Football Manager 2015 Wonderkids: Did They Live Up to the Hype?
Football Manager, the popular football simulation game, has a reputation for predicting future football stars. Back in 2015, while the real football world was captivated by Lionel Messi’s Champions League victory over Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho’s Premier League triumph with Chelsea, Football Manager’s database was busy identifying the next generation of talent. But ten years later, have the Football Manager 2015 wonderkids truly become the world-beaters predicted by the game?
In 2015, Football Manager highlighted ten players aged 21 or under as potential future stars. Some of these young talents went on to achieve great things, while others didn’t quite reach the expected heights. Let’s revisit the Football Manager 2015 wonderkids list and see how their careers unfolded over the past decade.
Here’s a look at each player from the Football Manager 2015 wonderkid list and an assessment of whether they fulfilled their predicted potential:
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Youri Tielemans
In 2015, Youri Tielemans was a highly-rated teenage midfielder at Anderlecht, freshly crowned Belgium’s Young Footballer of the Year. While tipped for greatness early on, his rise to global prominence truly began with his 2019 transfer to Leicester City.
Youri Tielemans- Getty
Tielemans cemented his reputation by scoring the decisive goal in Leicester’s 2021 FA Cup final victory against Chelsea. Despite a subsequent relegation with Leicester, he moved to Aston Villa and played a key role in their Champions League qualification. With over 70 caps for Belgium, Tielemans has carved out a successful career at the top level of football.
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Martin Odegaard
Martin Odegaard’s early career involved multiple loan spells away from Real Madrid. It was his loan move to Arsenal in 2021 that proved transformative.
Following a successful loan, Arsenal signed Odegaard permanently. He has since become Arsenal’s captain under Mikel Arteta, leading a youthful and exciting team. While major silverware with Arsenal is still awaited, it appears to be a matter of time before Odegaard leads the Gunners to trophy success.
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Raheem Sterling
By 2015, Raheem Sterling was already a Premier League player, but he went on to achieve even greater heights. Joining Manchester City, Sterling became a key component of Pep Guardiola’s dominant side.
Raheem Sterling- Getty
Alongside players like Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne, Sterling won multiple Premier League titles and domestic cups with Manchester City. He also played a crucial role for England, notably at Euro 2021, proving himself a top-tier international player.
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Leon Goretzka
Leon Goretzka aimed to bounce back after an injury ruled him out of Germany’s 2014 World Cup squad. His move to Bayern Munich in 2018 marked a significant step up in his career.
At Bayern, Goretzka achieved tremendous success, winning five Bundesliga titles and the Champions League in 2020. While his form has fluctuated more recently, Goretzka has certainly enjoyed a trophy-laden and accomplished career.
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Adnan Januzaj
Adnan Januzaj arrived at Manchester United with immense promise, initially appearing capable of becoming a Premier League standout. However, his career trajectory took a different turn.
Seeking more playing time, Januzaj left Manchester United in 2017 and moved to Spain. He had a solid career in La Liga with Real Sociedad and Sevilla, even winning the Copa Del Rey in 2020 with Sociedad. While a respectable career, Januzaj didn’t quite reach the heights initially anticipated for him at Old Trafford.
Adnan Januzaj- Getty
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Julian Brandt
Julian Brandt was a Bundesliga prodigy at Bayer Leverkusen alongside Kai Havertz, known for his creative play. His move to Borussia Dortmund solidified his status as a top German talent.
While Brandt may not have become a global superstar as some predicted, he has been a consistent and influential player for Dortmund for over half a decade. He won the DFB-Pokal in 2021 and played in the 2024 Champions League final, demonstrating his continued importance at a high level.
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Memphis Depay
Memphis Depay’s career has been a rollercoaster, featuring spells at PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Lyon, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid, showcasing his diverse club journey.
Internationally, Depay has been a prolific scorer for the Netherlands, reaching 100 caps and scoring nearly 50 goals. While perhaps not consistently at the absolute pinnacle of world football, Depay has had a dynamic and impactful career, often producing moments of brilliance and representing top clubs across Europe.
Memphis Depay- Getty
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Mateo Kovacic
Mateo Kovacic sought more regular first-team football when he moved from Real Madrid to Chelsea in 2018, and the transfer proved beneficial for his career progression.
Kovacic added another Champions League title to his trophy cabinet with Chelsea in 2021 and then secured a Premier League title with Manchester City. His ability to seamlessly fit into different systems, including Pep Guardiola’s at City, highlights his quality and adaptability as a midfielder.
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Marquinhos
Marquinhos has been a constant presence at PSG, becoming a symbol of consistency and leadership amidst the club’s fluctuating fortunes in the Champions League.
Appointed PSG captain in 2020, he has amassed nearly 500 appearances for the club, becoming a cornerstone of their defense. Considered one of the world’s best defenders for a prolonged period, Marquinhos continues to pursue Champions League success with PSG.
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Max Meyer
Max Meyer is perhaps the clearest example on this list of unfulfilled potential. Once a highly-touted German prospect, his move to Crystal Palace in the Premier League didn’t ignite his career as hoped.
Meyer, who hasn’t represented Germany since 2016, currently plays in Cyprus for APOEL. His career path serves as a reminder of how unpredictable player development can be, even for those with initial high expectations.
Assessing the Football Manager 2015 Predictions
Looking back at the Football Manager 2015 wonderkids, it’s clear that the game identified a significant amount of real talent. Several players on the list, such as Raheem Sterling, Leon Goretzka, Mateo Kovacic, and Martin Odegaard, have gone on to have very successful careers, winning major trophies and playing at the highest level of football. Others like Youri Tielemans and Memphis Depay have also enjoyed notable careers, even if they haven’t consistently been considered among the absolute world’s best.
Of course, not every prediction hits the mark. Adnan Januzaj and Max Meyer represent cases where early promise didn’t fully translate into sustained top-level success. However, the overall accuracy of Football Manager’s 2015 wonderkid list is quite impressive, highlighting the game’s deep scouting database and understanding of football potential and player development.
Which Football Manager wonderkids have you rated highly over the years? Let us know in the comments!