Reality vs Football Manager: How the breakthrough stars across Europe fare - Part I

 

One of the most satisying aspects of Football Manager is steering a lesser-name team to glory. That challenge could involve several promotions or simply breaking up the established elite to claim a league title. Choosing to manage a team in those situations will more than likely involve working on a smaller budget compared to the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid or Barcelona.

 

With that in mind, you have to get your transfers spot on. Finding value can be difficult in that respect and finding a hidden gem could be the difference between success or disaster. It's why we are here to help if you are struggling to buy players within your budget. Or if you simply want to look elsewhere than established names for your squad.

 

 

The latest installment of our Football Manager series looks into some of the breakthrough stars of 2019/20 across Europe, not limited to just Europe's top five leagues. Looking at those to have hit the ground running in their first real taste of credible top-flight experience.

 

There are plenty out there who are currently flying under the radar and could represent great business for your Football Manager save. We have ranked our 10 breakthrough stars based on WhoScored rating, with number one being the best WhoScored rated from the bunch. Starting in reverse order, here are places 10-6.

 

10. Predrag Rajkovic (Reims) - 7.03 rating / £4.2m FM20 value

 

 

Replacing Edouard Mendy over the summer was going to be a challenge for French side Reims after his terrific displays in goal in 2018/19 but they have done so seaminglessly following the arrival of Predrag Rajkovic from Maccabi Tel Aviv. Now 24, Rajkovic has been in great form for Reims and has made the headlines for all the right reasons.

 

Impressively, the Serb has saved four of the five penalties he has faced in Ligue 1 action in his first season for the club. On FM20, Rajkovic starts with a base stat of 16/20 for command of his area and it's no surprise given how daunting a prospect he is to beat from the penalty spot. He also rates 14/20 in one-on-one situations on FM20 with room to improve. The Reims shot-stopper has notably saved more than half of the clear-cut chances he has been called into action for this season (12/22). At £4.2m, he could prove astute business if you are not happy with your current goalkeeper.

 

9. Gaetano Castrovilli (Fiorentina) - 7.06 rating / £11.7m FM20 value

 

Fiorentina made headlines in the summer for their ability to sign former Bayern Munich ace Franck Ribery but the player making all the noise for the Viola this summer is someone they already had on their books: Gaetano Castrovilli. After a two-year loan stint in Serie B, Castrovilli has been thrust straight into the thick of it with Fiorentina this season and is flourishing with his immense dribbling potential. The 23-year-old, who models his game on Kaka and Ronaldinho, earned his first Italy cap in a mater of months as a result of his fine form for Fiorentina.

 

Only Jeremie Boga (166) has attempted more dribbles in Serie A than Castrovilli (103) this season but he has a superior success rate (73.8%) compared the former Chelsea graduate (63.9%). The central midfielder is generally hard to dispossess and his ability to drive Fiorentina forward in possession is critical, particularly as they have played without recognised strikers for the most part. His stats on FM20 mirror his ability with the ball at his feet where he ranks 17/20 for dribbling.

 

Reality vs Football Manager: How the breakthrough stars across Europe fare - Part I

 

8. Eduardo Camavinga (Rennes) - 7.12 rating / £7.3m FM20 value

 

The 2019/20 campaign has been an outstanding one for Rennes teenager Eduardo Camavinga. The Frenchman made his first-team debut at 16 and hasn't looked back, helping Rennes secure a place in next season's Champions League for the first time in their history. His performance have been so eye-catching that Real Madrid are desperate to secure his long-term future.

 

Camavinga has proved age is just a number this season. The 17-year-old youngest player in Europe's top five leagues with regular playing time (25 appearances in Ligue 1) and only Leicester's Ricardo Pereira (4.3) averages more tackles per game than Camavinga (4.2) on the continent. It's therefore unsurprising he rates highly for both tackling (14/20) and anticipation (15/20) on FM20. It's worth snapping him up as quickly as possible on FM20 as his value will only soar.

 

7. Victor Osimhen (Lille) - 7.14 rating / £8.1m FM20 value

 

Ligue 1's decision to cancel the rest of the 2019/20 campaign has cost Lille financially. It means they finish fifth and one point off the final Champions League qualification position. By only securing Europa League football for next season, they may even have to cash in on star asset Victor Osimhen after just one season at the club. Signed from Belgian side Charelori in the summer, the 21-year-old has been linked with a Premier League move for the best part of 12 months after his eye-catching displays in Ligue 1.

 

The Nigeria international finished the 2019/20 campaign as Lille's top WhoScored rated player, courtesy of 13 goals and four assists in 27 league appearances. He has even been compared to former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. With an eye for goal, Osimhen rates 15/20 for finishing on FM20. If you want a resonably priced finisher with a high ceiling for growth for your team then Osimhen should be considered.

 

6. Joey Veerman (Heerenveen) - 7.23 rating / £2.7m FM20 Value

 

After impressing as a youngster in the Dutch second division, Heerenveen decided to snap up Joey Veerman's signature over the summer and the now-21-year-old has made an impressive start to life in the Eredivisie. Prior to the 2019/20 season being cancelled,

 

Veerman, who is a central midfielder, played a direct hand in nine goals in 22 league appearances (four goals, five assists). The Dutch youngster notably also avered 2.9 key passes per 90 and 2.5 tackles per 90. FM20 also believe him to be technically sound, with great energy in the midfield area. His contract is due to expire in 2022 so he may be worth keeping tabs on with a view to signing him in a cut-price deal in the near future.

Reality vs Football Manager: How the breakthrough stars across Europe fare - Part I