Football Manager 2021 Wonderkids: Best Young Left Wingers (LW) to Sign

Devastating teams with their pace, skill, and vision down the left flank, wingers spend the game punishing defenders any way that they can. Not just utilised for their crossing ability, but adding goals to the team is vital for a wideout’s success in every league.

A winger’s job has become even tougher in recent years. As full-backs have become more adventurous in the modern game, the defensive duties expected of the attacking players has increased as well.

Some of the most exciting players in the world occupy this position, setting the game ablaze with their blistering pace and trickery. Experts at beating their man and bringing cheers from the crowd as they hone-in on the final third, the top left winger leave everyone in their wake.

In this article, we discover the next generation of wonderkid left wingers (AML) to sign in Football Manager 2021.

Choosing the best young left wingers in FM 21

We chose this list of players based on three criteria that they had to meet:

• An age of 21-years-old or younger;
• A minimum positional rating of 18 in attacking midfield left (AML);
• A minimum potential ability (PA) of 150, or a minimum PA range of -9 (150-180).

Within FM 21, potential ability is classed in two different ways – the most common being a set number between zero and 200, with 200 being the best PA rating. Much like in real life, however, players can exceed expectations or fall short depending on the circumstances of their careers.

This is reflected in-game, with some players potential given a negative rating, indicating a range that their current ability will fall between in each new save. The PA ranges used here follow this pattern: -10 (170-200), -95 (160-190), and -9 (150-180).

This article contains the top five left wingers with the highest potential ability rating in FM 21. There’s a table featuring all of the wonderkids meeting our criteria at the base of the page.

Kylian Mbappé (181 CA / 196 PA)

Team: Paris Saint-Germain
Age: 21
Best Positions: AML, AMR, ST
Current Ability/Potential Ability: 181 CA / 196 PA
Value: £83 million
Wages: £403,088 per week
Best Attributes: 20 Pace, 20 Acceleration, 18 Composure

Starting with AS Monaco, it didn’t take long for Kylian Mbappé to show the world what he’s capable of with the ball at his feet. Scoring 27 goals and assisting 16 more in his 60 appearances with Les Monégasques, his sensational form prompted French giants Paris Saint-Germain to come calling for his signature.

Agreeing on a deal to bring the hot property in on-loan for the 2017/18 season, a massive £130.5 million transfer fee made the move permanent in the following season. Mbappé has carried on staking his claim as the world’s most potent attacker; at the time of writing, he has reached 100 goals and 58 assists for the Parisians in just 137 appearances.

Mbappé has been a prominent feature in our attacking FM 21 wonderkids guides, due to his sheer talent and ability to play across the front three with ease. His raw 20 pace and pin-point 17 finishing, paired with 18 composure and 18 dribbling, mean that he is a constant threat in every game.

It’s going to take an almighty fee to pry him away from PSG, as he presents himself as one of the world’s best players from the off. It could be worth trying your luck, especially as the pay-off is massive should you succeed in tempting Mbappé to your club.

Jadon Sancho (158 CA / 178 PA)

Team: Borussia Dortmund
Age: 20
Best Positions: AML, ML, AMR, MR
Current Ability/Potential Ability: 158 CA / 178 PA
Value: £40.5 million
Wages: £160,272 per week
Best Attributes: 18 Agility, 18 Dribbling, 17 Acceleration

Originally plucked from Watford’s youth academy by Manchester City, Jadon Sancho was earmarked for greatness at a young age. In 2017, Borussia Dortmund managed to agree a £7.05 million deal for the then 17-year-old, in a transfer coup that shocked the Premier League.

Having featured 112 times for Dortmund so far in his young career, Sancho’s talent is evident. Despite being so young, he’s managed to become a main fixture in the German side’s first-team, scoring 37 goals and setting up 48 more to endear himself to the famous ‘Yellow Wall.’

The nimble winger prefers to be used on the left side in FM 21, cutting in from the flank using his 18 dribbling, 17 acceleration, and right footedness to great effect. Fantastic with the ball at his feet, beating players with his 18 agility, 17 technique, and 16 flair to advance into attacking areas.

