In the latest series looking at talented younger players from different countries who could be stars in FM25, we look at younger German players who could make a mark in the new edition of the game:
Jonathan Burkardt (Mainz)
The forward has been a hot prospect for a while in the German game. However, injury issues have hampered his progress in recent campaigns. Burkardt still managed eight goals and two assists last season in 18 Bundesliga starts and three substitute appearances.
However, the now 24-year-old has genuinely shone in front of goal in the German top flight in season 2024/25. He has scored ten goals and produced one assist in the latest Bundesliga campaign while avoiding any of his old injury issues.
If he continues in his current vein of form, then he could well finish the season as one of the league’s highest-scoring players. If he does, then surely that means that his stats will be boosted in FM25 when it finally gets its release sometime in 2025.
Maximilian Beier (BVB Dortmund)
The 22-year-old forward has enjoyed a steady rise over the past few seasons. He started to catch the eye in season 2022/23 when he scored seven times for Hannover. His goals earned him a move to Hoffenheim in the summer of 2023.
It was in Sinsheim that he really shone, as he scored 16 times in the German top flight. Once again, he was on the move in the summer of 2024, this time to Dortmund. He has made a promising start to life at his new club.
Juventus linked with a move for promising German striker Maximilian Beier #Beier #Transfers #Juventus https://t.co/PdMhjKFPQV
— Italian Football News 🇮🇹 (@footitalia1) July 27, 2024
The versatile forward, who can operate on both wings, form and development, should see his stats going up on FM25.
Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich)
The 20-year-old midfielder broke into the Bayern Munich first-team in season 2023/24, making 14 starts and five substitute appearances for the Bavarians. He found a steady level of performance, even contributing two goals and two assists, and Pavlovic established himself as one of the brightest young players in the game.
Pavlovic has continued to play more first-team football in season 2024/25, making seven starts in the Bundesliga. He continues to improve as a player. Not only could his current FM25 stats be boosted, but also his potential.
Ansgar Knauff (Eintracht Frankfurt)
While Beier is looking to make his mark at Dortmund, Knauff moved away from BVB to Eintracht Frankfurt in search of regular first-team football.
In season 2023/24, Knauff scored seven times in the Bundesliga, and the winger has already created four goals for his high-scoring teammates in season 2024/25. He has been one of the Eagles’ most effective players in his exciting team.
Knauff has never had great stats on Football Manager, but FM25 could be when that changes for the versatile winger.
Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt)
The 21-year-old left-back has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in the Bundesliga in season 2024/25. He played well for Nurnberg last season, with some promising attacking displays.
His attacking displays have also caught the eye in the current season, scoring two goals and producing two assists in just four starts and two substitute appearances. Brown has already shown great potential, and he is likely to play many more minutes between now and the end of the season.
If he does continue to impress and plays more football, then his stats are highly likely to rise for FM25.
Rocco Reitz (Monchengladbach)
Season 2023/24 saw the breakthrough of the talented young midfielder at Monchengladbach. The homegrown 22-year-old scored six goals and produced three assists from the centre of the park.
Rocco Reitz (22)
Not a midfielder I’d expect to be linked to Manchester City this soon. The German is a key player for Borussia M’gladbach, the club he joined at seven years old. After a couple of loan spells at Sint-Truiden in Belgium, Reitz then became a regular for the… pic.twitter.com/WPJnr2mjyZ
— Sky Blue Times (@theskybluetimes) November 30, 2024
The new season hasn’t been as fruitful in terms of goals. However, the midfielder’s level of performance has still been steady, and if he adds goals and assists again to his game this season, then there is no doubt that he will receive an increase in his stats in FM25.
Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart)
The 23-year-old was a key player for Die Roten in season 2023/24, as Sebastian Hoeness’ team booked their place in the Champions League after he started last season with Hoffenheim.
Despite being a defensive midfielder on paper, Stiller still scored once and produced five assists for Stuttgart in season 2023/24. His form reportedly attracted the interest of Bayern Munich in the summer. However, a move to Munich didn’t materialise.
The midfielder has once again started the season in decent form, producing two assists in his 13 appearances in the German top flight. He had decent stats in FM25, but on the basis of the last 18 months of form, he should see a rise in his stats by the time the latest edition of the game is released.
Tom Rothe (Union Berlin)
Having come through Borussia Dortmund’s youth system, Rothe only really first made his mark on first-team football during a loan spell with Holsten Kiel in the Bundesliga.2 in season 2023/24, as his four goals and seven assists helped the minnows win promotion to the German top-flight.
The 20-year-old made just four Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund. However, this summer, he returned to the German top flight, joining Union Berlin. He has shone with the capital club in his ten league appearances, producing steady displays at left-back while also scoring two goals.
Rothe is a talented young German player who should see his stats improve in FM25, as it seems he is only getting better with the more experience he gets in the German top flight and has a bright future in the game.
