Despite FIFA Ultimate Team being the dominant force in EA’s back pocket, there are still plenty of other great game modes in FIFA to enjoy – with one of these being Career Mode, and even though FIFA 21 may be just around the corner, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the game mode to the best of its ability.
However, Career Mode differs from Ultimate Team, and buying the best players in the game isn’t as simple in career mode – with it best to pay attention to players’ age and potential to build the best squad possible.
Career Mode is all about investment, finding the best young players and helping them grow into world-class talent – your Youth Academy will also play a big part in the game mode, helping you to produce the next Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo at your own club of choice.
So, who are the best wonderkids to buy in Career Mode you might ask? Well, let’s take a look at the best starting XI of U21 players that could take your team from the bottom of the league to European Champions…
Information provided via Futwiz is subject to change. All information provided is correct at time of publishing.
GK: Gianluigi Buffon
Current FIFA 20 Rating: 85
Potential FIFA 20 Rating: 92
Market Value: £33.5 million
The young Italian shot-stopper has the highest overall potential for a goalkeeper in career mode, rising from a base rating of 85 to 92. As well as standing at 6’5, Donnarumma has great base stats with 90 reflexes and diving and can be snapped up for £33.5 million.
Substitute: Dean Henderson (21, 79-87, £12 million)
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Current FIFA 20 Rating: 85
Potential FIFA 20 Rating: 90
Market Value: £36.5 million
At just 20-years-old at the start of FIFA 20, the Liverpool right-back has the highest growth potential of any other player in his position. Alexander-Arnold has a base rating of 85, making him already one of the best full-backs in the game, and has great passing stats for his position. The youngster can be picked up for £36.5 million in career mode.
Substitute: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (20, 82-89, £23.5 million)
CB: Joe Gomez
Current FIFA 20 Rating: 82
Potential FIFA 20 Rating: 89
Market Value: £23.5 million
Another Liverpool youngster, Joe Gomez has one of the highest growth potentials in the game. His base card of 82 can grow to 89 – and starts with 85 stand tackles and 83 interceptions, which are already great defensive stats. Gomez can be picked up for £23.5 million in career mode.
Substitute: Ibrahima Konate (20, 79-88, £14.5 million)
CB: Matthijs De Ligt
Current FIFA 20 Rating: 85
Potential FIFA 20 Rating: 92
Market Value: £39.5 million
The Dutch defender can become the best centre-back in the game with a potential rating of 92 – and with a base card of 85, he is still one of the best prior to his growth. De Ligt’s 88 strength is a standout stat, as well and 83 reactions and 82 composure, which are great stats for a defender. The player can be picked up for £39.5 million.
Substitute: William Saliba (18, 75-88, £9 million)
LB: Alphonso Davies
Current FIFA 20 Rating: 77
Potential FIFA 20 Rating: 88
Market Value: £10 million
Davies has the highest potential growth of every left-back in the game, growing 11 ratings from his base card of 77. His standout stats are his pace, with 95 acceleration and 92 sprint speed – and is only 18-years-old at the start of FIFA 20. The youngster is available for just £10 million in career mode.
Substitute: Rayan Ait Nouri (18, 70-85, £2.7 million)
CM: Houssem Aouar
Current FIFA 20 Rating: 81
Potential FIFA 20 Rating: 89
Market Value: £23 million
The French midfielder is a hot prospect in career mode, with an overall potential of 89. Aouar’s dribbling is his standout statistics, with 85 ball control and 85 dribbling, making him a wizard with the ball. The player starts career mode at 20-years-old and could be purchased for £23 million.
Substitute: Exequiel Palacios (20, 78-88, £14 million)
CM: Federico Valverde
Current FIFA 20 Rating: 82
Potential FIFA 20 Rating: 90
Market Value: £28.5 million
Federico Valverde has one of the highest potential ratings for a midfielder in career mode, reaching 90 overall. His base card starts at an already impressive 82 – and his standout stats include his 86 stamina, 83 long passing, and 82 short passing. The now 21-year-old can be picked up for £28.5 million.
Substitute: Bruno Guimaraes (20, 77-87, £12.5 million)
CAM: Kai Havertz
Current FIFA 20 Rating: 84
Potential FIFA 20 Rating: 93
Market Value: £41 million
The German wonderkid has one of the highest overall potentials of any player in the game – with an already great base card of 84. The attacking midfielder already possesses well rounded and impressive stats, with 87 sprint speed, 87 ball control, and 84 finishing. Havertz starts career mode at just 20-years-old and can be bought for £41 million.
Substitute: Phil Foden (19, 77-89, £13 million)
RW: Jadon Sancho
Current FIFA 20 Rating: 86
Potential FIFA 20 Rating: 94
Market Value: £53 million
Jadon Sancho is already one of the best young players in the world and proves that with a current rating of 86 – but with the potential to go up to 94 overall, the young English winger is a must buy. Currently boasting 92, dribbling, 91 ball control, and 91 agility – Sancho already has some of the best dribbling stats in the game but will cost a cool £53 million in career mode.
Substitute: Rodrygo (18, 78-91, £15.5 million)
ST: Kylian Mbappe
Current FIFA 20 Rating: 89
Potential FIFA 20 Rating: 95
Market Value: £79 million
There was no doubt that Kylian Mbappe would be in the starting XI – the French forward can become the highest-rated player in the game with a potential of 95. With 96 pace, 90 dribbling, and 95 shooting, Mbappe is already one of the best strikers in the game – but will cost a large sum of £79 million in career mode.
Substitute: Erling Braut-Haaland (19, 80-90, £19.5 million)
LW: Vinicius Junior
Current FIFA 20 Rating: 79
Potential FIFA 20 Rating: 92
Market Value: £20 million
The Brazilian winger has a fantastic growth, going up 13 ratings from a base card of 79 to an incredible 92. The 19-year-old already has 93 pace and 86 dribbling, and can become one of the best wingers in the game if coached properly in career mode. Vinicius can be picked up for £20 million – a great price considering his potential.
Substitute: Ansu Fati (16, 73-90, £7 million)