Six of the Best: Must-have Brasileirao youngsters for your Football Manager save

 

Having taken a look at the best breakthrough stars in Europe in our two-parter last week - Part I and Part II - it's time to inject some samba into your Football Manager 20 save. Indeed, the Brasileirao is teeming with young talent at the moment. Real Madrid have made no secret of their intention to hoover up the best in Brazil having, in recent months, acquired Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Reinier Jesus from Flamengo and Santos. 

 

Well, now is as good a time as any to raid the Brazilian top flight to secure the services of their top rated young talents and we at WhoScored.com at here to help you bring in the best of the best. Up until May 14th, you can get 33% off Football Manager 20, so act swiftly to both buy the game itself and bring in these diamonds in the rough before it's too late. 

 

 

Using our unique rating system, we take a look at the best rated Brasileirao youngsters aged 23 and under prior to August 1st 2019 who could benefit your team whether you are managing a European powerhouse or a lesser known side in your FM20 save. 

 

6. Antony (Sao Paulo) - 7.14 rating / £7.6m FM20 value 

 

Now while it is key to scout to bring in the best talent from Brazil, unfortunately with the latest update, Antony's move to Ajax has already been confirmed. The young winger will be moving to the Eredivisie powerhouse in July after the deal was completed in February, but that shouldn't dissuade you from considering Antony down the line. 

 

The now 20-year-old returned four goals and six assists in the 2019 Brasileirao campaign as Sao Paulo finished sixth in Brazil's top tier and his good form from the right helped yield a WhoScored rating of 7.14. Technical and Dribbling are two of the youngster's best traits on FM20, both of which have notable values of 16/20, and reinforce a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'dribbling'. A pre-2019/20 value of £7.6m will likely rise over the year, but with Antony unlikely to walk straight into the Ajax XI, he could be a possible loan addition in the future, so he is one to keep on the shortlist. 

 

5. Pedrinho (Corinthians) - 7.24 rating / £5.9m FM20 value 

 

Like Antony, Pedrinho won't be a Corinthians player in real life for much longer with a deal taking him to Benfica completed in March. However, at the start of a new save, the 22-year-old remains a Corinthians player and there is no deal in place to take him to Portugal this summer, a handy glitch that can be exploited as the most recent update doesn't include the impending transfer to the Liga NOS powerhouse. 

 

And boasting a lowly pre-season FM20 value of £5.9m, Pedrinho is an ideal youngster to scout as early as possible. The winger's form for the Brazilian giants garnered a WhoScored rating of 7.24 in the 2019 Brasileirao campaign as he bagged five goals and provided four assists, primarily from the right. Boasting a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'dribbling', it's well deserved given Pedrinho completed 2.8 dribbles per 90 in Brazil's top tier last term. This strength is reflected in Football Manager as Pedrinho has 17/20 for Technical and 16/20 for Dribbling, Agility and Flair, so get him on the shortlist straight away and have your best scout analyse his qualities to bring in this possible bargain buy. 

 

4. Jorge (Santos) - 7.29 rating / £6.6m FM20 value 

 

On loan from Monaco at the start of a new save, Jorge is somewhat our of favour with the French side having made just two cup appearances in 2020, yet gave an impressive example of his talent for Santos. Breaking forward with aplomb from left-back, the now 24-year-old registered four assists in the 2019 Brasileirao campaign, a commendable return for the full-back. 

 

Those four assists came from an average of one key pass per 90, while 1.8 dribbles per 90 notes his offensive output when he does break up field. Boasting a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'dribbling', this quality to his game is reflected in FM20. Indeed, Jorge has 15/20 for both Dribbling and Agility and if you are in the market for an attacking left-back, the on-loan Brazilian could be the ideal capture for you, even if you have to wait until January to make a move. 

 

3. Everton (Gremio) - 7.33 rating / £14.8m FM20 value 

 

On the pricier side, Everton's pre-2019/20 valuation comes in at £14.8m and given his importance for Gremio, his fee would likely be higher. Everton has been linked with a move to... well... Everton in the past and the Toffees' interest shouldn't come as a shock. Indeed, the now 24-year-old scored 11 times and laid on a further five assists in the 2019 Brasileirao campaign to help him to a WhoScored rating of 7.33. Given seven of his 30 appearances came from the bench, that rating rises to 7.61 from starts alone. 

 

With 3.6 successful dribbles per 90 last season, it's easy to see why Everton's best quality is his ability to ghost past an opponent, reinforcing a strength of 'dribbling', that in itself deemed to be Very Strong. With 18/20 for Flair, 17/20 for Dribbling and and 16/20 for Agility, Pace and Acceleration, it's no wonder Everton's valuation is so high, but if you are a big name team with cash to burn, the Brazil international is one to seriously consider. 

 

Six of the Best: Must-have Brasileirao youngsters for your Football Manager save

 

2. Yeferson Soteldo (Santos) - 7.35 rating / £9.5m FM20 value 

 

If you are in the market for a wing wizard, but don't want to cough up the extra cash for Everton, then Yeferson Soteldo is one to pin to the shortlist. The Venezuelan dribble machine has a more welcoming valuation of £9.5m, yet that could easily be higher given the 22-year-old netted nine times and provided five assists for Santos in the Brasileirao last season. 

 

Like Everton, Soteldo has a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'dribbling', that too deemed to be Very Strong and for good reason with the young winger completing four dribbles per 90 in the Brazilian top tier in 2019. His best pre-season traits on FM20 are Dribbling and Acceleration, both of which are valued at 16/20, while Pace, Flair and Agility both come in at 15/20. Yielding a WhoScored rating of 7.35 last season, be sure to make a quick move for Soteldo or run the risk of missing out on this star in the making. 

 

1. Gabigol (Flamengo) - 7.55 rating / £11.9m FM20 value 

 

Topping this list is household name Gabriel Barbosa, or better known as Gabigol. The Brazilian hitman topped the Brasileirao scoring charts with 25 goals to his name as Flamengo secured title glory in 2019. With eight assists to his name, the now 23-year-old was good value for his WhoScored rating of 7.55 and, given his goalscoring exploits, boasts a modest £11.9m pre-2019/20 valuation.

 

'Finishing' is deemed to be Very Strong and that is reflected in his FM20 values. Indeed, Gabigol has 16/20 for Finishing and 14/20 for Composure. In need of a new penalty taker? Gabigol is your man, with Penalty Taking, at 17/20, his best trait. He has already endured a disappointing spell in Europe, but could now be the time for the frontman to test his luck this side of the Atlantic once more? There's only one way to find out. If you can afford him, Gabigol should be scouted from the off, particularly for any manager in need of a new striker in a new save.

Six of the Best: Must-have Brasileirao youngsters for your Football Manager save