Football Manager 2022 Wonderkids: Best Young Left Backs (LB) to Sign

As much as the traditional stay-at-home left back is rarely seen anymore, there’s still a need for teams to have an athletic player to flank the defence.

Regardless of if you play four or three at the back, this list of the best wonderkid left backs in FM22 has you covered, with young players suited to the DL and WBL role featured.

Choosing the best young left backs (DL & WBL) on FM22

With the likes of Owen Wijndal, Alphonso Davies, and Nuno Tavares featured, this list looks at all of the very best wonderkid left backs in FM22.

To make the cut, each player had to be 21-years-old or younger, have at least a 19 rating for DL or WBL, and have a potential ability (PA) or PA Range of at least 150 or 140-170.

At the foot of the article, you’ll find the complete list of all of the best young left backs (DL & WBL) in FM22.

1. Alphonso Davies (160 CA / 178 PA)

Team: FC Bayern Munich
Age: 20
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 160 CA / 178 PA
Wage: £82,211 p/w
Value: £46 million – 67 million
Best Positions: DL, WBL, ML, AML
Best Attributes: 19 Pace, 19 Acceleration, 17 Determination

Starting the game as one of the best left backs outright with a 160 CA, Alphonso Davies is also the best wonderkid DL and WBL in FM22, thanks to his exorbitant 178 PA.

Athleticism is the primary attribute of Davies’ game. His 19 acceleration, 16 natural fitness, 15 stamina, and 19 pace allow him to be effective anywhere down the left flank. He’s also strong technically, already boasting 16 dribbling, 15 teamwork, and 13 passing.

The Ghana-born Canadian may only be 21-years-old right now, but he’s been one of the first names in Bayern Munich’s starting XI for the last couple of seasons. Just before his 100^th game for the Bavarian giants, Davies had already scored five goals and 17 assists.

2. Miguel Gutiérrez (122 CA / 165 PA)

Team: Real Madrid
Age: 20
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 122 CA / 165 PA
Wage: £9,500 p/w
Value: £21 million – £26 million
Best Positions: DL, WBL
Best Attributes: 16 Determination, 15 Dribbling, 15 Leadership

Still a bit of a diamond in the rough with a 122 CA, Miguel Gutiérrez boasts a mighty 165 PA to make him one of the best young left backs in FM22.

If you want a well-rounded full-back, Gutiérrez is shaping up to be the perfect pick. His 14 crossing, 15 dribbling, and 13 passing make him excellent in possession, while the Spaniard’s 12 tackling, 15 leadership, and 13 off the ball mean that you can trust him defensively as well.

Towards the end of last season, Gutiérrez was thrust into first-team action for Real Madrid, starting in each of the last three games. This season, the Madrid-born defender has bounced between the first-team and B team, with Ferland Mendy and Marcelo blocking the path to regular La Liga action.

3. Luke Thomas (132 CA / 160 PA)

Team: Leicester City
Age: 20
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 132 CA / 160 PA
Wage: £25,000 p/w
Value: £39 million – £46 million
Best Positions: DL, WBL
Best Attributes: 16 Work Rate, 15 Stamina, 15 Crossing

At just 20-years-old, Luke Thomas already totes a 132 CA, but it’s his wonderkid-worthy 160 PA that lands him among the best young left backs to sign in FM22.

Perfectly suited to playing at either DL or WBL, Thomas is also a well-rounded player to have on the left flank. The Englishman’s 15 crossing, 14 tackling, 13 first touch, 16 work rate, 13 teamwork, 15 stamina, and 14 acceleration allow him to be trusted in all situations.

Born in Syston, Thomas was given a few starts for Leicester City back at the end of the 2019/20 campaign. Last season, he earned another 25 appearances domestically and in Europe, playing at left back and left midfield. This season, he continues to compete for the Foxes’ left back role.

4. Owen Wijndal (134 CA / 159 PA)

Team: AZ Alkmaar
Age: 21
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 134 CA / 159 PA
Wage: £4,800 p/w
Value: £34 million – £49 million
Best Positions: DL, WBL
Best Attributes: 16 Bravery, 15 Flair, 15 Tackling

Owen Wijndal’s 159 PA makes him a prime wonderkid to target, which is only enforced by his first-team-ready 134 CA as well as what could be a relatively cheap transfer fee of £34 million.

