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Football Manager 2020’s best free agents for Premier League teams
Here's 10 of the best players to sign on a budget in this year’s Football Manager.
The best things in life (and football) are free. Whether or not you’re strapped for cash, we all like to spend less money than we have to. And when you’re managing a top-flight Premier League side, you have to be mindful of your outgoings, regardless of who you’re in charge of. While a team of Lionel Messi's would enthuse your fanbase, it’d also bankrupt your club.
So, if the window is open and you’re keen on bringing in a superstar or two, save some pennies by also taking a look at the free agents that are out there. Sure, some will be entering the twilight of their career, but you can also find that gifted twentysomething that’s never had the opportunity to take the world by storm. If you take our recommendations on board, we think you’ll nab the best free agents in Football Manager 2020 for your Premier League outfit.
1. Fabiano
Fabiano is in his prime, and a perfect fit for most premiership clubs
© Sega
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 31
Wages: £14K - £19.25K p/w
The Brazilian shot-stopper is in the prime of his career and would do an admirable job between the sticks for a side looking to break into Europe, like Wolves. In truth, he’d provide terrific back-up for one of The Big Six, too, as he’s an all-rounder in goals. With incredible strength and jumping reach, Fabiano would provide an option for those in the Champions League that want to occasionally rest their number one. If you can get a work permit for him – that may prove a little tricky – you can be sure he’ll give you years of great service.
2. Fábio Coentrão
Former Real Madrid player Fábio Coentrão needs a new home
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Position: Defender / Wing Back (Left) / M (L), AM (RC)
Age: 31
Wages: £23.5K - £32.5K p/w
Simply put, Fábio Coentrão is one of the best free agents you can sign. He’s an intelligent left-sided player that’s most comfortable in the wing back role, but can also play further up the pitch if needs be. At 31 years of age, the former Real Madrid man still has a lot to offer a side that’s going for Europa League places: he has terrific positional awareness in attacking positions, and can whip balls into the box all day long. While he likes getting forward, his stamina and fitness will let him down when tracking back, which is something to keep in mind if he’s marking a winger with blistering pace. Still, his experience with the Portuguese national side, as well as his technical ability, would make him a great asset for almost every mid-table team.
3. Ivan Strinic
Ivan Strinic has bundles of stamina and agility
© Sega
Position: Defender / Wing Back (Left) / M (L)
Age: 31
Wages: £32.5K - £46.5K p/w
Like Coentrão, Ivan Strinic is a left-sided player that likes to get into the opposition’s area – but his stamina and agility mean he’s more capable when dropping back when his side loses possession of the ball. He’s not afraid of getting stuck in either, with great marking, tackling, and determination numbers attached to him. The Croatian defender could potentially walk into two-thirds of the Premier League’s starting line-ups, and give managers in the upper-tier headaches when choosing their first team.
4. Ignazio Abate
Ignazio Abate has over 200 appearances for AC Milan
© Sega
Position: Defender - Wing Back (Right)
Age: 32
Wages: £11K - £14.75K p/w
Having played over 200 times for AC Milan in the last decade, the Italian centre half would bring oodles of quality and experience to somewhere like Turf Moor or the London Stadium. All of his mental attributes are terrific, but his high Teamwork number displays how good he is in a well-drilled unit. His age may mean he’ll struggle to play 38 games in the season, but he’ll be damned if he doesn’t put his best foot forward when chosen. His lower wage demands make him an even more attractive signing to clubs that have had their purse strings tightened.
5. Lucas Silva
Lucas Silva is great at long-range shots and pinpoint passing
© Sega
Position: Defensive Midfielder, Midfielder (Centre)
Age: 26
Wages: £35K - £47K p/w
Things didn’t work out for him at Real Madrid a few years back, but that doesn’t mean Lucas Silva couldn’t work wonders at your club. At 26 years of age, he has an awful lot left to give. The defensive midfielder’s strengths lay in his great passing ability, as well as his accuracy when shooting from long range. With that said, he’s not as accomplished when shooting from inside the box, and he’s certainly not a physical presence on the pitch. His reactions off the ball, mind, are great. His wage demands are higher than some of the other free agents on this list, but when you see the man’s stats, you begin to understand why. If you can get a work permit for the Brazilian, he could easily sit in front of an Arsenal or Man United defence.
6. Nicolai Müller
Nicolai Müller could bring a lot ot a team like Watford or Southampton
© Sega
Position: Midfielder / Attacking Midfielder (Right) / M/AL (L)
Age: 31
Wages: £21.5K - £31K p/w
A solid attacking midfielder with a wonderful work rate and determination, Nicolai Müller’s pace would bring a lot to a club like Watford or Southampton. He’s agile, which is good because he’s fond of taking the ball into the box and rounding the keeper. Defensively, he’s quite poor, but if he grabs a few goals or assists throughout the season, that’s something most clubs fighting off relegation can overlook. For his age, he’s quite fit, so he has the potential to terrorise defences as much as his legs will allow.
7. Gabriel Torje
Gabriel Torje is a steal even newly relegated sides can afford on a budget
© Sega
Position: Attacking Midfielder (Right) / M (RL), AM (LC)
Age: 29
Wages: £7.75K - £10.75K p/w
At 29 years of age, this Romanian winger has the ability to give a side like Newcastle a couple of great years – plus Mike Ashley can’t moan too much about his modest wages. His marking is atrocious, but you don’t want him getting back anyway: leave Torje to ping balls onto your forwards all day long and you’ll get a few goals if you pair him with a solid target man.
8. Hatem Ben Arfa
Hatem Ben Arfa would be a great choice for newly promoted Sheffield United
© Sega
Position: Attacking Midfielder (Right, Centre) / ST (C)
Age: 32
Wages: £38K - £51K p/w
Hatem Ben Arfa should’ve had a glittering career, but the skilful midfielder’s discipline and work rate let him down. Imagine what his experience could add to a promoted side like Sheffield United, though: his flair, technique, first touch and dribbling could destroy lesser teams at Bramall Lane. He’s selfish, lacks concentration and despises defending, but even as he enters the final phase of his career, the former Newcastle man could be a sublime attacking threat for any side looking to guarantee Premier League safety. Before you enter negotiations, know that you’ll have to pay the man handsomely, though. Hatem Ben Arfa knows he’s good with the ball at his feet and demands a wage that reflects the high opinion he has of himself
9. Wilfried Bony
Wilfried Bony brings a strong physical presence for your team
© Sega
Position: Striker (Centre)
Age: 30
Wages: £9K - £12.75K p/w
Yeah. That Wilfried Bony. After his big move from Swansea to Man City in 2015, some questioned whether the Ivorian striker would be able to step up a level. They were right to be sceptical, as his goal every two games or so ratio inflated to one in every four. He’s only 30, though; Bony could provide a strong physical presence in the box for a club that’s looking to stave off relegation. Sure, he can’t defend a lick and his natural fitness is absolutely shocking, but if you tell the big man to get off the bench and into the box, he’ll nab you a few important goals a season.
10. Giuseppe Rossi
Giuseppe Rossi has terrible natural fitness, but he's a great finisher
© Sega
Position: Striker (Centre)
Age: 32
Wages: £7K - £10.25K p/w
Despite his lack of strength and shambolic natural fitness, Giuseppe Rossi is a really composed and determined finisher that could be great alongside another, nippier forward in a front two. And if the former Italian international has midfielders feeding him the ball, he can show off his heavenly first touch and technique. With 20 minutes to go, the former Villareal striker could have a massive impact in games for clubs such as Brighton or Palace. Rossi’s also fantastic from 12 yards, so if your club is in need of a penalty taker, he’s a cheap option.
