Time may be running out on FIFA 20 but that doesn’t mean you cannot embark on one final road to glory in Career Mode.
But when it comes to signing players, are you someone who loves the big names, or do you like to go against the grain?
Things are a bit too easy when you raid Europe’s biggest clubs for their talent and there’s no sense of accomplishment – apart from the obvious trophies they’ll help you win.
Instead, how good does it feel to sign players who are somewhat unknown and turn them into stars? Then, to have your knowledge furthered by said player joining a big club in real life.
Obviously on top of the bragging opportunities, these unknown players can turn into serious players for your own FIFA 20 Career Mode teams whether you’re at a lower league club with limited finances or at a powerhouse giving yourself a challenge.
But in the world of social media and extensive football knowledge, what constitutes a hidden gem? For the purpose of our list, we’re ignoring players currently plying their trade in Spain, England, Germany, Italy, France, Portugal and Netherlands – where many FIFA 20 Career Mode managers might spend most of their time scouting.
So, which players should you be taking a look at?
Values and presence of release clauses may vary per save. All prices correct at the time of publishing on 21/07/2020.
Maarten Vandevoordt (Genk)
Maarten Vandevoordt is a useful option from the start and will only grow.
Position: Goalkeeper
Initial rating: 65
Potential rating: 85
Value: £950k
Starting with a goalkeeper, the options outside the bigger leagues and clubs aren’t great, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. One who could be of use is Maarten Vandevoordt of Genk.
The 17-year-old has been back up for Gaetan Coucke this season but did make headlines with a Champions League debut against Napoli – albeit for the wrong reasons as he had a night to forget. But FIFA 20 won’t be taking that into account. Instead they’ll be looking at his promise. Starting with an initial rating of 65, Vandevoordt can rise as high as 85 in Career Mode and is a solid signing if you catch him early, especially at his low value.
Honourable mentions: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb, 80-86), Wuilker Farinez (Millonarios, 74-86)
Jeremie Frimpong (Celtic)
Jeremie Frimpong is already an explosive full-back
Position: Right-back
Initial rating: 68
Potential rating: 86
Value: £1.5m
North of the border in England there is an array of young talent just waiting to be snapped up, one of those being Jeremie Frimpong.
The teenager kicks off FIFA 20 with a rating of 68 but is already a pretty accomplished attacking full-back with 91 pace and 77 dribbling, as well as 69 crossing. He isn’t too bad defensively either, with 63 standing tackle. These will improve with Frimpong as he reaches closer to his potential of 86, definitely worth the trip to Glasgow.
Honourable mentions: Robert Gumny (Lech Poznan, 70-84), Gonzalo Montiel (Nunez, 77-84)
Zinho Vanheusden (Standard Liege)
Zinho Vanheusden is not someone to overlook on FIFA 20
Position: Centre-back
Initial rating: 75
Potential rating: 86
Value: £9m
Returning to Belgium, Standard Liege are hiding a solid centre-back from the rest of the world in Zinho Vanheusden.
The 74-rated Belgian is not someone to overlook with 76 defending and 72 physicality at the start of FIFA 20. These are broken down to include good standing (77) and sliding (78) tackles that will only improve when he reaches his overall potential of 86.
Honourable mentions: Marco Kana (Anderlecht, 66-86), Lucas Martinez Quarta (Nunez, 77-85)
Leonidas Stergiou (FC St. Gallen)
Leonidas Stergiou is worth the trip to Switzerland
Position: Centre-back
Initial rating: 63
Potential rating: 86
Value: £675k
There aren’t too many people outside of Switzerland who can honestly say they’re experts on the Swiss League. But one player to look out for both in real life and FIFA 20 is Leonidas Stergiou.
The young centre-back is slightly lower than some might like with an initial rating of 63, but it’s all about what you will be getting in the future – a potentially 86-rated defender for less than £1m.
Honourable mentions: Denys Popov (Dynamo Kyiv, 71-84), Nehuen Perez (Famalicao, 77-85)
Ayrton (Spartak Moscow)
If you like attacking full-backs go for Ayrton…
Position: Left-back
Initial rating: 73
Potential rating: 84
Value: £5.5m
If you like attacking full-backs but don’t want to shell out on them, can we tempt you with Ayrton?
The Brazilian left-back is currently plying his trade in Russia with Spartak Moscow, keeping his pace (84) out of plain sight but that’s not a problem. The 73-rated man combines his pace with decent crossing (71) and dribbling (77) and won’t tire as his stamina is 89, making him capable of attacking throughout. Then, there’s his potential to rise to 84 overall. What’s not to like?
Honourable mentions: Alexander Bernabel (Lanus, 67-83), Liberato Cacace (Wellington Phoenix, 72-83)
Marcos Antonio (Shakhtar Donestk)
Marcos Antonio is a diminutive midfielder all about the passing.
