Here’s how I spent € 49.5M on buying new players | Hamburger SV
This season my goal was the place that leads to the UEFA Europa League.
Without proper reinforcements, I could haven’ t think about the upper part of the table. But the question is, from where to start?
Hamburger didn’t leave a good impression last season so I was forced to bring the players to the following positions: GK, DL/R, DC, CM, AMC-AML, and ST. In other words, I’ve created a new team.
Otherwise, I am not a type of manager who will give big money for one player! But ..
Playing with the kids in the Bundesliga, it’s not wise. So sometimes you have to open a cash drawer and send an interesting offer to the appropriate address.
If you missed the beginning of the story, these are the links:
As you see, many players came to the club, but some found a new environment: Alen Halilovic (€ 22.5M), Yerry Mina (€ 25M), Walace (€ 22.5M) and so on.
I would love to have these players in the team (again), but that’s not possible.
However, I think I have done a great transfer window …
GK – Predrag Rajkovic (EUR 7.75M)
This is the first name that went through the head.
I knew he had been a great goalkeeper (Golden Glove – Under 20 World Cup) so I expected great attributes in Football Manager. And so it was!
I found him in the Los Angeles Galaxy and everything was OK, except wage.
I was not ready to pay EUR 100K p/w, but I had to. In the end, the transfer was successfully completed.
ST – Fiete Arp (8M) & Johannes Eggestein (6.75M)
Unfortunately, Werder Bremen left the Bundesliga last season (17th).
This was an ideal opportunity for a quick transfer because there is always a player who has great ambitions.
On the other hand, I had to take care of the money, but Fiets and Johannes left a strong impression on me.
I sent the best scout to determine whether there is room for transfer or not.
When I got the green light, I immediately sent an interesting offer.
Fiete Arp arrived first and Johannes Eggestein a little later.
DC – Shaqir Tafa (EUR 5.5M)
I found this player with the help of search filters. I was looking for a defender aged 18-32 with an international experience.
Of course, there were some interesting attributes and parameters.
When I saw the quality that Shaqir owns, I immediately took a € 5.5M from the vault.
I must point out that his average rating was 7.26 (31 games) this season!
AML – Iuri Medeiros (EUR 10.5M)
The most expensive player! After leaving Alen Halilovic, there was a lack of reinforcement on the AML position.
I got an e-mail from the agent, Bruno Azevedo, which proposes a solution to my problem. I sent scouts to do their job.
They estimated that Iuri could change the club but the price was € 8M – 13M.
Finally, Sporting has accepted an offer of € 10.5M. The player moves well on the pitch, has excellent passing and is very intelligent …
Did the new players justify the fans’ confidence?
Absolutely! Hamburger SV finished fourth in the Bundesliga. It was a bit lacking to be third, but also uncertain until the end of the season.
The greatest merit goes to the captain Predrag Rajkovic. Without him, I’m sure we could have finished in ninth or tenth place. He’s a top goalkeeper!
In the meantime, I forgot to mention one great player – Erik Majetschak. Its ideal position is AMC.
When he creates an attack it’s really nice to watch.
But I have to take care of him (training and time on the pitch) because he has problems with injuries. He has a break for 5 months.
Finally, I have players for the big trophies. The small problem is inexperienced given that the average age is 24.
This is a sign that there is room for a few more transfers next season. But there’s no hurry.
The most exciting match
Believe it or not, it’s a defeat against Bayern Munich 3-7 (A).
Everything was ok at halftime 3-3. Then I decided to test the B team players.
However, this wasn’t a wise move because I should have kept the result.
A big punishment followed, so Robert Lewandowski and Luciano Vietto took the maximum advantage of every chance.
I’ve seen who is ready and who isn’t for the big matches. Something similar was against Bayer Leverkusen but I lost 2-5 (A). What is it about?
Playing against a strong opponent at home, it is a challenge for young players. But playing against the same team away, it is an even greater challenge.
That is a real test and motivation for the next training so that attributes can get a green arrow.
Of course, there is always a system of reward and punishment …
If you again look at the fixture list, you’ll notice that my team always wins the next opponent after such defeats. Why? Because they are motivated more than they should.
The best player of the season
If we ask fans – Lewis Holtby. On the other hand, stand by my opinion that Predrag Rajkovic contributed the most to the team.
It doesn’t mean that other players are less important. – No! Each player has its own role in the system and the team always wins.
That’s it. Our ambitions grow year by year. The goal is no longer the Europa League but the Champions League. Will I succeed in next season?
I really don’t know because this season was too exciting and uncertain until the end.
However, certain positions (CM-DR-AML) have no real competition! I’m concerned about this fact but ok. Thank you for your attention and time.
Author: Alen Stefanovic Game: Football Manager 2017
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