Category : Football Manager 2010 - Posted on 19/12/2009 - Author(s) : Tigroo
After his initial success with the 2008 edition, Tigroo decided to re-run his experiment in 2010, staying faithful to his trademark unorthodox style. Here once more he has put together a shopping basket his 22 top bargains, ranked according to their value. So, move over Ronaldinho, Kaká, Rooney et al. Here comes a new generation of players who could be worth their weight in gold!
Selection criteria
A simple, logical and flexible system for selecting players:
- The transfer fee cannot exceed £1.35 million (though many of the players will be much cheaper).
- The players must demonstrate real quality, performing at a consistently high level.
- All nationalities are allowed (even the Solomon Islands).
- The maximum age is 25, unless the player is a free agent at the start of the game.
- “Regens”, or computer-generated players, are naturally excluded as they are unique to each game.
- The players are selected from the most up-to-date database, with the latest official patch (10.1.0) applied.
- The player list may change for a variety of reasons: release of new patches, discovery of previously unknown talents etc.
So, let's take a look at our Top 22 Bargains, categorised by position:
Goalkeepers
Nom: Silviu Lung Jr. (GK - Age: 20)
Nationality: Romania
Cost: £365,000
Comments: Just like his father, Silviu is a goalkeeper. However he has the potential to go much further than Lung Snr and can reasonably expect to establish himself as second-choice keeper for his national team. Despite an admitted mental weakness, Silviu possesses remarkable technique. If you can snare him at 20, he could very well come on dramatically under your guidance. He might get himself into trouble at first, but you will probably be rewarded the following year, as his performances mature.
Nom: Marcelo Grohe (GK - Age: 22)
Nationality: Brazil/Germany
Buying price: £615,000
Comments: Marcelo Grohe
Marcelo Grohe is very well known in the FM community. This talented goalkeeper came up through the ranks at Brazilian outfit Gremio, where he has been a first-team regular since 2006. He has a German passport, so he won't cost you a non-EU player place. Incredibly agile and hungry for success, this German-Brazilian player will provide you with an extremely safe pair of hands.
Defenders
Name: Antunes Vitorino (DL – Age: 22)
Nationality: Portugal
Cost: £660,000 (release clause)
Comments: With the likes of Tonetto, John-Arne Riise and Marco Motta blocking his route into the AS Roma first team, this young Portuguese left-back is currently turning out for the reserves. Antunes commands a very modest salary (about £3,600 per month), and his contract contains a release clause of just £660,000! A good defender, he can also get forward when needed, which makes him a very attractive proposition. He is usually transfer listed, so why not make the most of the opportunity and snap him up?
Name: Danny Wilson (DC - Age: 17)
Nationality: Scotland
Cost: £725,000
Comments: This young Rangers defender is already showing a maturity well beyond his 17 years, with a focused and controlled playing style. Blessed with good positional sense and strong in the air, he has all the qualities a coach wants from a defender. While he still needs to develop the physical side of his game, there is no questioning his commitment levels.
Name: Dmitriy Verkhovtsev (DC/DMC/MC - Age: 22)
Nationality: Belarus
Cost: £450,000
Comments: Since he made his national team debut against Finland in June 2008, Dmitriy has been in consistently impressive form. His excellent aerial play is a great weapon at corner kicks, as is his imposing frame. His marking, tackling and heading statistics never stray under the 15 mark. Even better, he is very versatile, and has remarkably modest financial demands.
Name: Vegard Forren (DL/DC - Age: 21)
Nationality: Norway
Cost: £1 million
Comments: With a number of leading club keeping close tabs, signing Vegard won't be easy, so you'll need to be quick and make a generous offer, guaranteeing him a major role in your team and a generous salary package, if you want to win the race for his signature. This young defender shows great promise, with excellent marking, disciplined performances and determination all key factors in his overall success. He is the complete package and will undoubtedly be one of the true stars of this 2010 edition.
