No Ronaldo? No Problem For United!

There is no doubting the immeasurable void that’s been left in the United side following the departure of one Cristiano Ronaldo. When you remove a player capable of scoring 42 goals in a single season, there’s bound to be a gaping hole left behind. While Sir Alex clearly had no choice but to allow the Portuguese the chance to fulfil his dream of playing for Real Madrid, our trusty Scottish manager has undoubtedly had a major say on who potentially joins/has already joined the club this summer.

Antonio Valencia, Gabriel Obertan and Michael Owen - the three newest members of the Manchester United squad. OK so the aforementioned signings certainly haven’t got pulses racing amongst many of us but shrewd they are nonetheless at a combined total of around £20 million. The underlying fact is that no one in the world can replicate the unprecedented talents of our former number 7 and that’s been represented in our transfer dealings. Ronaldo simply can’t and won’t be replaced, but my question is…are we really that worried?

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I am firmly of the belief that some of the transfer fees being bandied about during the current transfer window are utterly ridiculous. OK so we are hardly innocent with the £80 million received for Ronaldo but I guess that’s the price you have to pay for the world’s absolute best. I ask would we really be comfortable with the purchase of Franck Ribery for a similarly extravagant price? I certainly wouldn’t. Especially not when we may just have all the ingredients for a successful campaign already in place, right under our very noses.

The stage is set for another Portuguese international to step up to the plate this season. The sale of Ronaldo could just prove to be a god send for Nani and this is his big chance to grab the limelight and prove his fantastic credentials. I wrote an article not too long ago suggesting that perhaps it could be time up for the former Sporting Lisbon man at Old Trafford. Well scrap that, as starting from August 16th, this is Nani’s new beginning.

Antonio Valencia has already shown glimpses on his debut against Boca Juniors yesterday that he could be a very useful addition indeed. Zoran Tosic looks neat and tidy and with a terrific left foot and we know all about the tenacity and work rate of Park and what that brings. While little is known about Gabriel Obertan, Fergie wouldn’t have brought him in if he wasn’t convinced that the Frenchman was capable of developing at the club.

When you put it like that, life after Ronaldo may turn out to be very rosy indeed. Wayne Rooney has already indicated that he’s ready to take on the burden and deliver the goals this season and Sir Alex has appreciated that Dimitar Berbatov could be a much more potent threat if he’s played as the more advanced striker. With the predatory instincts of Michael Owen and the youthful exuberance of Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck, I believe we have enough attacking options without needing to unnecessarily splash the cash.

One of the key components that contributed towards our success last season was the consistency of our back four. Well to my knowledge, nothing has changed in that department and I suppose an added bonus that comes with the sale of Ronaldo is an extra willing worker vacating his place in the midfield. I must also point out that in Ferdinand and Vidic, I am in no doubt that we possess the strongest defensive partnership in European football (with arguably the most promising centre-half in Jonny Evans too).

Although let’s pause and take a breath for a minute. I can’t deny that there is a very small but niggling thought lodged firmly in the back of my mind chipping away at me with every day that passes in the build-up to the new season. I’m hopeful that it will be put to bed by the time we reach Christmas but, dare I say it, what if we head in a similar direction as Arsenal and life after Thierry Henry. The Barcelona star was a similarly massive influence to the Gunners as Ronaldo has been to our cause over the last few years but let’s try not to dwell on that as I’m confident we have the strength in depth to not only cope, but to flourish without the world’s best player among our ranks.

Jose Mourinho CAN succeed Ferguson at United

OK so it’s hardly the best kept secret in European football but Jose Mourinho has admitted that he fancies a crack at succeeding Sir Alex at United. At 67-years-old, Ferguson clearly doesn’t have too many more years of management left in him, but does the former Chelsea boss really tick all the right boxes? I honestly don’t think he’s a bad shout you know.

“I would consider going to Manchester United but United have to consider if they want me to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson,” Mourinho told the Daily Mirror.

“If they do, then of course.”

