My Squad
Goalkeepers
Anders Lindegaard –
Will keep this guy just as a backup or to keep the reserves successful. I barely gave him a game before I signed Courtois, and now he’s sitting in the reserves.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00001.jpg
Thibaut Courtois –
This kid looks very promising and a good challenger to keep De Gea on his toes. I don’t think he will get a regular starting place but I’m giving him his game in the cup and Champions League.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00002.jpg
David De Gea –
This guy’s profile says it all – a top quality keeper who justified his price tag and has saved me innumerable points over 2 and a half seasons. Still very young, he is already 1st choice for Spain and won Euro 2012 playing every game.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00003.jpg
Defenders
Rafael –
My attacking right-back, Rafael can rip apart a team, especially when paired with Nani. His profile has a little way to go just yet, but he is still only 23 and already is shoring up his defensive qualities.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00004.jpg
Chris Smalling –
The antithesis to Rafael, I use Smalling when I’m up against a tough winger or pressing team like Arsenal, and rely on my wingers to break. His profile shows a great centre-back who is good enough to play right back, if he is a little blunt on the attack.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00005.jpg
Domenico Criscito –
Pretty much my main left-back. I had never heard of this guy before playing FIFA 12. He is so rounded and versatile on FM that I had to get him, and he’s kicked Evra onto the bench (hopefully not under the instructions of a Mr. Suarez) and can cover as centre-back or either full-back. His crosses are a great supply of assists.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00006.jpg
Phil Jones –
I am training Phil Jones to be solely centre-back, as I feel his versatility is his downfall – those skill attributes aren’t quite there yet. He often plays second fiddle to Papadopoulos and Vidic but I have faith that he will be a great centre-back.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00007.jpg
Julio Laguna –
A great regen that I picked up on a free from Barcelona, this kid is already a good defensive full-back, but I’m training him as a wing-back and having Criscito tutor him, as I feel his pace is wasted on the halfway line, not crossing the ball.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00008.jpg
Nemanja Vidic –
What’s that coming over the hill, is it Nemanja? My captain is still a fantastic player, if a little shovey in the box, and chips in with his share of goals from set-pieces. Nobody gets past him at the back and his leadership is unrivalled in my squad.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00009.jpg
Timo Andreev –
This kid looks amazing – 15 and with those defensive attributes. Since the screenshot was taken I’ve got Vidic to tutor him and improve his slightly lacklustre mental attributes. I can see Andreev being the next Vidic quite easily, his heading pays testimony to that.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00010.jpg
Kyriakos Papdopoulos –
An absolute rock at the back, if a little blunt in the composure and concentration areas, Papadopoulos (don’t make me spell it again) is a beast and lets no long ball or cocky striker past him. I’ve also had a few goals from him off corners. Still young, he will definitely be my first choice when Vidic retires. I’m seriously considering Ranocchia to partner him when that day comes.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00011.jpg
Sime Vrsaljko –
Since I waited to sign Vr… him, I had to pay 20m to get Vasr, erm this kid, but he has turned in a few good performances. He is rivalling Rafael for the attacking right-back postion.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00012.jpg
Patrice Evra –
The Frenchman is a very consistent choice at left-back, but has two challengers in the form of Criscito and Laguna. His age means if I can offload him for the right money in January I will, as I have another young left-back called Jones, but Evra’s tutoring value makes him a sound asset. And he is a cert against Liverpool.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00013.jpg
Midfield
Gareth Bale –
Pace describes Bale best. He is the only choice when I’m playing 4-3-3 as his crossing, pace, and dribbling leaves any defender standing and drooling. He will also be a very good choice if I ever adopt a strategy including wing-backs, as Bale is also a very good defender.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00014.jpg
Marouane Fellaini –
I picked Fellaini up first season as I wanted to improve my midfield. He shone then but has since been sidelined with a nasty knee injury and the arrivals of Fernandinho and Asasmoah. Still a very good choice, if a little devoid of flair, I am considering training Fellaini as a centre-back.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00015.jpg
Fernandinho –
The magician, as I call him, Fernandinho can play anywhere in the midfield, but I favour him as either a deep-lying playmaker or anchorman. His long shots have grabbed a couple of screamers and his overall tackling and distribution make him my best all-round midfielder.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00016.jpg
Kwadwo Asamoah –
A real tank, Asamoah has a hint of the Michael Essien about him – he is built to win the ball, give it to the attacking players then support them towards goal. He doesn’t pick up too many goals but when he shoots it usually burts the net. Probably the main reason I’m looking to get rid of Fellaini.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00017.jpg
Ashley Young –
