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

 

This is final instalment of our two-part series comparing 10 breakthrough stars of European football with their Football Manager 20 stats. We have ranked all 10 players in order of WhoScored rating and presented their FM20 values from when you start the game, as opposed to any updates.

 

Having already run through 10-6, it's time to assess the stats of the top five WhoScored rated breakthrough stars on FM20. If you are struggling for players to sign then these players should help you uncover some gems with high ceilings for development.

 

 

5.  Nikolai Laursen (FC Emmen) - 7.27 rating / £1.3m FM20 value

 

After beating relegation with a late surge of results last season, FC Emmen sought to bolster their offensive options in the summer to help steer clear of the drop zone this term. In the end it didn't mater, as there will be no relegation this season, but they have improved from last term. With eight games left, FC Emmen were only six points off their points tally for the entirety of last season and summer signing Nikolai Laursen has added another dimension to the club's attack.

 

The 22-year-old winger was signed from Jong PSV in the summer after a loan stint at Danish giants Brondby last season. Laursen weighed in with four goals and two assists from his 18 league appearances and claimed the WhoScored Man of the Match award on four occasions in that spell. Only two players averaged more dribbles per game than the FC Emmen newbie (3.5) and he impressively completed 65% of those. Dribbling is by far his standout skill and FM20 agree, rating him 15/20 in that regard. Valued at just £1.3m he could be a wildcard signing to really turn things around for your team.

 

4.   Trincao (Braga) - 7.28 rating / £3.1m FM20 Value

 

It took just 11 league matches this season to convince Barcelona to wrap up Trincao's long-term future, with the 20-year-old set to link up with the Spanish side at the end of the current campaign. Barcelona agreed to pay £26m for the Braga starlet, so expect his transfer valuation to swing hugely once you reach the end of the 2019/20 campaign in your FM20 save. Nevertheless, that shouldn't deter you from pursuing the youngster, even if you are only able to sign him on loan.

 

When excluding substitute appearances in the Portuguese Liga NOS this season, Trincao is the highest WhoScored rated player in the division. His rating goes up from 7.28 including substitute appearances to 8.24 without them. Despite his game time coming in fits and spurts, he has still managed a direct hand in nine league goals this term (six goals, three assists). He impressively averages 4.3 dribbles per 90 and 2.5 key passes per 90. He is a creative spark and that too is noted on FM20 with stats like 16/20 for technical ability and 15/20 for both dribbling and flair.

 

3. Mounir Chouiar (Dijon) - 7.30 rating / £1.8m FM20 value

 

Signed from Lens late in the summer, Dijon may have to brace themselves for offers for Mounir Chouiar after just one season at the club. He may have already played his last game for the club now the Ligue 1 season has been cancelled.

 

The 21-year-old managed four goals in 20 league appearances for Dijon but was unlucky to finish with no assists. In fact, no player in Europe's top five leagues has registered more key passes without managing a single assist this season than Chouiar (44). Furthermore, only PSG's Neymar (6) averaged more dribbles per game than Chouiar (3.5) in Ligue 1 in 2019/20. Dribbling (15/20) and set-pieces (16/20 free-kick taking) are also his best base stats on FM20. Not restricted to being just a creative player either, Chouiar rates 14/20 for his work off the ball and he did average 1.8 tackles per game in the league this season.

 

2. Abdou Harroui (Sparta Rotterdam) - 7.33 rating / £2.7m FM20 value

 

Sparta Rotterdam would have comfortably avoided the drop even if teams were still relegated from the Eredivisie this season. They have been   been a breath of fresh air since being promoted into the Eredivise last season after a one-year absnce. Abdou Harroui only made one appearance in Sparta Rotterdam's last previous season in the Ereidivise (2017/18) but finished this campaign as their top WhoScored rated player. He started every league game for the club.

 

The 22-year-old midfielder impressively played a direct hand in 12 goals from his 26 starts (four goals, eight assists) and was key at both ends for Sparta Rotterdam. Effective at breaking up play, as shown by a return of 3 tackles per game, Harroui could also drive his side forward, as demonstrated by 2.4 dribbles per game. He boasts hugely impressive physical stats on FM20 with 17/20 for teamwork, 16/20 for work rate and 15/20 for stamina. It's perhaps no surprise he started every league game this season.

 

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

 

1.  Luis Sinisterra (Feyenoord) - 7.60 rating / £3.5m FM20 value

 

Luis Sinisterra was eased into the first-team picture last season with just five substitute appearances but was a regular for Feyenoord while the 2019/20 campaign lasted. The 20-year-old made 21 starts and played a direct hand in nine goals (five goals, four assists) in that time. The versatile winger averaged 3.5 dribbles per 90 and notably completed 64.3% of those he attempted. Not just tricky with the ball at his feet, Sinisterra is also willing to put his body on the line in the air, as shown by a return of 2.5 aerial duels won per 90.

 

However, his priority is to get the ball out of his feet and run at defenders in an attempt to get them back-peddling. That trait is mirrored too on FM20. His best base stats are unsurprisingly pace (16/20), acceleration (16/20), dribbling (15/20), agility (14/20) and flair (14/20). He finished the 2019/20 Ereidivise campaign as the fifth top WhoScored rated player and at a starting price of just £3.5m he is certainly worth your attention if you want to bolster your wide areas.

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