After months of playing Football Manager 2012 since its release in late October 2011, you may realize that you are growing weary of utilizing major clubs in the mould of Manchester United, Manchester City or Real Madrid to win titles after titles with sheer ease within the first five years of your managerial tenure, you yearn for a new yet tougher challenge.
You start to embrace the idea of using European clubs who are outside the top five in their respective leagues. Names like Everton, Roma and Newcastle come into your mind. However, your transfer budget of less than 5 million quid or even lower at times are giving you several headaches in the search of a better new signing.
Although there are tons of football talents out there, most clubs are only willing to depart with their starlets on a hefty price. OPOD takes a look at some players who are reasonably priced and are capable of delivering the goods in the pitch to earn you remarkable results consistently. With optimism, all talents mentioned below should have no problems securing the work permit to debut for your club.
1) Vaclav Kadlec from Sparta Prague
I recalled during the first half of 2000s, football fans were heaping praises on the Czech Republic for their outstanding players who figured for the elite European sides. With tenacity, technicality and brute strength, the combination of Milan Baros and Jan Koller was a favorite choice among many who were playing their regular FIFA or PES games. Some even go to the extent of collecting their Czech Republic jerseys.
Without a doubt, who can ever forget the accolades of Pavel Nedved? This midfield wizard could possibly be one of the key reasons why football fans even watch Italian Serie A in the first place. In FM 2012, you have Vaclav Kadlec, an unknown 19 year old striker from Sparta Prague who is also able to deputize as a winger. Valued at 1.2 million, this fella is an easy catch with the offer of under 2 million pounds. When you come across a targetman who has the finishing attribute of 14, the flair attribute of 16 and the off the ball attribute of 16, it is not surprising why many FM fans are saying that he is able to average at least one goal in each appearance.
2) Gabriel Araujo from Cruzeiro
Back in the old Championship Manager days in late 1990s, you may have drooled upon the abilities of well established Brazilian full backs like Roberto Carlos and Cafu. You would discuss among your friends in school or during work on the idea of building up your team around this legendary South American lads.
Returning to virtual reality today, what would your reaction be if you happen to find a Brazilian full back who has no international football experience whatsoever but possess magnificent skills which are equal to your legendary idols? Thanks to a minimum fee release clause, it is highly likely that full back Gabriel Araujo is certain to join your team for 2.8 million pounds. At a bargain price, you get an individual who is technically and mentally strong and has no problems of adapting into your side instantaneously. What more is there to ask for?
3) Vlado Gilijen from Nacional da Madeira
When you talk about Portuguese custodians, the portrait of Vitor Baia and Ricardo comes into your mind. Not only these guards between the posts have excellent shot stopping abilities, they can also save and convert penalties in crucial situations during a particular game. At 21 years old, Vlado Gillijen looks like a freshman who is plying his football trade in a small side in the Portuguese Premier League.
Valued at 550k, I don’t see how you can fail to sign him with an offer between the regions of 600k to 1 million pounds. Judging on his aggression attribute of 15 and his determination attribute of 12, this greenhorn has the mentality and desire to become a winner. He could just prove to be a ‘better’ version of David De Gea from Manchester United.
4) Cheikou Kouyate from Anderlecht
There is a surreal feeling that this regular first team member of Anderlecht is only valued at 425k. Check out his attributes and you would agree with me that several major clubs could spend millions to snap up this under-21 Senegalese player. With the outstanding aggression attribute of 18, the anticipation attribute of 14 and the work rate attribute of 18, this anchorman is the flawless resolution to your leaky and careless backline.
Forget about the media hype on Demba Cisse and Demba Ba, this guy could emerge as the predecessor to Micheal Essien or Check Tiote in African football in the near future. A confident bid slightly under 1 million pounds could just be what it takes for you to unlock the enormous potential of Cheikou Kouyate.
5) Haris Medunjanin from Maccabi Tel-Aviv
Getting frustrated over the fact that your offers for quality Eastern European midfielders such as Marek Hamsik and Zoran Tosic were rejected not only twice but thrice at times? Eager to satisfy your curiosity on the availability of Bosnian football talents after being in awe of Edin Dzeko’s demolition act over Manchester United previously? Haris Medunjanin may not be young at 26 but he has a lot to offer in the bigger European leagues.
A vastly experienced player who has made more than 10 appearances for his country and featured for Villadolid and AZ Alkmaar, Haris Medunjanin is a calm and composed attacker who is equally effective in set piece situations. He may not be the fastest Bosnian in football but this lad naturally has that attacking instinct that even Marek Hamsik would be proud of. A tabled bid of slightly more than 500k could seal the deal for your team as he is interestingly valued at 220k.
About the Columnist:
 |
A devoted football fan who has Newcastle United close to his heart since his early contact with the greatest sport in the world, Marcus is a self-proclaimed football 'nutcase' who breaths, eats and sleeps with the game. Possessing the love for the FIFA video game series since grabbing his SEGA Mega Drive console in 1995, Marcus is a low profile semi- professional FIFA gamer having represented Singapore in the World Cyber Games Grand Final back in 2005 as he claimed the gold medal in the Singapore Finals two months earlier. Marcus has reiterated his desire to return to the competitive FIFA gaming scene in 2012. Having cringed and agonized over the Magpies' relegation woes 2008-09 when his beloved side slipped to Aston Villa in their final league game, Marcus is a firm believer of football loyalty. Embracing the idea that football is not always about winning, Marcus is an avid fan of the amateur football scene in Singapore and has fallen in love with the League of Champions series since its inception back in 2010. |
Have a passion for both football and writing? Join Marcus as a Football OPOD columnist by contacting us at info@footballopod.com!