Now I know many of us have our reservations about the Portuguese and his management methods but there’s no arguing with his credentials. First things first, taking over from the most successful manager in the club’s history will prove to be the tallest of tall orders for the eventual chosen one. Just imagine the pressure! Well while Mourinho is undoubtedly as arrogant as they come, that is arguably the principal trait that Ferguson’s successor will need. A manager that doesn’t wholeheartedly believe they have what it takes to match the Scot’s achievements at Old Trafford is probably destined for failure. Jose Mourinho would claim he could surpass Sir Alex’s accomplishments and it’s that sort of egotism that could handle the whirlwind of inevitable pressure.

There have only been three other managers that have tasted Premier League glory during Fergie’s legacy. Kenny Dalglish with Blackburn in 1995, Arsene Wenger in 1998, 2002 and 2004 and Jose Mourinho most recently in 2005 and 2006. My point is that Mourinho has been there and done it in England’s top flight and he knows what sort of ingredients are required to deliver a Premier League title. The likes of Martin O’Neill, Steve Bruce and David Moyes haven’t, which is one of the reasons why I would put the charismatic Portuguese at the front of the queue.

A UEFA Cup and Champions League success with Porto and also a Serie A title with Inter Milan in his first season in Italy only add to Mourinho’s already impressive CV. His record in the transfer market isn’t half bad either with the signings of the likes Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben and Florent Malouda. OK so there have been some pretty terrible acquisitions too but not even Ferguson gets it right every time (Taibi, Djemba-Djemba and Kleberson all spring to mind).

I know many of you will call Mournho’s tactics into question arguing that he would abandon the free-flowing, attacking football we have become accustomed to seeing at the club. Well I’m confident that he would adapt his management style, accommodating the player’s he has at his disposal and I really don’t see a great deal of change in that department. Mourinho isn’t stupid. He will know the likes of Nani and Wayne Rooney are at their best when they are given the freedom to go and express themselves. I’m sure he’d be capable of finding a suitable balance anyway.

The main worry I have for Mourinho would be that he would have to hit the ground running. Every Manchester United fan with half a brain trusts Sir Alex in whatever he does where every decision is supported as we know that he will always have the best interests of the club at heart. Like Wenger at Arsenal, Fergie is part of that rare ‘job for life’ breed and when he does eventually call it a day, the whole mentality of the fans will change. Even the slightest whiff of failure or ill judgement and the majority of supporters will turn against Mourinho. Jose, you’ve been warned.

So there you have it. I’m happy to throw my cards on the table and admit that I would be cautiously optimistic if Jose Mourinho was installed as the next United boss. With the biggest job in football comes even bigger responsibility so do you feel that the 46-year-old is capable of becoming the extra ‘Special One’ at United? I guess that’s a question for David Gill to answer.

As featured on RedRants

Scouting Tips For FM 09

Scouting is fast becoming vitally important in the real world of football. With the somewhat categorical inflation of prices that managers have been experiencing during this summer’s transfer window, the need for scouts to uncover the hidden talents of the beautiful game has never been greater.

Although I’m not here to attempt to justify the desperate need for top quality scouts in football. No, I’m here to attempt to explain how you can assemble the perfect scouting team on FM 09, allowing you to reap the rewards of unearthing that potentially decisive signing.

Knowledge

All non-players on Football Manager will have a certain amount of knowledge relating to specific nations. Be it where they spent most of their professional playing career or perhaps it is their country of birth, knowledge is particularly crucial when deciding where to send your scouts on assignments.

In this sense, if you have a scout who has full knowledge in say Brazil, they will be more comfortable in searching for talent on a Brazilian based assignment. Say for arguments sake they don’t quite have full knowledge of Argentina, but they know more about that particular country than England, you may be best served arranging the scout to scour South America for talent. I hope that made sense!
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Although don’t expect miracles just because a scout has full knowledge of a particular country. This purely means that they will be more likely to work to their full potential in a country that they are familiarised with. The attributes within their profile will have more relevance in their ability to uncover players.

