Why I Don’t Use Wonderkid Lists
Searching for fun again.
Why I Don’t Use Wonderkid Lists
I should probably confess first. I actually used to use wonderkid lists. I used to use them all the time.
You probably know what they look like. I’d say the most easily recognizable one is the yearly list over at FMScout. That list is updated with every new version of the game, and is quite reliable in terms of predicting which players will be good.
Back in the good old days of Football Manager 2021, I would start new saves with that FMScout wonderkid list open in another window, making sure to slow down and find the “right” players that would certainly grow up to be great stars.
What made me change?
The More Fun Way
Honestly, the thing that made me change was the fact that it simply wasn’t fun anymore.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with winning. However, it felt really artificial to sign the same players over and over again with each new save attempt.
I’d always figure out a way to sign Maarten Vandevoordt in goal, for example, and would make sure to pick up Max Normann Williamsen at centerback for cheap. Lucas Gomez was my go-to striker, especially in the early days of Football Manager 2021: he was cheap, and he always developed quickly.
And, of course, Yusuf Demir was the ideal attacking central midfielder, provided that I was managing a club with enough stature and money to lure him over.
But that’s the problem. I would sign the same players in every single save. It got to the point where I had their names memorized and would sign them robotically, regardless of what my club actually needed.
I’ve learned (the hard way, of course) that it’s actually a lot more fun to work with what you have and get to know your players. Stay in country and in character and see what the game gets you.
After all, winning every game becomes really boring after a while.