Once again world champions France have a ridiculously talented group of youngsters on FIFA 22. From pacy, silky forwards to commanding defenders Les Bleus are blessed with strength in numbers at both ends of the pitch. Honestly, they’re absolutely stacked. Below we take a look at the best young French footballers in FIFA 22.
Best French Wonderkids in FIFA 22
10. Nathanaël Mbuku (Stade de Reims: RW)
Stade de Reims’ teenage sensation Nathanaël Mbuku has already made over 50 senior career appearances. A modern day winger, Mbuku is predominantly left footed but prefers playing on the right wing where he frequently cuts inside.
Rated 71 overall, with a potential of 83, the 19-year-old’s end product in the final third still needs improving, but he’s effective when given the chance to run at defenders with 77 dribbling, 74 ball control and 3 star skill moves. A low centre of gravity and 80 acceleration make him difficult to defend against. Definitely one for the future.
9. Khéphren Thuram-Ulien (Nice: CDM, CM)
When Ngolo Kante decides to call time on his international career France will have a huge void to fill in the heart of their midfield. One player eventually hoping to fill his boots is 20-year-old Nice midfielder Khéphren Thuram-Ulien.
An athletic, ball-playing CDM who’s comfortable on the ball and dominant in the air, Thuram-Ulien has it all and is one of Les Bleus’ hottest prospects in FIFA 22. His top attributes include 77 short passing, 78 dribbling, 79 strength and 78 stamina. Rated 75 overall with a potential of 83 this kid is a star in the making.
8. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace: CAM, RM, LM)
2020/21 was the breakthrough season for 19-year-old attacking midfielder Michael Olise as he impressed for Championship outfit Reading. Seven goals in 44 league appearances for the Royals resulted in Crystal Palace capturing the signature of the rising star for less than £10 million.
Now playing in England’s top tier, Olise is going from strength to strength under compatriot Patrick Vieira. Capable of playing on either flank or through the middle, Olise has the ability to beat a man, with 77 ball control and 74 dribbling, and unlock defences with an array of short (75) and long (74) passing. Technically he’s absolutely spot on and a serious talent.
7. Rayan Aït-Nouri (Wolverhampton Wanderers: LWB, LB)
Wolves’ 20-year-old left back Rayan Aït-Nouri has some way to go before he breaks into the France senior team, but make no mistake this kid is special. Effective at both ends of the pitch, Nouri is as good at defending as he is attacking, which can’t be said for most modern day full backs.
Defensively he’s sound with 74 standing tackles, 72 sliding tackles and 68 awareness whilst at the other end of the pitch he’s a threat with 78 dribbling, 76 ball control and 74 crossing. Still only rated 73 with a potential of 84 it’s easy to see why Wolves are keen to keep hold of their latest hot prospect.
6. Benoît Mukinayi (AS Monaco: CB)
Marcel Desailly, Laurent Blanc, Frank Leboeuf, William Gallas and Raphael Varane to name but a few. France has long had a knack of producing world class centre backs. And 20-year-old Benoît Badiashile Mukinayi will be hoping to add his name to that list in years to come.
A physical, yet technically sound centre back, the Monaco academy graduate has represented France at every youth level since the age of 15 but is yet to feature for the senior team.
Rated 76 overall with a potential of 84, Mukinayi is dominant in the air with 84 strength and 78 heading accuracy, which you’d expect from someone standing 6ft 4” tall. He’s good with his feet too. 78 short passing and 77 long passing mean he’s well suited to playing out from the back.
5. William Saliba (Arsenal: CB)
Another promising centre back amongst the France ranks is 20-year-old Willam Saliba. Yet to be given a chance at parent club Arsenal, Saliba has impressed on loan at Marseille where he’s getting regular first team football.
A rock at the back the 6ft 2” starlet absolutely loves a tackle and has 82 standing tackle and 76 sliding tackle in FIFA 22. With a potential rating of 85 Saliba is one of the hottest defensive talents not only in France but in world football. The kid’s talented and a ball playing centre back capable of picking a pass which is key in the modern game.
4. Tanguy Kouassi (Bayern Munich: CB, CDM)
The versatile Tanguy-Austin Nianzou Kouassi currently plays for Bayern Munich after graduating from the PSG academy. Capable of playing both centre back and defensive midfield, Kouassi is yet to reach his full potential, which is currently 85 on FIFA 22, but is tipped by many to become a star.
Koussai is dominant in the air with 77 jumping and 72 heading accuracy. Rated 71 overall he’s an accomplished tackler with 73 standing tackle and, despite his age, reads the game well with 70 defensive awareness and 69 interceptions.
3. Wesley Fofana (Leicester City: CB)
Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana is the pick of the bunch when it comes to rising French defenders. Already rated 78 overall with a potential of 86 the 20-year-old is blessed with 80 standing tackle, 79 defensive awareness and 78 sliding tackle. Standing 6ft 2” tall and lean in build Fofana is perfectly built for European football and has the physical attributes needed, 80 strength, 79 sprint speed and 78 jumping, to go toe to toe with the best forwards in the world.
The Foxes signed Fofana from Saint Etienne for big money in October 2020 and handed the starlet a hefty five-year-contract, so it’s no surprise to see a whopping £60 million release clause on his head in FIFA 22.
2. Rayan Cherki (Lyon: RM)
A first team regular for Lyon at the age of just 17, Mathis Rayan Cherki is one of Les Bleus’ most exciting talents. A pacy, tricky winger with 5 star skill moves and 5 star weaker foot Cherki is unpredictable and incredibly hard to defend against. In front of goal there’s plenty of room for improvement with just 64 finishing, but give him the ball and he’ll make things happen.
Cherki’s style of play is similar to that of Lionel Messi. He’s small in stature at just 5ft 7” tall and therefore has a low centre of gravity allowing him to hurdle challenges and wriggle his way out of tight spaces. This is made easier with 84 dribbling, 84 agility and 83 balance. Rated 73 overall with a potential of 88 this kid is worth every penny of the £17.7 million release clause. A serious player.
1. Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid: CM, CDM)
Real Madrid spent big money on 18-year-old Eduardo Celim Camavinga in the summer of 2021, with the hope the France international will go on to become Luka Modric’s long term replacement at the Bernabeu. Already rated 78 overall with a potential of 89 Camavinga, like Modric, never shies away from getting on the ball.
He’s comfortable with both feet and often drops deep where he’s able to dictate play and utilise his 81 short passing and 77 long passing attributes. When pressed Camavinga has the composure (81) and ball control (81) to retain possession, even when space is limited.
Defensively he’s relentless, and offers his back four protection with 75 defensive awareness, 76 sliding tackling and 78 standing tackling. He’s no slouch either with 71 sprint speed and 73 acceleration. The kid’s got it all, and Real Madrid have a serious player on their hands.
At both ends of the pitch France look to be once again blessed with a number of potential world class talents. Wesley Fofana and William Salibia could well be Les Bleus’ centre back pairing for the next decade with Eduardo Celmi Camavinga sitting just ahead of them. Further forward Mathis Cherki has all the makings to become one of the best in the world.