Attributes

You don’t need to be Albert Einstein to work this out but when you are at the stage of appointing a scout for your club, make sure you pay particular attention to the Judging Player Ability and Judging Player Potential attributes. High attribute ratings in these two areas will most likely result in more accurate scouting reports.

Reports and Feedback

When your scout has compiled a report on a particular player, you will be the first to know about it. Depending on the attributes and knowledge of your scout, you will be presented with an accurate and extensive set of details on the player in question that can prove extremely useful in judging whether he is the right signing for your team.

The information at your disposal includes an assessment on the player’s current and potential ability, their personality, strengths and weaknesses and as well as some advice on any potential transfer, your scout will also offer an overall recommendation of the player represented by gold stars.

5 Top Tips

1. If you’re looking for the next generation of top quality talent, be sure to regularly send your scouts to youth competitions such as the European under 19 Championships.
2. When you receive a report on a particular player make sure you consider the transfer information and try and bid as close as possible to the minimum asking price that your scout considers the player to be available for. Should help save you bundles of cash!
3. Don’t always listen to the advice of your scouts, especially if they don’t have decent attributes for Judging Player Potential and Ability.
4. If you’re not totally convinced by the information that one of your scouts has relayed on a player, get a second opinion from another member of your scouting team or even a coach or your assistant manager.
5. Make sure your scouts are always kept busy. If a scout has finished an assignment, you may want to either restart the same assignment or send them on a new assignment. Dated information on a player will get you nowhere!

FM 09 - What makes a good striker?

Wayne Rooney, Fernando Torres, David Villa, Samuel Eto’o. We can all name them but what is it that makes them rank among the best strikers in the world? Well while I appreciate that different front men bring different qualities to a side, here’s a list of five key attributes that you should definitely take note of when selecting your front line.

5 Key Attributes

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Finishing

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We are all aware that the primary objective of a striker tends to be finding the back of the net so the finishing attribute is clearly of great importance. Those strikers with high finishing will be more efficient in hitting the target and troubling the goalkeeper. Low finishers on the other hand will be more prone to missing the proverbial sitter.

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Composure

While the finishing attribute refers to a player’s ability to hit the target on a consistent basis, composure is all about their knack of keeping a cool head. This is clearly vital when your striker is through on goal with a chance of scoring as a high composure attribute will see them keep their head rather than buckling under the pressure.

Off The Ball

A player’s ability to find space and move off the ball can be just as important as their decisions with the ball at their feet. The ‘Off The Ball’ attribute is associated with a player’s movement which can be vital for a striker that is looking to drag defenders away and create space for themselves and others around them.

Technique

A striker with decent technique is always a good thing. The more technically astute your front man is, the more comfortable he will undoubtedly be with the ball at his feet. A player with high technique will have a better chance of executing that intricate volley or curling shot at goal.

Anticipation

Anticipation refers to how well a player can predict and react to an event. Therefore a striker that can anticipate situations is more likely to be in the right place at the right time to gobble up that goalmouth opportunity. Works particularly well in tandem with the ‘Off The Ball’ attribute.

FM 09 - What makes a good attacking midfielder?

So what exactly makes a good attacking midfielder? Well obviously an abundance of goals, clever through balls and a bucket load of assists wouldn’t be a bad starting point. Although what are the specific attributes you should be looking out for to determine whether player X or Y are capable of being the creative force in your side?

5 Key Attributes

Creativity

If you have an attacking midfielder that is creatively astute, you might just be onto a winner. Creativity is associated with a player’s ability to spot an opening but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will be able to execute the telling pass. Combine creativity with decent passing and technique attributes and your attacking midfielder is in a prime position to create chances galore.

Flair

Flair will work well in tandem with creativity and it may be worth giving the attacking midfielder in question a free-role within your team to boot. A flair player will be the type to try the audacious and sometimes outrageous to stamp their authority on a game.

Passing

As I mentioned earlier, if the creative potential of an attacking midfielder is going to be realised, then the passing attribute needs to be similarly elevated. The higher the passing attribute, the easier the player will find it to pick out and execute a range of passes and you may also want to set his passing style to short too.

