In EA FC 24, every football star begins as a dreamer, playing in the streets or local fields. The Youth Academy challenge in Career Mode is about nurturing these dreams. It’s a commitment to build a thriving Youth Academy, focusing on homegrown talent rather than transfers, embodying the spirit of grassroots football development.
Here are our top 5 clubs to use for this challenge. Trust me, if you choose these clubs, you will win more games and get more FC 24 Coins as rewards!
Number 5: Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais has a reputation for being a great football club and is at a critical point in its glorious history.
It has produced many top players like Karim Benzema, Anthony Martial, Nabil Fekir, and also has some young talents like Rayan Cherki, Pierre Kalulu, and Malo Gusto in its Youth Academy, which is a source of great potential.
However, despite this rich heritage, they are struggling to avoid relegation, which is very different from their usual position in the French league.
Being in charge of Lyon in FC 24 Career Mode is not just about running a club. It is about restoring dignity and reviving a legacy. It is a journey from the edge of despair to the top of French football, competing with the power of giants like PSG.
Fun Factors
Here’s why Lyon is an irresistible choice for the Youth Academy Challenge:
- Youth Academy History: Leverage the club’s renowned Academy to unearth the next generation of stars.
- Rebuilding Mission: Embark on a thrilling journey to rescue and rebuild a faltering giant.
- Stunning In-game Stadium: Experience the beauty of Groupama Stadium, a digital fortress awaiting its heroes.
- Challenge PSG: Rise to the occasion and disrupt PSG’s dominance in League 1.
Objectives
- Year 1: Save Lyon from the clutches of relegation and secure their rightful place in League 1.
- Year 2: Introduce academy graduates into the first team, targeting a top 6 finish.
- Year 3: Ensure at least 3 academy products are in the starting 11 and challenge for the League 1 title.
- Year 4: Sell an academy graduate for over €50 million and clinch the League 1 crown.
As we bid adieu to Lyon, poised for resurgence, our gaze shifts to a club with a storied past and a fervent desire to reclaim its glory.
Number 4: Manchester United
Manchester United, a name that resonates with footballing greatness, stands at a crossroads.
Under Sir Alex Ferguson, the club was not just a dominant force in English football, but also a beacon of youth development. The class of 92 is etched in history, and the legacy continued with FC 24 Players like Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford.
Today, as United searches for its lost identity post-Ferguson, Erik Ten Hag is at the helm, nurturing new talents like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
Embracing the Youth Academy Challenge with Manchester United isn’t merely about winning. It’s about reigniting the essence of United, a blend of homegrown talent and relentless ambition.
Fun Factors
Here are the reasons why United promises a captivating Career Mode:
- Restoring Identity: Reforge United’s legacy by promoting academy prodigies to world-class talents.
- Turning Agony Into Triumph: Transform a decade of despair into a period of resurgence and glory.
- Premier League Challenge: Navigate the competitive waters of the Premier League, full of fierce rivals.
- Eclipsing The Neighbors: Aim to dethrone Manchester City, the noisy neighbors, and reclaim local supremacy.
Objectives
- Year 1: Lay the foundation with a robust Youth Academy, while securing a top 3 finish with the current squad.
- Year 2: Initiate the rebuild. Integrate at least 5 academy graduates into the starting lineup in the season’s second half. Of course, this process will consume a lot of EA FC 24 Coins for sale, so you have to prepare in advance.
- Year 3: Clinch the Premier League title with a core of at least 5 academy graduates.
- Year 4: Achieve a historic treble, mirroring the 1999 feat, led by an academy graduate as the player of the season.
As we leave behind the stirring narrative of Manchester United, our focus shifts to a club with an equally impressive Youth System poised at number 3 in our Youth Academy Challenge.
Number 3: Southampton
Southampton is often underrated in discussions of elite youth academies, especially outside England.
Southampton has been a cradle of English football talent. This club has shaped players like Alan Shearer, Matt Le Tissier, Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana.
However, their current journey has taken a dramatic turn with relegation to the Championship. Despite this setback, Southampton’s story in the Youth Academy Challenge is one of resilience and potential.
Embarking on this journey with Southampton in Career Mode is not just about returning to the Premier League. It’s about crafting a new chapter of success with a blend of seasoned players and fresh academy talent.
