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The 10 Players You Must Sign On Football Manager 2009

RSS / Dan Fitch / 25 November 2008 / 21 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.


radoi


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.


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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.


Asenjo


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.


marcelo


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.


cardozo


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.


Hamsik


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.


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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.


palombo


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.


srna


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.


Balotelli


Comments (21)

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. AyOeDz | 25 March 2009

    miguel veloso,explosive midfielder

  4. 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

  5. Craigeboy | 19 May 2009

    Miguel Veloso is actually a good player the guy above just did not use him right I suspect.

  6. 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

  7. D3s7in | 29 May 2009

    sign with marquinhos a very good player or with sakho after half year is the best left defender

  8. Matthre | 30 May 2009

    bye ryan giggs his youth means he gets alot better after a few years. DONT BYE CRISTIANO RONALDO!!!!

  9. Clarkey | 10 June 2009

    henri saivet

  10. craig frame | 11 June 2009

    fredy montero goal a game ratio in my first 2 seasons only 21

  11. 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.

  12. ryan fuz | 20 June 2009

    definetly get oscar cardozo really really good

  13. makis | 25 June 2009

    guyz one player u must have is Cristiano Ronaldo expensive but......realy good:)

  14. joseph | 25 June 2009

    pavel pogrebynyak awesome 34 goals in a season
    for ajax

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. 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

  21. 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!! ... ;]

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