Long Shots

One of the best things about both football and FM is watching a player cut inside before unleashing a 40-yard effort into the top corner. An attacking midfielder with a high long shots attribute will inevitably attempt more pot shots from range and we all know the age-old cliché that becomes particularly relevant here – ‘if you don’t shoot, you won’t score!’

Technique

Technique is associated with a player’s natural skill and will have a huge bearing on how effectively your attacking midfielder utilises his technical attributes. In this sense, a player with a higher technique attribute will be more capable of executing that tricky, eye of the needle through pass for instance.

FM 09 - What makes a good defensive midfielder?

When it comes to selecting your central midfield pairing it is essential that you consider playing a holding player as well as an attack minded midfielder. Whether he plays as a defensive midfielder with a duty to protect the back four or just simply as a more disciplined central midfielder, you will need a midfield enforcer to help stem the flow of the opposition attacks.

5 Key Attributes

Determination

You’ll no doubt want your whole squad to be a determined bunch but it can be one of the most crucial attributes for a defensive midfielder in particular. The determination attribute refers to a player’s desire to succeed. The higher the rating the more they are absolutely committed to giving their all to the cause. It certainly pays to have a determined individual in that area of the pitch.

Passing

Passing is obviously not the most important weapon in a defensive midfielder’s armoury but it is a useful attribute for them to possess nonetheless. While the traditional role of a holding man is to just get the ball and give it to a perhaps more technically gifted player, some of the best defensive midfielders on FM have proved that they themselves know how to pick a pass.

Work Rate

In most cases, your holding midfielder won’t need to be a box-to-box type player but if they have good work rate they will undoubtedly be able to utilise the attribute through a never-say-die attitude on the pitch. A will to work will result in them never giving up the ghost even if, at times, they are beaten by their opposite number.

Tackling

With a high tackling attribute, your defensive midfielder will be in his element when he is able to get stuck right into a challenge. After all, he is there to protect your back four and the better tackler he is, the more chance he will have of winning possession back for your team.

Stamina

A player that can last the whole 90 minutes game after game is always a positive for you as the manager. When that player is your battling holding midfielder it becomes even more decisive. When the rest of your team may be struggling to find the legs to carry them over the finish line, rest assured that a defensive midfielder with high stamina will keep trudging around the pitch, harassing the opposition for possession.

FM 09 - What makes a good winger?

It’s fair to say that Cristiano Ronaldo has taken the meaning of the word ‘winger’ to a whole new level during the last couple of years. The primary role of the man on the flank was once to create chances for the striker and deliver as many accurate crosses as possible. Ronaldo undoubtedly raised the bar with his flurry of goals from a wide position but the fundamentals still remain the same. If you’re looking to identify some of the attributes you need to be aware of when choosing a winger then you’ve come to just the right place!

5 Key Attributes

Crossing

As much as the role of the conventional winger may have changed over the years, I still like to persist with a winger that has an established crossing attribute. You can be confident that if you have a striker who knows how to find the back of the net, with decent supply from wide positions you can’t go wrong.

Dribbling

Dribbling is evidently key for a winger if you want him to be driving at the opposition full-back whenever possible. A strong dribbling stat will ensure your winger will be apt at travelling with the ball at feet but be sure to combine the dribbling attribute with acceleration, pace, balance and agility if you truly want the best outcome.

Flair

If you’re hoping for flashes of individual brilliance then make sure you have a winger with flair in abundance. The problem with a player that adopts the use of flair is that they will often attempt the outrageous and spectacular rather than just playing the simple five-yard pass. That said, the element of unpredictability should help worry and unsettle opposition defenders.

Technique

If you want to build a successful team at the highest level then you should really have a squad that is littered with technical ability. As a winger, technique is paramount for those at the peak of their game where technically gifted players are able to pull off that difficult threaded pass or extravagant lob over the goalkeeper.

Creativity

You won’t want a winger who is creatively a class apart to be looking to cross the ball at any given opportunity as this will clearly not be executing their full potential. Creative wingers will spot that little opening and attempt to make things happen but technical proficiency is a must for their creativity to have the maximum desired effect.

