The number 10 is the classiest role on a football pitch.

Dribbling past defenders, assisting the teammates, and scoring goals; it’s not an easy task, but that what’s being attacking midfielder is all about.

These players make up the spin of your team and will be crucial to your success on Football Manager 2020.

To build a successful FM empire, you’ll need to form an attacking front, a certain number of players that will, as a group, pose a significant threat to the opponent’s defense.

The key-stone of any attacking unit in football is the central attacking midfielder. Whether you choose to have more of a playmaker or more of a striker in your No. 10, there is a broad selection of candidates out there, you’ll just have to choose the right one. 

Here’s some help with that.

15. Ezequiel Barco

• Position: AM (RLC)
• Age: 20 years old
• Nationality: Argentina (0 caps / 0 goals)
• Club: Atlanta United (MLS)
• Value: 5 M
• Contract expires: 31.12.2022.   
• Foot: Right

• Great potential 
• True playmaker 
• Very well rounded attributes

Players from across Atlantic are common in Europe more and more so, but not that every one of them meets the expectations.  Well, this Argentinian surely will.

Barco is just pouring with creativity and has magnificent attacking flair. Only 20 years old, Barco is a player who can fit right into your first-team squad, adding some of that American flavor, while also developing to full potential in the years to come. He's available for less than 20 million pounds now, but do not doubt that this figure will multiply in the following years. This kid has fantastic potential so you better hurry up.

Details on https://fmdataba.com/20/p/149336/ezequiel-barco/

14. Mikel Oyarzabal

• Position: AM RLC
• Age: 22 years old
• Nationality: Spain (2 caps / 1 goal)
• Club: Real Sociedad (LaLiga)
• Value: 46,7 M 
• Contract expires: 30.06.2024.   
• Foot: Left

• Fantastic potential
• Already made it to the national side
• Excellent signing for any side fits right in

Oyarzabal would make for a fine addition to any prime side, though he won't come cheap. He has a £65m release clause, but that will buy you a very quality player with tons of potential.

Oyarzabal is one of the players you should have on your shortlist. He won't sign for any side, but if you are managing one of the more reputational clubs and are ready to pay for quality, he's your guy.  With him you'll get creativity and vision, scoring and assisting, potential but also immediate impact.

Details on https://fmdataba.com/20/p/155186/mikel-oyarzabal/

13. Phil Foden

• Position: MC, AMC
• Age: 19 years old
• Nationality: England (0 caps / 0 goals)
• Club: Manchester City (Premier League
• Value:  40,5 M 
• Contract expires: 30.06.2024.
• Foot: Left

• Could be a good squad player for most PL sides and could become a leading star in a few years.
• Is technically very sound and has a superb passing range.
• Is very unpredictable with the ball making him a very hard man to mark.

Phil Foden is maybe unlucky to play for City, because, with David Silva, De Bryne, and Bernardo Silva, it's almost impossible to break into the first team. However, the next season should bring more opportunities for England's U21 player. He has been showing glimpses of rich potential and used given minutes very well.

Stats of 17 technique, 16 agility, and 16 flair give Foden more than a great start, with fantastic potential in the following years. But do not think that you'll be able to snatch this kid easily. Manchester City would not want to sell him without the fortune on the check.

Details on https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147131/phil-foden/

12. Dani Olmo

• Position: M/AM (RLC)
• Age: 21 years old
• Nationality: Spain (0 caps / 0 goals)
• Club: RB Leipzig (Bundesliga)
• Value: 25,9 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2024.   
• Foot: Right

• Fantastic playmaker
• Amazingly fit player
• Has excellent potential

The now-RB Leipzig player is a real bargain when starting the new save in FM2020. He is still in Dinamo Zagreb and you can grab him for less than 20 million pounds. One of many La Masia products, Olmo surprised almost everyone when signed for the Croatian team. Time had shown us what a great move that was. Soon after the move, Olmo has been installed as a key player in the team, getting much attention from all around Europe in Dinamo's European campaign.

Leipzig was fastest to buy the kid, but this is FM20 and you can get both fantastic potential and immediate impact on your squad for almost no money.

Details on https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147549/dani-olmo/

11. James Rodriguez

• Position: M/AM (RLC)
• Age: 27 years old
• Nationality: Colombia (76 caps / 22 goals)
• Club: Real Madrid (LaLiga)
• Value: 55,5 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2020.   
• Foot: Left

• Plenty of experience 
• He has a magnificent first touch and technique
• Fantastic flair and vision

A couple of years ago it would have cost you a lot to sign James Rodriguez. However, in 2020 the attacking midfielder is not at his best form and is struggling to find it. When you consider that for £42.5m, which is his asking price in Real Madrid, you can have a fantastic number 10, it doesn't look that expensive.

