FIFA 19 Wonderkids: Best Colombian players to sign in Career Mode

Colombia's recent international record is impressive, finishing third in the last Copa America and reaching the knockout stages in each of the last two World Cups. However, they have won nothing since they hosted the Copa America in 2001, something the current generation will hope to change at this year's tournament. Here we look at the next generation of talent most likely to help the likes of James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao achieve international glory.

How to choose the best Colombian wonderkids in FIFA 19 Career Mode

For a player to be classed as a wonderkid on this list they must be aged 23 years or younger at the start of FIFA 19 Career Mode. These players must also be rated 70 overall or higher making them able to contribute from the outset. Lastly, they need to have the potential to reach 80 OVR or higher making them a top class player.

Davinson Sanchez (OVR 84 - POT 88)

Age: 22Position: CBClub: SpursCountry: ColombiaBest Stats: 88 Sliding Tackle, 87 Aggression, 85 Standing TackleCost: £57.6 million (release clause)Wage: £92,000

Part of an increasingly impressive Spurs side, Davinson Sanchez has gone from strength to strength since his move to North London. Sanchez has helped Spurs to challenge for the league title this season and has already picked up 17 international caps in his short but promising career.

Sanchez possesses outstanding defensive attributes including 88 sliding tackle and 85 standing tackle. To compliment his defensive attributes the 6’2” defender also boasts 76 pace and 83 strength making him a complete defender. The Colombian won’t come cheap though with his release clause set at £57.6 million on FIFA 19 Career Mode.

Nicolas Benedetti (OVR 74 - POT 85)

Age: 21Position: CAMClub: Club AmericaCountry: ColombiaBest Stats: 78 Stamina, 78 Acceleration, 76 BalanceCost: £15.9 million (release clause)Wage: £31,000

Exciting attacking midfielder Nicolas Benedetti made the switch to Mexico in January 2019, joining Club America from Deportivo Cali in a £5 million deal. The 21-year-old scored seven times for Cali, including five goals in just eight Copa Sudermericana appearances as they reached the quarter-finals.

Benedetti is a fantastic prospect on FIFA 19 Career Mode with a potential of 85, however following his recent transfer he will be unavailable to managers in the first transfer window. For under £20 million managers will be hard pushed to find a more promising young attacking midfielder with such impressive movement and skill attributes.

Yerry Mina (OVR 78 - POT 85)

Age: 23Position: CBClub: EvertonCountry: ColombiaBest Stats: 87 Strength, 86 Heading Accuracy, 80 AggressionCost: £23.1 million (release clause)Wage: £60,000

Defensive colossus Yerry Mina shot to prominence in the summer of 2018 with a string of outstanding performances for Colombia at the World Cup. The ex-Barcelona defender has scored six international goals in just 15 matches highlighting the aerial threat he possesses.

Standing at 6’5”, the giant Everton centre back dominates in aerial duels and boasts the strength to deal with even the biggest forwards. Although not blessed with pace, Mina makes up for it with his physicality and is a great option for managers on FIFA 19 Career Mode looking to sign a quality young defender.

Alfredo Morelos (OVR 74 - POT 84)

Age: 22Position: STClub: RangersCountry: ColombiaBest Stats: 85 Strength, 81 Aggression, 81 BalanceCost: £15.8m (release clause)Wage: £36,000

Mercurial Rangers forward Alfredo Morelos sits top of the Scottish Premiership top scorers list with 15 goals in just 23 games. The 22-year-old Colombian has 23 goals in all competitions this season although his excellent form has been tainted with a poor disciplinary record in 2018/19, seeing red four times.

On FIFA 19, Morelos is a robust forward with 85 strength making him a handful for any defender. His positioning attribute of 79 is a strength of his and he has the potential to reach 84 overall. For just over £15 million Morelos will be worth the investment and can prove to be a prolific striker at any level.

Jarlan Barrera (OVR 75 - POT 84)

Age: 22Position: CAMClub: Rosario CentralCountry: ColombiaBest Stats: 90 Agility, 84 Balance, 83 Sprint SpeedCost: N/AWage: £35,000

Creative midfielder Jarlan Barrera signed for Tigres in January 2019 but has been loaned to Rosario Central for the upcoming season. Barrera scored seven and assisted five for former club Junior FC in 2018, prompting Mexican club Tigres to sign him.