FM 09 - What makes a good full-back?

Whether you decide to play with full-backs or wing-backs, having two quality players on either side can be vital to your team as a defensive unit. And if you happen to have Cristiano Ronaldo playing on the wing for you, it is clearly imperative that your full-back is a capable defender.

Although there is so much more that a tactical system that utilises two full-back’s can offer you - and particularly as an attacking outlet. In this sense think Dani Alves but while a free-roaming, attack minded full-back is great at times, it is important that your right or left sided defender doesn’t shirk their defensive duties either.

5 Key Attributes

Crossing

As much I have said that it’s essential for a full-back to be defensively conscious as well as more forward thinking, crossing will become crucial for those players that come anywhere near the opposition’s half. Whether you are looking for your full-back to deliver from deep or more towards the byline, the better their crossing attribute the more effective they will be at delivering into the box.

Acceleration/Pace

I believe it is hugely important that your full-backs are both quick off the mark and over a distance too. A right or left sided defender that is slow will clearly struggle to track back effectively in defensive situations and he will lack the speed to beat a man in more advanced positions too.

Tackling

While I appreciate that full-back’s will not be expected to make crunching challenges on a consistent basis, being strong in the tackle will no doubt prove useful. A high tackling attribute will result in it being a much tougher proposition for the opposition wide man to get beyond your full-back which will help prevent your opponent from creating chances at will.

Dribbling

The dribbling attribute can work particularly well with the acceleration/pace and balance and agility rating of your player where dribbling refers to a player’s ability to run with the ball at feet. If you’re hoping to have an attacking full-back who makes plenty of marauding runs forward then you won’t go too far wrong by concentrating on the dribbling attribute.

Stamina
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The chances are that if you are employing a formation that comprises of two full-backs, you’re going to be expecting them to get up and back. This is where the stamina attribute will become fundamentally important as your full-backs attempt to cope with the demands of consistently getting forward and back with little time for recovery.

FM 09 - What makes a good centre-back?

While that tricky winger or decisive striker may steal the headlines for your team, the importance of possessing at least one although ideally two or three strong and decisive centre-backs cannot be ignored.

Centre-backs are charged with the responsibility of nullifying the threat posed primarily by the opposition strikers and if you can form an effective partnership, the job of shutting out your opponent’s will become a whole lot easier.

5 Key Attributes

Tackling

The lifeblood of a centre-back is undoubtedly associated with his ability to go into a challenge and come out with the ball. A centre-back that struggles to put in an effective tackle is of little or no use to you, while those that have a higher tackling rating will not only win their fair share of challenges but they will also concede less fouls.

Marking

It goes without saying but a defender with a high marking attribute will be more suited to a man-marking system. If you want your centre-halves to get nice and tight to the opposition strikers affording them not even an inch of room then look for those players that have between 17-20 for marking.

Heading

While it is not gospel that a centre-back should be commanding in the air, it definitely contributes towards the makings of the very best defenders. Look out for a player’s height and also their ability to jump when focusing specifically on the heading attribute.

Bravery

What you don’t want when looking for a centre-back to sit at the heart of your defence is a player that will shy away from a tackle and not put their foot in where it hurts. With this in mind keep an eye on the bravery attribute and make sure you consider those centre-back’s that will put themselves on the line for their teammates.

Strength

It’s not a difficult task to explain why a centre-back would need strength. When facing up against a tall and imposing striker it will be necessary for your centre-back to be strong enough to mix it up a bit. At the other end of the spectrum, a centre-back with good strength will find it easier to muscle off weaker players, rendering them a serious force to be reckoned with.

FM 09 - What makes a good goalkeeper?

It’s pretty imperative that you possess a decent goalkeeper in FM if you are to have the makings of a successful team. The ‘keeper is always the very last line of defence and knowing that you have a decent stopper between the sticks will improve the confidence you have in your team tenfold.

