FM23 Expected Player Upgrades

After an amazing 2021/2022 season, the question always is which players will get an upgrade in the new version of Football Manager. Which players had a great season and will undoubtedly get an upgrade when it comes to current ability or potential ability?

In this article you will find a list of the players that we expect to receive a (significant) upgrade in Football Manager 2023 compared to Football Manager 2022.

Disclaimer - The profiles you see here on this page are the profiles from FM22 and not the expected new profile of the players in FM23.

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Vinicius Junior - Real Madrid

He scored the winning goal the final of the Champions League against Liverpool and had his big break season. From a somewhat blind dribbler, Vinicius Junior - or Vini - has developed into one of the most dangerous and best left wingers on the planet. He will receive a massive Current Ability boost in FM23 that's for sure.

Jude Bellingham - Borussia Dortmund

We already knew that Jude Bellingham was a wonderkid from previous FM's, but we did not expect that he would have such a strong season at Dortmund at this age. In the past season, Bellingham has developed into one of the best midfielders in Europe and it won't be long before he's playing at the very top. He will be a great player in FM23 and will get a big upgrade!

Rafael Leao - AC Milan

AC Milan finally managed to win the title in Serie A after eleven years and Rafael Leao was one of the key players in this great achievement. He was voted MVP by the Italian press and he is now regarded as one of the most dangerous attackers in the Serie A. It is inevitable that Leao will get a major upgrade in FM23.

Jurien Timber - Ajax

After the departure of Matthijs de Ligt from Ajax, we had to wait and see if the Dutch top club that could handle the loss of their captain and star defender. With Jurrien Timber, the Dutch Giants once again have a top defending wonderkid in their ranks. Timber had a very strong season and showed that he can reach a very high level in the Champions League matches. Will Timber have the potential to become one of FM23's best defenders?

Nuno Mendes - Paris Saint-Germain

Only 19 years old and already he is playing alongside the stars of Paris Saint-Germain. Nuno Mendes played on loan for PSG last season and played himself in the Parisians' team without any problems. The super fast left-back has quickly worked his way up to an absolute top left-back and it won't be long before he is regarded as one of the best left-backs in the world. A definite upgrade in FM23!

Karim Adeyemi - RB Salzburg > Dortmund

After Erling Haaland, RB Salzburg once again had an amazing forward in their team. This time it was German striker Karim Adeyemi who managed to develop into one heck of an attacker in just two seasons in Austria. He has made his international debut for Germany and is looking to make his World Cup debut in the winter. He was already known as one of the greatest wonderkids in FM22, but we expect to get a lot more from him in FM23! He will undoubtedly become even better than he already was!

Aaron Ramsdale - Arsenal

You wouldn't expect a goalkeeper on a list like this, but we simply couldn't ignore Ramsdale. He has developed into one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League during his first season at Arsenal and it looks like the 24-year-old Englishman has increased his ability and potential. After a strong debut season at Arsenal, we expect a lot from Ramsdale in FM23 and we are expecting a big boost for his current ability!

Gavi - FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona had two difficult seasons and also had to cope with the departure of star player Lionel Messi. One of the bright spots of the past two seasons year was Gavi's breakthrough, then 16 years old. A season later, the talented midfielder is first team regular at Barcelona and has already made his debut for the Spanish national team. Gavi will most certainly get a major upgrade in FM23. The question, however, is not whether he will be a top player but rather how much higher his current and potential abilities will be compared to FM22.

Aurélien Tchouameni - AS Monaco > Real Madrid

Barely two seasons ago, Aurélien Tchouameni played a modest role in the youth academy of Girondins Bordeaux. He was sold to AS Monaco and quickly grew into one of the best young midfielders in the Ligue 1. The step to the European elite seems to be a logical step for the defensive midfielder. We expect a lot from Tchouameni in FM23 and think he will receive a significant upgrade in both current and potential ability.

Phil Foden - Manchester City

Phil Foden's natural development seems unstoppable. Although he is only 22 years old, it seems as if he has been making his minutes at Manchester City for at least 10 years. The English forward is a joy to watch and despite being a key player for City he is still regarded as one of the best talents in the world. In FM22 he received a CA rating that was just under 80 according to the FMI standard. In FM23 we assume he will receive an ability boost and that may take him into the top 25 best players of FM23.

Other notable players

Of course there a dozens of players who will receive an upgrade in FM23 but not everyone made it to the list. Belof is a small shortlist with several other players who will be on the upgrade lis when FM23 hits the stores on November 8th!

Who are you expecting the most from in Football Manager 2023? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts!