FM17: Top 15 Young Fullbacks to Watch Out For

Are you wondering which young fullback/wing-back you will go for in FM17? Or wondering if the best young fullbacks you used in FM16 are still going to be superb in the upcoming new version? Well, this article may help you make your choice and slay your wonderings. Thus I will be listing some top quality young fullbacks.

In short note, fullbacks/wing-backs are very important players. Their job on the pitch is quite difficult. They must cover the flank sides of the field, which is easier to penetrate than the midfield. The fullbacks must be active and alert every second to make important runs in order to support the Centre-backs, Midfielders, and Forwards.

If the fullbacks are not coordinated properly, the team suffers dearly from counter-attacks and crosses. The opponent will infiltrate the box effortlessly from the sides; the right player needs to be put in place. However, in terms of attacking, the fullbacks/wing-backs help the team’s attacking wave by supporting the wingers and making deadly crosses from bylines.

The young players that are mentioned below are the top best and active young fullbacks/wing-backs that will prove powerful in FM17. Their potential is going to be high. And, I strongly think their skills, performance, and development will improve more in the new game. So if you need those top qualities, I humbly and proudly recommend:

1) Layvin Kurzawa

• Born (age): Sept 4, 1992 (23)
• Nationality: France/Poland
• Club: Paris Saint-Germain
• Position: Left-Back, Left-Midfield, Left-Wing
• Foot: left
• Estimated Value: £15 – £20M

This French young left-back was fabulous in 2015/2016 League 1 season, and still proving powerful this season. This will be a plus for him in FM17. His attributes and potential rating star will also be on the rise, and I strongly recommend him to be in your squad once you get the opportunity to sign him. Layvin will be an exceptional player in your team.

2) Serge Aurier

• Born (age): Dec 24, 1992 (23)
• Nationality: Cote d’Ivoire
• Club: Paris Saint-Germain
• Position: Right-back, Centre-back, Right-Midfield
• Foot: right
• Estimated Value: £8M – £14M

Aurier is a really strong right-back. He suits best as fullback (attack or support). His movement during attacking is really amazing, and he can deliver good crosses from wide.

However, I think he’s going to be a bit expensive in FM17 since he contributed well in winning the League 1 trophy for PSG.

3) Raphaël Guerreiro

• Born (age): Dec 22, 1993 (22)
• Nationality: Portugal/France
• Club: Borussia Dortmund
• Position: Left-Back
• Foot: left
• Estimated Value: £7M – £10.5M

Winning the Euro 2016 with Portugal has been a tremendous lift for this young left-back. His presence in your starting eleven will really impact the team positively. He’s going to have the perfect attributes to secure the defence line in FM17.

Though Guerreiro may be hard to sign, but I think you should lure him once a chance presents itself. He won’t disappoint.

4) Fabinho

• Born (age): Oct 25, 1993 (22)
• Nationality: Brazil
• Club: AS Monaco
• Position: Right-Back
• Foot: right
• Estimated Value: £11M – £16M

Fabinho may not be available at the start or may be available at a price of around £30m to £40m, proving that Monaco is not willing to sell him. But, I know that he will be profitable later in FM17. And in case you get the chance to sign him in your FM17 save, close the deal.

His abilities at wing-back will be effective, which he’s already proved in FM15 and 16.

5) Ben Davies

• Born (age): Apr 24, 1993 (23)
• Nationality: Wales
• Club: Tottenham Hotspur
• Position: Left-Back
• Foot: left
• Estimated Value: £6M – £10M

This young Welsh player has been a boost to the Welsh senior team in Euro 2016. He showcased a lot of excellent performances in the tournament, and I think his skills are going to improve more in FM17. Of course his price tag will be a bit expensive, but I think Spurs will be willing to listen to any good bid since they still have Rose.

Having Davies in your team will be awesome. He’ll have all the packages to help drive the team forward in your FM17 save.

6) João Cancelo

• Born (age): May 27, 1994 (22)
• Nationality: Portugal
• Club: Valencia CF
• Position: Right-Back
• Foot: right
• Estimated Value: £9M – 14M

This young fullback has been on the rise since his debut appearance in Valencia in 2015. His value was around £4m in FM16, with an asking price of £20m. Hopefully, Valencia will be willing to sell him at a bit lower price in FM17.

He never ran out of form in my FM16 saves, and his development is really fast and consistent. I believe he’s going to make a great impact with his good coordination at right-wing-back.