You obviously don’t need me to tell you that keeping clean sheets will inevitably win you matches but even as manager of a Manchester United or Barcelona, you still need a goalkeeper you can rely on when your usually water tight defence is occasionally breached.

5 Key Attributes

Handling

It’s difficult to pick out the exact attributes that make a good goalkeeper as there are so many but handling is certainly up there with the most essential. Handling on FM refers to how well a goalkeeper holds onto the ball. A low handling rating will see your ‘keeper spill shots which is definitely something you will want to avoid.

Reflexes

A goalkeeper who has decent reflexes is always a positive. With the ability to make reflex saves, your number 1 will react to the unpredictable with more success and he will be more capable of making quick reaction saves.

Aerial Ability

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If a team is looking to play the long-ball system or pepper crosses at your team left, right and centre then a goalkeeper with a high ‘Aerial Ability’ attribute will come in very handy. Whether a strong punch or safe catch is required, a goalkeeper with ability in the air will know exactly what to do.

One On Ones

One on one situations are inevitable in FM. You know, when the opposition striker is clean through on goal and with just your goalkeeper to beat. A low ‘One On Ones’ attribute will mean your goalkeeper is quaking in their boots at such a situation – not good at all. A high ‘One On Ones’ attribute will denote a ‘keeper with presence and the confidence to believe he will come out on top and make the crucial save – now that’s more like it!

Communication

Remember that rock solid Manchester United defence of the 90’s? Well much of their success was undoubtedly attributed to one Peter Schmeichel and he certainly knew how to communicate. The communication attribute on FM is associated with your goalkeeper’s ability to open his mouth and instruct his defence. A goalkeeper who is a good communicator tends to mean that he works well with his defence.

FM 09 Wonderkids XI

Imagine a team that is completely made up of some of the hottest prospects that Football Manager’s virtual world of football has to offer. It would be great wouldn’t it? Well start a game with Manchester City and you’ve more than half a chance of attracting most of the players that fall into the ‘Wonderkid’ category.

But before you go off and do just that, I’ve scoured the shortlists and tried my utmost to come up with a balanced starting eleven that represents the brightest young talents on the game. Who knows, you may even be tempted to replicate this exact team yourself!

Manager:

Arsene Wenger (Arsenal)

What better manager to develop the mercurial talents of these youngsters than Wenger. With so many fruitful years of experience of nurturing potential into brilliance, I’m sure the Frenchman would do a sterling job in bringing through the ‘Wonderkids’ listed below and gelling them as a team.

Goalkeeper:

Hugo Lloris (Lyon)

While Lloris may not to be explicitly listed as a ‘Wonderkid’ in-game, the Lyon goalkeeper is certainly one of the most promising young stoppers around. In real life Lloris has cemented his place as Lyon’s number one this season and on FM he eventually develops into a goalkeeper of world class proportions.

Right Back:

Micah Richards (Manchester City)

Fresh from impressing at the European under 21 Championships, Micah Richards is a fantastic defensive prospect. Comfortable at centre-back or on the right of the defence, the Manchester City youngster possesses solid attributes that result in him being a strong, athletic and quick defender. While he may struggle in more advanced positions on FM, Richards would command a place at the back in almost any side around Europe.

Left Back:

Marcelo (Real Madrid)

Before SI introduced the first patch for FM, you could grab Marcelo on the cheap by activating his release clause of £5.5 million. With the ridiculously high transfer deals that tend to be thrashed out on FM, bargain isn’t a word that does such a deal credible justice. That’s because the Brazilian full-back is a wonderfully gifted footballer and his versatility means that he can play anywhere on the left-hand side of the field.

Centre Back:

Cristian Zapata (Udinese)

Zapata is a commanding centre-half built in the mould of Micah Richards. The Udinese defender is strong in the air, a tough tackler and with pace to burn too. His presence at the back has drawn attention from a variety of Europe’s top clubs and it’s not hard to see why.