Position: Central midfielder
Initial rating: 65
Potential rating: 85
Value: £1m
If you’re happy to be in it for the long haul in Career Mode, take a trip to Ukraine to get Shakhtar Donetsk’s Marcos Antonio.
The Brazilian is a diminutive midfielder will not be your N’Golo Kante, rather a player to start off the attacks with 65 passing. This consists of 71 long passing and 67 short passing, making the 65-rated midfielder capable of various types of play. But the biggest selling point is clearly his overall potential of 85.
Honourable mentions: Mykola Shaparenko (Dynamo Kyiv, 73-84), Lucas Robertone (Nunez, 75-84)
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Cristian Ferreira (Nunez)
Cristian Ferreira is full of potential to become a great midfielder
Position: Central midfielder
Initial rating: 71
Potential rating: 85
Value: £3.7m
FIFA 20 players may be used to Nunez by now but for those who may be confused about this obscure Argentinian team, it’s River Plate – like Juventus, EA Sports don’t have the licence for the Copa Libertadores runners-up in Career Mode.
But they do still have River’s players and in particular Cristian Ferreira. The teenager kicks off FIFA 20 with an initial rating of 71. Composed of 73 passing and 74 dribbling, make him an immediate danger to defences. These will only improve if he reaches his overall of 85, becoming one of the better midfielders in Career Mode.
Honourable mentions: Maycon (Shakhtar Donetsk, 73-84), David Turnbull (Motherwell, 70-84)
Nicolas De la Cruz (Nunez)
Nicolas De la Cruz can add to the attack from midfield
Position: Central midfielder
Initial rating: 77
Potential rating: 85
Value: £11.5m
Completing the South American midfield is Ferreira’s Nunez teammate Nicolas De la Cruz.
The Uruguayan is pretty solid across the board but his attributes lean more to an attacking midfielder, with 85 pace and 81 dribbling on top of 75 passing. Although that isn’t to say he cannot defend, with 63 standing tackle. One to help you on your way to the top.
Honourable mentions: Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen, 69-84), Aster Vranckx (KV Mechelen, 62-83)
Jeremy Doku (Anderlecht)
Anderlecht’s Jeremy Doku may be one of the best young wingers in FIFA 20, blessed with pace and potential.
Position: Winger
Initial rating: 66
Potential rating: 86
Value: £1.1m
Anderlecht may be known as one of the best talent factories in Europe, but that doesn’t mean everyone goes there in FIFA 20. Well they should, for Jeremy Doku.
The 17-year-old has an initial rating of 66 but already boasts 88 pace and 87 balance, meaning opponents will have a tough time getting the ball off him. Despite his small 5’7″ frame, Doku is rated 88 for jumping to add some aerial threat. But, as with everyone on this list, the key selling point is Doku’s potential at 86 – turning him into one of the upper class wingers.
Honourable mentions: Santiago Rodriguez (Nacional, 68-85), Karamoko Dembele (Celtic, 64-85)
Julian Alvarez (Nunez)
Julian Alvarez can become one of the best strikers from outside the big leagues
Position: Striker
Initial rating: 70
Potential rating: 85
Value: £4.6m
Back to Nunez we go for our striker, Julian Alvarez who needs a bit of work but with faith can become great.
The teenager starts FIFA 20 Career Mode with an overall rating of 70 and his finishing (71) may be a put off for those wanting a proven goalscorer straight off the bat. But there are early signs of a star player with 73 ball control and 81 balance just a few of his more favourable stats. These will increase, as always, when Alvarez reaches his potential overall of 85 – becoming one of best strikers from outside the big leagues in FIFA 20 Career Mode.
Honourable mentions: Odsonne Edouard (Celtic, 76-85), Rafael Santos Borre (Nunez, 79-85)
Pedro de la Vega (Lanus)
Pedro de la Vega can become one of the best wingers in the game, rising to 88 overall.
Position: Winger
Initial rating: 70
Potential rating: 88
Value: £4.4m
FIFA 20 is a good year for the Argentinian league and their players, with so many gems hidden in South America. Arguably the best is Pedro de la Vega, also who made our FIFA 20 winger recommendations.
The teenager kicks off FIFA 20 with an initial rating of 70 so will already be capable of cutting it sporadically at higher levels. His pace (86) and dribbling (77) will be vital to your wide play especially as he is capable of playing on either wing. And these will only get better as he reaches his potential overall of 88, becoming one of the best wingers in FIFA 20 Career Mode.
Honourable mentions: Ezequiel Barco (Atlanta United, 74-85), Cristian Pavon (LA Galaxy, 79-85)