Best young DMs in Football Manager 2026, from cheap anchors to elite press-proof controllers
If goalkeepers are chaos, defensive midfielders are the opposite. A great DM is the player who quietly makes your whole tactic work. He plugs gaps, kills counter attacks, and gives your more “creative” players permission to take risks.
So if you are building a long-term save in FM26, sorting the No.6 role early is one of those moves that feels boring on day one, then feels genius when you are two seasons in and your midfield is unbreakable.
Quick note: prices swing wildly depending on clauses, reputation, loaded leagues, and whether the selling club is feeling greedy in your save. Treat costs as a guide, not gospel.
How this Top 10 was picked
- Position only: DM wonderkids (plus a couple who can also cover other roles).
- Potential first: I started with the highest rated young DMs, then balanced by affordability.
- Our price bands: Under £2m, £2-5m, £5-10m, £10m+ so every club has options.
- Reality check: Random potential matters, and a couple are injury prone, so I flag the risk.
FM Scout ratings are used for the “R” score, while estimated costs, random potential, and injury prone flags are taken from Sortitoutsi’s FM26 database pages. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Quick navigation
- 1) Chema Andrés
- 2) Nathan De Cat
- 3) Marc Bernal
- 4) Kennet Eichhorn
- 5) Dário Essugo
- 6) Stefan Bajčetić
- 7) Matvey Kislyak
- 8) Gabriel Moscardo
- 9) Sandro Gambôa
- 10) Taufik Seidu
Top 10 FM26 wonderkid DMs at a glance
Tip: If you are a smaller club, start at the bottom of this table and work up. If you are a Champions League club, start at No.1 and pretend money is not real.
| # | Player | Age | Club | FM Scout R | Estimated Cost | Potential Type | Injury Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chema Andrés | 20 | Stuttgart | 88 | £144m | Fixed | Low |
| 2 | Nathan De Cat | 16 | RSC Anderlecht | 87 | £125m | Random | High |
| 3 | Marc Bernal | 18 | Barcelona | 85 | £106m | Random | Low |
| 4 | Kennet Eichhorn | 15 | Hertha BSC | 85 | £45m | Random | Low |
| 5 | Dário Essugo | 20 | Chelsea | 83 | £61m | Random | Low |
| 6 | Stefan Bajčetić | 20 | Liverpool | 83 | £50m | Random | Low |
| 7 | Matvey Kislyak | 19 | CSKA Moscow | 83 | £25m | Random | Low |
| 8 | Gabriel Moscardo | 19 | PSG (loan at Braga) | 82 | £23m | Random | Low |
| 9 | Sandro Gambôa | 16 | Sporting CP | 80 | £6m | Random | Low |
| 10 | Taufik Seidu | 17 | Atlético Madrid B | 82 | £3m | Random | Low |
Sources for ratings and player data.
1) Chema Andrés (Stuttgart)
The elite controller, and the “fixed potential” cheat code
Chema Andrés is the dream if you want a DM who can play for a title-winning side and make everything feel calmer. He is expensive, but he is also one of the rare ones with fixed potential, which is massive if you hate roulette saves.
- Best for: elite clubs, long saves, possession systems
- Budget note: you are paying a premium fee
- Risk note: low injury risk, but the fee is the “risk”
Development plan: get him into your first team quickly. DMs level up fast when they are facing real pressure every week.
Data notes: fixed potential and not injury prone, plus the estimated fee. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
2) Nathan De Cat (RSC Anderlecht)
Ridiculous ceiling, but you must manage injuries
De Cat is one of those wonderkids that makes you pause and re-check the age. He is only 16 and already sits at the very top of the DM pool.
The downside is simple: he is flagged as injury prone, so you need rotation, sports science, and a sensible training load.
- Best for: clubs with depth, strong medical teams, patient builders
- Budget note: the fee can be huge for a teenager
- Risk note: injury prone and random potential
Development plan: protect him for the first 18 months. Cup matches, controlled minutes, and a proper mentoring group can keep him progressing without breaking him.
Data notes: estimated fee, random potential, and injury prone flag. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
3) Marc Bernal (Barcelona)
Press-proof, big club DNA, terrifying price
Bernal is the type of DM you sign when you want the ball to feel safe. If you play out from the back, he is the connective tissue that stops your build-up turning into panic.
- Best for: Champions League clubs, high possession systems
- Budget note: you are paying Barcelona money
- Risk note: random potential, but not injury prone
Development plan: keep him central to your tactic. Give him responsibility, not just minutes.
Data notes: estimated fee, random potential, and injury prone flag. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
4) Kennet Eichhorn (Hertha BSC)
The “sign him before he becomes impossible” wonderkid
Eichhorn is 15, which means you are basically buying a future. That can be scary, but it also means you can shape him into exactly the DM you want.
- Best for: long-term projects, clubs with elite youth training
- Budget note: not cheap, but cheaper than the megastars above
- Risk note: random potential, low injury risk
Development plan: do not rush him into a brutal schedule. Focus on training quality, mentoring, and carefully chosen minutes.