Mamadou Sakho (PSG)

Sakho captains his club side PSG in real life and I’m sure he would form a formidable partnership with Cristian Zapata on Football Manager. While I have never paired the two together on my own saved games, at 18-years-old, with a strong left-foot and decent defensive attributes, Sakho always rates highly on my list of potential transfer targets.

Right Midfield:

Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Pace, pace and more pace. Theo Walcott certainly has it in abundance and that alone tends to ensure that he is every left-back’s nightmare. Walcott may not be the finished product in a technical sense but with the huge potential he undoubtedly has, he is a worthy member of the exclusive ‘Wonderkid’ club.

Left Midfield:

Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia)

Mata is a quality player on FM and he has the attributes to prove it. With creativity, flair, dribbling, technique and pace, the 20-year-old Valencia midfielder has sufficient weaponry at his disposal. While Mata likes to be considered an attacking midfielder, his ability with his left-foot means that he will comfortably do a stern job playing left-midfield.

Centre Midfield:

Anderson (Manchester United)

While Manchester United fans haven’t seen anywhere near the best of Anderson as an attacking threat, the potential of the Brazilian is there for all to see. With his technique and passing ability on Football Manager, Anderson will happily spray the ball about and given a prolonged run of games, he will develop into a top class central midfielder.

Marek Hamsik (Napoli)

I always find it’s best to complement an attacking midfielder with a more defensive minded partner in central midfield on FM. There are a few outstanding young players that can play this role but Marek Hamsik beats off stiff competition from the likes of Kuzmanovic and Raul Garcia to win a place in the starting line-up. While Anderson commits to bombing on forward, Hamsik will happily sit in front of the back four and his attributes also state that he can be a useful attacking threat too.

Striker:

Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid)

If you can stump up the cash to get hold of Aguero then there’s no question that you should buy him. The Atletico Madrid attacker is drawing attention from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea in real life at the moment and he’s certainly a fantastic talent in the virtual world of Football Manager too. The Argentine is pacey, can beat a man and is clinical in front of goal as well. What more could you ask for from a striker?!

Pato (AC Milan)

Nurture Pato in the correct manner by fundamentally giving him plenty of chances to impress and the Brazilian will flourish. With his dribbling, technique and acceleration already near perfection when you first load up the game, Pato is already an attacking threat to be reckoned with. Given a few years of development at the highest level and he begins to rival some of the best striker’s in world football.

Owen set for dramatic move to United

Well what a surprise this one is and where on earth did it come from?! Michael Owen is reportedly carrying out a, and I quote, 'stringent' medical ahead of a proposed move to...wait for it...Manchester United!

Having lost Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo already this summer, it would be fair to say that the signings of Antonio Valencia and Michael Owen will hardly get pulses racing amongst the Old Trafford faithful.

Then again, how can fans possibly question the judgement of their long-serving manager given the unprescedented success he has achieved during his reign in Manchester.

While Owen has effectively struggled to reignite his career since leaving Liverpool to join Real Madrid, a free-transfer, pay-as-you-play package will suit both parties with a World Cup year on the horizon.

As long as he passes the said medical (which I would guess is by no means a formality given his injury problems of the past), I say good luck to you Michael and I hope you prove all your doubters wrong.

Bayern ace Franck in his desire to join Madrid

Wow. Who would have predicted that Real Madrid would be capable of winning the Champions League around six months ago? No one, that's who. Although under the presidency of Florentino Perez, Madrid are returning to their Galactico ways and look every bit potential kings of Europe.

First it was Kaka, then Ronaldo and now Benzema looks destined for the Spanish capital. Franck Ribery has today signalled his desire to claim one of those sparkling media presentations that every major signing has become accustomed to. The question is, will the spending ever stop?!

Yet the one big doubt you would cast over Real Madrid's quest for world domination would be over that rather shaky back four that has always looked broken beyond repair. Throw in Raul Albiol and that problem may be close to eradication. Time will certainly tell.

So with Ribery desperate to join the Galactico revolution, it remains to be seen whether this seemingly limitless amount of cash will ever dry up. The rest of Europe will be desperately hoping it does sooner rather than later.

