BEST FOOTBALL MANAGER 2022 GOALKEEPERS
BRIEF PROFILES ON SOME OF THE BEST YOUNG GOALKEEPERS S IN FM22
We cover youth football and we love Football Manager. We’ve combined both to compile a list of the young goalkeepers that you should start scouting on your FM22 saves. These aren’t necessarrily “best”, but they’re interesting prospects for clubs across the spectrum of football. They’re players that we like in real-life that look good in FM22.
WHAT ROLES CAN GOALKEEPERS PLAY IN FOOTBALL MANAGER 22?
There are just two Goalkeeper roles in FM22: Sweeper Keeper and Goalkeeper. The Goalkeeper role is exactly what it says on the box; their role is stay in their penalty area, largely on their goal line, with their sole focus being on shot-stopping and claiming crosses, while playing simple balls out when they receive possession.
The Sweeper Keeper role is much more expansive. They will look to fulfil the role of the Goalkeeper, but also look to be much more aggressive as a distributor, while also playing close attention to the space in front of him, looking to cut out balls in behind the defence. The Sweeper Keeper role can be played on Defend, Support or Attack duty, with each varying the amount of risk and the aggressiveness your Sweeper Keeper will play with.
OUR LISTS OF THE BEST YOUNG TALENTS
WHAT ATTRIBUTES ARE IMPORTANT FOR GOALKEEPERS IN FM22?
Goalkeepers require all the basic technical attributes for the role: one on ones, reflexes, throwing, kicking, handling, aerial reach, communication, and command of his area. Other than that, there are only a few other key areas: agility, decision-making, positioning, concentration and anticipation.
Sweeper Keepers will need an extra layer on top of these: composure, first touch, passing, a high rushing out tendency, vision and acceleration.
WATCH: 5 YOUNG PLAYERS YOU SHOULD BUY IN FM22
LAST UPDATED: APRIL 7, 2022
OUR LATEST PLAYER PROFILES
ÁLVARO FERNÁNDEZ
DATE OF BIRTH
13/04/1998 (23)
POSITIONS
GK
CLUB
Brentford
NATIONALITY
Spain
VALUE
€11M – €33M
Álvaro Fernández is on loan at Brentford at the start of your save, and will remain there until the end of the first season. With a €10 million buy option on his loan, there is a chance your ability to sign him will be delayed by another year if Brentford decide to take it up.
If they don’t you have an opportunity to pick up one of the best value goalkeeper options in FM22 for somewhere around that €10 million mark from his parent club Huesca.
Fernández is a solid all-rounder. Good passing means he is a great option as a sweeper keeper, but high level reflexes also mean he is efficient between the posts as well. The Spaniard will not be a world-beater, but he is a very solid number one.
ALBAN LAFONT
DATE OF BIRTH
23/01/1999 (22)
POSITIONS
GK
CLUB
FC Nantes
NATIONALITY
France
VALUE
€15M – €45M
It is incredible to think that Alban Lafont is still just 23 (22 in game), having emerged as a first-choice goalkeeper for Toulouse at 16, but he is now starting to develop into the shot-stopper many people expected him to become.
Now with Nantes after leaving Toulouse for Fiorentina in 2018 before returning to France a year later, Lafont profiles as a solid shot-stopper with decent potential as a sweeper keeper. His reflexes are his standout attribute, while one-on-ones and handling stats are also good. He also excels in the air, combining his 1.93m frame with a strong jumping reach attribute which gives him good command of his area at set-pieces and corners.
At around €20 million, he is a reliable option that should give you many years of good production for an affordable fee.
ROBERT SÁNCHEZ
DATE OF BIRTH
18/11/1997 (23)
POSITIONS
GK
CLUB
Brighton & Hove Albion
NATIONALITY
Spain
VALUE
€20M – €60M
Robert Sánchez is the thinking man’s favourite Premier League goalkeeper. A solid shot-stopper that is good at claiming high balls and superb in possession, the Spanish international is perfect for attacking sides that play with a sweeper keeper.
