The 10 Players You Must Sign On Football Manager 2009
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Dan Fitch /
25 November 2008 /
55 Comments
Football Manager 2009 is out now and the world's greatest ever managerial simulation is no less addictive. The new 3D match engine brings even more realism to a game series that was already dripping with statistics and tactical possibilities.
As is always the case, success in Football Manager 2009 is very much dependent on the quality of player you can bring in.
So to help you get off to a flying start, here are the top 10 players that you must sign on Football Manager 2009.
10. Mirel Radoi - Steau - Central Defense - 27 years old
Start of game value: 4.7m
Purchase price: 8m
If your defense is in need of some stability, this is the man to go for. Though his stats don't look particularly outstanding, Radoi possesses the leadership qualities to make him a natural organizer of your defense and a brilliant captain for your team. Radoi is an aggressive player, with a powerful long range shot. Best to be paired alongside a quick central defender, as a lack of pace is Radoi's major flaw.
9. Pavel Pogrebnyak - Zenit St Petersburg - Striker
Start of game value: 5.5m
Purchase price: 6m
If you're in need of a big striker, then Pogrebnyak makes a very attractive option. Tall and powerful, the 24 year old Zenit St Petersburg star is an effective target man. He has high ratings for finishing and heading and is quite fast for a player of such size. Pogrebnyak can be purchased for a very reasonable 6m and will get you goals, even at Champions League level.
8. Sergio Asenjo - Valladolid - Goalkeeper - 19 years old
Start of game value: 3.9m
Purchase price: 7.25m
Here is a goalkeeper that could serve you brilliantly for several seasons before being sold off at a big profit. As would be expected, Asenjo has high ratings for reflexes, one on ones, command of area, agility, jumping and strength. The Valladolid shot-stopper has a release cause in his contract that will be triggered by a bid of 7.25m.
7. Marcelo - Real Madrid - Left Wing Back - 20 years old
Start of game value: 7.25m
Purchase price: 4.4m
Marcelo is that rare thing; a great player, at a bargain price. You will find that the Brazilian wing back will be transfer listed by Real Madrid at the start of the game and can be purchased for just 4.4m. Don't be put off if you don't play a wing back system, as Marcelo can be relied upon as an attacking full back within a back four. He has all the attributes needed for a modern full back, with high ratings for crossing, technique, pace, acceleration and stamina.
6. Oscar Cardozo - Benfica - Striker - 24 years old
Start of game value: 5.5m
Purchase price: 7m
The Paraguayan international is another option if you're in need of a big forward. At 6ft 4" and with a 19 rating for jumping and heading, few will match him in the air. Cardozo also boasts high ratings for finishing, free kicks and penalties, but it is his long range shooting ability that will cause most discomfort for goalkeepers. His only real weakness is a lack of pace, but pair him with someone fast and you can just let Cardozo do what he does best.
5. Marek Hamsik - Napoli - Central Midfield - 21 years old
Start of game value: 5m
Purchase value: 20m
If you're after a playmaking central midfielder, in the mould of Steven Gerrard, then Marek Hamsik should be the first name on your list. Hamsik will fly forward at every opportunity and will get plenty of goals and assists. Must be purchased quickly, as otherwise Manchester City will strike a deal.
4. Federico Fazio - Sevilla - Sweeper, Central Defense, 21 years old
Start of game value: 4.1m
Purchase value: 8m
Fazio is a no-nonsense central defender with a 20 rating for heading and strength. Allied to the fact that he stands 6ft 5" tall and it is unlikely that he'll lose out in many aerial challenges. Fazio is also pretty fast and mobile enough to do a job as a defensive midfielder.
3. Angelo Palombo - Sampdoria - Defensive Midfield, Central Midfield - 26 years old
Start of game value: 5.5m
Purchase value: 15m
A perfect defensive midfielder, who has the skills to be a threat in a more attacking role. Palombo has a 20 rating for tackling, strength and stamina - the key criteria for a midfield enforcer. You must buy him fast though, as Manchester City will put in a bid within days of the game starting.
2. Darijo Srna - Shakhtar Donetsk - Right Back, Right Wing Back, Right Midfield - 26 years old
Start of game value: 11m
Purchase Value: 18m
If you've got problems on the right hand side of your team, then Srna is your one stop solution, equally brilliant as a right back, right wing back, or right midfielder. Even better, he is an accomplished player in all of these positions on the left flank. With a rating of 20 for crossing and good ability with free kicks and corners, this man will be leading your assist table at the end of the season. Once again, this player will be snapped up by Manchester City, unless you get to him first.
1. Mario Balotelli - Inter Milan - Striker - 17 years old
Start of game value: 5.5m
Purchase value: 13m
Balotelli's stats, combined with his age, make him the number 1 purchase on this list. The Inter striker is a fast and powerful striker, with high ratings for free kicks and corners. He is also an accomplished wide midfielder on either flank, which is where you may prefer to bed him into your team (he'll still get you goals).
