Best young players to sign in 2026/27
The best under-21s in the 2026/27 season, from every league in Gaffa, with how far each one could go.
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The best under-21 in Gaffa's 2026/27 database is Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona, age 19), followed by João Neves and D. Doué.
Top 30 young players for 2026/27
Potential band: Elite means a likely world-class player, Very high an international-level player. In Gaffa, a player only reaches his potential with game time and good training.
| # | Player | Age | Position | Club | Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamine Yamal | 19 | Forward | FC Barcelona | Elite |
| 2 | João Neves | 21 | Midfielder | Paris Saint-Germain | Elite |
| 3 | D. Doué | 21 | Forward | Paris Saint-Germain | Elite |
| 4 | Pau Cubarsí | 19 | Defender | FC Barcelona | Elite |
| 5 | K. Yıldız | 21 | Midfielder | Juventus | Elite |
| 6 | Y. Diomande | 19 | Forward | Real Madrid | Very high |
| 7 | A. Güler | 21 | Midfielder | Real Madrid | Elite |
| 8 | W. Zaïre-Emery | 20 | Midfielder | Paris Saint-Germain | Very high |
| 9 | N. O'Reilly | 21 | Defender | Manchester City | High |
| 10 | V. Froholdt | 20 | Midfielder | FC Porto | High |
| 11 | D. Huijsen | 21 | Defender | Real Madrid | Elite |
| 12 | L. Vušković | 19 | Defender | Brighton & Hove Albion | Very high |
| 13 | K. Mainoo | 21 | Midfielder | Manchester United | Very high |
| 14 | R. Risser | 21 | Goalkeeper | RC Lens | High |
| 15 | Estêvão | 19 | Midfielder | Chelsea | Elite |
| 16 | A. Bouaddi | 18 | Midfielder | Manchester City | Very high |
| 17 | E. Kroupi | 20 | Forward | AFC Bournemouth | Very high |
| 18 | J. Manzambi | 20 | Midfielder | Aston Villa | Very high |
| 19 | I. Maza | 20 | Midfielder | Bayer 04 Leverkusen | Very high |
| 20 | N. Sadiki | 21 | Midfielder | Sunderland | High |
| 21 | Rayan | 20 | Midfielder | AFC Bournemouth | Elite |
| 22 | Endrick | 20 | Forward | Real Madrid | Elite |
| 23 | T. Bischof | 21 | Midfielder | FC Bayern München | Very high |
| 24 | S. Mayulu | 20 | Midfielder | Paris Saint-Germain | Very high |
| 25 | Álex Jiménez | 21 | Defender | Fiorentina | High |
| 26 | J. Hato | 20 | Defender | Chelsea | Elite |
| 27 | A. Nusa | 21 | Forward | RB Leipzig | Elite |
| 28 | M. Lewis-Skelly | 19 | Defender | Arsenal | Very high |
| 29 | L. Bergvall | 20 | Midfielder | Tottenham Hotspur | Very high |
| 30 | L. Yoro | 20 | Defender | Manchester United | Very high |
Best young player in each position
| Position | Player | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | R. Risser | 21 | RC Lens |
| Defender | Pau Cubarsí | 19 | FC Barcelona |
| Midfielder | João Neves | 21 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| Forward | Lamine Yamal | 19 | FC Barcelona |
Getting the most out of them
Young players grow with minutes. Loan them to a club where they will start, or give them cup games and late substitute appearances. Our youth development guide covers the rest.
Common questions
Who is the best wonderkid in 2026/27?
In Gaffa's 2026/27 database, Lamine Yamal is the best under-21, on updated 2026/27 ratings.
Can I sign these players for free?
The game is free. In the game you still need the transfer budget, and big clubs rarely sell their best young players cheaply.
Play the 2026/27 season free
Gaffa has this season's squads and updated player ratings across 28 leagues. Free, no download, no account, and it keeps working with no signal.
Football Manager 2026/27 hub → · Best teams to manage 2026/27 → · FM26 wonderkids on a budget →