7) Lucas Digne

• Born (age): Jul 22, 1993 (23)
• Nationality: France
• Club: FC Barcelona
• Position: Left-Back
• Foot: left
• Estimated Value: £10M – £15M

In this player’s case, I think Barcelona won’t sell him at the start of the game because they just bought him from PSG. Apart from that, Digne should be your best option to consider, perhaps as the game progresses to the next season. Though he won’t be cheap because of his quality. His pace, techniques, and agility will increase a bit in FM17.

8) Héctor Bellerín

• Born (age): Mar 19, 1995 (21)
• Nationality: Spain
• Club: Arsenal FC
• Position: Right-Back
• Foot: right
• Estimated Value: £16M – £20M

This young fella has always been on the list of best young fullbacks since FM15. He’s still young and still giving his best for the Gunners. He has an excellent pace, and can return quickly for defence. No doubt Bellerín is going to be expensive in FM17, but he’s worth every penny.

9) José Luis Gayá

• Born (age): May 25, 1995 (21)
• Nationality: Spain
• Club: Valencia CF
• Position: Left-Back
• Foot: left
• Estimated Value: £8M – £10M

This fullback still stays in the top spots for recommendation. He was fantastic in FM15 and 16; he handles his job as a fullback very well. I think his value may decrease in FM17 because of some shaky performances he had last season, but he’s potential will still remain high.

Moreover, Valencia may be keen to sell him for a good bid. Just be rest assured that your left-back will be well covered once you have Gayá on board.

10) Elseid Hysaj

• Born (age): Feb 2, 1994 (22)
• Nationality: Albania
• Club: SSC Napoli
• Position: Right-Back
• Foot: right
• Estimated Value: £7M – £11M

Napoli did well last season by claiming a second place in Seria A with Hysaj actively involved; he played almost every match. This will be a plus for him in FM17 in both skills and rate of development.

He’s strong and rarely gets injured in my FM16 saves. Honestly, if your club transfer budget can afford this young player in your FM17 save, go for him.

11) Jetro Willem

• Born (age): Mar 30, 1994 (22)
• Nationality: Netherlands/Curacao
• Club: PSV Eindhoven
• Position: Left-Back, Left-Midfield
• Foot: left
• Estimated Value: £4M – £7M

Jetro’s always been available and I really think he’ll also be available for signing in FM17. He’s one of the few affordable best young fullbacks. His attributes will even improve more in FM17. You don’t have to worry about his development because he’s always consistent in other FMs, and can adapt to any condition. So if you can’t spend £20m for a fullback, then go for Jetro Willem.

12) Arthur Masuaku

• Born (age): Nov 7, 1993 (22)
• Nationality: France/Congo DR
• Club: West Ham United
• Position: Left-Back, Left-Midfield
• Foot: left
• Estimated Value: £3.5M – £6M

I highly recommend this player because he always possesses good stamina and work rate in FMs. His natural strength is superb in FM16, and doesn’t get exhausted in matches. West Ham may not sell him in the start of FM17 because he recently joined them from Olympiacos.

13) Tin Jedvaj

• Born (age): Nov 28, 1995 (20)
• Nationality: Croatia
• Club: Bayer 04 Leverkusen
• Position: Right-Back, Centre-Back, Left-Back
• Foot: right
• Estimated Value: £3M – £6M

Tin’s main position was centre-back in FM16, but I think it’s going to be changed to right-back in FM17 because Leverkusen manager figured he plays best in this position. He has displayed some excellent performances so far and I believe he’s going to be really great in FM17.

14) Zeca

• Born (age): May 16, 1994 (22)
• Nationality: Brazil
• Club: Santos FC
• Position: Left-Back, Right-Back
• Foot: right
• Estimated Value: £1.5M – £4M

On prediction, Santo may sell this important young talent for around £8m in FM17. Zeca is really incredible, and he plays very well in both LB and RB positions. He’ll really contribute immensely in your team when you get him; his ability to adapt in the first team won’t be a problem.

15) Nélson Semedo

• Born (age) Nov 16, 1993 (22)
• Nationality: Portugal/Cape Verde
• Club: SL Benfica
• Position: Right-Back
• Foot: right
• Estimated Value: £3M – £5M

Semedo has achieved a lot in Benfica, and his abilities are still rising. He always has the potential to be a world-class fullback in Football Manager. I believe his market value will go up in FM17 when compared to FM16. Nevertheless, he’s absolutely among the calibre of young demanding fullbacks you should go for.