The FIFA 18 Premier League wonderkid XI
The Premier League is awash with young talent, from Tottenham’s Dele Alli to Manchester City’s Leroy Sané, but you’re going to need very deep pockets to sign players like that on FIFA 18.
However, look to the benches of some of the top EPL clubs and you’ll find some equally promising youngsters for a fraction of the price. It’s those players you’ll find here: all aged 21 or under and available to buy in the first transfer window on FIFA 18’s Career mode.
Some are further along the road to stardom than others, but all have the potential to improve drastically from their starting level, it’s down to you to develop them properly. The prices quoted are ones we’ve managed to negotiate, but you might be able to secure better deals by throwing in sell-on clauses or simply by driving a harder bargain.
Goalkeeper
GK: Joel Pereira (Manchester United)
If you’re looking for a young goalkeeper to pluck from the Premier League, there’s really only one option: Manchester United’s Joel Pereira. Unless David de Gea leaves Old Trafford in the near future, opportunities for the Portuguese U21 international look severely limited, but with an overall rating of 71 he’ll slot into a second-division or lower top-flight side immediately. With the potential to reach 84 overall, it won’t be long before bigger teams are interested, so shelling out €3.5m for him doesn’t seem unreasonable. 72 for reflexes and 74 for handling are his standout scores for now, but diving and positioning aren’t far behind.
Defence
LB: Ben Chilwell (Leicester City)
A product of Leicester’s academy, Ben Chilwell is always going to struggle to get a chance while Christian Fuchs is still at the club, so give him the first-team football he craves by offering the Foxes around €4m. He’s a fine all-rounder, with good dribbling skills that’ll serve him well when making overlapping runs around the edge of the penalty box. A stamina stat of 77 means he shouldn’t need hauling off after 60 minutes, while his speed, agility and tackling skills give him a fighting chance against tricky opposition wingers. He’s another one who’s also comfortable playing at wingback, with potential to hit 82 overall.
CB: Axel Tuanzebe (Manchester United)
With Manchester United characteristically solid under José Mourinho this season, Tuanzebe hasn’t played a single minute in the Premier League so far, but with 73 overall and the potential to hit 84, he’s a solid choice for any team looking to add depth in defence. Tuanzebe’s tackling and marking stats are in the mid-seventies, with decent strength, a good leap for defending high balls and he’s not slow over the ground either. Like Musonda, he’s on a relatively high wage, but an offer of just €5.5m should be enough to convince Man Utd to part with him.
CB: Rob Holding (Arsenal)
Rob Holding’s sporadic appearances in Arsenal’s defence this season aren’t enough to convince Arsene Wenger to keep hold of him on FIFA 18; you can pick him up for just €5m, which is pretty good for a player who can reach 85 overall – that’s better than Koscielny, Mustafi and Mertesacker. He’s already got mid-70s where it matters: interceptions, strength, marking, jumping and both types of tackling, but plenty of first-team football will help him improve as quickly as possible. Centre-backs don’t tend to tire too much but a 75 for stamina also stands out, as does 72 for both composure and aggression. Perhaps he’s not as friendly as he looks.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Liverpool’s lack of defensive depth this season has meant 19-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold has played more than he might’ve expected. With 69 overall, he’s almost certainly played more than EA expected him to, too, but with 85 potential it’s worth getting him on the pitch so he can develop. Like most modern full-backs he’s better going forward, with great pace and stamina, but less impressive tackling stats. That means he’s a good bet if you’re looking for someone to play as a wingback, plus he’s not bad from dead balls either. Wave €1.5m in front of Liverpool and they’ll be more than happy to let Alexander-Arnold go.
