In the latest part of our series about talented young players from a particular country who could make a big impact, we have arrived at French players. Over the years, France has become renowned as a country that produces top-quality players. Here are some younger French players who could be stars on FM25:
(Most wonderkids from FM24 have been excluded from our list)
Hugo Ekitike (PSG)
The young forward initially joined German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt on loan in February 2024. He showed flashes of his ability before completing a permanent move to the Eagles for a reported fee of €16.5m.
Ekitike has really found form this season in Frankfurt, scoring 11 goals in 21 appearances in all competitions. The young forward is finally fulfilling the undoubted potential he showed at PSG in his earlier days.
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The forward’s stats and potential have not been great in recent FM editions. By the time FM25 comes out, Ekitike may well have had an even bigger impact for the Eagles, so his attributes may just receive a sharp increase.
Bradley Barcola (PSG)
The youngster has shown flashes of his talent in previous seasons. With the last of the superstar forwards, Kylian Mbappe, heading to Real Madrid in the summer, Barcola has stepped up his game in their absence.
The versatile young forward has scored ten times in Ligue One this season, as well as providing two assists. He has been one of the standout players, not just for PSG but also in the French top flight as a whole.
Although Barcola has always been regarded as a promising player in the past, his stats were never fantastic. There was never an edition in which he was considered a wonderkid, and he fulfilled his potential.
However, if the 22-year-old continues in his current vein of form, then his stats, both current and potential, could be far improved in FM25.
Mohamed Ali-Cho (Nice)
The 20-year-old has looked like a player with immense promise in recent seasons. He is now in his second season back in French football with Nice. Ali-Cho has shown signs of that potential this season, but his performances have maybe deserved more than his three goals and one assist in 15 outings in all competitions.
The versatile forward, who can play on the right wing and also as a central striker, could well see his stats boosted in FM25 if his form improves slightly.
Castello Lukeba (RB Leipzig)
The young defender made his name in Lyon in his homeland before switching to German club RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023. After a slightly mixed debut campaign, the 21-year-old enjoyed an improved campaign this season.
Lukeba is a centre-back who is comfortable on the ball, and one of his biggest attributes is his passing. He also likes to bring the ball out of defence.
Lyon beat PSG away with this young trio all helping to keep the clean sheet:
🇫🇷 Castello Lukeba (20)
❌ 6 interceptions
💪 6 ball recoveries🇨🇮 Sinaly Diomandé (21)
⚔️ 5/5 tackles won
❌ 4 interception
💪 6 ball recoveries🇫🇷 Saël Kumbedi (18)
🅰️ 1 assist
💪 8 ball recoveries pic.twitter.com/8MalezKrth— Football Wonderkids (@fbwonderkids) April 2, 2023
The fact that he has already earned a call-up to the French national side despite immense competition for places shows his promise. The defender’s attributes have been modest in past editions of FM. However, his potential should increase at least on FM25.
Evann Guessand (Nice) (Born in France, but now represents Ivory Coast)
The attacking midfielder has been something of a late bloomer, although he is still only 23. He had a decent season in 2023/24, scoring six goals in Ligue One despite being in and out of the team.
Guessand has already made more starts this season for Nice in the French top flight, starting 15 times, and has already matched his goal tally from the previous campaign. He has also produced two assists, so this season has seen a general improvement.
If he can keep producing goals and assists at the same rate, then Guessand could be yet another French player with his stats boosted on FM25.
Arnaud Kalimuendo (Rennes)
The 22-year-old forward has enjoyed a steady couple of seasons in the French top flight. This season, he has scored six times in Ligue One for Rennes and once again looked like a major attacking threat.
Kalimuendo has been a wonderkid in previous editions of the game, often fulfilling his potential at the top level.
10 – Arnaud Kalimuendo (19 years, 283 days) has become the youngest player to score 10 goals in Ligue 1 since Kylian Mbappé in March 2017. Wonderkid. #OLRCL pic.twitter.com/G6sNYlWZIr
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) October 30, 2021
It may be time that his stats reflect his performances on the pitch, and he gets a slight boost in attributes in FM25.
Enzo Millot (Stuttgart)
The young central midfielder has enjoyed another productive campaign with Die Roten. Not only has he scored four goals and produced two assists in the Bundesliga, but he has also shone in the Champions League, scoring two goals and producing three assists in six appearances.
At 22 years old, Millot is developing nicely as a player, and his performances this season will surely see his stats improved for FM25.
Habib Diarra (Strasbourg)
The 20-year-old midfielder has been in and around the Strasbourg first-team for a few seasons now. This season, he has shown some improvement in his displays and has already matched his goal tally from the last two campaigns despite playing just 14 games in season 2024/25.
His ability to help his team hit the opposition on the counter-attack is excellent. Diarra’s goal tally may not seem to be massive this season, but the fact he has matched his recent season goal tallies for a whole campaign is evidence of his improvement.
Diarra’s stats on FM have not been great in the past. However, his improved displays may well see his stats rise in FM25.
