World champions France have one of, if not, the best international squads on FIFA 21. From centre half to right-wing they have strength in depth up and down the pitch. Pogba and Mbappe are just two of the most recent high profile names to roll off their impressive conveyor belt, and it shows no signs of letting up with Clairefontaine continuing to produce wonderkid after wonderkid. Here we look at the best young French players in FIFA 21.
Looking for the best young French players in FIFA 22? Check them out here.
Best French Wonderkids in FIFA 21
10. Boubacar Kamara (Marseille: CDM, CB)
A combative defensive midfielder, who can also slot in at centre back, Boubacar Kamara is destined for big things. The 20-year-old Marseille academy graduate has made over 50 first-team appearances since making his debut in 2016. He starts FIFA 21 with an overall rating of 79 and the potential to reach 84, which is why Marseille have whacked a €30.6 million release clause on his head.
Kamara is known for reading the game well, which is illustrated with an interception rating of 80 and long passing 79. Both are key to his role as a defensive midfielder.
9. Tanguy Nianzou (Bayern Munich: CB, CDM)
At 18 years old, and with an overall rating of 71, Bayern Munich could well have another wonderkid on their hands in Tanguy Nianzou. Primarily a centre back, with the ability to play as a defensive midfielder, Nianzou has a potential rating of 85 in FIFA 21. Physically and technically he still needs time to develop, but with a release clause of just €10.5 million, he’s definitely worth a punt on career mode.
8. Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford: RW, ST)
Brentford have a knack of signing potential wonderkids on the cheap and they seem to have done it again with Bryan Mbeumo. The 20-year-old right-winger, who can also play as a striker, has an overall rating of 74 in FIFA 21 with a potential of 85 and joined the Championship club last summer from Troyes.
Left-footed, Mbeumo enjoys cutting in from the right flank and has pace to burn with acceleration and sprint speed stats of over 80. Still in the early stages of his development his current dribbling and finishing attributes, both 74, are not to be sniffed at. It’ll cost you €20 million to trigger his release clause in career mode.
7. Rayan Aït-Nouri (Wolverhampton Wanderers: LB)
A product of the Angers SCO academy, highly rated left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri is currently on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he’s expected to sign permanently come the end of the season. The 19-year-old has represented France at both under 18 and under 21 level. He currently has an overall rating of 71 with a potential of 86.
Defensively Aït-Nouri is solid with standing and sliding tackle attributes of over 70. Physically, though, improvements are needed, which should come with age.
6. Jean-Clair Todibo (Benfica: CB)
Currently at Benfica, on loan from Barcelona, 20-year-old Jean-Clair Todibo has all the makings to be a world-class centre back. Standing 6’3” tall and with a strength attribute of 79, he’s physically solid. And, as you’d expect with all Barca players, he’s comfortable with the ball at his feet – both composure and ball control attributes are over 70 – hence the overall rating of 75.
If Tadino continues to develop, then there’s no doubt he’ll reach his potential rating of 86 in FIFA 21. This kid is special.
5. William Saliba (Arsenal: CB)
If there’s one position France aren’t short on, it’s centre backs. And William Saliba is expected to be the pick of the bunch. Currently rated 74 the 19-year-old has a potential rating of 87 in FIFA 21. And it’s no wonder. The Arsenal defender has it all. He’s comfortable on the ball with passing, composure and ball control stats of 70 or above, defensively sound with high tackling attributes and physically outstanding for his age. With a release clause of €25.3 million, he’s well worth a punt.
4. Maxence Caqueret (Lyon: CM, CDM)
A box to box midfielder with exceptional stamina, balance and agility Maxence Caqueret has an overall rating of 75 and potential 87. His style of play has been compared to that of N’Golo Kanté. A ridiculous engine. A ball winner. Composed. Excellent on the ball. Great distribution. He has it all for a 20-year-old. And with a release clause of €25.2 million, it’s only a matter of time before one of Europe’s big boys come calling for the Lyon centre mid.
3. Rayan Cherki (Lyon: CAM, RM, LM)
Capable of playing across the midfield 16-year-old Mathis Rayan Cherki is one of France’s brightest talents. Although his overall rating is just 67 right now, he has the potential of 88 in FIFA 21. The Lyon youngster, who has excellent dribbling ability for his age, has a release clause of just €4.9 million, making him an absolute bargain.
2. Eduardo Camavinga (Rennes: CM)
Aged just 17 Eduardo Camavinga is already making a name for himself on the world scene. The teenage midfielder has been capped three times by the France senior side following a string of impressive performances for Rennes. And with an overall rating of 76 and potential of 88, he’s expected to become a global star like compatriot Paul Pogba.
For €25.2 million – that’s his release clause – you’ll get a central midfielder with the dribbling and ball control of a winger, the tackling and interceptions of a defender and the strength of someone ten years his senior. Eduardo Camavinga is a player now, never mind the future.
1. Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen: LM, LW)
With an overall rating of 81 and potential to reach 88, Moussa Diaby is the number one hottest French talent in FIFA 21 and has a release clause of €47.5 million. Having failed to make an impact at boyhood club PSG, Diaby is now a key figure at Bayer Leverkusen.
There’s no substitute for pace in this game, and it’s Diaby’s best attribute with a sprint speed of 90 and acceleration 96. Add a dribbling attribute of 87 and you’ve got yourself a game-changer. He has end product too. His crossing is 74 on FIFA 21 and finishing 71, which will improve with experience.
Defensively, France look set for years to come with a number of high-quality centre backs and full backs coming through the ranks. At the other end of the pitch, though, they look short on world-class strikers and wide attackers. But as the old saying goes, it’s quality not quantity and in Moussa Diaby and Rayan Cherki, France have two wonderkids to nurture.