Name: Jorge Andrade (SW/DC - Age: 31)
Nationality: Portugal
Cost: Free
Comments: Hailing originally from Cape Verde, Jorge Manuel Almeida Gomes de Andrade was Fernando Couto’s successor in the Portuguese national team. Going into the new season he is a free agent, but don't hang around, as it won’t be long before a good team recruits him to marshal their defence. At 31, he will give you great experience, though his salary requirements are on the expensive side. But what price can you put on a quality sweeper/centre-back these days?
Name: Sergiy Kryvtsov (DC - Age: 18)
Nationality: Ukraine
Cost: £1.25 million
Comments: The latest Ukrainian boy wonder is the ultimate offensive weapon from free-kicks and corners. He scores incredible marks for his aerial play; in fact it is a wonder he even needs to bother wearing studs, given how effective he is with his head. What’s more, he can also fill in as a defensive or central midfielder if needed.
Name: Dimitri Daeseleire (DR - Age: 18)
Nationality: Belgium
Cost: £900,000
Comments: Belgium may not be the greatest footballing nation these days, but young Dimitri Daeseleire suggests there is hope for the future. This right wing-back, whose market value is rising fast, is extremely focused and hungry for success. With the right training, and a few first-team games under his belt, he will provide you with the ideal solution on the right flank.
Name: Chibuzor Okonkwo (DL/DR/AM- Age: 21)
Nationality: Nigeria
Cost: £110,000
Comments: Remarkably well-rounded - physically, mentally and technically - this young Nigerian is extremely versatile: excellent on either side of defence, he can comfortably slot into an attacking role if you find your squad depleted by injuries. After just two years of coaching, he will never score lower than 10.
Midfielders
Name: Aron Gunnarsson (DMC/MC - Age: 19)
Nationality: Iceland
Cost: £1.2 million
Comments: After a brief stint at AZ Alkmaar, Aron went to Coventry City, where he impressed so much that manager Chris Coleman picked him 40 times in his starting line-up! Still only 21, Aron Gunnarsson already has plenty of experience and is blessed with a strong mentality. With 13 senior caps to his name already, he looks destined for great things, so why not take him under your wing?
Name: Gustav Svensson (DMC/MC - Age: 21)
Nationality: Sweden
Cost: £900,000
Comments: Staying in Northern Europe, Gustav Svensson is a typically brave and energetic Swede with a strong team ethic. The 21-year old also boasts mental and physical strength paired with stamina, making him the perfect midfielder. Play him in front of the defence and he will win back the ball before setting a counter-attack in motion.
Name: Milan Badelj (AMR/AM - Age: 20)
Nationality
Cost: £1 million
Comments: Technique, creativity and versatility are among the major assets of this Croatian attacking midfielder. Bolstered by his performances for the Croatian U-21 team, Badelj is certain to make the step up to the senior side in the next few years. He tends to keep a low profile both in the media and on the pitch, but he always puts in a strong performance. As an attacking midfielder, either down the flanks or through the middle, he can be relied on to add a cutting edge in the final third, with a pinpoint pass or a curling cross.
Name: Camel Meriem (AMR/AM - Age: 29)
Nationality: France
Cost: Free
Comments: Nobody would dispute that the best of Meriem’s career is essentially behind him, so why bother signing him? Well, because if you place your faith in him he will repay you with total commitment. He’s a highly technical, versatile and combative player, and above all he is available. He will add backbone and maturity to your team for 2-3 years. After that you can expect to see his contributions drop off, but considering that he is available on a free, he is one of the best possible options for anyone looking to kickstart a small team.
Name: Sergey Krivets (AMR/AM - Age: 23)
Nationality: Belarus
Cost: £635,000
Comments: This young attacking midfielder from Belarus, who attracted some attention in 2009, boasts impressive physical, mental and technical attributes, but also a real gift for getting past his opponents and finding the best path to goal. Krivets is likely to get an offer from a top team, and a call-up to the national team. If you sign him you will be bagging yourself a first-class passer.
