EA SPORTS FC 27 | Standard Edition out Sept 25, 2026 | Ultimate Edition early access available now

There’s no room for error in modern football management. Gone are the days of signing a player based on a hand-posted VHS tape sent by his cousin, or on the basis that someone on the phone claiming to be George Weah says he’s brilliant. This is 2026, and football managers get exactly zero duff signings before the ominous banners start appearing at the north end.

These players will help with that. Here are the criteria: we searched the entire EA SPORTS FC 27 player database to find the best young players, meaning players under 24 with a potential rating of 87 or higher.

That’s right, this time the game gives you a transparent 0-100 potential rating, so there’s very little guesswork about how your signings will develop.

We’ve included a range of the absolute highest-rated players regardless of their transfer value and, where possible, some lesser-known options carrying smaller asking prices who could be tempted away from their clubs by someone other than PSG, Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Robin Risser (87 POT) – GK, RC Lens

21-year-old Robin Risser can do a job for you as starting keeper for most top-flight sides with an 81 OVR rating. Of course, that’s not why he’s on this list. It’s his 87 potential rating that puts him here, meaning if you shell out his expected $25m transfer fee you’ll get many seasons of growth from the Frenchman.

Dennis Seimen (87 POT) – GK, VfB Stuttgart

Something of a bona fide bargain, Seimen may not be the answer to your leaky goalmouth at the age of 20 when the game starts, but his 87 potential rating means he could grow as proficient as Robin Risser for a fraction of the cost. His estimated transfer fee is just $7.9m at the beginning of season one in Manager Career.

Florian Hellstern (86 POT) – GK, SpVgg Greuther Furth

Speaking of bargainous young German goalkeepers, Florian Hellstern currently plays his football for second-tier Furth, and with just a 66 OVR rating he’s that rarest of footballing commodities: an undiscovered gem.

His 86 potential stat and $1.3m expected transfer fee tell any shrewd manager all they need to know. Nurture him and you might have the next Kahn or Neuer on your books.

Jorthy Mokio (87 POT) – LB / CDM, Ajax

The teenage Ajax star may have missed out on his chance to represent DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup, but with a potential stat of 87 bolstering his 71 OVR, it’s likely he’ll get several more chances at silverware in his career. 

You can play Mokio at CDM as well as LB, making his $11m transfer fee look even better value.

Joaquin Seys (87 POT) – LB, Club Brugge

Like Mokio, Club Brugge’s Joaquin Seys is one for the future, rather than an immediate first-team addition. His 74 OVR needs some nurturing, but with 87 potential and only a $15m asking price, he’ll grow into an elite-level full-back within a few seasons. 

Nuno Mendes (92 POT) – LB, Paris Saint-Germain

The first but by no means the last mention of PSG’s youth crop, Mendes is already established at top-level but in the interest of being comprehensive he makes this list. Already at an 89 OVR, his 92 potential stat says he’ll improve further, for the manager with pockets deep enough to cover his $129m fee. 

For most managers, it doesn’t make sense to sign the likes of Mendes or teammate Warren Zaire-Emery (below), but if you’re looking to assemble a money-no-object squad of the absolute best young players, he clearly deserves a mention. Just don’t forget to give yourself that extra billion in the ‘takeover’ option when you’re setting up your Manager Career save. 

Warren Zaïre-Emery (89 POT) – RB / CM, Paris Saint-Germain

Yep, also very established, which means very expensive. Expect to pay at least $165m to pry him out of PSG’s icy grip, and enjoy his 89 potential if and when you do. 

Givairo Read (88 POT) – RB / RM, Feyenoord

Back in the realm of vaguely possible signings, Feyenoord’s Givairo Read could be tempted away by the promise of prestigious Premier League football or European fixtures. For $21m his 77 OVR could grow to 88 over the course of his career.

Read’s pacy enough to operate almost anywhere on the right flank, so if you strike out with the right-sided midfielders below he’s worth a look as cover at RM.

Jurriën Timber (87 POT) – RB / CB / LB, Arsenal

In real life Timber’s had a great start to life at Arsenal, but EA Sports says he’s not done developing yet. The Dutchman’s 87 potential stat is just one of his considerable upsides, the other being his fantastic positional versatility.

You can play Timber anywhere in defense, and on either flank in midfield. If you can get Mr Arteta to part with him, that is. It’ll take at least $64m to persuade him. 

Finn Jeltsch (87 POT) – CB, VfB Stuttgart

With a current OVR of 76 and potential of 87, Stuttgart’s young CB has among the highest ceilings for growth on this list. His value lies in his physical and defending stats, as one might expect of a CB, but his relatively low $27m fee is more of a surprise. 

