A few thoughts on players that I’ve picked up during my four-season Wolves career. I don’t mention superstars, as I’ve been working on a tight (often non-existent) budget, though there will be familiar names here.
K. Rekik, CB: Recent acquisition, and probably my big-money signing. Very strong, respectably agile, seems to play above his current 80 rating at age 22. Wish I’d picked him up earlier: I was playing Superstar with a high-speed, low-strength CB pairing until Rekik joined, and he’s an absolute revelation. No more sub-70 strength centre-backs for me!
J. Flanagan, LB/RB: Picked him up on a free, second season. Currently 81 as a LB, drops to 77 or so as a RB (where I play him). Respectable starting full-back with all-round ability (or an excellent backup), and a great signing if you pick him on a Bosman.
L. Shaw, LB: Second or third season, Man Utd have twice let his contract run down in the Master League careers I’ve had so far. His wage demands are over a million, but he’s worth the investment. Currently 82 at 22, 87 SPD.
I. Mbaye, LB: Inter let this guy go within three seasons, and his salary demands are negligible. 76 at 22, makes a good understudy to a main LB. He’s also 187cm, which makes him useful in matches against teams that play long balls to the wing.
A.Rabiot, DMF: Currently 81 at 22, he’s a cultured specialist holding midfielder. Much less effective if you only have CMF berths available in your formation (drops to a 77). Has a bullet of a shot from range, and his lack of pace (53 currently) rarely seems a problem – in fact, in encourages me to stroke the ball around more in midfield, which is never a bad thing. Usually available on a free from around the end of season 2, but you’ll need to pay him wages of just over 2m.
Y.Tielemans, CMF: Most players know about this guy, but he’s still worth another mention. 81 at 20, fleet-footed with great close control. Can be acquired for less than a million during the first season, which makes him a natural go-to if you’re looking for a creative midfielder with high growth potential. Brilliant forward runs. Big drawback: he has lousy stamina, and is usually knackered after 60 minutes on anything less than a red arrow. I wouldn’t even put him on the bench with a blue arrow: he’d get exhausted just *watching* the match.
W. Hughes, CMF: I rotate this guy with Tielemans. Will set you back anything up to 5m, but he’s really starting to blossom at 22 (80 OPR, but due for another boost soon, I’d say). His “Hole Player” playing style often moves him into advanced positions, and he’s developed a cracking left-foot shot over the past season for me – three from 25m+ in my last six games.
Forster-Caskey, CMF: Bit of a wild card. You can pick him up for next to nothing, pay him peanuts, and use him as a reserve CMF to flesh out your squad. He has an unusual development style for a CMF: he’s only 73 at 23 in my game, but has 71 SPD and 73 PHY, which makes him excellent as a late sub to close out games when I’m resting established stars. I’m curious as to how far he might develop if used as a constant starter for a small team; I’ve only used him sparingly.
A. Halilovic, AMF: Another well-known name, I’m sure. 82 at 21, with phenomenal close control and electric pace. Can be picked up for a million or less in the first transfer window. Has been my principal AMF playmaker for all four seasons, and never disappoints… for the first sixty or seventy minutes. Stamina (red arrow matches aside) is his primary weakness, though he’s actually not terrible when exhausted. He’s also quite versatile, and can fill in on either wing when needed.
Bruma, LWF: Can play anywhere along attacking wing positions. I really wasn’t sure about him at first. He’s very fast, young and affordable, but has lousy stamina. I would go as far as to say that, unless he’s on a red arrow, he’s simply not a starter. But as an impact sub… wow, I’m really starting to appreciate his value. Bring him on after 60+ minutes, when defenders are tiring, and they just can’t catch him. Rated 80 at 22 in my current game (and 99 SPD), he seems to have hit an attribute sweet spot where he’s playing above his raw stats. He has 8 goals in 14 appearances this season, all as a sub, and has – I swear – created these chances himself with incisive runs that positively *demand* an immediate through-ball. He works best on the left, where he can cut inside to shoot with his dominant right foot.
J. Iturbe, RWF: Possibly the best bargain free transfer in the game. Available from the second season, he recently capped at 85 OPR in my current game. Makes chances, finishes chances, is much more than your standard speed demon.