Next stop on our journey through the world of wonderkids is the Netherlands, which, throughout the years, has produced some of the world’s best players. Here is a list of our favourite wonderkids:
Jorrel Hato (Chelsea)
The Blues star has been one of my favourite wonderkids for a few editions of FM now. It’s incredible to think that Hato is still just 19, as he feels like he’s been around for so long.
The versatile defender who can play at centre-back, left-back or even as a wing-back starts the game with promising stats, as you would imagine for a player of his quality and potential to improve. Most of his stats are in double figures and will continue to grow.
Unsurprisingly, Hato establishes himself as one of the best defenders in the world when he reaches his prime.
As you would expect, signing Hato in the first transfer window is not cheap. In fact, he can cost £60m plus add-ons, and a high percentage sell-on fee. If you are an elite club with a budget to match, then the Blues star is definitely a shrewd signing.
Tygo Land (PSV Eindhoven)
The 19-year-old is currently on loan at Groningen, which means you can only arrange a transfer for the following summer. However, the transfer fee isn’t ridiculous for a player who becomes a highly consistent midfield performer.
You can sign him for a fee of around £10m with various add-ons, plus a high percentage of the sell-on fee. However, at that sort of fee Land is an absolute bargain.
The youngster has best operated as a defensive midfielder for my teams, but he can play as a regular centre midfielder or as an attacking midfielder.
Ironically, although he has performed best for me in a deeper role, some of his best attributes are actually normally associated with more attacking players. He has a rating of 14 for technique, first touch and composure.
His stats are promising, considering his relatively low fee, and he is a player who can be moulded with the right training into a top player.
Antoni Milambo (Brentford)
The Brentford youngster is another player who can play in all the central midfield roles, making him a highly useful player to have in your squad. He is usually best deployed in a number eight or regular central midfield role.
As with all the players on our list, his starting stats are highly promising. His highest attributes also lie in the slightly more technical part of his game, as he has a rating of + 14 for technique and first touch.
However, on the flip side, he also has +14 ratings for teamwork and work rate, so he is not a luxury player by any means. He has a bit of everything in his game, which is likely why he suits any of the central midfield roles.
Milambo is actually available to sign on loan in the first transfer window, as he looks to gain first-team experience. He is a no-brainer signing for mid-lower-level teams in the Premier League, even if it’s just to add squad depth.
If you want to buy Milambo in a permanent deal, he costs around £30m, plus a high percentage sell-on fee. He does become a good midfield option in the future, but maybe he isn’t worth that fee in the first transfer window.
Isaac Babadi (PSV Eindhoven)
The 20-year-old, who can play as an attacking midfielder or out on the wing, starts the game on loan at Belgian club Royal Antwerp from parent club PSV Eindhoven.
Creativity is at the heart of his game, as he has a +14 rating for technique, first touch, vision and flair. These stats continue to improve, and he becomes a player who regularly produces assists.
If you attempt to sign Babadi in the opening transfer window, he can cost you an initial fee of around £25m, plus the almost obligatory high percentage of the sell-on fee.
You can obviously negotiate a lower fee, and if you have the money and space in your team to give him game time, Babadi can prove to be a shrewd signing.
Kasper Boogaard (AZ)
Another top defensive midfield prospect, Boogaard, doesn’t really start the game with any standout stats. However, his stats grow quickly with some first-team experience and the right training.
After a few years, he becomes a highly competitive and consistent performer at the top level of the game. However, there is a caveat with Boogaard in that if he isn’t handled correctly, he doesn’t fulfil his potential, as I have seen in some of my personal saves.
The midfielder can cost an initial fee of around just £5m, but with instalments of £10m and a high percentage of the sell-on fee. This is a bargain fee for a player of his potential, especially if he is given high-level game experience.
Who is your favourite wonderkid from the Netherlands?
