As the 2022 World Cup approaches, football managers and fans alike are scouting for talent that could make a difference on the biggest stage. For those who've played Football Manager 2017 (FM17), you might remember a few English-named players who flew under the radar but had the potential to become world-class. Here’s a look at 10 such hidden gems who could have shined in Qatar—had they been given the chance.
1. Reece Oxford – The Defensive Prodigy
Remember the teenage center-back who bossed the defense in FM17? Oxford was a monster in the making, with tackling, positioning, and composure stats that screamed future captain material. Sadly, injuries stalled his real-life career, but in an alternate universe, he could’ve been England’s defensive rock.
2. Marcus Edwards – The Dribbling Wizard
Dubbed the "mini-Messi" in FM17, Edwards had flair, agility, and acceleration that made him unstoppable on the wing. While he’s now playing in Portugal, imagine if he’d reached his FM17 potential—England’s attack would’ve been terrifying.
3. Tammy Abraham – The Clinical Finisher
Before his Roma resurgence, Abraham was an FM17 favorite with 16 finishing and 15 heading. In a World Cup where strikers like Kane struggled, Abraham’s FM17 version would’ve been a perfect super-sub.
Other Notable Mentions:
- Dominic Solanke – The all-around forward who never quite exploded IRL.
- Lewis Cook – A midfield metronome with unreal passing range.
- Ben Chilwell – Already solid, but FM17 predicted him to be world-class.
While these players didn’t all live up to their FM17 hype, it’s fun to imagine how they could’ve shaped the 2022 World Cup. Who was your favorite English-named FM17 wonderkid? Let us know in the comments!