At 1.97m tall, he combines dominant aerial reach, command of area, and jumping reach attributes to be a formidable force when defending crosses, corners and set-pieces. But he is also a strong passer of the ball that loves to take part in his side’s build-up play. Perhaps most strangely for a goalkeeper of his build is his willingness to rush off his line.
At around €25 million, you cannot really go wrong with Sánchez as your team’s number one, perhaps as you develop a regen goalkeeper to one day usurp him.
ANATOLII TRUBIN
DATE OF BIRTH
01/08/2001 (19)
POSITIONS
GK
CLUB
Shakhtar Donetsk
NATIONALITY
Ukraine
VALUE
€27M – €82M
Taking over from long-term Shakhtar and Ukraine number one Andriy Pyatov was never going to be an easy task, by Anatolii Trubin is doing it very well. Emerging into the wider footballing conscience after some stunning performances in the 2020/21 edition of the Champions League, Trubin profiles as a goalkeeper already playing at a good level, but with the potential to grow in FM22.
At 1.98m tall, Trubin is a big lad that takes command of his penalty box with high aerial reach, jumping reach, and handling. Other than that, he is a more conservative goalkeeper with the tendency not to rush out to deal with one-on-ones, preferring to make saves from his goal-line.
With Shakhtar’s €100 million valuation, Trubin is not a cheap option, but pay attention to his contract expiry date in 2024 – there could be a bargain to be made.
WHAT ARE FOOTBALL MANAGER WONDERKIDS?
Wonderkid is a cliché term that’s synonymous with Football Manager. They’re young prospects – usually aged 16 to 18 – that have elite-level potential in the game. Freddy Adu is a prominent example for older managers, while Youssoufa Moukoko is a current case. They’re the superstar youngsters that are must-buys on every save.
But it’s also subjective. A wonderkid at Accrington Stanley is completely different to a wonderkid at Manchester City. Essentially, the surroundings dictate the status.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD GOALKEEPER IN FOOTBALL MANAGER 2022?
The best goalkeepers in FM22 will have one thing in common – a strong set of mental attributes. They’re key for goalkeepers in terms of concentration and consistency, therefore you should look for those virtues in your goalkeepers.
You must also consider your team style. If you play a high defensive line, you’ll need a more mobile goalkeeper that can sweep up behind it. On the other hand, you may need a big body that can come and claim crosses. Of course, the perfect goalkeeper is one that can do everything.
HOW DO YOU FIND THE BEST GOALKEEPERS IN FOOTBALL MANAGER 2022?
You can do so by utilising the player search tool, which enables you to specify the certain variables you’re looking for in your player – from age to specific attributes.
Make the most of your scouts, too. Send them to scout nations (rather than regions/contintents) for the best young centre-backs by defining their criteria – specifying under-23, four-start potential, etc. Alternatively, just scour the Scouted Football website!
HOW DO YOU DEVELOP GOALKEEPERS IN FOOTBALL MANAGER 2022?
As always, pathways are paramount. You have to make sure that your youngsters have access to meaningful minutes at the appropriate levels. If you have a first-team ready talent, phase him into the team gradually, during pre-season ideally.
If your prospect needs a bit more polishing, the loan system is a valuable tool. But pathways to senior level minutes are key. Assess your youngsters on a case-by-case basis, decide what they need, and enact your decision.
WHERE CAN I BUY FOOTBALL MANAGER 2022?
Want to buy Football Manager 2022? Visit our friends at 2game.com and use this link and the code ‘SCOUTEDFTBL’ for 10% off your purchase.
Jan Oblak, Alisson, Ederson, Marc-André ter Stegen and Thibaut Courtois are the five highest-rated goalkeepers in FM22.
Paris Saint-Germain and Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma is undoubtedly the best young goalkeeper in Football Manager 2022. After that, there’s Aaron Ramsdale, Diogo Costa and Altay Bayındır.