Balotelli can be purchased for around 13m, though he may state that he doesn't want to join your club if you're not part of Europe's elite. However, money talks and if you offer him enough, he'll come. Balotelli can also be bought in on loan, with a purchase clause inserted into his contract.
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jake | 30 January 2009
well i think a must buy is hulk from porto hes only 22 costs about 10-15 million and i sold him wen he was thirty years old for 42.5million to athletico madrid his goal ratio is fantastic his best season for me was he played 50 games and scored 45 goals with 15 assits but on a bad season he will still score at least thirty goals and he won the world player award three years running for me at man utd but just cuz his stats arent that good dont be put of
Ross | 12 March 2009
Dzagoev (think that is how it's spelt) is a Russian 18 year old Attacking Midfielder, He is magnificent! Although quite costly 12-14 Million is what I have managed to pick him up for. Maybe you guys can do better!
Marquinhos. Football Manager Legend at 18 and able to play on any side of midfield and upfront... He is a must but will also set you back about 13-15 million
AyOeDz | 25 March 2009
miguel veloso,explosive midfielder
sam | 10 May 2009
buy darijo srna for 19.5m or if your man city 20.5 m he will score from anywere!!!
DON'T BUY MIGUEL VELOSO
Craigeboy | 19 May 2009
Miguel Veloso is actually a good player the guy above just did not use him right I suspect.
fm lover | 27 May 2009
well veloso is excellent if used correctly he was at the heart of my mid in my 2012 champions n prem titles............ SIGN TORJE FROM ROMANIA UNDER 19'S
D3s7in | 29 May 2009
sign with marquinhos a very good player or with sakho after half year is the best left defender
Matthre | 30 May 2009
bye ryan giggs his youth means he gets alot better after a few years. DONT BYE CRISTIANO RONALDO!!!!
Clarkey | 10 June 2009
henri saivet
craig frame | 11 June 2009
fredy montero goal a game ratio in my first 2 seasons only 21
Mounseur Palom | 13 June 2009
Adrien - Sporting CP, you can get him for 2.5 million, in three seasons I sold him for 30 million to Real Madrid.
ryan fuz | 20 June 2009
definetly get oscar cardozo really really good
makis | 25 June 2009
guyz one player u must have is Cristiano Ronaldo expensive but......realy good:)
joseph | 25 June 2009
pavel pogrebynyak awesome 34 goals in a season
for ajax
Ste Mitchell | 27 June 2009
an amazin player on the game is joao moutinho
he broke up the xavi iniesta partnership when i signed him for barcelona
Flavz | 27 June 2009
Buy these guys
Aguero-43mill
Vagner love-15mill
Joao moutinho-11mill
Veloso-11mill
Alexis Sanchez-6mill
Matias fernandez-11mill
Asenjo-8.5mill
Vargas-Dnt kno
Fazio-22mill
David luiz-7.5mill
Flavz | 27 June 2009
Buy these guys
Aguero-43mill
Vagner love-15mill
Joao moutinho-11mill
Veloso-11mill
Alexis Sanchez-6mill
Matias fernandez-11mill
Asenjo-8.5mill
Vargas-Dnt kno
Fazio-22mill
David luiz-7.5mill
rasher | 03 July 2009
these are all good players when u play them i live on fm n definites for me to buy are, akinfeev,santon, sakho, zhirkov,bojan,mata,zuculini,kacar,n'koulou,breno
optimus FM prime | 04 July 2009
miguel veloso he is a definite signing and is soooo good.
also juao moutinho and matias fernandez and excellent,
also if you are in the bottom 5 teams in the the league sign marco devic and aundriy rusol and jaime gavilan
excellent signings
jack | 05 July 2009
buy pogrybnyak from Russia
srna from Croatia
kroos from bayern
asenjo from at. Madrid
cruz from inter (15 goals in 28 aps ) only 950 k
Liam | 07 July 2009
someone not many people would have thought of is rafinia he can play rb and rb wingback him and marcelo on either side of defence are amazing get down the flanks quick and get a few assists also young!! ... ;]
Calum | 02 June 2010
U should pobs buy mata from valencia
and definatly buy moutinho he is beast in my game
Jason | 19 June 2010
Try out zdravko kuzmanovic, player of the season twice for manchester united, sold him on for 28m to real madrid after 6 years.
Also sell rooney and bring in suarez and aguero-top partnership!!!
jake | 21 June 2010
i'm sunderland with 27 million transfer budget and all of the big clubs (chelsea , man utd , liverpool , arsenal ) are coming in for my best players e.g. balotelli , srna , vuksevic ,coloccini etc .what should i do .sell them ? or keep them ?
