Often times the difference between winning and losing in Football Manager 2016 won’t be which side has the quicker scoring machine or the ball possession leader, but by the strength of the defenders.
When it comes to choosing said defenders, being able to put a youngster in the position who can play just as well as a veteran provides at least two significant benefits: less risk of injury and more room for statistical growth.
Even in actual football we’ve seen the difference one elite youngster on defense can make on a team’s fortunes (just look at Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin or Man United’s Luke Shaw). So try to snatch these wonderkids and/or their teams up at the first opportunity.
Here are the 10 best overall defenders available as Football Manager 16 wonderkids:
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10. Emanuel Mammana
9. Elmir Nabiullin
8. Felix Passlack
7. Rodrigo Moreira
6. Lucas
5. Daniele Rugani
4. Jose Gaya
3. Alessio Romagnoli
AC Milan spent nearly €30m (per Bleacher Report) to land Romagnoli in large part because his potential is absolutely incredible. And he’s shown flashes of brilliance for the Serie A club so far.
2. Hector Bellerin
Arsenal’s feature left back has emerged as a finalist for the prestigious Golden Boy Award and is in a class of his own as a defender. His continued growth could make him the final piece in a long-awaited Arsenal title win.
1. Luke Shaw
Before suffering a gruesome leg injury in the Champions League, Shaw was making a serious case for the best defender in football. If he can make a full recovery by the start of next season he’ll be a force to be reckoned with.