The best wonderkid defenders in Football manager 2022

Of all the wonderkids available in Football Manager 2022, it feels like defenders are the hardest to come by. Don’t worry though, because here at Jaxon we can fix you up with a whole new backline.

Two center-backs, a right back, and a left back. We’ll even throw in an extra center back for those of you scared enough to play with back fives.

This is our list of the best defender wonderkids in Football Manager 2022:

Right-back – Pierre Kalulu

Kicking off our list is AC Milan’s French wonderkid, Pierre Kalulu. Capable of playing along the backline and even further up the field, Kalulu is a versatile defender you don’t want to miss out on.

You can pick Kalulu up in your first season for around £15m. It’s likely that if you do, he’ll be in the France squad by the end of that first year. He starts out with a 135 Current Ability and can reach a 162 Potential Ability if you develop him right.

With 15 Anticipation, 14 Off the Ball, and 13 Positioning, Kalulu is already set to be a defensive rock within your side. The thing that makes him most dangerous is his physical ability. 14 Acceleration, 16 Pace, and 14 Strength is nothing to joke about.

Kalulu can become one of the best defenders in Football Manager 2022, you’d be a fool not to sign him.

Center-back – Anel Ahmedhodzic

Football Manager players will be no stranger to this defender wonderkid. Anel Ahmedhodic is a center-back who broke players’ hearts in January by sealing a loan move to Bordeaux. They have an optional fee in that deal, but if they don’t sign him, he’ll be available for less than £5m.

Be careful though, as he usually wants very high wages and all the big clubs will be after him.

His 128 Current Ability and 165 Potential Ability make him a great signing for any team. He’s capable of playing in the new Wide Center-Back role too, for you five at the back merchants. His 12 Crossing and 10 Dribbling make him more than strong on the ball, while his 14 Tackling and 13 Positioning make him great off it too.

Football Manager 2022 is also likely to be your last chance to sign this wonderkid defender. He sealed a move to Sheffield United this summer, we all know how expensive prising talent from English clubs is.

Center-back – Kaiky

Santos absolutely love a wonderkid, and we love them for it. Kaiky is the next in a long line of wonderkids to come from the Brazilian club.

With a dynamic potential of anywhere between 140-170, Kaiky has the potential to become one of the best defenders in Football Manager 2022. You’ll struggle to sign him straight away as he’s recently signed a new contract, but when he’s ready he’ll be available for under £10m.

Starting out with 13 Heading, 14 Marking, and 14 Tackling, Kaiky is already defensively strong. He’ll get much better, however, as all three of those stats can reach 17 or more.

Train Kaiky right and you’ve got one of the best defenders in Football Manager 2022.

Center-back – Oumar Solet

Five at the back is gross, so we don’t like that we need to include this one. That being said though, Oumar Solet is certainly one of the best defender wonderkids in Football Manager 2022.

The Frenchman plays at RB Salzburg, a team that joins Santos for having an insane number of wonderkids.  Solet begins with 130 Current Ability, and can reach 166 Potential Ability. This makes him the highest potential center-back on our list of Football Manager 2022 defender wonderkids.

15 Marking and 16 Jumping Reach make Solet a force in the air, something important with how overpowered crossing is in Football Manager 2022.

With 13 First Touch and 11 Dribbling, Solet is comfortable on the ball too. Without a doubt, he’s one of the best defender wonderkids in Football Manager 2022.

Left-back – Luca Netz

Annoyingly, Luca Netz is a right-footed left-back. Fortunately, however, the Inverted Wing Back role is so good on Football Manager 2022 that it makes him exceptional.

Just like Kaiky, Netz has a dynamic potential of 140-170 Potential Ability. Train him right, and he’ll become one of the best defenders in Football Manager 2022. With 125 Current Ability, he does have the lowest starting ability on this list, but, that won’t stop him from, being key in your side.

With 12 Crossing and 12 Dribbling, Netz is sure to become incredible offensively for your team. His 13 Off the Ball will help a lot too.

Being German, the 18 will never get into international football because of a licensing issue. You can fix this by using sortitoutsi’s fix. We’d recommend it, international football allows players to become truly elite.

Need a goalkeeper?

Check out our list of wonderkid goalkeepers here.