Name: Volodymyr Arzhanov (RC AM/FC - Age: 23)
Nationality: Ukraine
Cost: £55,000
Comments: If it is versatility that you're after, look no further than this Ukrainian. He will do an excellent job as an attacking midfielder or as a second striker. He is a very cheap asset when you start the game, but his monetary value will rocket within 2 to 3 years. He is also a very good dribbler, and can initiate lightning attacks and create scoring opportunities, even bagging the occasional goal himself.
Name: Marco Verratti (MC/AM - Age: 16)
Nationality: Italy
Cost: £365,000
Comments: Sent packing by lowly Pescara, this Italian prodigy can operate equally well as a central or attacking midfielder. If you loan him to a club where he can improve his game, or make him a leader in your reserve team, then wait until his majority to integrate him to your first team, you will benefit from his many talents (technique, style, corners and free-kicks etc). Marco will be wooed by suitors from around the world, so you will have to do your best to keep him. But this is an investment opportunity not to be missed!
Name: Jonjo Shelvey (MC/AM - Age: 17)
Nationality: England
Cost: £1.1 million
Comments: At only 17 Jonjo is one of the most promising players in the game. He learned the tricks of his trade at Charlton, but has since endured four lean years languishing in the junior team. A very offensive-minded attacking midfielder, all he needs is the right club to help him fulfil his potential. Given a decent amount of playing time and a bit more maturity, he could just be one year away from making a real mark in the game. He could eventually even be knocking on the England door!
Forwards
Name: Wellington Silva (CF - Age: 16)
Nationality: Brazil
Cost: £250,000 (release clause)
Comments: With very low salary demands, plenty of scope for improvement, and a somewhat ridiculous asking price, Wellington Silva has all the ingredients that make a true hidden gem. With the proper coaching, the right mentor and enough time to find his feet, the Brazilian could make an effective impact player from the bench, before being integrated into your starting XI. To help him adjust to his new surroundings you could also consider recruiting his fellow Brazilian, Marcelo Grohe.
Name: Ebi Smolarek (CF - Age: 28)
Nationality: Poland
Cost: Free
Comments: With more than 40 caps and 220 matches in top flight football, Ebi Smolarek is an experienced player who was at the top of his game while at Borussia Dortmund in 2005/06. He boasts a good match/goal ratio, and his marks just keep getting higher. Smolarek is the kind of player who could well enjoy an Indian summer at the top level.
Nom: Giacomo Beretta (CF - Age: 17)
Nationality: Italy
Cost: £365,000
Comments: Co-owned by Albinoleffe and the mighty AC Milan, Giacomo Beretta is extremely affordable, though the Rossoneri will probably do their best to keep hold of him. If you do manage to sign this young forward, put him under the wing of an experienced player, as he will benefit immensely from the guidance, and the results will show in his score. Once he has gained sufficient maturity, Beretta will be a player you can rely on, and he has the ability to decide a match with a decisive header.
Name: Gianmarco Zigoni (CF - Age: 18)
Nationality: Italy
Cost: £225,000
Comments: Yet another wonderkid from Italy! Gianmarco is one of AC Milan's most promising assets, but even so he can be purchased for what is a ridiculously cheap price when you consider his talent and the potential for further improvement. When he was only 16, he played 18 matches with Treviso, scoring twice in the process before joining the AC Milan youth team where he is currently being left to rot. Why not the most of this opportunity, and take the plunge by signing Verratti, Zigoni and Beretta and playing them in your own youth team for a year? You won’t be disappointed!
Eastern Europe and Italy dominate this year's 22 Top Bargains selection. If you want to discover new players, discuss emerging talents or find an affordable player when you're strapped for cash, then this is the place to look. And don't hesitate to visit our forums to share your thoughts and suggestions.
NB: This selection is, by definition, subjective. Every FM player will have their own ideas as to who are the best players. But don't forget that the list may change, as new updates are released and new hidden gems unearthed.
Please also note that thumbnail images are included for aesthetic reasons only; we do not have FM.net stickers or albums for sale.
Post a comment on the forum
