Football Manager 2022 Wonderkids: Best Young Italian Players to Sign

The Italian national team are a feared force in the world of international football, boasting four World Cups and two European Championships. They’re continuously churning out top talents year after year.

In this article, we focus on the new generation of top-class players coming out of Italy in FM 22.

Choosing the best young Italian players on FM 22

This page showcases the best young stars hailing from Italy, with Matteo Gabbia, Sandro Tonali, and Matteo Lovato ranking among the best in FM 22.

To ensure that we only have the best young Italians in this article, the players were chosen based upon them being 21-years-old or younger, having a potential ability rating of at least 150 or a PA range of 140-170, and their nationality set as Italian.

At the bottom of the page, you’ll find the full list of ALL the best young Italian players in FM 22.

Sandro Tonali (147 CA / 173 PA)

Team: AC Milan
Age: 21
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 147 CA / 173 PA
Wage: £36,500 p/w
Value:  £35 million
Best Positions: DM, MC
Best Attributes: 15 First Touch, 15 Technique, 15 Corners

One of the brightest talents developing in Italy right now, 21-year-old Sandro Tonali’s 147 CA and 173 PA rank him as the number one wonderkid in the Azzurri’s ranks.

Possessing the Dictates Tempo trait, Tonali relishes in controlling the midfield, utilising his 15 first touch, 15 technique, and 14 passing to dominate possession for your side. A set-piece specialist in the making, the young Italian’s 14 freekick taking, 13 long shots, and 15 corners ensure that he’s lethal from dead-ball situations.

The prodigious talent began his career with Italian side Brescia. After graduating from their academy, Tonali caught the attention of some of the world’s biggest clubs with his impressive performances, choosing to sign with Serie A giants AC Milan.

Despite missing eight games through injury last term – his first season with AC Milan – Tonali featured heavily across all competitions, playing 37 games. Even though he didn’t manage a single assist or goal, his defensive contribution was enough for his side to finish second in Serie A.

Giacomo Raspadori (135 CA / 165 PA)

Team: Sassuolo
Age: 21
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 135 CA / 165 PA
Wage: £3,000 p/w
Value:  £16.5 million
Best Positions: AM (LC), ST
Best Attributes: 16 Agility, 16 Off the Ball, 16 Flair

Potentially the next star leading Italy’s frontline, 21-year-old Giacomo Raspadori is a striker with a bright future ahead of him, sporting a 135 CA and 165 PA in FM22.

His 16 off the ball, 16 flair, and 15 finishing enable him to punish defenders both on and off the ball. Raspadori possesses a very desirable trait in a striker with his ability to use either foot comfortably being enhanced by his 13 dribbling and 15 first touch.

Rising star Raspadori plies his trade for Serie A side Sassuolo. He made his debut for his boyhood club when he was 19-years-old, during the 2019/20 season. Since then, he’s gone from strength to strength. Last season, he began nailing down a starting spot in his side’s frontline, making 29 appearances, scoring six, and assisting three more as he earned himself a debut call-up to the Italian national team.

Matteo Gabbia (131 CA / 159 PA)

Team: AC Milan
Age: 21
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 131 CA / 159 PA
Wage: £18,000 p/w
Value:  £12 million
Best Positions: DC
Best Attributes: 14 Strength, 14 Tackling, 14 Marking

Matteo Gabbia is the first defender on our list. The 21-year-old centre back’s 131 CA and 159 PA put him in a position to become a future star.

The ball-playing defender comes equipped with very impressive defensive attributes. Gabbia’s 14 tackling, 14 marking, and 13 positioning give him an edge in most battles. Bolstering his great defensive capabilities is his physical prowess, showcased by 14 strength, 14 jumping reach, and 14 stamina combined with his 6’1’’ stature to make him a brilliant prospect.

Another youngster playing for Serie A giants AC Milan, Gabbia has risen through the ranks at the San Siro with a loan spell to Serie C side Lucchese separating his time in Milan. Gabbia has had to be patient for his chance to impress but is steadily proving himself with each performance. Last season, he lined up 13 times for the Serie A runners-up.

Marco Carnesecchi (120 CA / 158 PA)

Team: Cremonese (on-loan from Atalanta)
Age: 21
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 120 CA / 158 PA
Wage: £3,000 p/w
Value: £6 million
Best Positions: GK
Best Attributes: 15 Reflexes, 15 Stamina, 15 Determination

21-year-old Marco Carnesecchi has some big shoes to fill when it comes to the national team. Still, with a 120 CA and 158 PA, he certainly has the potential to challenge at the very top in FM22.

