Back when almost every team lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, it was widely believed and often proven that to win a title, teams needed to have two world-class strikers and two world-class center-backs. For example, Sir Alex Ferguson won his last league title with players like Cleverly and Anderson in midfield, as he had Rooney and Van Persie scoring bucket loads of goals, while Vidic and Ferdinand kept things tight at the back. Although this was under a decade ago, the importance of midfielders has completely changed.
For many teams, midfielders are now the most important position on this pitch. For example, Manchester City overload the center of the pitch with technically gifted players, while Liverpool have hard-working players in the central positions and goal scorers on the wings frequently cutting inside. Because of this, many people will be on the lookout for the best midfield talent they can get in Football Manager 21. For managers looking to secure top talent on a tight budget, here are 10 fantastic midfielders to consider.
NOTE: For those interested in the star ratings for the players listed below, it's worth pointing out that the pictured reports were done using Liverpool's scouting team, so the ratings will reflect their needs and standards.
10 Ganso
Although it seems silly now, there was once a time when Ganso was considered to be an even better prospect than Neymar, and the Brazilian was being linked with Arsenal, Manchester United, and Real Madrid during his time at Santos. It was believed that he would get a big move around the same time that Neymar left for Barcelona. However, Ganso struggled to reach his potential and was subsequently viewed by some as a disappointment.
In many ways, Ganso being overrated as a youngster has caused him to be underrated today, as the Brazilian has matured into a fantastic number 10. Ganso's attributes speak for themselves, and it may even be worth a top side taking a punt on the experienced creator. Fluminense will likely ask for a fee of around £4 million ($5,588,140) for Ganso's services.
9 Caio Lopes
Hyped Brazilian talents are a bit like city-center buses, in the sense that it's not too disappointing when one leaves, as there's always another around the corner. Caio Lopes is his era's version of the aforementioned Ganso, as the creative midfielder is receiving a ton of hype at a young age. However, one difference between the two players is their work rate, as Caio Lopes' rating of 12 is considerably better than Ganso's; consequently, this makes him a superior choice for people looking to play with an intense press.
The Brazilian's stats aren't quite up to scratch for teams in the top divisions yet, but the player may be worth obtaining for the future as he will only cost around £3.5 million ($4,888,852).
8 Aleix Febas
With Vision and Technique of 15, Flair of 16, and Dribbling of 14, Aleix Febas is an excellent choice for people looking to bring an exciting, skillful midfielder into their side. Aleix Febas is best suited for an attacking Mezzela role, but his decent Tackling and Aggression attributes make the Spaniard a candidate for disciplined and defensive roles.
Aleix Febas is one of the most cost-effective players on this list, as RCD Mallorca are only likely to ask for around £1.5 million ($2,094,847) for the Spanish midfielder.
7 Joe Allen
Frequently referred to as the "Welsh Xavi," former Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen joined Stoke City in 2016 and has gone on to appear over 150 times for the Staffordshire side. As expected from someone who coined the "Welsh Xavi," Allen has fantastic Passing, Technique, and Teamwork stats. Another part of Allen's game that makes him worth considering is that the Welshman has a phenomenal work rate, unlike many creative players.
Allen has a value of £2.1 million ($2,935,978), but with good negotiation, that fee can potentially come down to as little as £1 million ($1,398,085).
6 Jack Wilshere
Once considered to be the successor to England's legendary midfield trio of Scholes, Lampard, and Gerrard, Jack Wilshere has sadly failed to live up to the huge expectations placed on his shoulder, predominantly due to continuous misfortune with injuries. Despite this, the player still has a lot to offer in Football Manager 21, and the former Arsenal man can be obtained for a grand total of £0.
Wilshere is one of the most well-rounded players on this list, as solid defensive attributes supplement his impressive creative stats.
5 Franco Tongya
Franco Tongya begins the game in the Under 23 squad of Juventus (or Zebre, as they're called in the latest Football Manager game). The Italian player is a far more attacking option than the players previously listed, exemplified by his recommended role of Shadow Striker.
Despite the advanced role that he likes to operate in, Tongya doesn't have the best shooting stats. Thankfully, the player is just 18 years old, so there is plenty of time to work on his finishing in training. Juventus will likely want around £5 million ($6,987,525) for Franco Tongya, but the player is loan listed, so it's possible to try before you buy.
4 Yeison Guzmán
Another gifted playmaker, Yeison Guzmán operates in the number 10 role. However, his Finishing and Off The Ball movement makes him a viable option for a modern number nine role. The player begins the game employed by Columbian side Envigado F.C., who play in the Categoría Primera A.
With a value of £575k ($803,927) and a likely asking price of around £1 million ($1,398,135), Yeison Guzmán is one of the cheapest options on this list. You'll need to act fast to secure the player's signature, as around 10 clubs usually want him at the game's start.
3 Maximilian Meyer
Crystal Palace playmaker Meyer begins Football Manager 21 transfer listed for £4 million ($5,587,200). This generously low fee will likely make Meyer an appealing option for many different teams, so you'll need to act fast to secure the player's signature.
German playmaker Maximilian Meyer likes to operate as an advanced playmaker, though his balanced stats mean that he can easily be re-trained to another role. Moreover, at just 24 years of age, it's not too late for Meyer to hit the high potential that many people thought he would reach when the German first burst onto the scene.
2 Sávio
The importance of wingers today means that value-for-money options are few and far between. Thankfully, there is one excellent option that makes it onto this list, Brazilian right-winger Sávio. If your team can obtain a work permit for the player, Sávio can be purchased for around £4million ($5,587,200).
With a Preferred Foot of Left Foot Only, a Tackling ability of 3, and a brutal Heading statistic of just 1, it's fair to say that Sávio is a somewhat one-dimensional player. However, Sávio wouldn't be the first player to become a top talent with cutting inside being his dominant skill, as Arjen Robben was virtually unstoppable when in full flow, despite defenders knowing exactly what his game-plan was. Furthermore, at the young age of just 16 years old, there is more than enough time for Sávio to become a more well-rounded player.
1 Manuel Lanzini
West Ham and Lanzini are both having a fantastic season in real-life, as the Hammers are starting to look like serious contenders for the Premier League's European spots. However, the London side were off the back of a relegation battle when Football Manager 21 was released, so the Hammers' players aren't too difficult to obtain at the start of the game.
Lanzini is by far the most expensive player on this list, exemplified by his value of £10.25 million ($14,309,922). However, the Argentinian playmaker can be obtained for around £8 million ($11,166,880) with some good negotiating, and his impressive ability as a flair player may make him worth the punt.