Transfer Window Winners: FM21 Wonderkids
The transfer window is, for any football fan, the most exciting time of year. Multi-million pound deals. Sometimes, it is superstars swapping cities in the hunt for glory and trophies. Sometimes, it is the next generation of talent making waves. These are the Wonderkids. The players that every Football Manager player wants to track down and develop. We spend hours every year developing the finest young talent, before PSG swoop in and pinch them: usually to sit on the bench. With a new game, come new Wonderkids, and the FM21 Wonderkids look like the most exciting group so far!
But which of the worlds most exciting wonderkids were making waves in the Transfer Market this summer? In this article we take a look at five of the most exciting and interesting wonderkid transfers ahead of the next instalment of Football Manager.
Jude Bellingham
Birmingham -> Borussia Dortmund (£25m)
One of English Football’s brightest talents, Jude Bellingham made the switch to Germany in the summer, despite interest from the Premier League. The move gives Bellingham an opportunity to play first-team football in one of the best leagues in the world, and bodes very well for his development.
Quick and Technically gifted, Bellingham has the potential to flourish into one of the best Wonderkids on FM21. His mental and physical attributes are exceptional as well, and underpin his creativity. You’ll have to wait a couple of seasons to get your hands on him, but Bellingham looks set to develop into one of the best in the world.
Fabio Silva
Porto -> Wolves (£36.5m)
A club record signing. Not a sentence you often say about an 18 year old, but that is the leap of faith Wolves took this summer. £36.5m is a big outlay for a striker with one senior goal, but a look at his profile answers why Wolves took a chance on one of the finest attacking FM21 Wonderkids:
Tall. Fast. Strong. Even at 18, Silva has the makings of a powerhouse striker. But he is highly technical, and his mental attributes lend themselves to intelligent attacking play. Capable of leading the line or dropping between the lines, Silva is a striker with a bright future. Playing in the Premier League will be challenging this early in his career, but he seems to have it in his locker.
Sandro Tonali
Brescia -> AC Milan: Loan with Option to Buy.
Everyone’s favourite midfield. Tonali has been on the Football Manager player’s radar for a long time, and this summer he got his move. It is only a loan deal, but in Italian football those usually mean a permanent deal further down the line.
A defensive monster, Tonali is already exceptionally well-developed. Still only 20 years old, he has the mentality and technicality to dominate in Europe’s top leagues. His personality may put some managers off, but if they exercise their option to buy, Milan have their holding midfield position sewn up for a generation.
Antony
Sao Pauolo -> Ajax (£15m)
A transfer which went slightly under the radar, Ajax have snapped up one of South America’s brightest talents. In real life, Antony has hit the Dutch ground running. A return of 6 goal contributions in his first 6 games reflects his direct and dynamic game.
Already a well-balanced and direct winger, Antony’s future looks exceptionally bright in the Eredivisie. He is almost certainly destined for greatness in a top league, but until then Ajax have a real gem on their hands, which they will undoubtedly refine into diamond.
Victor Osimhen
Lille -> Napoli (£64m)
The most expensive transfer on this list, Osimhen’s move to Napoli made him the most expensive African footballer of all-time. An explosive and direct striker, the Nigerian started his European career with Wolfsburg. A loan to Cherleroi followed, where he scored 16 goals in 36 games before moving to Lille. In France, he found his feet. Firing home 13 goals in 26 games after a £12m move, before being sold this summer. It is a quick turnaround, but also a massive opportunity.
Fast, Effective and Direct. Osimhen certainly has the attributes to succeed in the Serie A. In an attack which also features Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens, he is surrounded by experience and talent. A successful Osimhen could fire Napoli to greatness domestically and in Europe, but his injury history may be a concern for the club. Overall, if they can get him firing, the most expensive African could hit the heights of other African greats like Drogba and Eto’o.
Some of the brightest FM21 Wonderkids got their moves this summer, but their new team’s gain is the Wonderkid hunter’s loss. While managers of the new teams have gained potential world-beaters, the rest of us will need to wait to get these Wonderkids into our teams.
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