Signing this AML wonderkid will also take some skill and tact in the negotiating room. Having recently signed a new contract, he won’t be looking to move at the start of FM 21. Keep tabs on him, though, as there might be an opportunity later to snatch England’s crown jewel from Borussia Dortmund.

João Félix (159 CA / 175 PA)

Team: Atlético Madrid
Age: 20
Best Positions: AML, AMC, ST
Current Ability/Potential Ability: 159 CA / 175 PA
Value: £50 million
Wages: £164,753 per week
Best Attributes: 20 Flair, 18 Technique, 18 Off the Ball

Having become one of Europe’s hottest properties while playing for Benfica in Portugal, Atlético Madrid spent big on João Félix in 2019. Signing the wonderkid for £114.48 million, El Atleti smashed their transfer record to bring in the coveted wonderkid.

The heavy expectations such a price tag comes with, and the step-up to La Liga, may have affected Félix’s first season: the forward scored six and assisted once in 27 league games last term. Five goals and three assists from 10 games so far this campaign, however, makes it clear that he’s settled and raring to go.

Beating players for fun wherever he’s played in FM 21, the AML wonderkid’s ridiculous 20 flair and 17 dribbling allow him to make mince-meat of anyone trying to tackle him. Félix never struggles to find his teammates, either, boasting 17 passing and 16 vision to complement his skilful play style.

If you’re looking to sign this silky forward, a sum in the region of £110 million will persuade Atlético Madrid to part ways with the Portuguese international – some intense negotiating can bring that figure down. Félix’s talents and potential ability are more than enough to consider the move if the funds are available.

Christian Pulisic (158 CA / 170 PA)

Team: Chelsea
Age: 21
Best Positions: AML
Current Ability/Potential Ability: 158 CA / 170 PA
Value: £39.5 million
Wages: £150,000 per week
Best Attributes: 19 Agility, 18 Dribbling, 17 Acceleration

America’s brightest prospect, Christian Pulisic was first scouted and brought to Europe by German side Borussia Dortmund back in 2015. Through his 127 appearances in Germany, he developed into an exciting and direct winger, contributing 19 goals and 26 assists by the time he was just 20-years-old.

Chelsea saw the Pennsylvania talent as the perfect answer to rejuvenating their options on the wing, spending £57.6 million to secure his services in January 2019. Pulisic joined up with his new teammates at the end of that season; he’s now sealed 13 goals and ten assists in 42 games with the Blues.

Pulisic’s 17 work rate bolsters his love of getting forward, using 18 dribbling and 17 acceleration relentlessly. Improving his 14 stamina will ensure that he’s capable of doing this all game – even during the busiest periods of the season.

Another area to consider developing is the left wing wonderkid’s mental attributes of 12 consistency and 12 composure; doing so will inevitably improve his productivity for your side, matching his outstanding physical ability.

Dwight McNeil (135 CA / 165 PA)

Team: Burnley
Age: 20
Best Positions: AML, ML
Current Ability/Potential Ability: 135 CA / 165 PA
Value: £19.5 million
Wages: £45,000 per week
Best Attributes: 16 Determination, 16 Natural Fitness, 15 Dribbling

Beating some illustrious names to make it into the top-five is Burnley’s Dwight McNeil. Starting his career as a Manchester United youth player, Burnley recognised his talents and snapped him up in 2014.

While still nurturing his game, he’s cemented his place in the Clarets starting XI. Playing 79 times for the English club, scoring five and assisting 12, he’s been a key piece for Burnley as they continue to strive to become an established Premier League club.

A traditional left-footed winger, McNeil’s key attributes come in the form of 16 determination and 16 natural fitness in FM 21. His determined character complements his 15 dribbling, 14 pace, and 14 work rate as he tears down the flank to cross the ball to the target men upfront.

The key areas to improve that will help this wonderkid flourish are his 11 stamina, 12 consistency, and 12 decisions. Developing these attributes will build a player who’s not only willing to work for the team, but also play to his potential week in, week out.

All the best wonderkid left wingers (AML) in FM 21

In the table below, you’ll find all of the best wonderkid left wingers (AML) in FM 21. Players are sorted by their PA, with those given a negative PA arranged per their lowest possible PA within their given range.

Adding one of these left wing wonderkids to your side will signal your intent to be the best team out there in Football Manager 21.