The Colombian phenomenon returned to Real Madrid from Bayern Munich last summer after a two-year loan, and next season will be his "to be or not to be" in Real. Being 27 years old, James is in the prime years of his career, but far from what made Real Madrid sign him once. Could you be the one to get him back in that 2014 World Cup form?

Details on https://fmdataba.com/20/p/155150/james-rodriguez/

10. Nicolò Zaniolo

• Position: M/AM (RLC)
• Age: 19 years old
• Nationality: Italy (5 caps / 2 goals)
• Club: Roma (Serie A)
• Value: 32,3 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2023.   
• Foot: Left

• One of the best prospects of the game
• Great dribbler
• Fantastic mental stats

A hot prospect of Italy, Nicolo Zaniolo has been getting a lot of first-team minutes in Roma. The 19-year-old is also setting a pretty strong appearance on the national side, with two goals in his first five games for the Azzurri.

Already regarded as one of Serie A's brightest stars, Zaniolo will cost you a big chunk of your transfer budget. But, that will get you the attacking-midfielder who is a constant goal threat, not afraid to shoot from distance and assisting magnificently to the teammates.

An icy-cold finisher from up close as well, he's sure to add goals to your team.

Details on https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147466/nicol-zaniolo/

9. Isco

• Position: M/AM (RLC)
• Age: 27 years old
• Nationality: Spain (38 caps / 12 goals)
• Club: Real Madrid (LaLiga)
• Value: 64,4 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2022.   
• Foot: Right

• Great experience
• Fantastic technique
• Magnificent vision

Isco is among three or four of the best Spanish footballers playing at the moment, but because of his style of play and the position he occupies on the field, it's difficult for him to find space on Real Madrid's starting XI. Real mostly plays with 3 upfront, with a good center-forward and two players on the wing who are fast, and that leaves no room for Isco.

But Isco is a magician. He is a real No.10 type of player, and for a manager who will use this position, he will pay out massively. He is experienced, but still has a lot of fuel in his trunk. His stats are excellent and he'll make an immediate impact on your play.

Details on https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147094/isco/

8. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

• Position: M/AM (C)
• Age: 24 years old
• Nationality: Serbia (12 caps / 0 goals)
• Club: Lazio (Serie A)
• Value: 65 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2024.   
• Foot: Right

• Fantastic versatility 
• Still developing
• Extremely fit and strong player

Milinkovic Savic – there is no much that he can't do in the midfield. He proved that he can fulfill a plethora of different roles in the field. Maybe, the best when set free and allowed to be a box-to-box force. Because Milinkovic-Savic is a real force on the field. His ability to win the ball in the back, run up front, and shoot from distance (scoring screamers in the process) is what makes him a major game-changer at the highest level.

A physically imposing, all-around midfielder with a lot of technical ability, he has been compared (and not once) with Paul Pogba. But with the way that this guy is developing in Lazio it's possible that he'll replace Pogba as Serie A's most expensive export. He'll cost a lot but you'll get the beast in the midfield, equally capable of winning the ball over, assist and score, both from outside and inside the box.

Details on https://fmdataba.com/20/p/155121/sergej-milinkovic-savic/

7. João Félix

• Position: AML, AMC, ST
• Age: 19 years old
• Nationality: Portugal (1 caps / 0 goals)
• Club: Atletico Madrid
• Value: 35,2 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2024.
• Foot: Either

• Probably the most creative midfielder in the game
• Tremendous stats so early in age
• Fantastic potential to become a true leader to any prime side

Felix is a technically gifted 2 footed player with a lot of flair. He will grow into a world-class star in almost all FM Saves.
Joao Felix is one of the best attacking midfielders in the game. His stats are pretty good to start with and could become monstrous under the right manager. His versatility makes him an easy fit in most teams with him being able to competently play in many positions. His versatility could see him be retrained in a variety of positions successfully. 

Details on https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147213/jo-o-felix/

6. Philippe Coutinho

• Position: M/AM (LC)
• Age: 27 years old
• Nationality: Brazil (55 caps / 15 goals)
• Club: Bayern Munich (Bundesliga) / on loan from Barcelona
• Value: 70,2 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2023.   
• Foot: Either

• High dribbling and flare stats
• Fantastic technique
• Amazing playmaker

The Brazilian international is a versatile player, able to operate as a number 10 as well as out on the left side of the attack.
Bayern has a £103 million option to buy on former Liverpool man Coutinho, but that does seem an unlikely switch. His stats of 19 technique, 18 vision, and 18 flair are just tempting. If you like that Brazilian flavor in your team, he's your man.

