da aviator aposta: An unprecedented first half of the season for Leicester has been remarkable, but you’ll need to be a bit more sensible with your ambitions on FM16.
da dobrowin: Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez are highly rated, but its not quite going to be possible to replicate the same run to the top of the table, despite a decent sized budget.
Whilst the attacking options are excellent, the Leicester squad is short in other areas and you will need a similar level of fortune and skill in avoiding injuries.
What you start with…
A budget of nearly £10million just for avoiding relegations seems very generous and should be enough to build a talented squad that can charge for the top half, thanks to the improved ratings of several players.
What’s expected…
Premier League – After the struggles of last season, the board will be happy to just see the club survive the drop again, but it could be worth promising a mid table finish to get that extra cash.
FA Cup – A run to the fifth round would be enough for the board and promising any more in the cup is foolish considering your chances of getting an unplayable draw.
Capital One Cup – Make your league season a success and the Capital One Cup will be an irrelevance to the fans and board.
Three to buy…
Jon Flanagan – The Scouse Cafu still has quality potential on FM, but it should be possible to add him to your squad for a reasonable fee – once his injury clears up. The weakness of the right-backs in the squad should mean that Flanagan walks in ahead of De Laet and Simpson, whilst the additions of Clyne and Moreno at Liverpool mean he will be keen on a move.
Riechedly Bazoer – Bazoer might not be up to starting for Leicester at the start of your save, but the defensive midfield man will be an ideal replacement for Gokhan Inler in the longer term. Bazoer can be developed into a top class centre-back or defensive midfield player and this will perfectly address the biggest weaknesses in the Leicester squad. It might take a significant chunk of your budget, but, if you ever sell the Dutchman on, you will more than make that back.
Andros Townsend – Townsend, as in the real world, finds himself surplus to requirements at Spurs. However, the England international has a game that would suit Leicester’s direct style. His crossing ability, matched with a tendency to shoot from distance and electric pace will fit right in with Mahrez, Vardy and their fellow counter-attacking machines.
Three to sell…
Dean Hammond – Hammond is not much more than a Championship player on FM and he must be moved on pretty quickly as you look to improve in central midfield. Options like Drinkwater and Inler should be your first choice, but any scenario where Hammond was required on a longer-term basis would be a concern.
Andy King – Similarly to Hammond, King doesn’t really have the attributes to play for a side like Leicester in the top flight. The revenue from his sale could get you a far better player to cover in central midfield if you are aiming for the top half.
Danny Simpson – A new right-back is worth targeting with Simpson and De Laet both very much bottom-half quality in the Premiership. Simpson still has the pace to make him a decent option for a lot of sides, but the improvements in Leicester’s squad make him a significant weakness.
Youngsters…
Jeffrey Schlupp – With an ageing squad, Schlupp is one of a few young players who can really push on to make their name in the first team. After excelling towards the end of last season, Schlupp is a useful option in the squad and can operate anywhere down the left. Schlupp’s pace will make him extremely useful in Leicester’s rapid breaking style.
Ben Chilwell – Despite a weak academy, Leicester’s Chilwell can become a high quality first team defender if he is trained and played properly. A loan might be the best move for Chilwell initially, but he can easily step up into the XI within a couple of seasons.
Liam Moore – Moore is on loan at the start of your save, but the young defender is another who will easily be up to first-team standard within a season or two. Ideally, Moore and Chilwell should be making up your defence by the team you reach the end of the 2010s. Moore was crucial in Leicester’s promotion winning campaign and his potential is still high enough to make it worth nurturing this starlet, considering he is only 22.
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