A manager’s duties in EA SPORTS FC 26 are manyfold. Wearing sharp suits. Giving enigmatic winks to the camera. Speaking to the press in one of two voices: either so measured and soft that everyone has to lean in just to hear you, or a thunderous Sean Dyche-level timbre that rattles roof tiles loose above the press conference area. Oh, and buying players. 

That’s where this guide can help. Having a ready-made list of young players with the highest potential in the game would be a powerful tool for any manager—you’re welcome. 

Here’s our criteria: These are players ages 16–21 with the highest potential OVR (overall rating range), with a max OVR of at least 90. That includes well-known players and outright superstars, and covers a broad range of transfer fees. This isn’t a list of bargains—it’s the best of the best.

Player development is dynamic in this game, which means there’s no guarantee that your young signing will hit the top of their potential OVR. You’ll need to hire quality coaches, give them plenty of match time, and play them in their strongest positions, along with working out the ideal individual training plans, if you want them to hit the highest highs. 

But before that, you need to actually sign them in the first place—so let’s get to the shortlist. 
 

Defenders

Alejandro Balde – LB, Barcelona

A pacey Spanish wingback who's composed, skilled, and has a strong weaker foot. Being a Barca lad though, he’ll set you back a sizable transfer fee—worth £58 million at the start of the game.

Dean Huijsen – CB, Real Madrid

Born in the Netherlands and naturalized as a Spanish citizen during his time training with Real Madrid’s youth academy, his six feet and five inches will come in handy on any backline. 

Giorgio Scalvini – CB, Bergamo

Scalvini threatens to bring back the glory days of Italy’s imperious defenders, putting in performances that belie his young age for Atalanta—known in EA SPORTS FC 26 as unlicensed 'Bergamo.'

Givairo Read – RB, Feyenoord

One of the cheaper options on the list with a £15 million valuation at the game start, Read has pace and height from the off, and could grow to a 90 OVR wingback.

Jorrel Hato – LB, Chelsea

The second pacey, rangey Dutch wingback on this list, Hato’s valuation is double that of his compatriot’s since his Chelsea move, but he could be worth that £34 million in the long run. 

Konstantinos Koulierakis – CB, Wolfsburg

He’s unlikely to win a Puskas in his career, but Koulierakis brings sound fundamentals and a physical presence to any backline, and could grow into a world-beater centreback. 

Ousmane Diomande – CB, Sporting

Diomande is one of the strongest and most physical defenders in world football already, and will prove invaluable to any club who can pry him away from Sporting. 

Pau Cubarsi – CB, Barcelona

At 18, the Barca centreback is already rated at 82 OVR. That could grow to 92 OVR if you nurture him—and are willing to pay his £106 million release fee. 
 

Midfielders

Andrey Santos – CM, Chelsea

Chelsea has been stockpiling young talent like a doomsday prepper hoarding canned goods, and this versatile and physical central midfielder is among the jewels in its youth setup.

Antonio Nusa – LM, RB Leipzig

This young RB Leipzig winger is Erling Haaland’s best hope of Norway putting together a World Cup-winning squad in the span of his career—lightning-quick, with great dribbling and plenty of skill moves to spam. 

Arda Guler – RM, Real Madrid

The Turkish wonderkid is more commonly regarded as an attacker, but in EA SPORTS FC 26 his preferred position is RM rather than RW. Wherever you play him, he’ll shimmy past defenders like a ballroom dancer. 

Arthur Vermeeren – CM, Marseilles

At age 20, the Belgian central midfielder doesn’t have any standout stats and rates an underwhelming 77 OVR. But with a max potential OVR of 91, he could be the sleeper hit of your Manager Career save.  

Claudio Echeverri – CAM, Leverkusen

A lively and creative central attacking midfielder, he's currently trying to fill Florian Wirtz’s sizable shoes at Leverkusen. He’ll probably grow into those ears. Probably. 

Estevao – RM, Chelsea

Remember that bit about Chelsea stockpiling talent? Well here’s another one—a prodigiously talented Brazilian winger with Neymar-like skills on the ball and incredible pace. 

Franco Mastantuono – CAM, Real Madrid

He’s only 17, and he’s not only at Real Madrid but been given a max OVR of 90, too. Things are looking good for the Argentine playmaker. 

Geovany Quenda – RM, Sporting

Another incredibly exciting talent currently on Sporting’s books, Quenda matches pace with agility and two-footedness. 

