The 10 best defensive midfielder wonderkids in Football Manager 2024 | OneFootball

Highlights

Football Manager 2024 is here and, unsurprisingly, it's breaking boundaries within the sports gaming world. It's expected every year, with Sports Interactive's masterpiece continually impressing football fans around the world.

This year it's formed as one of the most polished sports games of all time, with everything from updated set-piece tactics, new licenses (but still no Saudi Pro League), improved graphics and the consistent joy - and disappointment - of a final-day match to win the title. Yet every year, it's famous for one major thing; predicting the future of football.

It's a talent by itself, with Sports Interactive continually predicting the next superstar, yet that job is even harder for defensive midfielders, with several players who lock down the middle of the park only developing until later in their careers. It's a position built on strength and power, so - unless a player has a strong physique from a young age - they may only become a world-beater until later in their career.

However, the good thing for you is that these ten wonderkids have broken the system and several are already plying their trade at the top of European football - the Champions League. Of course, there are other options, who are still being nurtured by their boyhood clubs, but they still have the potential to rise to the top. With defensive midfield considered one of the most important positions on the pitch - especially to stop quick transitions - these 10 wonderkids will help you solidify the middle of the park for years - maybe even decades - in FM24.

All of these stats are taken from the ever-reliable 'FMScout'. However, it is worth bearing in mind that potential changes in FM24 are dependent on a variety of factors out of your control - from injury to motivation, you even need some luck to be able to take these wonderkids to the best in the world.

FM24 defensive midfielder wonderkids

10 Liam Gibbs - Norwich - 20

Norwich have produced their fair share of talent over the years. Most recently, Max Aarons was seen as the next big thing - eventually moving to Bournemouth. Yet now the Canaries have a new kid on the block in the form of Liam Gibbs. The 20-year-old has already played seven matches in the Championship this season in a stuttering Norwich side. It's not regular minutes, but his potential is clear. FMScout have given him a potential rating of 82, stating he can dominate football in Europe. The longer Norwich stay in the Championship, the more likely it is you can buy him cheaply.

9 Marc Bernal - Barcelona - 16

What were you doing at 16? Because we could take a strong guess that you weren't part of Barcelona's academy, La Masia, and you were not considered one of the best midfield prospects in the world. Well, Marc Bernal is and - coupled with the club's long history of producing some of the greatest players of all time - the pressure is on the youngster's shoulders. Xavi and Andres Iniesta helped Barcelona dominate Europe in a team strongly considered the greatest of all time. Bernal has that duo to look up to, knowing his time in the first team is quickly approaching under Xavi.

8 Tyler Morton - Hull (on loan from Liverpool) - 20

Moving back over to England, Tyler Morton is considered one of the best talents to come from Liverpool's academy in recent years. Similarly to Bernal, he's not lacking role models, with Steven Gerrard - one of the greatest central midfielders of all time - gracing the pitch at Anfield throughout his career. Currently, on loan at Hull, Morton has played ten times in the Championship this season - with two assists to his name already. The loan move means you will be unable to sign him in your first season, but with the Reds stacked with options in the middle of the park, they may look to offload him for profit.

7 Arthur Vermeeren - Royal Antwerp - 18

Belgium has experienced a golden generation over the past ten years, yet it didn't end in glory. Disappointment at EURO 2016 and the 2018 World Cup epitomised their failings over the years; they always failed on the big occasions. Yet as one era ends, another one starts, with Arthur Vermeeren at the heart of the next generation. The Royal Antwerp midfielder is one of the most well-rounded midfielders in the world, which makes links to Arsenal unsurprising. You'll have stiff competition to secure his signature, but if you do, you have one of the best midfielders in the world for years to come.

6 Giacomo Faticanti - Lecce - 18

Similarly to their talent in defence, Italy have produced some of the greatest midfielders of all time - most notably Andrea Pirlo, whose elegance on the ball made football look easy. Ageing like a fine wine, his time finally came to an end last decade, but Giacomo Faticanti will be hoping to replicate his talent in the middle of the park. The Lecce midfielder has not played in the Serie A this season - plying his trade with the youth team instead - but his talent is clear. He'll be one of the easier options to sign, with Lecce lacking the financial power to keep him.

5 Adam Wharton - Blackburn - 19

Blackburn have been aiming to get out of the Championship ever since their relegation to the second tier last decade - with the dream of replicating their Premier League glory long in the distance. However, Adam Wharton is one of the club's best talents in recent years. Already making 14 appearances this season, the youngster is helping Blackburn fight for the play-off places, whilst his work-rate and ability on the ball make him one of the league's most eye-catching stars. Wharton will get cheaper as time goes on; if Blackburn continue to falter. It's a similar situation to Gibbs at Norwich in FM24!

4 Roméo Lavia - Chelsea - 19

Roméo Lavia - the former Manchester City academy prodigy - was linked to almost every single top club in England in the summer. Relegated with Southampton, the Belgian knew the Premier League was beckoning with him again. Chelsea eventually secured his signature, beating off interest from Liverpool most notably. A long-term injury at the start of the season has delayed his start in blue, but his talent - and potential - is clear to the naked eye. The Belgian has the strength and power to outmuscle opposition midfielders whilst helping transitional plays from defence to attack speed up with ease.

3 Stefan Bajcetic - Liverpool - 18

Did Liverpool need Lavia when they had Stefan Bajcetic? That was a conversation to be had in the summer, as Liverpool ended their pursuit of the Belgian, knowing they had a world-class Spanish prospect at home. The youngster had a breakthrough season last year, most notably, starring in the Merseyside derby at home to Everton - making the Reds in the stands already fall in love with him after just a handful of games. He may not have featured for Jürgen Klopp's team this season, but his potential is endless as he's nurtured by one of the greatest managers the sport has seen.

2 Warren Zaïre-Emery - PSG - 17

Paris Saint-Germain perfectly epitomise the modern state of football. They were struggling at the dawn of the new century, but then came Qatar - who bankrolled the club with wealth no one could possibly imagine. It's led to the club being favourites for the Ligue 1 trophy every single year as superstars rise and fall. However, Warren Zaïre-Emery doesn't replicate the pattern, with the youngster rising from the club's academy. The 17-year-old cost the club nothing (in terms of a transfer fee), allowing his progress from the academy to the first team to seem like Hollywood. His call-up to the France squad ended an incredible start to his early career.

1 Eduardo Camavinga - Real Madrid - 20

Last but not least, Zaïre-Emery's France teammate - Eduardo Camavinga - has had an incredible start to his career. Joining Real Madrid from Rennes, he went on to win the Champions League and La Liga in his first season - playing a key part in both. Camavinga stands out from the best of the rest due to his versatility and determination in the middle of the park. Even playing at left-back on the odd occasion, the Frenchman has everything to his game. However, that comes with a hefty price tag, especially with Real Madrid being unlikely to offload the midfielder any time soon.