Building a solid defence in Football Manager 2022 can let you use more attacking players in front of them, fix not only any defensive but also offensive problems you may have.
Whether it's a rock in centre-back, a pacey full-back, or a box-to-box wing-back you're looking for, this list has them all.
Table of Contents
- Defining Wonderkid Defenders
- Nuno Mendes (CA 149 - PA Range 150-180)
- Josko Gvardiol (CA 135 - PA Range 150-180)
- Tino Livramento (CA 128 - PA Range 150-180)
- Tanguy Nianzou (CA 128 - PA Range 150-180)
- Devyne Rencsh (CA 126 - PA Range 140-170)
- Alejandro Balde (CA 125 - PA Range 140-170)
- Illya Zabarnyi (CA 125 - PA Range 140-170)
- Luca Netz (CA 123 - PA Range 140-170)
- Taylor Harwood-Bellis (CA 122 - PA Range 140-170)
- Timothee Pembele (CA 110 - PA Range 140-170)
Read on to find out who the best wonderkid defenders are on FM22.
Defining Wonderkid Defenders
A wonderkid is a player under the age of 19 boasting a high potential rating, something all of the players on this list have.
There will be players from all the defensive positions in this list, so that includes left, right and central defenders, as well as left and right wing-backs.
From players at top clubs to those that are looking for a step up, these ten players could easily become superstars in FM22.
Nuno Mendes (CA 149 - PA Range 150-180)
Age: 19
Position(s): D (L), WB (L)
Club: PSG (on loan from Sporting CP)
Value: £35-£57 million
Wage: £8,750 a week
Recently transferred from Portugal, Manchester City were interested in this left-back wonderkid before PSG stepped in.
Fast and strong, Nuno Mendes is the typical modern full-back with all the class required to become a world-beater. Whatever it costs, we think you should be shelling out on this wonderkid.
Josko Gvardiol (CA 135 - PA Range 150-180)
Age: 19
Position(s): D (LC)
Club: RB Leipzig
Value: £72-£88 million
Wage: £20,500 a week
Josko Gvardiol could prove to be one of the most popular choices at centre-back on the game, with his incredible speed and strength making him a tough man to pass.
You'd best bring the war chest though, as you could be paying upwards of £70 million for such top talent.
Tino Livramento (CA 128 - PA Range 150-180)
Age: 18
Position(s): D (R), WB (R)
Club: Southampton
Value: £40-£49 million
Wage: £10,000 a week
Recently moving away from Chelsea, Tino Livramento is hoping to realise his full potential at St. Mary's.
His stock is only set to rise as he plays more games, meaning this hotshot wonderkid should be at the very top of your wonderkid shortlist in this year's game.
Tanguy Nianzou (CA 128 - PA Range 150-180)
Age: 19
Position(s): D (C), DM, M (C)
Club: Bayern Munich
Value: £28-£34 million
Wage: £66,000 a week
One of the most exciting wonderkid defenders in the game, Tanguy Nianzou has all the capabilities to become world-class.
With the French centre-half yet to make his Bayern Munich breakthrough, could now be the ideal time for you to swoop in and help Tanguy realise his potential?
Devyne Rencsh (CA 126 - PA Range 140-170)
Age: 18
Position(s): D (LCR), DM, WB (R)
Club: Ajax
Value: £13-£16 million
Wage: £16,250 a week
Devyne Rensch is a dynamic wonderkid full-back with a ton of pace and strength.
Hailing from Holland and certain to be flying up the wing for years to come, we believe Rensch could be one of the most exciting wonderkid stars in FM22.
Alejandro Balde (CA 125 - PA Range 140-170)
Age: 18
Position(s): D (L), WB (L), M (L), AM (L)
Club: Barcelona
Value: £21-£34 million
Wage: £3,400 a week
One of the young talents Barcelona are hoping will drag them back to the top during their financial crisis, Alejandro Balde can play anywhere along the left side of the pitch.
He is pacey and agile, with attributes more suited to a position further forward than kept back.
Illya Zabarnyi (CA 125 - PA Range 140-170)
Age: 18
Position(s): D (C)
Club: Dynamo Kyiv
Value: £26-£35 million
Wage: £6,250 a week
Totally solid at everything you need defensively, Illya Zabarnyi will be one of the best picks in the game.
He could also be your go-to option if you can't afford Gvardiol, being less than half his price.
Luca Netz (CA 123 - PA Range 140-170)
Age: 18
Position(s): D (L), WB (L), M (L)
Club: Borussia Monchenglasbach
Value: £22-£35 million
Wage: £33,000 a week
Comparable to Liverpool dominator Andy Robertson, Luca Netz is a player that could easily break into the team of the year if his potential is realised.
Quick, strong, and with some excellent passing stats, Netz will go far in the game.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis (CA 122 - PA Range 140-170)
Age: 19
Position(s): D (CR)
Club: Anderlecht (on loan from Manchester City)
Value: £15.5-£25 million
Wage: £10,000 a week
Taylor Harwood-Bellis is getting valuable game time on loan away from parent club Manchester City, unable to break into a newly strengthened backline.
If you plan to make a move for him it should be done sooner rather than later, as he is set to improve into one of the best.
Timothee Pembele (CA 110 - PA Range 140-170)
Age: 18
Position(s): D (CR)
Club: Bordeaux (on loan from Paris Saint-Germain)
Value: £4.7-£7.4 million
Wage: £4,900 a week
Another French defender waiting in the wings at his club, Timothee Pembele is a talent that won't go unutilised for long.
His mix of pace and strength make him the perfect signing for any manager, and we believe he could become a mainstay for your FM22 team for the next decade.
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