The Dutch 21-year-old’s strengths are in his 16 bravery, 15 tackling, 14 crossing, and 15 stamina. When played higher up the pitch, at WBL or ML, he can make better use of his 14 acceleration, 14 pace, and 15 flair.

Already featuring as AZ Alkmaar’s captain, Wijndal will almost certainly be a big-money signing in the next couple of years. He has 11 caps for the Netherlands at the time of writing and had five direct goal contributions as of his 13^th appearance of this season.

5. Nuno Tavares (132 CA / 155 PA)

Team: Arsenal
Age: 21
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 132 CA / 155 PA
Wage: £30,000 p/w
Value: £43 million – £62 million
Best Positions: DL, WBL
Best Attributes: 16 Natural Fitness, 15 Acceleration, 15 Bravery

Happy at playing in either left back role, Nuno Tavares’ 132 CA would lend him as a decent starter, but it’s his 155 PA that makes him such a prime transfer target for your club.

The Portuguese wonderkid excels in the physical and mental side of his game, with his 16 natural fitness, 15 acceleration, 15 pace, 14 stamina, and 15 bravery being the highlights. Tavares is a bit lacking on the technical side, though, with 12 crossing, 11 dribbling, ten marking, and 13 tackling.

Born in Lisboa, Tavares played his way through the youth systems of Casa Pia AC, Sporting, and Benfica, making his first-team debut for As Águias in 2019. Over the summer, he joined Arsenal for what looks to be a bargain £7.2 million, becoming a first-team regular for the Gunners since the switch.

6. Sergio Gómez (130 CA / 155 PA)

Team: RSC Anderlecht
Age: 20
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 130 CA / 155 PA
Wage: £10,687 p/w
Value: £9.4 million – £13.5 million
Best Positions: DL, WBL, AMC
Best Attributes: 17 Crossing, 16 First Touch, 16 Flair

Coming in with the same 155 PA as Nuno Tavares, Sergio Gómez slips just a bit behind due to his slightly lower 130 CA. Regardless, his potential ability rating places him in the upper echelons of the best left back wonderkids in FM22.

Gómez has the unique trait of being able to play to the best of his abilities at DL, WBL, and AMC. His 16 first touch, 17 crossing, 15 passing, and 16 flair certainly lend him to the attacking midfielder role. Still, his 14 composure and 14 teamwork help his lacking defensive attributes.

Still only 21-years-old, Gómez has already been a part of Espanyol, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, and SD Huesca. His latest move saw him depart BVB for RSC Anderlecht, going to Belgium for £2 million over the summer. This season, he’s invariably played as the starting left back.

7. Juan Miranda (130 CA / 152 PA)

Team: Real Hispalis (Real Betis)
Age: 21
Current Ability / Potential Ability: 130 CA / 152 PA
Wage: £6,801 p/w
Value: £10.5 million – £13 million
Best Positions: DL, WBL
Best Attributes: 15 Natural Fitness, 15 Tackling, 15 Flair

A very well-rounded left back to sign in FM22, Juan Miranda’s already strong 130 CA can grow even further into his 152 PA, landing him as a potential wonderkid.

The Spaniard already has decent attribute ratings in several key areas. His 12 heading, 12 marking, 15 tackling, and 13 positioning make him solid defensively. Going forward, Miranda can tap into his 13 crossing, 14 first touch, 15 flair, and 14 pace.

Having spent a season out on-loan to Real Betis – following a season with FC Schalke – Miranda was permitted to depart Barcelona for free this summer. Now back with the team that he started his career with, the Olivares-native often features in the starting XI.

All the best young left back (DL & WBL) wonderkids on FM22

See below for the full list of all of the best young left backs to sign in FM22, with the picks arranged by their potential ability ratings.

Lock in the left back role for years to come in FM22 by signing one of these DL and WBL wonderkids for your team.