Data notes: estimated fee plus random potential and injury prone flag. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
5) Dário Essugo (Chelsea)
Elite athlete DM for pressing systems
If your tactic is built on aggression, counter-pressing, and winning the ball back instantly, Essugo is a perfect target. He can become the guy who makes your midfield feel like a trap.
- Best for: gegenpress, high lines, intense midfields
- Budget note: expensive, but not “top three” expensive
- Risk note: random potential, low injury risk
Development plan: give him a role that matches his strengths (ball-winning DM, anchor, half back depending on your shape), and make sure he gets real minutes.
Data notes: estimated fee plus random potential and injury prone flag. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
6) Stefan Bajčetić (Liverpool)
Flexible DM who can cover multiple systems
Bajčetić is brilliant because he is not a one-role player. He can be your DM, but he can also cover deeper roles if your squad needs flexibility.
- Best for: squads that rotate a lot, tactical tweakers
- Budget note: sizeable fee, but still “reachable” for big rebuilds
- Risk note: random potential, low injury risk
Development plan: decide what you want him to be. Build a clear role pathway instead of turning him into a permanent utility man.
Data notes: estimated fee plus random potential and injury prone flag. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
7) Matvey Kislyak (CSKA Moscow)
The “sensible elite” option under £30m
Kislyak is the sweet spot signing if you want a high-level DM without paying the truly disgusting fees at the top of this list.
- Best for: Europa League level clubs, smart rebuilds
- Budget note: strong value compared to the headline names
- Risk note: random potential, low injury risk
Development plan: make him your rotation DM immediately, then hand him the starting spot once he looks comfortable.
Data notes: random potential, injury prone flag, and cost. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
8) Gabriel Moscardo (PSG, loan at Braga)
Loan situation alert, but a great “steal” target
Moscardo is one of my favourite types of targets: a big club prospect currently on loan. Sometimes you can catch these guys at a price that looks fair before they explode.
- Best for: clubs that scout loans and squad situations properly
- Budget note: mid-tier fee, feels reasonable for the quality
- Risk note: random potential, low injury risk
Development plan: if you sign him, promise him minutes and mean it. DMs need match rhythm to become consistent.
Data notes: cost, random potential, injury prone flag, plus the loan context. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
9) Sandro Gambôa (Sporting CP)
The bargain wonderkid anchor for “normal” budgets
Gambôa is the kind of signing that makes mid-table saves fun. He is young, affordable compared to the names above, and he gives you a DM project you can actually start developing immediately.
- Best for: top division mid-table clubs, rising projects, development-focused saves
- Budget note: proper value in the £5-10m range
- Risk note: random potential, low injury risk
Development plan: buy early, then loan only if you cannot give him regular minutes. Otherwise keep him in your squad and grow him with rotation starts.
Data notes: estimated cost plus random potential and injury prone flag. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
10) Taufik Seidu (Atlético Madrid B)
The cheap “get him now” DM for rebuilds
If you want a genuine low-cost DM wonderkid, Seidu is the one I keep coming back to. The fee is small enough that even many second-tier clubs can take a punt.
- Best for: lower leagues, moneyball saves, rebuilds with tight budgets
- Budget note: this is your “under £5m” dream
- Risk note: random potential, low injury risk
Development plan: buy and loan to a club where he starts every week. Then bring him back once he is physically ready for your league.
Data notes: cost, random potential, and injury prone flag. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
How to actually scout wonderkid DMs in FM26
- Decide the DM role first: anchor, half back, deep-lying playmaker, ball-winning DM, regista. Different roles need different strengths.
- Prioritise the “defensive brain”: positioning, anticipation, concentration, decisions.
- Then add the engine: stamina, work rate, teamwork, natural fitness.
- If you build up through the DM: passing, first touch, composure, vision become non-negotiable.
- Minutes matter most: a DM who plays 35 to 45 competitive matches develops faster than a DM who trains perfectly in silence.
Honourable mentions (if you want more options)
If you want alternatives, the wider DM pool is stacked. Names like Noah Sadiki, Eduardo Felicíssimo, Arthur Vermeeren, and Jack Hinshelwood can all be worth a look depending on budget and save type. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
Next in the FM26 Top 10 Wonderkids by position series
This is part of the FM26 Top 10 wonderkids series by position. If you want the full database view with price filters and position tabs, add this post into your main wonderkids hub and link the whole series from there.
Go back to the FM26 Wonderkids Hub (price + position filters)
FAQ
Which DM role is best for wonderkids in FM26?
The best role is the one that matches their strengths. If they have elite positioning and tackling, go more defensive. If they are press-proof with great passing, build around them as your main outlet.
Should I loan out a DM wonderkid or keep him in my squad?
If you cannot give him consistent minutes, loan him. If you can rotate him into league matches and cups, keep him. DMs improve fastest when they play regularly.
Is random potential a deal-breaker for DMs?
Not at all. It just means your scouting matters. If your reports love his personality and key mental attributes, he is still a fantastic long-term signing.
