Bundesliga Wonderkids you should sign on Football Manager 2019
The German Bundesliga is back on Football Manager after a decade-long absence, which means you can finally take control of your favourite teams and players from Europe's most exciting league.
To help you in your first managerial steps, bundesliga.com sat down with the new FM19 to find out which Bundesliga gems you should be signing up to make your virtual team sparkle.
Check out our top player recommendation for each of the division's 18 teams below…
Augsburg:Simon Asta
Up-and-coming right-back Asta is currently on the fringes of the Augsburg first team squad, and has certainly been giving Manuel Baum food for thought with a string of assured performances for the club's U19s, who are second in the U19 Bundesliga. The 17-year-old has the raw stats you'd associate with a modern full-back – pace (16), natural fitness (16) and work rate (15) – but still lacks experience at the highest level. Expect his composure (11), decisions (10) and off the ball (10) to shoot up once he starts getting a regular taste of the Bundesliga.
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Bayern Munich:Christian Früchtl
One day, Manuel Neuer will hang up his golden gloves and Bayern will face the prospect of replacing the world's best goalkeeper – yet the club are quietly confident they have already found their man in Früchtl. The 18-year-old Bavarian, who won the U17 Bundesliga title in 2016/17, stands at an imposing 6'4", and has been lauded by Neuer himself for his talent and coordination. Along with the agility (15) and jumping reflexes (15) expected of a keeper, he has impressive composure (15) and an important sense of teamwork (14).
Borussia Mönchengladbach:Mickael Cuisance
Having joined Gladbach from the AS Nancy U19s at the start of 2017/18, Cuisance ended up playing a much bigger role than expected, making 24 Bundesliga appearances and becoming a firm fan favourite. The French creative midfielder, now 19, was even voted the Foals' Player of the Season ahead of Denis Zakaria and Lars Stindl. As you would expect from a midfield string-puller, Cuisance excels when it comes to passing (16), vision (16), technique (16) and composure (15). He is also handy at taking corners (16).
Werder Bremen:Johannes Eggestein
Eggestein, the younger brother of Bremen midfielder Maximilian, boasted an extraordinary scoring record at youth level with Bremen. He plundered 41 goals in 51 appearances for the U17s and 42 goals in 33 outings for the U19s. He made the step up from the reserves to the first team early in 2017/18, and hasn’t looked back since. The Germany U21 international has already found the net in the the Bundesliga and DFB Cup – an instinctive nose for goal reflected in his anticipation, finishing and first touch (all 15).