Good save!!! 5 seasons gone, and heading to the 6th. Typical difficulty of LaLiga, you must do something extraterestial to overcome Barca-Real-Atletico, they're so big 3... Or wait until one of them start collapsing due to time passage. I like your roster, you kept a balance between regens and OG players? Cause the OPR average is ~75+/-
With regards to my squad, I've had to limit what I spend & be clever with finding players who can do a job in specific roles. As I stated before, PES allows you to have a lower rated player overall but they excel in a certain position or role asked of them.
Regarding regens, I try to sign the ones that need a bit of work and development. Tevez popped up on my Youth Team, but if I got him, he'd be world class within 2 seasons, so I've not touched him.
With all that said and now I've got the hang of grabbing screenshots, below is a bit of a more in depth look at my squad and also a couple highlighting the individual stats I look for.
I play a 4-1-2-3 formation that becomes a 2-1-4-3 when in possession, with both FBs pushed.
GKs/Defenders...
The 'keepers I discussed in my last post, Adrian has been a stalwart making 153 appearances, but he's now rapidly declining at 38 years old. Sanchez is a great signing without being unrealistic for where we are as a team and Subasic is off on loan to get some experience, as he's a regen.
The back 4 is usually Casas, Rivas, Carmo & Vieirinha (more on him later). Casas & Rivas have been with me since the start, with 178 & 184 appearances respectively. Rivas is my Captain and below is his stats...
As you can see, nothing spectacular and only 75 overall rated but I've a massive affinity to him, he barely puts a foot wrong and I think will easily hit 250-300 appearances for us.
Albiol is a regen, but won't oust Rivas. Carmo & Cuenca both left footed CBs as I like to have a balance. The FBs, Hugo Mallo is a regen & is steadily growing but will never displace Casas who is superb for us. On the left, Aaron Martin has been a good servant but recently lost his place.
Midfielders...
Enriquez and Jaime have been with me since the start, both have now made over 150 appearances for the club. With Andre Horta sold in the summer, either one - probably Enriquez - will get that starting position. Both have been real steady players for me, Jaime is the more 'flamboyant' producing some off your seat moments, but his form is up and down.
Anchoring the Midfield is Gustavo Assuncao...
At DM I always look for a player with 80+ in stamina, defensive awareness, ball winning & aggression. As you can see, he fits the bill perfectly. He doesn't need to be fast or amazing at passing as he plays as an anchor and is there to break up play, then keep possession by offloading to someone else. He does it brilliantly.
Monchu is a new signing this summer and adds more cover. Fabricio Diaz has grown well but never really nailed down a first team spot. He's been used at RB as well and his versatility has probably been what's stopped me selling him. He's still quite young though, so chances will come to establish himself.
Melendo is a player I've always liked. His left foot at times is a wand and he can spray the ball about. He doesn't start every week but always does a good job when needed.
Matheus França is the maverick of this side. Brazilian, young, stacked with flair and huge potential. Highest overall rated player at the club, he can literally at times win games on his own (only last season, he scored a wonder goal, beating 4 players before dinking it past the GK). I'm expecting him to start catching admiring glances from the 'bigger clubs' & if we don't break the top 4, I may be forced to sell (I do like to keep things realistic in that aspect and always take into consideration the standing of the club bidding for my player etc...)
Forwards...
Finally, onto the attacking threat.
Danilo is my 1st choice CF. He came in from Twente and in 77 apps so far has scored 32 goals. He did go on a worrying baren run in the last few months of the previous season, so more cover has been brought in.
Pucheta was a steal. He literally cost about £250,000 from a South American side. To be honest, I've probably underused him and he should of had a better run of games. With Europa Football again, he'll start in that Competition and we will go from there.
Wesley, as mentioned in the last post, has been signed solely as back up and a different option when needed.
Pellistri came on a free transfer to replace the outgoing Collado. Not played much with him yet, but he's got electric pace and fits what I want in a RW.
Vieirinha is a regen and as mentioned is currently my starting LB. He can play nearly everywhere on the pitch. His defensive stats ain't great but his pace & dribbling bails him out on occasions. I've started to train him as an offensive FB. He also fills in on either flank if and when needed.
Finally, onto David Larrubia. What a journey he's had. When I first took Malaga over, I shipped him out on loan. He did alright, came back & due to injuries and form, I was forced to use him. He literally tore the opposition apart, I was stunned. Since then, he's been a major part of our rise back into La Liga and the Top 6.
As you can see, his stats ain't exactly brilliant but that balance stat, along with his pace, makes him a joy to use. I know I can give him the ball, face up the defenders and he will just burn past them. He has scored some superb individual goals and it is players like this that I love the ML, as I had basically disgarded him from the off, now I'd not swap him for anyone!!
That's my team, as we start season 5. I'm using Bebeto as a manager, so hence the Brazilian/South American influence on the side.
The Top 4 quest begins!!
, but decided to keep him anyway, love too much his playstyle and how he's growing up.