Ted | 24 June 2010
Buy Diego-Brazil
Martins | 30 June 2010
what do you guys think about pato?
Z_Cool | 13 July 2010
This is my team
Shay Given
Bridge/Kolarov
Richard,Dunne,Kompany,Onouha
Srna/Zabaleta
Veloso/De Jong
Zhirkov(Barca wants him for 50M),Wright Philips
Elano
Robinho/Rossi
win Eurocup n FA, 4th in Premier League
that's in 1st season
How about that guys..??
Ihsan | 04 September 2010
Well i agree with some of those people
Here are some class players
Marquinhos AM RLC AND ST
Huysev RWB, RM, AMR
Pjanic AM RC
Asenjo GK
Hart GK
Leo CB
Hamsik CM
Anonymous | 09 September 2010
what tactics should i use for barca guys?
Luke Hannant | 04 October 2010
On football manager 2009, i got a team of Sergio Asenjo-GK, Glen Johnson-RB, Gerard Pique-CB, Raul Albiol-CB, Marcelo-LB, Sergio Busquetes-DMF, Anderson-MC, Ashely Young-AMR, Sergio Aguero-AMC, Nani-AML, Balotelli/Agbonlahor-CF and i also bought Canales from racing santander and Douglas Costa form Gremio and Neymar from Santos. I am top of the league and now looking to buy more players in only 3months of the season starting, Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Robinho and Luis Fabiano are all already interseted in joining my team. Play a 4-1-1-3-1 formation like Barcelona play in real life you will go far. I have only lost 1 game and it was against Manchester United away and they won3-2 Rooney scoring in the last miniute haha.
Anonymous | 27 October 2010
kameni,kuzmanovic,lucho G,richards,giovinco, g.rossi
Jordan | 05 November 2010
GK: Iker Casillas
RB: Sergio Ramos
CB: Georgio Chiellini
LB: Gareth Bale
RM: Lionel Messi
CM: Francesc Fabregas
CM: Toni Kroos
CM: Kaka
LM: Christiano Ronaldo
ST: Karim Bemzema
ST: Sergio Aguero
i also have Vagner Love, Alan Dzagoev, Igor Akinfeev, Marek Hamsik, Emmanuel Adebayor and David Silva just to name a few
Jack Mc | 09 December 2010
buy edin dzeko and goran pandev, unbelieveable partnership for me
also get miguel veloso, fabregas, arda turan and theo, fantastic midfield
lorik cana, rafinha, gael clichy and vidic, unbeatable defence
akinfeev and rui patricio as a backup keeper.
ALL FOR LESS THAN 200M, SELL MOST OF THE YOUTH TEAM AT ARSENAL AND SELL ALL THE DECENT PLAYERS TO GET ENOUGH MONEY
THIS TEAM WON THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, FA CUP, LEAGUE CUP AND WON THE PREMIER LEAGUE BY MARCH, THATS RIGHT, THE QUADRUPLE
SGA | 11 December 2010
keirrison and marquinhos are very good
Tom Ayers-Mason | 30 January 2011
My Man City team
Joe Hart
Defence
Glen Johnson
Vincent Kompany
Brede Hangeland
Alexander Kolarov
Midfield
Nigel De Jong (cdm)
Robinho
Rafael van der Vaart
Yuri Zhirkov
Strikers
Carlos Tevez
Mario Ballotelli
subs
Vagner Love
Fernandinho
Joseph Yobo
Darren Bent
Shay Given
Sebastien Squillaci
Antonio Valencia
seun alaba | 26 February 2011
People should buy this player called marquinhos and palacio these two players will get u goals almost every game marquinhos his value at vitoria is a bargin around 4 mill but then he will rise up to 14 mill once he is 21 and for palacio his value goes up to 22.5 mill!!!
seun alaba | 26 February 2011
get palacio (from argentina)and marquinhos those two combined for me at barca 33 goals in season from marquinhos very cheap to buy both but will certainly almost double their value in half a season or even 3 or two games
AFC!! | 26 February 2011
Miguel Veloso played great in DCM, he is great at free kicks. Augero is another great player, and so is sergio Asenjo.
Anonymous | 18 March 2011
vermaelen is a good player
Anonymous | 12 April 2011
buy oscar cardozo and fazio, the best 2 players in the game
GOONERFAN | 14 April 2011
Some players i bought for my arsenal team.
buy:
Oscar Cardozo(8.5m scored 21 goals in 24 games for me)
Pavel Pogrebnyak (i only bought him as a reserve for cardozo, but he is still good. he is quite expensive, pogrebnyak cost me 11.25m)
Andrey Arshavin (a must buy, brilliant in midfield and upfront, great chemistry with cardozo. cost 13.25m)
Federico Fazio (Best midfielder in the game, he will score goals and defend well for you. as he is 6'5 not many will beat him in the air. strength 20.cost 18.5m)
Antonio Valencia (very good player, but suffers from injury a lot.cost 10m)
Thomas Vermaelen (i bought him in the beginning, because toure wants to leave to go to barcelona. stats dont say he is good, but he works hard and gets the job done. cost 5m)
Francisco Guillermo Ochoa (as you know Arsenal dont have the best goalkeepers, this man became the top keeper in the premier league.)