Excellent movement and vision attributes make Barrera a terrific prospect on FIFA 19 Career Mode and the ideal player to play behind the striker. The young Colombian does come with fairly high wages at £35k and is currently out on loan, however managers can be rewarded for their patience with an extremely talented midfielder on FIFA 19 Career Mode.

Luis Diaz (OVR 73 - POT 84)

Age: 21Position: LMClub: Junior FCCountry: ColombiaBest Stats: 90 Sprint Speed, 89 Agility, 87 AccelerationCost: £9.9 million (release clause)Wage: £3,000

A goal and an assist in just two games in 2019 so far represent a fantastic start to the new season for 21-year-old winger Luis Diaz. He has helped Junior FC to two wins from two and looks to have continued his form that saw him score 14 goals in all competitions in 2018 and earn a call-up to the national team.

Managers on FIFA 19 Career Mode searching for a pacey young winger will find a gem in Luis Diaz, for under £10 million he has electrifying pace and quality dribbling skills to pose a threat to any defence. With just £3k wages, he won’t break the bank either!

Jhon Lucumi (OVR 72 - POT 83)

Age: 20Position: CBClub: KRC GenkCountry: ColombiaBest Stats: 76 Standing Tackle, 75 Sprint Speed, 75 StrengthCost: £7.1 million (release clause)Wage: £7,000

A muscular injury has hampered John Lucumi’s progress since his move to KRC Genk as he has not featured in the league since October. Lucumi had helped the Belgian league leaders to an unbeaten start to the season and KRC Genk are yet to lose a league game that the young Colombian has played in.

Capable of playing left back as well his in the centre of defence, Lucumi has the mobility and physical attributes to excel in both positions. The 20-year-old has the potential to reach 83 overall making him an exciting prospect and one who can be picked up fairly cheaply on FIFA 19 Career Mode.

Rafael Santos Borre (OVR 77 - POT 83)

Age: 22Position: STClub: River PlateCountry: ColombiaBest Stats: 82 Agility, 82 Acceleration, 81 JumpingCost: £17.6 million (release clause)Wage: £20,000

Seven goals in 15 games, including three in two at the Club World Cup show a fine start to the season for former Atletico Madrid striker Rafael Santos Borre. The talented forward is yet to make his international debut but if he keeps up his form for club side River Plate the call-up won’t be too far away.

A forward player with balanced attributes, Borre is a handful with pace, stamina and an eye for goal. The 22-year-old possesses the qualities to excel for any manager no matter their playing style and is available for under £20 million on FIFA 19 Career Mode.

Kevin Balanta (OVR 71 - POT 83)

Age: 21Position: CDMClub: Club TijuanaCountry: ColombiaBest Stats: 87 Stamina, 81 Aggression, 78 JumpingCost: N/AWage: £1,000

Promising defensive midfielder Kevin Balanta endured a stop-start season at Deportivo Cali last season making just 12 league appearances, scoring twice along the way. Balanta has headed out on loan for the new season signing for Club Tijuana and he will hope for more consistency this time around.

Starting at just 71 overall, Balanta can reach 83 which will turn his transfer fee into a potentially massive profit. He can also be a bargain buy for a lower club as they work their way to the top and he can become a classy performer in midfield on FIFA 19 Career Mode.

Jefferson Lerma (OVR 79 - POT 83)

Age: 23Position: CDMClub: BournemouthCountry: ColombiaBest Stats: 90 Stamina, 84 Jumping, 83 AggressionCost: £24.3 million (release clause)Wage: £48,000

Jefferson Lerma has impressed during has first season in the Premier League having joined Bournemouth for a record fee in the summer of 2018. The holding midfielder scored his first and only goal to date in England in the Cherries 2-1 defeat to Newcastle back in October.

With 90 stamina, Lerma is the engine of the midfield covering the whole pitch in every game. His physical and movement attributes allow his high-energy style of play to be effective on FIFA 19 and his 78 defensive rating make him a terrific ball-winner. With room for improvement too, the only downside is his £48,000 per week wages which will be out of budget for many teams outside the Premier League.

All the best Colombian wonderkids in FIFA 19