Our guide to FM 24 best academies will tell you exactly which clubs can churn out endless talents in the game. The ability to view academy rankings is something FM fans have been clamouring for, as they look to build a legacy around homegrown talent.
Let's see which academies are considered as the best in the world by Sports Interactive when you start a new save in FM 24…
FM 24 best academies – The top five
#5 – SL Benfica
The reigning Portuguese champions produce elite talents year after year. Bernardo Silva, João Félix, João Cancelo, Renato Sanches, Ruben Dias, Gonçalo Ramos… all were once part of the Seixal Futebol Campus near Lisbon.
Nowadays, the ‘kids' from the Academy playing for the main team are Florentino Luis, Antonio Silva or the 18 year-old João Neves. There is no doubt that in the last decade, only a handful of academies throughout the world can compete against Benfica.
#4 – Chelsea
The academy at Cobham has definitely produced some talent. Unfortunately, they usually don't know how to develop their full potential. Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mason Mount, Trevoh Chalobah… all players with a very high ceiling that could not match the expectations set for them at Chelsea.
Conor Gallagher and Reece James look like the only two Cobham products that might have something to say in the upcoming years in the clubs they grew in. But that doesn't stop a constant production line of virtual youngsters from keeping the Stamford Bridge outfit amongst the elite in FM 24!
#3 – RB Salzburg
Definitely a club known for its ability to produce young players for bigger clubs. Erling Haaland or Benjamin Sesko? Both played for Salzburg. Their U19 side lost in the UEFA Youth League in 2022 against Benfica and they have the youngest XI in the UEFA Champions League this year.
Players such as Oumar Solet, Karim Konaté or Oscar Gloukh will most likely become elite talents for the next decade and they are currently playing for the Austrian champions.
#2 – FC Barcelona
Already, Barca product Lamine Yamal is a record breaker at just 16. Meanwhile, Marc Guiu memorably scored his maiden professional goal with his very first touch!
There is no doubt that La Masia is the god king of academies in Spain, and that era with Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol and Messi emerging in the glorious 2000s might never be equaled again (by any club).
#1 – Manchester City
Then again, if any club can rise to that particular challenge, it is Manchester City.
The Sky Blues are well-known for their ability to purchase top talent and integrate them in their main team, but are not quite recognized as the best academy in the world in real life. Even though names such Phil Foden, Rico Lewis or Oscar Bobb were all part of City's academy, it is true that not many players make the cut of Guardiola's roster.
Yet, although stars like Foden are the exception rather than the rule when it comes to making the grade at City, the likes of Brahim Diaz and Jadon Sancho are testament to just what they can produce. So too is this tweet from Erling Haaland…
FM 24 release date – when is it out?
The 20th and most complete edition to date, Football Manager 2024, is out November 6th on PC, Xbox and PS5. Pre-purchase it before November 6th to enjoy 10% off and unlock Early Access on PC (available now). Football Manager 2024 will be available on Nintendo Switch & Mobiles later this year with more news coming this week.