Fun Factors
Here’s why Southampton offers an intriguing and rewarding Career Mode:
- Road To Glory: Navigate the path back to the Premier League after the setback of relegation.
- Championship Challenge: Engage in one of the most competitive leagues, perfect for honing young talent.
- Youth Academy Focus: Utilize the Championship as an ideal platform to develop your Youth Academy.
Objectives
- Year 1: Secure promotion to the Premier League while establishing a formidable Youth Academy.
- Year 2: If promoted, avoid relegation. If not, achieve promotion. Begin integrating academy graduates into the first team.
- Year 3: Aim for a strong season in the top flight and sell an academy product for over 20 million.
- Year 4: Compete for a top 6 finish in the Premier League and sell another academy graduate for at least €50 million.
As we conclude Southampton’s tale of resurgence, our attention turns to a legendary academy, a symbol of youth development excellence, and our number 2 pick in the Youth Academy Challenge.
Number 2: FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona, a name that resonates globally, not just for its footballing prowess, but for its legendary Youth Academy, La Masia.
Known for nurturing some of the greatest talents in football history, La Masia seemed to have hit a dry spell post-Messi. But in recent years, amidst financial constraints, Barcelona has witnessed a resurgence of its academy’s prowess, with FC 24 Players like Pedri, Gavi, Alejandro Balde, and Ansu Fati emerging as the new faces of hope.
Embarking on Barcelona’s journey in Career Mode means embracing the challenge of squad rejuvenation amidst financial constraints, relying heavily on La Masia’s talent pool.
Fun Factors
Here’s why Barcelona presents a compelling Career Mode challenge:
- Creative Squad Building: Navigate financial hurdles by focusing on developing and promoting Youth Academy talents.
- La Liga Rivalries: Experience the intensity of La Liga, well represented in FIFA 24, and engage in legendary rivalries.
- Solid Current Squad: Leverage Barcelona’s existing squad for engaging gameplay and a strong foundation.
- Future Striker Challenge: Plan for the future by identifying and nurturing a successor to Robert Lewandowski.
Objectives
- Year 1: Establish a core of five La Masia graduates in the starting lineup and clinch La Liga. Begin scouting for a potential striker to succeed Lewandowski.
- Year 2: Introduce a Striker prospect alongside 3 other La Masia debutants.
- Year 3: Field at least 7 La Masia products in your starting 11. Secure the top spot in La Liga and advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
- Year 4: Achieve a treble with a team foundation of seven La Masia graduates. Ensure Lewandowski’s successor secures the Golden Boot.
As we close the chapter on Barcelona’s inspiring journey, our focus shifts to the pinnacle of our list, a club with a unique youth development approach, sitting proudly at number 1 in our Youth Academy Challenge.
Number 1: Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen, not as renowned as some of the other giants on our list for their Youth Academy, has quietly and effectively been nurturing exceptional talent.
Recent prodigies like Florian Wirtz, Leroy Sane and Kai Havertz are testaments to their developmental prowess.
Leverkusen, with a board that highly values youth development and a squad brimming with youthful exuberance, is perfectly poised for the Youth Academy Challenge.
Embarking on a Career Mode journey with Leverkusen in FC 24 means leveraging their promising squad to challenge Bundesliga titans like Bayern Munich, while laying the foundation for a robust Youth Academy.
Fun Factors
Here’s why Leverkusen is a top pick for this challenge:
- Optimistic Gameplay: Capitalize on Leverkusen’s dynamic squad, known for their exciting style of play.
- Title Ambitions & Youth Development: Simultaneously contend for the Bundesliga title and build a strong Youth Academy.
- The Bundesliga Experience: Enjoy the underrated beauty of the Bundesliga, with its iconic stadiums and thrilling matchups.
Objectives
- Year 1: Establish a strong youth academy while challenging Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga crown.
- Year 2: Witness the rise of the first academy graduates, aiming to secure the Bundesliga title again.
- Year 3: Reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, featuring at least 1 academy graduate in the starting lineup.
- Year 4: Set your sights on the Champions League final and foster an academy graduate to win player of the season.
As we conclude our journey with Bayer Leverkusen, standing proudly at the top of our list, we reflect on the promise and potential of their youth system.
Leverkusen epitomizes the essence of the Youth Academy Challenge: a blend of aspiration, talent and strategic growth.