Hugo Larsson – CM, Eintracht Frankfurt

Another all-rounder who doesn’t possess earth-shattering stats at the start of the game, but can do just about everything quite well at age 21, and in time could become an elite central midfielder. 

Joao Neves – CM, Paris Saint-Germain

Neves has already achieved some of the sport’s highest accolades at PSG, but at age 20 there’s plenty of time for him to get even better. He's formidable both in possession and out of it. 

Jorthy Mokio – CDM, Ajax

Ajax is up there with the best when it comes to unearthing young talent, and the young Belgian Mokio with his 93 max potential OVR is certainly testament to that. Mokio is defensively minded, but he’s great in possession too. 

Julien Duranville – RM, Dortmund

Dortmund, like Ajax, is a talent factory. And Duranville, like his compatriot Mokio, is among the club’s most promising young players—plus he's somehow only valued at £6.5 million at the game start, too.

Kenan Yildiz – CAM, Juventus

Turkey’s footballing future looks bright thanks not just to Arda Guler but also Juve playmaker Yildiz, whose 6’1" frame, two-footedness, and bewitching skill on the ball are quite the combo.  

Lamine Yamal – RM, Barcelona

Maybe you’ve heard of him—but unless you have £173.5 million to spare, you might as well not have. 

Lucas Bergvall – CM, Tottenham

Bergvall’s developing into an impressive all-rounder for the Spurs, and can bring Pirlo-like composure to your central midfield for around £27 million. 

Maher Carrizo – RM, Velez

Lesser known Argentine talent Carrizo can grow into a 90 OVR player and is valued at just £6.5 million at the game start. You know what to do with that information. 

Malick Fofana – LM, Lyon

Fofana’s compact frame gives him the speed and acceleration to absolutely bomb down the wing for Lyon, and he’s great on either foot. 

Mikel Jauregizar – CM, Athletic Bilbao

Commentators hope he won’t score, because then they’d have to try to pronounce his name. Unfortunately for them, Jauregizar could become a 90 OVR CM with many goals in his locker. 

Pablo Garcia – RM, Betis

Were it not for his sky-high potential OVR, you’d overlook this Betis winger. However, he’s just 18 and will very likely explode within a few seasons if you train him properly—and he's yours for £3.6 million.

Pablo Gavi – CM, Barcelona

Another very well-known quantity from Barca’s La Masia youth academy, Gavi's talent and reputation are already so high at 20 years old that £66 million looks like a solid deal. 

Rodrigo Mora – CAM, Porto

Mora's a diminutive young Portuguese attacking midfielder who might not muscle people off the ball as part of a press, but can dance through defensive lines with ease.  

Tygo Land – CM, FC Groningen

Available for around £3.7 million at the game start, you’d be mad not to try and land Land. If you’re at a top club he might not get first team football right away, but he’ll grow into an elite player. 
 

Attackers

Desire Doue – RW, Paris Saint-Germain

He’s already at PSG, and has the reputation, Champions League trophy, and price tag to go along with that contract. If you can find the funds to pry him away, he’ll be one of world football’s superstars for years to come. 

Endrick – ST, Real Madrid

Real Madrid has had a knack for finding generational Brazilian attacking talents in recent years, and young Endrick is the heir apparent to Vinicius Jr’s throne. 

Francesco Camarda – ST, Lecce

Camarda’s one of the most exciting talents in Italian football, and as the nation cries out for quality attacking talent he’s shaping up to be that missing talisman. He’s actually on loan at Lecce from AC Milan so signing him is tricky in the first season. 

Luciano Rodriguez – RW, Neom SC

Hands up who expected to see this Uruguayan winger—playing for Saudi club Neom SC—on this list? He’s a deep cut, but could grow into the next Cavani. 

Rayan Cherki – RW, Man City

Man City swooped in and secured Cherki, an unselfish striker with incredible skills on the ball, which means you’ll have to exchange big money for his services. 

Yoan Bonny – ST, Lombardia

Fast, physical, and precise, Bonny could be Inter’s (or Lombardia FC, as they’re known in EA SPORTS FC 26) talismanic striker for years to come. Unless you and your checkbook have anything to say about it, that is. 

With the perfect squad bought and paid for, why not use our guide to work out the best meta formations to make them play together. 

EA SPORTS FC 26 is available now on the Epic Games Store.