FIFA 23: How To Get The Best Youth Academy Players

Hey guys! Want to dominate in FIFA 23 Career Mode? One of the best ways to build a dynasty is through the Youth Academy. Finding those wonderkids and developing them into world-class players is super rewarding. But how do you consistently get good youth players? Don't worry, I’m here to break it down for you with all the tips and tricks you need to succeed! Let's dive in on how to get the best youth academy players in FIFA 23.

Understanding the Youth Academy System

Before we get into the specifics, let's quickly cover the basics of the Youth Academy system in FIFA 23. The Youth Academy is where you scout and recruit young, promising players to your club. These players, often with high potential, can be developed into key members of your squad over time. It’s a long-term investment, but the payoff can be huge. The system revolves around hiring scouts, sending them to different countries, receiving reports, and then signing the best prospects to your Youth Academy. From there, you train them, give them playing time, and watch them grow.

The quality of your youth intake depends on several factors, including the quality of your scouts, the countries you scout, and a bit of luck. However, by optimizing your approach, you can significantly increase your chances of finding those hidden gems. Think of it like this: your scouts are your talent hunters, and you need to equip them with the right tools and send them to the right locations to bring back the best prospects. It’s not just about finding any young player; it’s about finding players with the potential to become superstars. And that’s where the strategy comes in. You'll want to continuously monitor your youth players' progress, ensuring they get sufficient playtime and training to maximize their growth. Keep an eye on their stats, their potential, and their development traits to make informed decisions about their future at your club.

Hiring the Right Scouts

Your scouts are the backbone of your Youth Academy. It's crucial to hire scouts with high ratings in both judgement and experience. Judgement affects the accuracy of the player ratings your scouts provide, while experience determines the quality of players they can find. Aim for scouts with at least 5-star ratings in both categories. To find these top-tier scouts, go to the scout hiring section in Career Mode and filter by judgement and experience. Be prepared to pay a higher wage for these scouts, but it’s a worthwhile investment. Think of it as paying for quality—you get what you pay for!

When hiring scouts, don't just look at the star ratings. Read their descriptions to get a sense of their scouting style. Some scouts might be better at finding technically gifted players, while others might excel at identifying physically strong players. Choose scouts whose strengths align with your team's needs and play style. Also, consider the scout's preferred scouting locations. Some scouts might have better connections and knowledge in certain regions, which can increase your chances of finding quality players in those areas. Don't be afraid to rotate your scouts and try out different combinations to see what works best for your club. Remember, building a successful Youth Academy is a continuous process of experimentation and refinement. Keep track of which scouts consistently bring back promising players and focus on retaining them for the long term.

Scouting Locations: Where to Find the Best Talents

Where you send your scouts is just as important as the scouts themselves. Certain countries are known for producing top-tier football talent. South America (Brazil, Argentina), Spain, Germany, and France are all great places to start. These countries often have a higher concentration of players with high potential. However, don’t overlook smaller nations! Sometimes you can find hidden gems in countries like Belgium, Netherlands, or even some African nations. To maximize your scouting efforts, diversify your scouting locations. Send scouts to different regions to increase your chances of finding a variety of talented players. Keep in mind that scouting in certain countries may be more expensive due to travel costs and other factors. Balance your budget and scouting priorities to make the most of your resources.

Also, pay attention to the in-game news and reports about emerging footballing nations. FIFA 23 often updates player potentials and attributes based on real-world performances, so keeping an eye on these trends can give you an edge in finding the next big thing. Remember, the goal is to identify players with high potential early on so you can develop them into world-class stars. Don't be afraid to take risks and scout in unconventional locations. You never know where you might find the next Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo! Scouting isn't just about finding players with high potential; it's about finding players who fit your team's philosophy and play style. Consider factors like player personality, work rate, and preferred positions when evaluating potential recruits. A player with slightly lower potential but a great attitude and work ethic might be a better fit for your team than a player with higher potential but a poor mentality.

Scouting Instructions: What to Look For

When you send your scouts out, you need to give them specific instructions. You can choose from several scouting focuses, such as promising, physically strong, technically gifted, goalkeeper, or winger. If you’re just starting, "promising" is a good option as it casts a wide net and gives you a variety of player types. As you develop your squad, you can be more specific based on your team's needs. For example, if you need a new center-back, focus your scout on "physically strong" players. Be patient, as it takes time for scouts to find quality players. They will send you monthly reports with their findings. Review these reports carefully and identify the players with the highest potential. Remember, potential is key. You want players who can grow into world-class talents over time.

Experiment with different scouting instructions to see what works best for your team. You might find that focusing on certain attributes yields better results than others. Also, consider the age range of the players you're scouting. If you're looking for immediate impact, focus on older youth players (17-18 years old) who are closer to being ready for first-team action. If you're building for the future, focus on younger players (15-16 years old) who have more time to develop. Don't be afraid to adjust your scouting instructions based on the feedback you receive from your scouts. If a scout consistently brings back players with a certain set of attributes, consider focusing on those attributes to maximize your chances of finding quality prospects. Scouting is a dynamic process, and you need to be adaptable to succeed.

