So you want a popular with good players and lots of money... but not any of the superpowers? Really?
Honestly, you can start with ANYONE and do well. My first ML was with West Brom, a custom created D2 team whose best player was 72 overall. Promoted first season (runner up in FA cup to a stupidly overpowered Liverpool hosting Zlatan, CR7, Defour, Torres, Robinho) and did the treble in all of the proceeding seasons - yes, this was on Top Player.
I have found in PES10 that all you need to succeed is a striker who is fast. In my WBA game I focussed on buying young talents that would grow into superstars; guys like Ishmael Miller (WBA), Kadlec (Sparta Prague), Walcott (Arsenal, although good luck getting him with a team ranked under the 40 mark), Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), etc.
In essence, what I'm saying is be anyone you want, cus you'll be fine in any case unless you are really crap at PES yourself. Grab the best guys from "future potential" lists and you'll win every game.