The time is now! Football Manager 2015 has been officially released today and it's goodbye from us here at Balls.ie for the foreseeable future... Not really, but we are going to play this shit out of this game, and we will be sure to keep you updated on our findings to help you get an advantage as your build your managerial legacy.
The first thing every aspiring Football Manager wants to know when the new game comes out is "Who are the best wonderkids?". These are the guys that you will, in-game, sign for a reasonable fee, then watch as they control games week after week as you burst through the targets set by the board, and in real-life, claim you knew about them before they became well-known because, well, everybody who plays Football Manager does that.
As every game of Football Manager is different, you should give these lads a good scouting first to be sure they would fit in at your club, but without further ado, here is our list of the very best Football Manager 2015 wonderkids.
Goalkeepers
Simone Scuffet - Udinese
'The Next Gianluigi Buffon' if you are willing to believe the hype coming out of Serie A about 18 year old Simone Scuffet. As a Football Manager prospect, they don't get any better. Able to slot in and perform straight away at almost any club, Scuffet has the quality to mind your nets for the next 15 years, that is if you can persuade Udinese to let him go.
Alex Meret - Udinese U20
What are they putting in the water at Udinese?! 17 year old Alex Meret isn't quite as first-team-ready as Scuffet, but for those looking to groom a replacement for their #1 goalkeeper, or for a lower league side, Meret is a great shout as he has the potential to turn into a true star.
Defenders
John Stones - Everton
You know about John Stones already, so I'll just tell you that he won't cost a bomb at in the first year, and he grows into a World Class centre back on the game.
Samuel Umtiti - Lyon
Lyon's Umtiti grows into a dominant centre back with insane physical stats, he can do a job for the biggest clubs in Europe but if you manage to convince him to join a smaller club in a top flight league then you have struck gold.
Terence Kongolo - Feyenoord
Another player who grows into a beast of a centre back, Dutch star of the future Kongolo has already been capped for Holland and turns into a big man with ball playing skills on Football Manager 2015.
Jesus Vallejo - Real Zaragoza
Vallejo is a very exciting Spanish prospect. He grows into an extremely solid centre back with great concentration, definitely one to scout regardless of your club stature.
Sam Byram - Leeds
On to the full-backs now and Leeds man Sam Byram is a great signing for any Premier League side with cracking defensive stats and solid attacking traits.
Emerson Palmieri - Santos
Emerson Palmieri is the tradition Brazilian full-back. Quick, aggressive, and technically good enough for play off the striker. The only difference is that this kid can actually defend too. He starts the game on loan at Palermo so keep an eye on his movement.
Midfielders
Lucas Romero - Velez Sarsfield
The best defensive midfield prospect in Football Manager 2015 is Lucas Romero. The Argentine is essentially Javier Mascherano with better passing, and will anchor your midfield for years to come.
Junior Malanda - Wolfsburg
Paul Pogba on steroids is a pretty accurate description of what becomes of Junior Malanda, who is one of a number of Belgian kids that turn into World beaters on the game.
Youri Tielemans - Anderlecht
I am naming my first born son Youri. Thats how good he is. This Belgian beast is the truth, the answer, and the real-deal all rolled in to one. Do everything you can to sign him.
Gianluca Gaudino - Bayern Munich
You're going to have to hope that Bayern are so busy trying to sign Marco Reus that they let this Italian sounding German midfield maestro slip through the cracks, but if they do, you've got yourself a class act in the middle of the pitch.
Angel Correa - Atletico Madrid
Unfortunately Correa has recently signed for Atletico Madrid, which makes him more difficult to sign than he was in Football Manager 2014, but he is still a World Class talent in the much coveted winger/attacking midfielder position.
Talisca - Benfica
Another one of our Football Manager 2015 wonderkids that has recently moved to Europe is Brazilian attacking midfielder Talisca, who has brilliant vision and trickery. He's well worth monitoring in Portugal.
Zakaria Bakkali - PSV Eindhoven
PSV Eindhoven will be pillaged for their wingers, and Memphis Depay will be the first one out the door, but you could be the lucky owner of Zalaria Bakkali who grows into a world class wide-man.
Vaclav Cerny - Jong Ajax
More of a long term project than some of the other names in this list, Cerny can be got for relative pittance, and with the proper care he can be a star on the wing.
Strikers
Paco Alcacer - Valencia
Any fans of La Liga will know about Paco Alcacer, and indeed he has recently been given his Spanish nationa team debut. In Football Manager, Alcacer is the next great Spanish striker, but only one for Champions League clubs.
Domenico Berardi - Sassuolo
Co-ownership with Juventus means you may have to fork out more cash than you initially would like, but Berardi will get goals anywhere. A full international debut is only a matter of time for a man who is impressing at a tiny club like Sassuolo.
Robert Kenedy - Fluminense
Football hipsters will love our Robert because he can also operate as a false nine. Pace, technique, goals... What more do you want? There's always (money in the banana stand) quality in the Brazilian leagues in Football Manager, Robert Kenedy is quality.
Munir El Haddadi - Barcelona
The next great hope of Barcelona has a stupidly low release clause of €12.75m. Trigger it. Exploit it. Obtain an absolute World Class talent.
We hope you enjoyed our list of Football Manager 2015 Wonderkids, be sure to check back for regular hints and tips to optimise your success in Football Manager 2015.