Details on https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147086/philippe-coutinho/

5. Christian Eriksen

• Position: M/AM (LC)
• Age: 27 years old
• Nationality: Denmark (89 caps / 27 goals)
• Club: Inter (Serie A)
• Value: 60,9 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2024.   
• Foot: Either

• High dribbling and flare stats 
• Physical attributes are just stunning
• Already made to the national side

One of many extra-quality players with a contract up this summer (at least in FM) is fantastic Denmark playmaker Christian Eriksen. Still only 27, the Dane is in the top 20 of all-time Premier League assist makers with 19.

On FM20, 17 natural fitness, 17 stamina, and 17 long shots make him a magnificent number 10. Despite being in his final year, he'll cost you significantly. But he's worth it because he can still improve most of his already high attributes. 

Details on https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147077/christian-eriksen/

4. Paulo Dybala

• Position: AM (RC), ST (C)
• Age: 25 years old
• Nationality: Argentina (24 caps / 2 goals)
• Club: Juventus (Serie A)
• Value: 73 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2022.   
• Foot: Left 

• Will progress considerably 
• Tremendous technical stats 
• Versatile in attack

Dybala is one of those players that are constantly linked with moves to top clubs. Manchester United and Tottenham supposedly were interested in signing Paulo last summer, but he returned to Juventus instead, to fight for his place. The attacking midfielder (or striker) made a fantastic impact on Juve's play with both scoring and assisting. 

If you don't feel sorry for the money, splash the cash earlier in the game, and sign this Argentinian wonder.  You'll get the player of fantastic potential, but also the one who will have an immediate impact on the quality of your club's play.

Details on https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147085/paulo-dybala/

3. Bernardo Silva

• Position: M/AM (RC)
• Age: 24 years old
• Nationality: Portugal (37 caps / 3 goals)
• Club: Manchester City (Premier League)
• Value: 85,4 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2025.   
• Foot: Left

• Fantastic mental attributes 
• Tremendous work rate
• Excellent agility 

Bernardo Silva has been fantastic last season. He won four trophies with Manchester City as well as the UEFA Nations League with Portugal. With only 24 years old, the sky is the limit for the Portuguese international.

Bernardo has stats of 20 work rate, 19 agility, and 18 determination. His potential is huge, he has some room to develop even more, and it'll be a costly maneuver to lure him away from Manchester City.

Details on https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147071/bernardo-silva/

2. David Silva

• Position: M/AM (RLC)
• Age: 33 years old
• Nationality: Spain (125 caps / 35 goals)
• Club: Manchester City (Premier League)
• Value: 27,5 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2020.   
• Foot: Left

• Amazingly rounded attributes
• Fantastic mental stats 
• Superb creativity

David Silva. Ohhh, what a player. Despite being 33 he's still coming strong. The former Spain international is at the end of his contract at the Etihad but has been made captain by Pep Guardiola due to 400 games in City's shirt.

You can wait and try to tie him on a pre-contract deal in January, or pay the price and make him your number 10 from the beginning. He still has a lot to offer even to the top-clubs sides.

Details on https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147307/david-silva/

1. Kevin de Bruyne

• Position: M (RLC), AM (C)
• Age: 28 years old
• Nationality: Belgium (70 caps / 16 goals)
• Club: Manchester City (Premier League)
• Value: 103 M
• Contract expires: 30.06.2023.   
• Foot: Either

• Fantastic team player
• Stunning creativeness  
• Unmatched mental attributes

Really, can anyone deny Kevin De Bruyne’s top spot in the attacking midfielders? Even if the Belgian did miss much of last season because of injuries, he still scored, assisted, and organized like never before. 27-year-old De Bruyne has stats of 20 vision, 19 crossing, and 19 passing on FM20. With De Bruyne at his prime, you'll need a real fortune to sign him and match his wages. But don't worry; it'll be more than worth it. Currently there's no better number 10 that Kevin.

De Bruyne's rise has been remarkable and it is fair to say that he has reached a different level last season. He is not in the Cristiano Ronaldo-Lionel Messi level but perhaps just beneath that. His performances for City have stood out, the best player in one of the best teams. And he's not even close to full potential.

Kevin De Bruyne: excellence simply delivered.

Details on https://fmdataba.com/20/p/147062/kevin-de-bruyne/
 

You may also be interested in: 

• [Top 10] FM20 Best Coaches

• FM20 Best Director of Football

• [Top 15] FM20 Best Strikers Who Are Amazing

• [Top 15] FM20 Best Players Who Are Amazing

• [Top 10] FM20 Best Clubs To Manage

• [Top 15] FM20 Best Wonderkids Who Are Amazing

• [Top 15] FM20 Best Right Wingers Who Are Amazing

• [Top 15] FM20 Best Defenders Who Are Amazing

• [Top 10] FM20 Best Academies

• [Top 10] FM20 Best Tactics 

• [Top 15] FM20 Best Scouts Who Are Amazing

• [Top 15] FM20 Best Attacking Midfielders Who Are Amazing

• [Top 15] FM20 Best Goalkeepers Who Are Amazing