Luka Vušković (89 POT) – CB, Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton’s dependable young Croatian defender is already well developed enough to keep the Premier League’s best attackers at bay, but he’s not done growing yet. Vuskovic has an 81 OVR and 89 potential, so in a few seasons he’ll be one of the highest-rated CBs in the world.

The catch? He’ll cost you $119m. 

Pau Cubarsí (91 POT) – CB, FC Barcelona

Speaking of expensive prodigious talents, we’re onto the ‘money doesn’t matter’ players within the defenders section. Aged 19 and already worth $165m, Cubarsi’s already among the best CBs in the game by OVR at 87. Wait a few seasons for that 91 potential to work its magic, and he may well be the outright best. There’s only one player who can challenge him… 

Willian Pacho (91 POT) – CB, Paris Saint-Germain

Oh hi again, PSG. Got another world-beating young player in your ranks, have you? Good for you. That’ll be Ecuadorian mega-defender Pacho, who shares Cubarsi’s 91 potential stat but at 24 has developed to a 90 OVR. Since he’s 24 (practically over the hill), he’s yours for a bargainous $138m. 

Nathan De Cat (88 POT) – CDM, RSC Anderlecht

Signing defensive midfielders may not be the most glamorous moment in football management, but De Cat may easily become a legend in the stands. Available for around $16m, his starting OVR at 71 hides his massive growth potential of 88. Give him a few years and you’ve got the next Kevin De Bruyne, albeit one with more stay-at-home tendencies.

Adam Wharton (88 POT) – CDM, Crystal Palace

Already a known talent in the Prem thanks to his appearances for Palace, Wharton’s price tag has inflated accordingly to $55m. By the time his 81 OVR has increased in line with his 88 potential though, that fee may look like a steal.

Moisés Caicedo (88 POT) – CDM, Chelsea

One of the league’s most prominent talents in this position, Caicedo has his work cut out for him in a marauding Chelsea side that gives up more shots on goal than any other team. Perhaps that explains his $117m asking price – then again, it could be his 88 potential.

There are certainly better deals on this list, but Caicedo’s combination of ease on the ball and dependable defensive work makes him one of the new generation’s best at CDM.

Viktor Froholdt (88 POT) – CM, FC Porto

Priced at $72m, Froholdt can grow considerably from 81 OVR to 88. Even better than that, he’s a genuine all-rounder. Happy in defensive midfield, the center of the pitch or in an advanced role, his shooting and dribbling stats are every bit the match for his physical and defensive attributes.

Pedri (93 POT) – CM / CAM, FC Barcelona

Simply the best central midfielder, in any central role, in the game. That’s no surprise really, given the Barcelona star’s now 23 and feels like he’s been playing in the first team since he was 11.

If you’re building that no-compromise XI, he’s an essential acquisition at $170m in order to utilise his 90 OVR, growing to 93.

Geovany Quenda (88 POT) – RM / RW / CAM, Chelsea

Formerly of Sporting, Quenda is one of the 459 players Chelsea picked up in the last 12 months. They did so because at 19 he can play on either wing, as an attacking central midfielder or a true CM. His pace and skill moves make him an ideal winger though, and as his 71 OVR develops to his 88 potential he’ll only get more productive. The price? A mere $61m.
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Rayan (88 POT) – RM / RW, AFC Bournemouth

Bournemouth’s Brazilian teenager Rayan is already worth $88m, but as his OVR increases from 79 to 88 that number will look more reasonable with every passing season.

Extremely pacy and possessing a hard and accurate shot, he’s a great attacking option who doesn’t need to look for the pass. Side note: nice to see a mid-table side in possession of a young talent for a change, isn’t it?

Michael Olise (92 POT) – RM / RW, Bayern Munich

Bayern’s right winger Olise is already among the absolute best players globally – on the right side of the pitch or anywhere else, actually. However, he also possesses a 92 potential stat that’ll see his 90 OVR get even better, so he makes his way onto this list.

He’s harder to sign than a fixed-rate mortgage agreement and worth $144m right from the start of the game. But if you want the best of the best, he’s got to go on your list.

Arda Güler (89 POT) – RM / CAM, Real Madrid

It’s fair to say the real Guler’s probably taken longer to reach his potential than we expected circa Euro 2024, when he burst onto the scene Micah Richards-style. However he’s hardly faded into obscurity while at Real Madrid, and while playing at the Bernabeu he’s become an 84 OVR with 89 potential.

Now 21, he can still become one of the world' s best attacking midfielders. His passing and dribbling stats are already there, but if his pace and shooting burgeoned too he’d be truly elite.