Young is my typical squad player – he is quite versatile and has definite skill, but won’t get in ahead of Nani, Bale, Gotze, or Valencia. Nevertheless, he can turn a game with his wide play and functions well as a poacher in the box. I will get rid of him if the right money comes in, around 15 million.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00018.jpg
Jack Wilshere –
Bought in January 2013, Wilshere is the best playmaker in my squad. He has found his way into the team after being cup-tied for last season and Eden Hazard’s injury gave him an opportunity, and he has delivered. His dribbling, defence-splitting passing, tackling, or cannonball shooting make him a snip at 22 million.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00019.jpg
Eden Hazard –
A horrible broken leg in pre-season has shortened Hazard’s season. Last year he was a great advanced playmaker, from either the wing or centre midfield, and can chip in with curling long shots. I’m hoping he can come back strong from this injury.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00020.jpg
Nani –
Probably my best winger, Nani is also a good goalscorer and pops up at the back post from time to time. His crossing is unbelievable, especially when you have Rooney and Cavani on the end of it. I still think of him as a young player despite being 27.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00021.jpg
Mario Gotze –
A versatile and pacey attacking midfielder, 40 million seems like a lot for one player, but Gotze is proving to be worth it. I’ve used him as a Trequartista striker, and his creativity and poacher ability got him 13 goals last season. I like to use him as a AMR in my 4-3-3 now, and his crossing is coming along very well.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00024.jpg
Sean Scorfield and Paul Ford –
Two regens that came from trial days, I couldn’t believe my luck! I will train both of them as proper wingers and either sell the weaker one when the time comes or adapt one of them to the right wing. If anyone has any tips on training these two they would be very helpful.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00025.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00026.jpg
Forwards
Edinson Cavani –
My best striker, no question. Rooney is being made to look like Emile Heskey by this guy – his dribbling, pace, strength, shooting and creativity got him 51 goals in 46 games last season, including a hat-trick in the champions league final against Real Madrid. When I play one striker it has to be him, and if I leave him out we struggle. 30 million is a bargain for this genius!
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00027.jpg
Wayne Rooney –
Despite my impassioned rant about Cavani, Rooney is still a great player, and can match him for goalscoring. His disciplinary record, as you can see, isn’t great, but his work rate makes Rooney my definite choice for a CF.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00028.jpg
Erick Torres –
I am hoping this guy can emulate Hernandez. He has already scored two screamers against Arsenal and is looking to be a great Trequartista. In the future he will be my striker, but will be a very good option in attacking midfield.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00029.jpg
Javier Hernandez –
When paired with Rooney, Hernandez flies. He is always on the end of a rebound and never ceases to pop up at the back post. He has somewhat taken a back seat because of the emergence of Cavani and his two Mexican compatriots, but I plan to use Hernandez a lot in the champions league.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00030.jpg
Carlos Fierro –
This kid is basically Hernandez junior! He is a lot more poacher than Torres and a bit younger too. I am giving Fierro a lot of time in the reserves and as a sub to give him game time, and I expect him to be a quality player in the future. If you look at his off the ball stat then his comparison with Hernandez becomes clear. No prizes for guessing who I have tutoring him.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00031.jpg
On Loan
Antonio Valencia –
On loan at Marseille. I don’t expect Valencia to maintain a starting place when he returns from loan so I will try to get around 12 million for him.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00032.jpg
Tom Cleverley –
On loan at West Ham. He could go either way, personally I don’t think Tom can mix it with the squad I have and the opposition around me, but I will send him on loan again if I see some improvement.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00033.jpg
Zakaria Labyad –
On loan at Everton. I have good expectations about this kid, who is playing well for Everton and looks to be a good attacking midfielder. He is still only 20 and I may send him to FC Twente (feeder club) next year as I feel he can handle European competitions.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00034.jpg
Anderson –
On loan at Chelsea. Ditto Valencia above, I can’t see Anderson holding down a first-team place. He was good first season but has had to go out on loan to keep fit, and I expect to sell him next year.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00035.jpg
Felipe Anderson –
On loan at FC Twente. Similar to Labyad above, I might sell a centre midfielder in January to give him a chance next season as people have been saying very good things about Felipe on this site.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00036.jpg
Vaclav Kadlec –
On loan at FC Twente. Looks to be doing well and has scored twice in Europe, this is the kind of player that FC Twente was made for, his development is key to whether he can secure first-team football at Old Trafford next season.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/71492262/2012-04-07_00037.jpg
