Best young GKs in Football Manager 2026, from bargain backups to elite future No.1s
Goalkeepers are weird in Football Manager. One minute they look like a future Ballon d'Or winner (yes, keepers can feel that good), the next they are punching crosses into their own net like they have got a bet on.
So if you are building a long-term save in FM26, getting your next No.1 sorted early can be one of the smartest moves you make. This list is my Top 10 wonderkid goalkeepers, picked to cover different budgets, different save types, and different levels of risk.
Quick note: prices can swing massively depending on reputation, clauses, 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: GK wonderkids.
- Potential first: I prioritised the top-rated young keepers, 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.
Quick navigation
- 1) Ferrán Quetglás
- 2) Quenten Attigah
- 3) Kerem Matışlı
- 4) Alessandro Nunziante
- 5) Dennis Seimen
- 6) Tommaso Martinelli
- 7) Julian Eyestone
- 8) Sherkhan Kalmurza
- 9) Diego Kochen
- 10) Ben Vickery
Top 10 FM26 wonderkid goalkeepers 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 | Ferrán Quetglás | 20 | Real Madrid | 85 | £45m | Fixed | High |
| 2 | Quenten Attigah | 16 | AZ | 83 | £22m | Random | High |
| 3 | Kerem Matışlı | 18 | Bursaspor | 83 | £496k | Random | Low |
| 4 | Alessandro Nunziante | 18 | Udinese | 83 | £5m | Random | Low |
| 5 | Dennis Seimen | 19 | Stuttgart | 82 | £18m | Random | Low |
| 6 | Tommaso Martinelli | 19 | Fiorentina | 82 | £9m | Random | Low |
| 7 | Julian Eyestone | 19 | Brentford | 82 | £17m | Random | Low |
| 8 | Sherkhan Kalmurza | 18 | Free Agent | 82 | £1m (fees) | Random | High |
| 9 | Diego Kochen | 19 | Barcelona Atlètic | 81 | £14m | Random | Low |
| 10 | Ben Vickery | 16 | Man City | 81 | £759k | Random | Low |
1) Ferrán Quetglás (Real Madrid)
The luxury option, elite ceiling
If you want a keeper who can become your long-term No.1 at the very highest level, Quetglás is the headline name. He is expensive for a reason, and he is one of the few on this list with fixed potential, which is massive if you hate rolling the dice.
- Best for: elite clubs, long saves, anyone building a Champions League dynasty
- Budget note: you are paying the Real Madrid tax
- Risk note: injury prone, so have a proper backup plan
Development plan: keep him in a top training environment, give him cup games early, then make him first choice as soon as he looks ready. Keepers need match sharpness.
2) Quenten Attigah (AZ)
Monster upside, but you must manage the risk
Attigah is only 16 and already sits among the best young keepers available. That is rare. The catch is simple: he is flagged as injury prone, so you need to be smart with workload and rotation.
- Best for: clubs with strong sports science and depth
- Budget note: not cheap, but still feels like value for a potential world-class GK
- Risk note: injury prone and random potential
Development plan: focus training on core goalkeeper attributes (reflexes, handling, one-on-ones), keep intensity sensible, and protect him with a measured schedule.
3) Kerem Matışlı (Bursaspor)
The bargain that feels like cheating
This is the kind of signing that makes you grin like a villain. Matışlı is ridiculously affordable compared to his upside, and he is one of the best picks on this list for smaller clubs who still want a keeper with serious long-term potential.
- Best for: lower leagues, rebuilds, moneyball saves
- Budget note: sub-£1m deals are always worth scouting hard
- Risk note: random potential, so scout properly and check personality
Development plan: buy, loan immediately to a club where he will start every week, and recall once he is ready to compete for your No.1 shirt.
4) Alessandro Nunziante (Udinese)
Affordable, clean risk profile
If you want a keeper who is not going to destroy your budget, Nunziante is a great middle-ground. The fee is reasonable, the injury risk is low, and the upside is strong.
- Best for: Serie A mid-table, top Championship, European qualifiers level clubs
- Budget note: this is one of the best "serious prospect under £10m" options
- Risk note: random potential, so your scouts matter
Development plan: give him cup matches, then a full season on loan as a guaranteed starter if you already have an established No.1.
