accurately, Højlund can do it all! The best thing about this card is that he has the Flair playstyle, allowing you to develop him into a skillful striker.
Julien Duranville (LW, LM, ST, RM)
- Position(s): LW, LM, ST, RM
- Age: 17
- Club: Borussia Dortmund
- Nation: Belgium
- Rating: 66
- Potential: 87
Having helped develop the likes of Lewandowski, Haaland, Youssoufa Moukoko, Karim Adeyemi, Dembele, and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Borussia Dortmund are known for their youngsters. Therefore, it is to no surprise that they would have a player on this list. Duranville is extremely versatile, being able to play just about anyone in the front third. If his Quick Step, Rapid, and Acrobatic playstyles aren’t enough to convince you, then maybe his 4-star skills will. A fake shot from him will send defenders flying back in time to when the game was called FIFA.
Julien Duranville in EA Sports FC 24. (Source: ea.com)
Midfielders
The heart of your squad, your midfield is everything as it has the capability to completely control the momentum of games. Whether you’re looking for an attacking midfielder, box-to-box, or defensive mid, we’ve got you covered. The best young midfielders in EA FC 24 are as follows:
Jamal Musiala (CAM, CM, LM)
- Position(s): CAM, CM, LM
- Age: 20
- Club: Bayern Munich
- Nation: Germany
- Rating: 86
- Potential: 93
The first of our obvious picks, Musiala is one that cannot be overlooked. After all, he’s well-known for a reason. Regardless of anything, having 93 potential is absolutely insane. Not only can you literally build the next Messi in your squad, you’re going to have a lot of fun doing so while he both scores and assists goals. 91 dribbling, overall rating of 86, AND 5-star skills already? Sign me up! Be wary of clubs like Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Arsenal, and PSG, as they might sign him before you get the chance to!
Xavi Simons (CAM, RW, LW)
- Position(s): CAM, RW, LW
- Age: 20
- Club: RB Leipzig
- Nation: Netherlands
- Rating: 79
- Potential: 89
Yet another obvious one, Xavi Simons is a skilled player that will definitely add a lot to your style of play. He’s a great player to have in rotation as he can play on the wing if needed. With high/high work rates and a ton of playstyles, it’s safe to assume that Simons is a must-buy option in Manager Career Mode. Besides, 79 OVR is not a bad starting point at all.
Xavi Simons in EA Sports FC 24. (Source: ea.com)
Noah Lahmadi (CM, CDM)
- Position(s): CM, CDM
- Age: 18
- Club: Toulouse FC
- Nation: France
- Rating: 65
- Potential: 86
When it comes to building your players from the ground up, Lahmadi sounds like a stellar-pick. His young age makes it so that his low-rating is irrelevant, having plenty of time to grow and improve. He’s already got high/high work rates, 77 balance, and 74 short passing, cementing him as a great option for a tiki-taka style of play. Loan him out to Bayer Leverkusen or something, either way, there’s no denying that Lahmadi is going to have a place in your starting eleven eventually.
Stefan Bajcetic (CDM)
- Position(s): CDM
- Age: 18
- Club: Liverpool
- Nation: Spain
- Rating: 72
- Potential: 86
Most Premier League fans should know of Bajectic and his potential but for those of you who don’t, just know that he’s got heart. Having reliable defending stats and work rate already at such a young age, all that’s left is a bit of improvement and you’ll get a defending machine. His passing and dribbling are great too meaning that you can play out of the back comfortably.
Stefan Bajcetic in EA Sports FC 24. (Source: ea.com)
Defenders
If you struggle to defend in this game, you’ll need a strong, brick-wall that can lead the backline. Even if you’re good at defending, having an auto-defender that bullies attackers is definitely a plus still. If you’re looking for the best young defenders in EA FC 24, here they are:
Rico Lewis (RB, RWB)
- Position(s): RB
- Age: 18
- Club: Manchester City
- Nation: England
- Rating: 73
- Potential: 86
Rico Lewis is basically your Walker regen. He’s got fantastic stats across the board, especially in pace and dribbling. With a high-attacking work rate, we’re confident that he’ll be a reliable option when overlapping down the wing. However, the most impressive trait he has is the Block playstyle as it is essential in ensuring your player can intercept passes and defend better. Lewis has the potential to be a Nuno Mendes type of player.