Rio Ngumoha (88 POT) – LM / LW, Liverpool

The young Liverpool prospect has a massive 13-point difference between his current 75 OVR and 88 potential, so he’s really one to nurture for a few seasons and then reap the rewards. That said, he’s hardly an unknown, currently earning a living at one of Europe’s biggest clubs. That affects his value, of course: $74m at least to get him away from Anfield.

Assane Diao (87 POT) – LM / RM, Como

Cesc Fabregas is achieving amazing things at Como and Diao is a big reason why. The Senegalese wonderkid can play on either wing, and his 76 OVR will improve to an 87. Best of all, his market value is bizarrely low at $16m. Put a bid in before EA Sports notices.

Christos Tzolis (88 POT) – LM / LW, Arsenal

Arsenal’s Greek winger Tzolis has been a mainstay in Premier League teams of the week since arriving in north London, and clearly he’s already able to deliver for you at the top level. Rated 82 with a $70m transfer value, he’ll improve to 88 over the course of his career and earn you many more team of the week mentions in the process.

Gilberto Mora (87 POT) – CAM / LM, Club Tijuana

Bargain alert! 17-year-old Mora is valued at just $19m at the start of the opening season, but his 74 OVR will grow to an 87 if you develop him fully. Happy in a central advanced position or on the left, you can get a decade or more of quality football out of him by finding a deal with Club Tijuana.

Kees Smit (87 POT) – CAM / CDM, AZ Alkmaar

Here’s another one for managers who don’t like to spend huge sums on known superstars. Smit’s yours for $20m or thereabouts, and will improve from 75 to 87 over the course of his career.

Initially he’s best as a ball carrier and can be deployed as a CDM or CAM, but as his attributes improve he develops an effective finish and killer pace.

Lennart Karl (88 POT) – CAM / RM, Bayern Munich

Lithe and zippy on the ball, Bayern’s young attacking midfielder Karl can play on the right or in the middle. He’s got great dribbling stats from the off, but over time he’ll grow to an 88 OVR and that makes his $50m valuation rather reasonable.

Nico Paz (89 POT) – CAM, Como

The jewel in Fabregas’ Como side, Argentine prodigy Paz has been linked to every elite European club you can think of, but for now still plays his football in northern Italy.

Not the most physical midfielder in world football, Paz is nonetheless very creative and elusive on the ball, not to mention being a dead ringer for F1’s Max Verstappen but with floppier hair. Anyway – $100m, currently 85, can improve to 89.

Jude Bellingham (93 POT) – CAM / CM, Real Madrid

You know who Jude Bellingham is. You know how he plays football. Real Madrid knows you know. That’s why they want $199m for him. Up to you. 93 potential…

Francesco Camarda (87 POT) – ST, AC Milan

Camarda’s been knocking about on hot prospect lists for years now, but Serie A isn’t known for giving its brightest young talents bags of first-team football and that’s probably stunted the young Milan striker’s progress somewhat, despite a loan spell at Lecce.

Good job this is video game football, where we don’t have to worry about such real-world complexity. His low OVR of 67 makes Camarda an affordable $15m acquisition who can improve to 87. If, you know, you actually let him loose on a football pitch from time to time.

Nicolò Tresoldi (87 POT) – ST, Club Brugge

Perhaps the least well-known player in this attackers section, German-Italian striker Tresoldi has been ripping it up in the Belgian league, scoring at an almost 50% goals-to-games rate. However, the world hasn’t quite caught onto his talents yet, so he’s yours for $22m. If you do retain his services, you can expect his 75 to improve to 87, making him a truly elite scorer.

Endrick (88 POT) – ST, Real Madrid

Endrick is, of course, already a truly elite scorer. Trouble is, you can’t move in the Real Madrid dressing room for generational scoring talent, so the Brazilian has been shipped off to Lyon in search of more play time. His reduced minutes have kept his value semi-reasonable at $55m, and he can improve to an 88 OVR if you’re willing to put him in the first-team.

Samu Omorodion (87 POT) – ST, FC Porto

Porto’s imposing number 10 is actually two strikers in one. His 6'4” height coupled with great physical and scoring attributes means he’s an effective target man who can receive the ball and hold up play, and also a decisive finisher who can put the final touch on an attacking sequence.

If your club’s doorways are high enough for him to fit through, you can acquire his services for around $49m and he’ll improve from 81 to 87.

Benjamin Šeško (87 POT) – ST, Manchester United

Things haven’t been easy for Sesko at Old Trafford. Then again, things haven’t been easy for any striker at Old Trafford since Ruud van Nistelrooy turned up there. It’s no reflection on the Slovenian’s talents, which can grow to 87 if you’re patient.

Hugo Ekitike – (88 POT) – ST, Liverpool