The 20 wonderkids you need to buy on Football Manager 2016

Tonton Zola Moukoko. Cherno Samba. Freddy Adu.

While these footballers didn't lived up to the hype in the real world (even former USA international Adu has been resigned to flogging vaccums on Twitter), to those who've spent the better part of a decade playing football management sims, they will go down as legends.

But just where are the new batch coming from? Which exciting youngsters will lead your side, no matter how small, to titles on Football Manager 2016?

A few quid at the beginning of the game will reap its rewards down the line with relatively little risk, which is why we got our chief scout - ITV Football writer and Football Manager enthusiast Will Unwin - to pick out following players that will rocket you to glory.

Lincoln AM (C) – Gremio

A whizz kid of player, aged just 16, who will open up defences at will, scoring and assisting like a young Cherno Samba on heat.

Emmanuel Mammana, D (C) – River

The 19-year-old Argentine defender is comfortable on the ball and given time will be a pivotal mainstay once his concentration improves.

Cristian Pavon, AM (L) – Boca

You can snap up this young striker for less than £1m. Nurture him through a couple of years and he will reward with goals galore in any top league.

Malcom AM (L) – Corinthians

Capable of speeding beyond most right-backs from the tender age of 18, the Brazilian can be tempted to Europe from the off. Get him in before the season even begins.

Sergio Diaz ST – Cerro Porteno

The recently created Football Manager role of ‘Poacher’ was made for this Paraguayan, a snip at the price you can poach him for.

Youri Tielemans MC – Anderlecht

Nowadays, the Belgian midfielder’s ability is not a secret but he’s well worth acquiring for the long-term as any player at the helm of a Champions League club.

Andrija Zivkovic – Partizan

A touch of flair and intrigue is what the Serbian offers on the flank and can improve your strength in depth for just a few million quid. A wing wizard.

Matheus Pereira AM (RLC) – Sporting

A versatile attacker who can get in his current club’s side at a very early age and, like a fine wine, he gets better with it.

Aymeric Laporte D ( C) – Athletic Bilbao

Break the bank for the Basque centre-back as he will become your captain, leader and legend for a higher echelon club.

Renato Sanches M ( C)– Benfica

Oooof is this lad good. Get him in the centre of the park pronto - he’s strong enough to cope with the rigours of weekly starts.

Rodrigo Bentancur M (RC) – Boca

Runs the game for your team, will only set you back about £5m at the start and settles in quickly. Bentancur is a gem.

Predrag Rajkovic GK - Maccabi

There’s plenty of goalkeepers worth keeping an eye on but this lad is the sort to be steady from the beginning and only get better.

Timothy Fosu Mensah D/DM ( C) – Manchester United

Worth snapping up on loan for any League One outfit, where he's sure to flourish, developing into a capable speedy centre-back and leaving you to head back to Old Trafford. Who knows, maybe you'll join him.

Thiago Maia DM (C ) – Santos

Chuck £10m at Brazilian giants Santos and he’ll be your defensive midfield linchpin for a decade or more. A worthy investment.

Bernardo Silva AM (RC) – Monaco

An assist-king and willing to head to the top-flight of any of the big four countries. He’ll excel in them all.

Jose Mauri M (C ) – Milan

One for loan, Milan's newest recruit is as steady on the ball as he is winning it, and a must for Football Manager players who favour teams with three in the middle of midfield.

Jorge D (L) – Flamengo

Finding a top quality left-back can be a tricky ask, but this young chap is a player with stats set to burst through the roof. Get your scouts on him, monitor his progress and ideally sign him up for under £10m.

Breel Embolo AM (RC)/ST – Basel

The Swiss international is just a goal machine, throwing his weight around and heading many a cross with first-rate accuracy.

Tin Jedvaj D (RC) – Bayer Leverkusen

A lofty defender who will dominate in the air, this Croatian talent will only improve with games in your first-team... if you get hold of him.

Ante Coric AM (C) – Dinamo

No-nonsense in the tackle and extremely silky on the ball, Coric's limitless energy in attacking midfield will result in an insane amount of chances for your forward men.

Gerson AM (RLC) – Fluminese

The versatile attacking midfielder is at home anywhere in the final third and can make a full-back's Saturday afternoon a nightmare.