It may be a bit of a stretch to say that Football Manager 26 is a shopping simulator, but the ability to buy and sell players effectively is indeed critical to success for most saves. One of the best ways to separate your team from the competition, particularly when starting with a smaller side trying to break into the big time, is to buy cheap young players with high potential or cheap experienced players with low tags due to their ages or contract situations.
Effective bargain shopping allows you to quickly raise the talent levels of your team now, build prospects for the future, and grow into a power without requiring the financial might of one of the world’s richest people or an entire nation-state underwriting your transfer habits.
Best Cheap Center Backs In Football Manager 26
Shopping for free agents or players with low transfer values is an excellent strategy for lower-level sides who have the potential to immediately raise the level of play in their side with some affordable buys. While it’s uncommon for a seasoned player with a lot of potential still to show is available for minimal cost, it does happen, and you can also find some worthwhile short-term players by shopping for former stars, out-of-contract veterans, and other affordable but solid central defense options:
- Ben Davies (Tottenham): Now with more than a decade of time at Tottenham, Davies age means you can get him for under 10 million in most saves for an instant upgrade at a lot of sides.
- Danilho Doekhi (Union Berlin): A player you need to act fast if you want to grab, as he’s a hot property, scooped up almost immediately by United in my save. Doekhi can be the rock of your defense for years to come.
- Daniele Rugani (Juventus): If you’re in the market for a player who can slot right into your lineup for cheap, then the Juventus center half is an excellent option who can solidify your defense quickly.
- Gen Shoji (FC Machida): A veteran presence plying his trade in the Japanese leagues, Shoji is available for just under a million pounds and provides an industrious piece to slot into your defensive puzzle.
- Jerry St. Juste (Sporting CP): In his final year of his contract, St. Juste is available for less than a million dollars with talent to take the field for strong sides right out of the gate.
- Thiago Silva (Fluminese): While long past his prime, Thiago Silva still possesses the technical abilities to contribute to many smaller clubs without rolling out a cash truck to get him.
- Takehiro Tomiyasu (Free Agent): Already featured here on Operation Sports in the past, Tomiyasu is an outstanding talent available for free due to his injury record and worth taking a shot on for a free player yet to hit his prime and capable of playing well across the whole back line.
Best Cheap Wonderkid CBs In Football Manager 26
Experienced and cheap players will shore up your lines now, but it’s finding some hidden gems for the future that can quickly take your team to a new level in the years ahead as your young starlets come into their own. If you’re on the lookout for affordable wonderkids to plug into your back line, these are the top options to consider:
- Noahkai Banks (FC Augsburg): Although in a big league already, Banks is not yet at a major club, making him gettable at a bargain for a potential future star.
- Ethan Degny (OGC Nice): Poaching young talent from the lowest big league can provide instant impact as well as future rewards with players like Degny.
- Kanta Doi (FC Tokyo): Already repping a bunch of yellow stats in key areas at a young age for a CB, Doi is available for under a million at the start of the game.
- Abubucarr Sedi Kinteh (Tromso): For an extreme bargain, possibly under seven figures, turn to Tromso for this 18-year-old talent with a high ceiling
- Matteo Mendoza (Godoy Cruz): Raiding South American clubs is always a good proposition for managers looking for young starlets, and Mendoza is another potential gem.
- Matteo Palma (Udinese): At just 17 years old, Palma has already gotten Serie A minutes this year, and his future looks extremely bright.
- Rav van den Berg (1. FC Koln): A 21-year-old already capable enough to slot into many lineups in the top leagues and potential to accomplish even more.
Central defense is the heart of a successful team, as effectively shutting the door at the back allows you to play with the confidence of knowing that your offense has a low hurdle to clear to claim all three points every week. These signings on a budget can be the final pieces to unlocking your elite defensive unit, so get scouting and get signing to get your hands on them!
