In recent articles, we have looked at promising players, not necessarily wonderkids or the most highly-rated in FM24, but youngsters who progress quickly or are a bargain. We have previously covered goalkeepers and forwards. Today, it’s the turn of the full-backs. So, here are some of the most promising defenders in FM24:
(Please note we have omitted players such as Josko Gvardiol, Alejandro Balde and Nuno Mendes)
Miguel Gutierrez (Girona)
In season 2023/24, Miguel Gutierrez impressed as Girona shocked the world by claiming a top-four finish and a Champions League spot in La Liga.
Although the Catalan club have struggled to repeat the feat in season 2024/25, as they are currently in a relegation battle, Gutierrez has still been one of the team’s better performers.
Using updated databases, Miguel has excellent starting stats, but so does his value, as he could have been bought relatively cheaply on the original database. However, in the updated version, he is still a reasonable value as he could cost between £24-30m could make him a bargain signing.
Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal)
Before he moved to Arsenal from Bologna, he was an excellent left-back option and relatively cheap. His move to Arsenal has raised his value to about £55m. However, in two recent saves with my updated database, I have signed him on loan, and then signed the defender for around £20m on a permanent deal.
Calafiori has promising starting stats, which improve slightly, and he proves to be such a versatile player to have in your squad. He has played left-back, centre-back, and left-wing-back for me.
At just 21, he also has time on his side. Therefore, he could be in your team for a long time.
Josh Doig (Sassuolo)
The Scottish youngster is a player who often offers excellent value for money when we are talking about full-backs. He starts the game with solid stats, and they do improve, although he never quite reaches world-class status, Doig still reaches a decent standard.
His stats belie his ability to produce a highly respectable number of assists. His defending isn’t awful either, as he has a decent work rate, pace and acceleration.
One of the most positive aspects of Doig is his value for money, as I have signed the former Hibernian for just £10m. At that price, he is a genuine bargain. If you get the chance to sign him, do it, as he is a player who won’t let you down at a reasonable price. What’s not to like?
Quilindschy Hartman (Feyenoord)
The 21-year-old left-back begins the game with strong stats and proves to be a highly reliable option in the full-back position. In the database I use, in the first season, Hartman is valued at £40-60m.
However, I somehow picked him up in the second season for around £18m. This is likely because his contract with Feyenoord expires in 2026, so they didn’t want him to leave as a free agent.
Hartman proved to be a bargain. I didn’t think he would be as good as he was, and I only signed him as a backup to my first-choice full-back. However, after a few months of being in my squad, he became the first-choice and stayed in the position for a couple of seasons.
There is a caveat with Hartman in that he never quite reaches world-class standard. Therefore, after a few seasons, a stronger replacement or a regen comes along that is more highly-rated or a stronger player. Still, for a few seasons, he proves to be a solid option at left-back.
Hector Fort (Barcelona B)
At the start of the game, Fort is just 16 years of age, so his starting stats are not great. However, for a player of his age, they are promising. If you have the money to sign him at the start of the game, do so, as he will only cost around £8m to sign on a permanent deal.
In my latest save, I believe I signed him initially on loan when he was 19, then bought him for £12m in a permanent deal. His stats never really reached sky-high levels, but he became a valuable member of the squad.
Fort not only played in his primary full-back role on both sides of the pitch but also served as a centre-back when the team had a crisis in the heart of the defence. Wherever he played, the youngster never let the team down. After three seasons in our squad, I sold him for £30m, as my team had progressed. The £12m fee for Fort was probably some of the wisest money I spent in that particular save.
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}