Wojciech Szcezsny (already at arsenal is a good youngster but ochoa is better
GOONERFAN | 16 April 2011
Ochoa can be bought for 6m,
Theo Walcott turns really good, i am still in the first season but his stats have gone up a lot, he is worth 13m right now and both barca and real madrid want to buy him, I have lost twice with this team and demolished liverpool 4-0
GOONERFAN | 29 April 2011
ALSO AS ARSENAL SELL DENILSON AND PLAY WALCOTT AS HE IMPROVES A LOT, DESPITE MADRIRD OFFERING 10M FOR HIM DON'T SELL HIM
Billy | 30 May 2011
I play as norwich and in season 2014 2015. I'm an arsenal fan but like a challenge. I've found a few good bargains not mentioned here. John Bostock MC from tottenham youth and Dosso DM where he's best played but can fit in DC or MC, Alex Pearce DC, Kieran Gibbs LB or LW, Antonio Barragon DR turned out good options to get me going. Not world beaters in the end but for a championship side on the up well worth a look. Future stars I have and recommend are a few already mentioned like Marquinhos as a winger or up front is a massive talent, Velosso turns out to be a world class DM, Bartolome at DR is a very good young talent. Raouch at LB from R Madrid is a real good solid player. Dzagoev, Coutinho, Ander from Athletico M not Man u, Sergio Motta LW or Giovinco also LW is my current favourite attacker that can really fit anywhere in an attack, Juam angel Albin also a LW or ST. Diego RW or AM. Todorov RW or a not so good ST. Up front some useful talents are Vela, from man city, Reynaldo. GK 2 quality keepers i have are Rene Adler and Mandanda but Fabianski surprisingly turns out good and picked him up on a free
jordan | 22 June 2011
To always win every game i no its a boring cheat but oh well. All you have to do is save before every game, then make sure you have a good assistant manager and go on holiday for 1 day. then come back and see the result.... if you lose just re-load until you get a good result. after a while the morale gets so high you pretty much always win when on holiday.
GOONERFAN | 27 June 2011
Sczesny is a quality keeper, if you dont play as arsenal only costs 500k
Obatoy | 29 June 2011
Best players pato,giovani,hart,lloris,parejo,santon,lucas
Anonymous | 08 July 2011
buy xavi messi david villi ibrohamovic fabregas cassilas kolo toure yaya youre
anthony fm2009 | 09 July 2011
if u start as a league 1 or 2 team
buy slyvan ebanks eblake and felipe caicedo cuz when I was managin leeds I won fa cup and title with them 2 up front
79 goals beetween them !!!!!!
also try and sign mike knightley from wolves cuz he got 21 assists
Anonymous | 24 July 2011
Buy sakho get him for bout 7mil barotelli 15mil french keeper called boucher 4mil is sick!! And givinco 4mil, saivet 2mil bruna from liverpool is sick at 4mil, Wijnaldum 3mil turns amazing!!!
GOONERFAN | 15 August 2011
buy hulk, he is a brilliant player but is quite costly.
Kyle | 11 September 2011
i got Bojan in my Barcelona squad i had him for 2 years and he scored 283 goals then i soled him for 201 million to man city i regret selling him .In 2023 he had got 10 best players of the years awards out of 11 he is the player you want to sign to your squad and also make your team man city because they start of with 211 million.
GOONERFAN | 16 February 2012
i have finished 3 seasons and have won the prem league 3 times, fa cup 2 times, league cup 3 times, community shield 1 time, champions cup 2 times
GOONERFAN | 16 February 2012
fazio is a good buy, he rarely gets injured and i got him for a mere 6m, but after this i have had to pay 18.5m.
personally i have both palombo and fazio and i think fazio is better. walcott is insane and aguero is as well, pogrebnyak i sold for 20m to man city
Anonymous | 28 March 2012
Probably the best potential 11 viable buys after a couple of seasons(providing you are in europe) :-
Akinfeev
Vargas
Sakho
Zapata
Srna
Guardado
Hamsik
Toulalan
Ben Arfa
Aguero
Balotelli
Mentionable backup contract players who you can pick up for pretty cheap and are happy to sit on the bench:-
Joe Mattock
Baretto
Mazzarani
keirrison
senderos