Much of a Football Manager gamers development and transfers is commonly based on age, scouting for the next wonderkid, or someone who is at the top of their game to take the squad further. While aging legends of the game seem to be largely ignore, past glories are long in the distance. But we should not forget about these technically gifted players as they can bring something to your squad and that could prove a vital difference when it comes to the end of the season.
The Players
I have recently snapped up a 37 year old Brazilian, plying his trade at Bunyodkot Toshkent in Uzbekistan. A player that was the once a great £22million Barcelona playmaker, Rivaldo. Snapping him up for £375k a bargain I won’t expect him to be a superstar, or play every game, but he is an addition to the squad can be fantastic return on investment.
There is many other examples of technically gifted players that do the same role as Rivaldo. David Beckham, 34, there is no coincidence that he is still an international player still in demand from the top teams in Europe. Riquelme, 31 in my game commanding a £11.25 million (although City do seem to inflate figures). Finally Paul Scholes, 35 are just a few of the examples of players not too old to forget.
Anyone else bought Rivaldo? I’d be interesting to hear how low a team Rivaldo is willing to venture too, I have bought him with Spurs, I also know that Beckham was pretty handy in the game in the first patch before agreeing a loan with Milan.
Rivaldo
How should I get the best out of them?
But with age obviously comes a downfall, stamina, pace and strength all begin to depreciate making the roles of these players some what limited, but in another way what they all have in common is that if you set them up as playmakers within the player roles function of the tactics creator, you can exploit their strengths in passing, flair, first touch, creativity, composure and off the ball skills which all these players posses in abundance.
It will also help combat the weaknesses of these players as they won’t be expected to move around much, instead finding themselves space, receiving the ball and passing it around well to create chances and quick movement of the ball. No one can really accuse Beckham of having the ability in any part of his career to run at players or with any sort of pace, but what he does well in real life is receive the ball and pass it to team mates.
Variety is the spice of life
So when you are looking for new players for your side, remember that squads are all about balance of ages, skills and varied abilities. A playmaker like Rivaldo at his age will come cheap and can give you different options to adapt your tactics throughout games. So it is always worth giving these guys a punt at any level. The game that really gave me the inspiration to write this was against Blackpool in the cup, Rivaldo started and controlled all the play of the game, using him to connect everything throughout the side, giving balance and structure to our buildup and I look forward to many more games with him.
What other older players have made an impact of your side? Please comment below.
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Thomas Levin has been a Football Manager blogger for almost a decade. He has written all over the community and now is looking to make FM Pundit a hub for discussion and help about Football Manager games. You will also find Thomas with Football Manager tactic experts
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Completely agree with this. I’m in the Blue Square North with Hinckley United and I managed to pick up an ex-Fulham and French international DMC/MC from a non-league side for free. His legs are gone and he can’t play more than one game a week even at my level! But when he plays you can see his quality. He knows how to pick out a pass and how to read the game.
Despite his age, his brain is so obviously far and above anything else in the league. I obviously wouldn’t want 11 of him wheezing around because I’d get hammered. But if you can accommodate a player like that into your line up he can help no end.
Plus it’s not just on the field where he can be a leader or playmaker. He can tutor youngsters and inspire the fans and the press.
Gareth Millward´s last blog ..Football Manager Tactics Video – Playing different formations
Hi Millie it is good to see you around these parts!
I have never really given it much though about these older players affect on the the team as a whole and the fans and press, I think that is a really good point that you make. I will look forward to more of that in Psychological Warefare book that will be coming out soon. I have really got dirty with the game this year and made sure that I am fully involved in all aspects of the game using the tools so been enjoying that.
The only problem that I am having with Rivaldo is that his affect is reduced because he doesn’t speak English, how much of an affect do you think this has Millie?
Not really considered the language effect, I must admit. But when you sign a guy and the fans get excited, you’re on to a winner in my eyes. The tutoring help on offer is also a big plus, getting the youngsters up to speed quicker. And, of course, if the oldie has high influence and determination he can make a great captain.
I would have thought below an English Premier League standard side this sort of thing could work wonders. Not so sure about the bigger teams, though. It’s also about balancing the rewards with the inevitably inflated pay packet.
Gareth Millward´s last blog ..Football Manager Tactics Video – Playing different formations
I bought the one and only RVN from Real for my Liverpool team for 2 million pounds and he’s been an able deputy to my Torres. I’ve even play the two of them together upfront and they have been quite a prolific partnership. And tho Torres is my top scorer in all competitions, it’s RVN who’s leading the Premier League goalscorers charts
Fantastic, I just hope now that Liverpool actually buy RVN in real life I really need to see some quality and creative up front with Torres will Gerrard supplies it form the midfield. Would be amazing but I doubt that Rafa wants to do that.
So how are you playing RVN you got him as a advanced forward and Torres running in from deeper? OR can RVN still hold the ball up enough to have him as a support? By the sounds of it you have Torres more of a support though.
If I’m playing 2 upfront, I’ll have RVN as an advanced forward while Torres will play as a deep-lying forward. I play a 4-2-2-2 formation with 2 wingers in my formation.
If I’m playing one upfront, usually in tight games and against good opposition, I usually play Torres in first and depending on the results. I’ll replace in RVN as Torres has run the defence ragged or I then switch to 2 upfront.
Experienced players are the most important one what a team can own. Nobody will form a team so much like these player’s types. Do you also not mean?
Sorry dude your English is a little difficult to figure out the point that you are trying to get across. I understand that having older experienced players can be important, from what Millie said above they can offer major advantages.
Just look at a real life example, there is no really surprise that SAF keeps Giggs, Scholes and Neville around not only are they brilliant players that is a bonus for him. But their attitude off the pitch, drive and experienced will form the foundations of the new team.
I apologize for my English, it is really not very good what might be I am due no Englishman.
Don’t worry about it, I just wanted to make sure that I fully knew what you were saying so that I could respond. Feel free to comment at FM pundit anytime
Thanks very much. And I think you have misunderstood me really a little. I wanted to express, actually, with it there never was (for long time) successful team what only formed by young (let me say: to inexperienced ones) players. I tried to say: for successful football, it requires ALWAYS these experienced player’s types. In any case, thats what it has always been in germany. I hope my real contents came in now?:/
I get what you mean, in England though Alan Hanson was most famously quoted as saying
This was before Manchester United lifted the Premiership trophy with such a young squad of players, but that team did have good experienced players in Steve Bruce, Paul Parker and strong leader in Roy Keane as well as immense quality. But it is no surprise that Manchester United choose to keep very experienced players around their team and similar to the Premier League winning sides from Arsenal and Chelsea. Arsenal for a few years now have lacked experienced in their team and that shows not winning the league since 2005.
I signed Edgar Davids for Aberdeen, he was on a free with no club, 36yrs old but still an excellent player. Could only use him once a week and in his DMC podition, but he helped me to the 1/4 final of the Europa cup and to 2nd in the league. Kept him for 3 yrs before he retired.
@Paul Morrison: Edgar a true legend, pity he doesn’t have his glasses on would look good in sunny Scotland
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Did you find that you could use Edgar for other things, such as leadership and tutoring? They will be singing your name and calling you the next Alex Ferguson next!