Evaluating Youth Reports

Each month, your scouts will send you reports with details on the players they’ve found. These reports include information on the player’s position, potential, overall rating, and a brief description. Pay close attention to the player’s potential, as this indicates how high their overall rating can grow. Look for players with potential ratings of "showing great potential," "an exciting prospect," or "has potential to be special." These players are likely to become stars. However, don’t completely ignore players with lower potential. Sometimes, these players can still develop into useful squad members, especially if they have other desirable attributes like high work rates or valuable traits.

When evaluating youth reports, consider the player's position and how well they fit into your team's formation and tactics. A player with high potential might not be a good fit if they play in a position where you already have strong players or if their play style doesn't align with your team's strategy. Also, pay attention to the player's weak foot and skill move ratings. A player with a strong weak foot and high skill moves can be a valuable asset, especially in attacking positions. Don't just focus on the overall rating and potential; consider the complete package of attributes and how they contribute to the player's overall value. Finally, trust your gut instinct. Sometimes a player might not stand out on paper, but if you have a good feeling about them, take a chance and sign them to your Youth Academy. You never know when you might discover a hidden gem!

Signing Players to Your Youth Academy

Once you’ve identified promising players, it’s time to sign them to your Youth Academy. Be careful not to fill up your academy with too many players, as this can hinder their development. Aim to keep around 15-20 players in your academy at any given time. When signing players, consider their personalities. Players with professional or resilient personalities tend to develop better than those with other personalities. Also, be mindful of their wage demands. You don’t want to overspend on youth players, especially if they’re not guaranteed to become stars. Sign players who fit your budget and have the potential to make a significant impact on your team. Remember, it’s better to have a smaller group of high-quality youth players than a large group of mediocre ones.

Before signing a player, try to get a sense of their playing style and how they might fit into your team's tactics. Watch videos of them playing (if available) or read scouting reports to get a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. Consider their preferred positions and roles, and how they might contribute to your team's overall strategy. Also, think about the player's long-term potential and how they might develop over time. A player with high potential but a low current rating might be a better investment than a player with a higher current rating but limited potential. Finally, don't be afraid to negotiate with the player's agent to get the best possible deal. You might be able to lower their wage demands or negotiate a signing bonus that benefits both parties. Signing players to your Youth Academy is a strategic process, and you need to be thoughtful and deliberate to make the most of your resources.

Developing Your Youth Players

After signing players to your Youth Academy, the real work begins. You need to develop them into first-team contenders. This involves training, playing time, and careful management. Focus on training players in areas where they need improvement. For example, if a striker has great finishing but poor dribbling, focus on training their dribbling skills. Monitor their progress regularly and adjust their training accordingly. Give them playing time in matches, even if it’s just as a substitute. Playing time is crucial for their development. Be patient, as it takes time for youth players to reach their full potential. Don’t rush them into the first team before they’re ready. Nurture them, guide them, and watch them grow into superstars.

When developing your youth players, consider their individual personalities and learning styles. Some players might respond well to intense training, while others might benefit from a more relaxed approach. Tailor your training methods to suit each player's individual needs and preferences. Also, be mindful of the player's morale. A happy player is a productive player, so make sure to keep your youth players motivated and engaged. Provide them with positive feedback, encouragement, and opportunities to showcase their skills. Celebrate their successes and help them learn from their failures. Developing youth players is a long-term investment, and you need to be patient and persistent to see results. But the rewards of developing a world-class player from your own Youth Academy are well worth the effort.

Promoting Players to the First Team

Knowing when to promote a youth player to the first team is crucial. Promote them too early, and they might struggle and stunt their growth. Promote them too late, and you might miss out on their prime years. A good rule of thumb is to promote players when their overall rating is in the low to mid-70s. However, this can vary depending on the player’s position and your team’s needs. Before promoting a player, make sure they’re ready for the challenge. They should have the necessary skills, attributes, and mental fortitude to compete at the highest level. Give them opportunities to train with the first team and play in friendly matches to see how they perform. If they consistently impress, then it’s time to give them a chance in the first team. Be patient and give them time to adjust to the higher level of competition. With the right guidance and support, they can become key members of your squad for years to come.

Before promoting a player, assess your team's current situation and determine if the player will have a realistic chance of getting playing time. Promoting a player who will spend most of their time on the bench can be detrimental to their development. If you don't have room for them in your first team, consider loaning them out to another club where they can get regular playing time. A loan spell can be a valuable experience for a young player, allowing them to gain confidence and develop their skills in a competitive environment. When a player returns from a loan spell, reassess their potential and determine if they're ready for a spot in your first team. Promoting players to the first team is a delicate balancing act, and you need to be strategic and thoughtful to maximize their potential.

Conclusion

Building a successful Youth Academy in FIFA 23 takes time, effort, and a bit of luck. But by following these tips and tricks, you can significantly increase your chances of finding and developing world-class players. Remember to hire the right scouts, scout in the right locations, evaluate youth reports carefully, sign players strategically, and develop them patiently. With dedication and perseverance, you can build a dynasty that will dominate FIFA 23 for years to come. Happy scouting, and may your Youth Academy be filled with wonderkids!