Six of the Best: Budding League Two stars worth buying on Football Manager

Following on from our look at the best rated Championship and League One players to invest in at the start of an FM20 save, we turn our attention to League Two in the final of this three-part series. League Two boasts an abundance of young talent hoping to make their name in the lower leagues before taking the next step in their career. 

The best rated players from 2019/20 aged 23 and under as of August 1st 2019 according to WhoScored's unique rating system throws out some top performers to try and acquire on a bargain. League leaders Crewe dominate this list and understandably so, with the Railwaymen sitting pretty atop the division and their top performing youngsters are available for modest prices before the campaign gets underway. 

6. Charlie Kirk (Crewe) - 7.03 rating / FM Valuation £345,000 

The first of three Crewe players to make the grade, the Railwaymen are famed for their youth academy and the sheer number of top-flight stars it has produced and Charlie Kirk is further proof of its effectiveness. The 22-year-old has impressed for Crewe this season and is a key reason for their rise to the League Two summit. 

No player has more assists than Kirk (14) in the division this season and it's helped him to a WhoScored rating of 7.03. Maximising his ability to break down the flank, he has a modest dribble success rate of 63.6% and the winger's solid ability on the ball is reflected in his Football Manager stats of 14/20 for agility, 13/20 for pace and 12/20 for dribbling. Available for just £345,000 in pre-season, Kirk is worth scouting with a view to an early-summer move. 

5. Bez Lubala (Crawley) - 7.07 rating / FM Valuation £243,000 

Switching to Crawley, the Reds are well clear of danger due to the goalscoring exploits of former Birmingham City man Bez Lubala. The wideman only moved to Crawley last summer, so you'd have to wait to make a move on the attacker, but if his League Two performances are anything to go by; he'd be worth the wait. Lubala has 12 goals, the sixth best return, and three assists contributing towards his WhoScored rating of 7.07. 

At the start of the season, Lubala boasts a lowly Football Manager valuation of £243,000, which is a manageable fee for any side on a budget. The 22-year-old boasts statistically calculated WhoScored strengths of 'finishing' and 'dribbling' and these match his FM20 pre-season stats. Indeed, Lubala boasts 11/20 for finishing and 12/20 for dribbling and, like Kirk, is worth keeping on the shortlist to scout fully with a view to a move down the line. 

4. Perry Ng (Crewe) - 7.17 rating / FM Valuation £380,000 

The second Crewe player on this list, Perry Ng's WhoScored rating (7.17) is enough to make the WhoScored League Two team of the season so far and prior to football's suspension, it's easy to see why. The forward-thinking right-back has two goals and six assists to his name, with Ng utilising his freedom to bombard upfield to good effect. 

Available for a slightly pricier £380,000, Ng is a sound investment for a side on a budget in need of a burgeoning right-back. His best pre-season trait is work rate, which stands at an impressive 18/20, and with his stamina ranked at 14/20, he'd yo-yo up the right flank without a second invitation. With dribbling 12/20, vision 11/20 and crossing 11/20, Ng is one to make a quick move for if you need a young full-back with plenty of potential. 

3. Ebou Adams (Forest Green) - 7.19 rating / FM Valuation £348,000 

Like with Lubala, Ebou Adams only moved to Forest Green over the summer, so you'd have to play the long game with the now 24-year-old, but it could be one that reaps high rewards. The midfielder has yielded a WhoScored rating of 7.19 for Forest Green this season, who while their form has tailed off, that shouldn't be held against Adams. 

He has four goals and four assists to his name in League Two this season, a respectable return for the central midfielder, but his best work comes off the ball. Adams boasts eight statistically calculated WhoScored strengths, with 'tackling' one of three deemed to be Very Strong. This is backed up in FM20, where Adams boasts pre-season returns of 15/20 for bravery, 15/20 for natural fitness, 14/20 for tackling and 14/20 for strength. For £348,000, he is a solid cut-price ball winner that could well improve your side. 

2. Harry Pickering (Crewe) - 7.22 rating / FM Valuation £345,000 

Rounding off the Crewe contingent is Harry Pickering. The youngster's excellent attacking showings from left-back has yielded a WhoScored rating of 7.22 and ensures it's a Crewe full-back pairing in the League Two team of the season so far. The 21-year-old has netted three goals and provided four assists for the Railwaymen this season to help them to the division's summit. 

Another example of Crewe's solid youth talent on display. Pickering is valued at just £345,000 before 2019/20 gets underway, yet that's a figure that would rise quickly. The left-back boasts seven statistically calculated WhoScored strengths, with 'passing' and 'key passes' deemed to be Very Strong. Indeed, FM20 has Pickering down for 13/20 for passing and 14/20 for vision, while 'taking set-pieces' is another strength of his and at 15/20 for free kick, this is one of his best player traits, so strike while the iron is hot and work to bring the Crewe star in sooner rather than later. 

1. Charlie Goode (Northampton) - 7.46 rating / FM Valuation £275,000 

The second best rated player in League Two tops this list with Charlie Goode garnering a fine WhoScored rating of 7.46 for Northampton this term. The towering centre-backs takes full advantage of his 6'5" frame having developed a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'aerial duels', reflected in a fine aerial success rate of 75.9% this season as Goode wins an average of 5.8 aerial duels per game. 

Goode's best trait in pre-season is jumping reach, that returning 16/20 on FM20, while positioning (13/20), concentration (12/20) and heading (12/20) also rank well for the new 24-year-old. What's more, Goode has an affordable valuation of £275,000 before 2019/20 gets underway, so he could be a solid capture to help swell the defensive ranks.