Fabiano Parisi (LB)
- Position(s): LB
- Age: 22
- Club: Fiorentina
- Nation: Italy
- Rating: 77
- Potential: 87
An already well-established card, his stats average in the mid-to-high 70s range. He’s got the Rapid playstyle and when you combine that with his high attacking work rates, he’s going to be a useful asset when attacking. He might not be as young as some other players on this list, but he’s got great potential to make up for it. Parisi reminds us of Alex Sandro from Juventus but with even more potential.
Fabiano Parisi in EA Sports FC 24. (Source: ea.com)
Levi Colwill (CB)
- Position(s): CB
- Age: 20
- Club: Chelsea
- Nation: England
- Rating: 74
- Potential: 84
Don’t let his low potential fool you, Colwill has got what it takes to be an absolute tank of a centre-half. His card is already overpowered for his age, having 72 pace, 74 defending, and 74 physicality. Most impressive of all, he’s got three playstyles that elevate him to untouchable levels in Long Ball Pass, Block, and Slide Tackle. If you need a shot blocker, you got him right here.
Antonio Silva (CB)
- Position(s): CB
- Age: 19
- Club: Benfica
- Nation: Portugal
- Rating: 78
- Potential: 88
By far the best defender in the game in terms of potential, this monster of a player will decimate your opposition’s attackers. Everything about this card is perfect. He’s got the best defensive playstyles in Block, Long Ball Pass, and Intercept, he’s got high defensive work rates, and he’s got 77 pace with 80 defending. What more could you ask for in a centre back? Not to mention that his stats are going to increase exponentially due to his young age.
Antonio Silva in EA Sports FC 24. (Source: ea.com)
Bjorn Meijer (LB, LWB, LM)
- Position(s): LB, LWB, LM
- Age: 20
- Club: Club Brugge
- Nation: Netherlands
- Rating: 73
- Potential: 85
Despite not having any playstyles, Meijer has got the highest physical stat out of any other defender we have covered. 84 jumping, 87 strength, and 79 shot power are just some of the stats that make him meta-relevant. He’s the club legend type of player, maybe even becoming your club’s future captain. He’s similar to Sergio Ramos and Hummels in that way, hopefully he can become as great of a defender as they were.
Goalkeepers
Ah, the shot stoppers. If you’ve got a bad keeper, you’re practically done for. Worry not, these options will guarantee that you make it out of any penalty shootout victorious. Playing with an underdeveloped keeper can be frustrating at times, so make sure you send them out on loan if you do not plan on giving them occasional game time. These are the best young goalkeepers in EA FC 24:
James Trafford (GK)
- Position(s): GK
- Age: 20
- Club: Burnley
- Nation: England
- Rating: 71
- Potential: 84
With stats in the low 70s, high 60s, Trafford is a solid rotational keeper that can then develop into a starter. He’s got two playstyles, Cross Claimer and Rush out, almost guaranteeing that there won’t be any wonky errors during set-pieces.
James Trafford in EA Sports FC 24. (Source: ea.com)
Guillaume Restes (GK)
- Position(s): GK
- Age: 18
- Club: Toulouse
- Nation: France
- Rating: 69
- Potential: 87
No playstyles but loads of potential, young goalkeeper Guillaume Restes rests comfortably in front of goal because you’ve used this guide to effectively pick great young defenders. However, in the off chance that he does get tested, his 72 reflexes and 70 diving are merely the minimum he can offer. With lots of training and game time, Restes can turn into the next Casillas easily.
That being said, those were the absolute best young players in EA Sports FC 24 Manager Career Mode. Feel free to try them out for yourself in-game and share your experiences. Regardless of which young player you choose, you’ll be able to successfully develop them into a future star. For more information, make sure to check out our EA FC 24 articles page.