5) Dennis Seimen (Stuttgart)
High reputation, but check your save first
Seimen is a name many managers will recognise, and he comes with a big price tag. One warning: depending on your database and updates, his growth may not be as dramatic as you expect. In other words, scout him properly, do not just sign the name.
- Best for: Bundesliga clubs and rich rebuilds
- Budget note: you are paying premium money here
- Risk note: random potential, plus development can vary
Development plan: if he is already close to your first-team level, make him your cup keeper immediately. If not, loan him to a top-flight side with a good defensive structure.
6) Tommaso Martinelli (Fiorentina)
Great value under £10m
Martinelli is the type of deal that feels sensible and exciting at the same time. The cost is not tiny, but it is very manageable for most top-division clubs, and he can grow into a proper No.1.
- Best for: clubs stepping up into Europe
- Budget note: strong value for the tier he sits in
- Risk note: random potential, but injury risk is low
Development plan: give him a clear pathway: cup keeper now, league starter later. Keepers hate being stuck in limbo.
7) Julian Eyestone (Brentford)
The Premier League ready pathway
Eyestone is a brilliant target if you want a keeper developed in a strong league environment. He is not cheap, but he fits that sweet spot where you can buy quality now and still grow him into a top-level starter.
- Best for: Premier League and top Championship clubs with ambition
- Budget note: mid to high fee, but less painful than the elite names
- Risk note: random potential
Development plan: prioritise match time. If you cannot start him, loan him to a top division where he will play every week.
8) Sherkhan Kalmurza (Free Agent)
High upside, low fee, but high injury risk
A free agent wonderkid keeper is always tempting, and Kalmurza offers exactly that. You are not paying a massive transfer fee, but you will still need to handle agent fees, wages, and a sensible medical plan because he is injury prone.
- Best for: clubs with tight budgets who still want a high-ceiling GK
- Budget note: the transfer is cheap, the contract package is where it can bite
- Risk note: injury prone and random potential
Development plan: rotate him, manage training intensity, and do not rush him into a brutal schedule.
9) Diego Kochen (Barcelona Atlètic)
Big club pedigree, flexible option
Kochen is a really interesting target because he can be developed in a high-level environment and still be brought into your squad as a long-term project. The fee is not tiny, but it can be worth it if your scouts like what they see.
- Best for: clubs with strong finances and patience
- Budget note: think of this as an investment signing
- Risk note: random potential
Development plan: if you sign him, plan a clean loan route or a clear cup-keeper role. Keepers develop slower without minutes.
10) Ben Vickery (Man City)
Cheap entry ticket into elite development
Vickery is one of my favourite "why not?" signings. He is affordable, young, and attached to an elite club. If you can get him out and playing, you might end up with a keeper far above what the price suggests.
- Best for: smart rebuilds, clubs who loan well
- Budget note: low fee, low risk, high upside
- Risk note: random potential, but injury risk is low
Development plan: sign and loan. Repeat. Do not leave him to rot in U21s for three seasons.
How to actually scout wonderkid goalkeepers in FM26
- Scout in matches: a keeper can look amazing in reports but crumble under pressure.
- Prioritise core GK attributes: reflexes, handling, one-on-ones, aerial reach, agility.
- Check distribution if you play out: kicking, first touch, passing, composure.
- Personality matters: you want professionalism and consistency, not chaos.
- Minutes matter most: the best training plan in the world loses to 40 competitive starts.
Honourable mentions (if you want more options)
If your save needs alternatives, go back to the wider GK wonderkid pool and shortlist a few more names. There are plenty of quality prospects beyond the Top 10, and your budget might fit them better.
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
Do goalkeeper wonderkids develop slower in FM26?
Usually, yes. Many keepers hit their peak later than outfield players. That is exactly why getting them early, then feeding them minutes, is such a strong long-term play.
Should I pay big money for a teenage goalkeeper?
Only if you are stable financially and you have a plan for minutes. If you cannot give him games, you are paying for potential you will not unlock.
Is random potential a deal-breaker?
Not at all. It just means you should scout properly and accept that two saves can produce two very different outcomes.