Carnesecchi’s natural ability in goal is reflected in his 15 reflexes, 14 handling, and 13 one on ones, which are backed up by his 12 decisions and 12 positioning. At 6’3’’ and possessing 15 jumping reach and 14 aerial reach, the Italian is imperious in the air, easily collecting stray crosses that come his way.

The talented goalkeeper and Italy under-21s captain, Carnesecchi joined Serie B side Cremonese on-loan from parent club Atalanta in January 2021 until the end of the 2021/22 season. Before joining Cremonese on-loan, Carnesecchi hadn’t played for Atalanta, but proceeded to feature heavily for his loan club, keeping seven clean sheets in his opening 20 appearances.

Matteo Lovato (129 CA / 158 PA)

Team: Atalanta
Age: 21
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 129 CA / 158 PA
Wage: £12,000 p/w
Value: £11 million 
Best Positions: DC
Best Attributes: 15 Marking, 15 Heading, 15 Strength

From a country with a rich history in the art of defending, it isn’t surprising that another centre back features among Italy’s wonderkids in FM22. Here, it’s 21-year-old Matteo Lovato: the next addition to our featured players.

He presents himself as an astute defensive mind, prioritising his ability to defend over other technical attributes, with his 15 heading, 15 marking, 14 positioning, and 14 tackling showing the makings of an elite centre back. Lovato also has great ability in the air due to his 15 jumping reach and 15 strength, creating a formidable opponent.

Along with Marco Carnesecchi, Matteo Lovato is another wonderkid on the books at Atalanta, having joined in the 2021/22 summer transfer window from fellow Serie A side Hellas Verona. The domineering centre back enjoyed a successful season last term, making his debut at the beginning of the season. He went on to feature 24 times for Hellas Verona.

Gabriele Zappa (127 CA / 157 PA)

Team: Cagliari
Age: 21
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 127 CA / 157 PA
Wage: £9,000 p/w
Value: £350,000
Best Positions: DR, DWBR
Best Attributes: 15 Teamwork, 14 Work Rate, 14 Stamina

Gabriele Zappa is the first full-back on our list. The 21-year-old’s 127 CA and 157 PA and cheap transfer value make him a quality Italian wonderkid pick at right back.

Zappa has a great pool of all-rounded attributes to draw from in-game. His 14 acceleration, 14 pace, and 14 stamina provide brilliant athletic ability, while his 13 crossing, 12 technique, and 12 dribbling show his quality on the ball. The right back also boasts 12 marking, 13 tackling, and 13 positioning, proving that the Italian has ability in defence and attack.

Zappa learnt his trade in the academy of Inter Milan until he was sold to Pescara in 2019. Here, he played just one season before moving on again, this time to Serie A side Cagliari on-loan, with the deal becoming permanent for the 2021/22 season. The loan spell last season proved very fruitful for the young right-back, with the Italian playing 36 games to tally four assists.

Eddie Salcedo (121 CA / 154 PA)

Team: Spezia (on-loan from Inter Milan)
Age: 19
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 121 CA / 154 PA
Wage: £4,700 p/w
Value: £8.8 million  
Best Positions: AM (LC), ST
Best Attributes: 15 Natural Fitness, 14 Pace, 14 Acceleration

19-year-old striker Eddie Salcedo has a season on-loan ahead of him when you start FM22, helping the Italian marksman grow from his 121 CA towards his 154 PA.

Salcedo has the makings of a potent finisher. His 12 finishing, 11 long shots, and 13 heading are great starting attributes to develop, although his trait Likes to Beat Opponent Repeatedly could hinder his impact on the pitch. Salcedo’s 14 acceleration and 14 pace provide him with enough speed to punish opponents.

Originally a product of Genoa’s academy, Salcedo soon found himself signing for Serie A giant Inter Milan, from which he’s spent the last two seasons on-loan with Hellas Verona and Spezia. Last season, the highly-rated striker was lining up for Hellas Verona. He featured in 23 games, scoring three, and setting up two more as his search for a Nerazzurri debut continued.

All of the best young Italian wonderkids on FM22

In the table below, you’ll find all of the best young Italian talents in FM22, sorted by their potential ability (PA).

Whether you need to fill a homegrown quota in Italy or simply want to sign the nation’s top talents, you’ll find the best Italian wonderkids in the table above.