Need a centre back

[alexdesouza]

Okay, so here's my team details and player criteria.

Team: Arsenal FC.
Budget: 10-15m.
Position: CB.
Role: Stopper (positioning, composure, concentration, decisions, marking, tackling)
Age: Prefer younger as they'll be 4th choice BUT will be happy with a really old/awesome dude - very important!
Preferred foot: Right. No left footers as it'll ruin the rotation.
Preferred personality: Professional or Resolute.
Partnering: Mangala or Koscielny.
Wages: Must be below ?35,000 per week.

Here's my shortlist:
- Jannik Vestergaard
- Jamaal Lascelles
- John Stones
- Jose Gimenez
- Eric Drier
- Chancel Mbemba
- Marian Sarr

Here's other players that don't fit the wage or personality:
- Phil Jones
- Matthias Ginter
- Raphael Varane
- Niklas Sule
- Tin Jedvaj

Undecided as to who I want

 

[alexdesouza]

My team is relatively modest compared to most.

GK: Szczesny, McCarthy, Martinez
CB: Mertersacker, Koscielny, Mangala
LB: Gibbs, Monreal
RB: Aurier, Jenkinson
CM: Ramsey, Badelj, Arteta, Flamini, Zelalem
LM: Draxler, Cazorla
RM: Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gnabry
AM: Ozil, Wilshere, Rosicky
ST: Giroud, Sanogo

I might sell Arteta and replace him with a winger so I can pull back Wilshere into central midfield. Zelalem is almost ready to unleash (H)

Not to mention Hamam Tariq on loan at Espanyol tearing BBVA apart.

 

[tommyd150]

J.Okore? or get Ron Vlaar as back up

 

[eetukopone]

Don't sell Arteta, he's a great tutor for the younger players

 

[Spike014]

What season are you in? If you can get Balanta or Doria

 

[TomCampbe11]

Balanta, Doria, Okore, Umtiti or Enzo Andia?

 

[Sterling101]

If you're in 2015-2017 seasons, take a look at Dede - he goes for real cheap when he has under 18months left on his contract. Best 7m I ever spent. However, Eric Dier is a good shout, and it's vital to keep some of your rotation options English for the quotas, so maybe he's your best bet.

 

[alexdesouza]

I'm in the 2nd season guys. Sorry forgot to mention that.

I actually decided on Tin Jedvaj after a long nights resarch. If he doesn't work out at least he's come in for really low wages (18k), only paid ?8m and he's actually decent for a all-rounder and will be a good backup. Hummels is my long term Mertersacker replacement. They're quite similar I feel.

Don't sell Arteta, he's a great tutor for the younger players

I sold Badelj instead before reading this actually for that very reason

 

[alexdesouza]

Thanks for all the advice too by the way! Here's the squad I ended up with -


GK: Szczesny, McCarthy, Martinez
CB: Mertersacker, Koscielny, Mangala, Jedvaj
LB: Gibbs, Monreal
RB: Di Scigilio, Jenkinson
CM: Ramsey, Song, Arteta, Flamini, Zelalem
LM: Draxler, Cazorla
RM: Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gnabry
AM: Ozil, Wilshere, Rosicky
ST: Benteke, Giroud, Sanogo

Backup positions include: Jedvaj at right back, Koscielny at right back, Di Siglio at left back, Flamini at left back, Jenkinson at left back, Draxler as striker, Song as a centre back and Oxlade Chamberlain and Santi Cazorla as a central midfielder DLP.

Lots of options. I brought Song back for the HG and ball-winning attributes. Will work on his fitness but he's actually really good on this version. Also wouldn't usually buy a third striker, especially one as established as Benteke, as they don't usually get game time as Giroud is my main striker. He got 42 goals last year. But Sanogo is soooo injury prone that I just had to suffice somewhere. I think I did well. Pretty much 3-4 people covering each position and everyone gets game time except those coming through.

Can't wait to get my 2nd season under way. This is the most fun I've had on FM14 since I got it the day it came out! 14.3 rocks, so does being pedantic and taking your time with everything (H)