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Gaming
The FIFA 16 English Wonderkids XI
Want to build a career mode team of home talent, such as Dele Alli? These are your essential buys.
One of the most rewarding things in FIFA 16's career mode is taking a young prospect and building him up until he becomes a world-beater. It's even more satisfying when the young lad in question is one of your own countrymen.
With that in mind (and assuming you're from England), we've put together a full team of English teenagers who we recommend you should sign up. At first they'll all be pretty average, but each has a high potential stat meaning over time they should all end up with massive ratings, usually of 80 or over.
Albion keeper Christian Walton is worth your cash
© EA
Goalkeeper: Christian Walton
The young Brighton & Hove Albion stopper is currently on loan at Plymouth for a few months, but don't let that fool you into thinking he's lost some of his potential. The 6'5", 19-year-old Truro boy stars with a default rating of 65 in FIFA 16 but this can almost reach 80 if he continues to feature regularly in your team. Not too shabby, considering you can get him on the cheap.
Left Back: Rico Henry
This 18-year-old Walsall left-back recently got his first England U19 call-up, appearing in the squad against Netherlands and Japan. You can get him in FIFA 16 for a little under a million, where he'll be rated 62 but already be blessed with blistering pace (93 for acceleration, 90 sprint speed). By the time he's 21 his rating will be in the 70s, and in his prime he's likely to hit 80.
Centre Back: Joe Gomez
The young Liverpool centre-back's real season is already over after he picked up a horrible anterior cruciate ligament injury while playing for England's U21s, but that doesn't mean his FIFA 16 incarnation is any less vital. Starting at a rating of 67, he can easily hit 80 as his career progresses, and he's flexible too: though his preferred position is CB you can slot him in at LB (where he's played for the first team in real life) or RB.
Everton prospect Brendan Galloway in FIFA 16
© EA
Right Back: James Bree
If you're seeking a dirt cheap full-back prospect, look no further than Bree. You can buy him from Barnsley for under £150,000 and though his initial overall is a mere 58, his above-average speed means he feels like a better player than that figure suggests. Over time he'll grow quickly and you can build his overall up to the high 70s in no time at all, enabling you to make a tidy profit should you so wish.
Left Midfield: Jordon Ibe
Most would select Raheem Sterling in this position but since we're strictly looking at teenagers, we're putting Liverpool left-winger Ibe in the squad instead. He's almost as quick as Sterling and over time can actually become superior in some areas, like finishing. Starting at a rating of 71, he's also much cheaper to buy and can still be brought up to a brilliant 81 overall.
Centre Midfield: Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Not only does he have a brilliant name, this Chelsea midfielder also has the potential to go far – as long as you give him enough game time and regular training. He starts off with just a 63 overall, barely featuring on the Chelsea subs bench, but bring him over to your team and start playing him and that average rating will gradually blossom into a solid 80-rated player, and a physical one at that.
As in real life, Spurs' Alli is a midfield wizard.
© EA
Centre Midfield: Dele Alli
Outside the UK, Spurs' young midfielder is best known for that cracking long-range goal in his first appearance for England, against France. If that isn't proof enough of his future potential, we don't know what is. You'll need to pay a little more than the rest to secure him for your team since he's on fire at the moment, but it's more than worth it because he has the potential to reach a ridiculous 86 or 87 overall.
Right Midfield: Jodi Jones
Like James Bree, Jones is the sort of player who will take a lot of work but could result in you making loads of money off of essentially a dirt-cheap player. Currently slogging away at Dagenham & Redbridge with a relatively unimpressive 55 rating, keep at it and you'll eventually develop a winger with a surprisingly brilliant shot on him. He may only ever reach the mid-70s overall but you'll still make a tidy profit. A surefire investment for the future.
Striker: Adam Armstrong
Coventry striker Armstrong's already brilliantly fast when you get him as an 18-year-old, 65-rated youngster. That 86 acceleration and 90 sprint speed will only grow as he gains experience, and combined with an impressive finishing stat he has the potential to reach 82 or 83 overall at his peak.
Striker: Dominic Solanke
The only player in our team not currently plying his wares in England, Solanke is currently the lone striker at Dutch team Vitesse. It's a great vote of confidence for an 18-year-old forward with decent all-round stats and an imposing frame (he's over six feet tall). His lanky stature makes him feel a little awkward to play with for some, so if you need convincing before you go all in, you can loan him for just £5000 in wages. It's worth buying him though, because in time he can reach up to 83 overall.