11 Good Players To Start FM 09 With

If you’re looking to get a head start with FM 09 and you don’t have a Sheikh/Russian billionaire owner to throw mega amounts of money at you then this is the post for you.

Yes, even if you possess the proverbial shoestring budget, here are 11 relatively cheap players that are available right at the start of the game and could make the difference between success and failure for your team.

Goalkeepers:

Sergio Asenjo (Real Valladolid)

Young Asenjo is starting to get the recognition his fantastic potential deserves in real-life after a string of impressive performances for Spain under-21’s in the recent European Championship’s. The 20-year-old goalkeeper has all the credentials to become a great stopper on FM 09 and the best part? He has an £8.25 million release clause with his current club Valladolid. Activate this clause and agree personal terms and Asenjo should prove to be your number one for many-a-virtual year.

Francisco Guillermo Ochoa (America)

He may be a cross between Gabi Milito and Carlos Puyol in appearance but Ochoa means business when it comes to his goalkeeping abilities. Just like Asenjo, Ochoa has a minimum fee release clause of £8 million and at 22-years-old he is already the more finished product out of the two. If you have the cash and need a ‘keeper, Ochoa won’t let you down.

Defenders:

Petri Pasanen (Werder Bremen)

If you’re looking for a right-back, left-back or centre-back all rolled into one then Finnish star Petri Pasanen will undoubtedly fit the bill. The Werder Bremen full-back possesses decent defensive attributes and is available to buy at just under £10 million. The fact that Pasanen can play anywhere in defence will also mean he offers your squad valuable versatility as well as quality.

Sylvian Distin (Portsmouth)

OK so Distin isn’t the greatest defender in the world, nor is he the youngest but at £8 million what you are getting is value for money. While the Frenchman is getting on at 30-years-old, he will do a stern job at centre-half and he can also be deployed as a right full-back too. Distin certainly represents a wise investment if you are struggling for solid defenders.

Diego Lugano (Fenerbache)

You would be silly not to take a gamble on Lugano if you ask me. At around £3 million you have nothing to lose for a player that possesses all the attributes required to be a successful central defender.

Midfielders:

Ibrahim Afellay (PSV)

Dutch midfielder Afellay brings you vast amounts of versatility as he can play pretty much anywhere across the midfield. His attributes show that he’s a decent attacking proposition and the fact that he can be lured for under £10 million should definitely mean he’s worth a look.

Alex (Internacional)

Those of you that have played FM/CM for as long as I have will remember a player called Alex from a good few years back. He would tend to be an automatic buy in previous versions of the game and while he’s back again on FM 09, this isn’t him. Although his name-sake is just as good, if not better and at a little over £6 million, Alex will provide goals and assists from the left and he won’t break the bank at that price either.

Fernandinho (Shakhtar)

Fernandinho scored one of the goals of the season for Shakhtar in this season’s Champions League and he will cut the mustard for you on Football Manager too. While at the start of the game he can’t be uttered in the same breath as Kaka or Lampard, at 23-years-old, Fernandinho has all the credentials to become a top class attacking midfielder. If your budget allows, I urge you to take a plunge at around £9 million.

Steven Defour (Standard)

Defour has the potential to be a real quality player at the start on FM 09 and you would be silly not to try and pursue his signature when he’s available for a measly £4 million. While he clearly needs time to develop his massive potential, Defour would definitely prove to be a useful purchase at the very start of the game.

Strikers:

Rodrigo Palacio (Boca)

While Palacio isn’t the truly greatest finisher you will ever set your eyes on, his tremendous pace off the mark will ensure he gets in behind on more than enough occasions to test opposition goalkeepers. The added bonus is that you should be able to snap him up for under £10 million and there’s noticeable room for development too.

Alexis Sanchez (Udinese)

I can tell you now that Alexis Sanchez will go on to develop into one of the best strikers on the game in time. I would advise you to snap him up as soon as possible and while he’s with Italian club Udinese, it will probably be your best chance to grab him for under £10 million. Although act fast…his talents will attract attention the more your game develops!