The latest entry in the Football Manager series has recently been released, and, as exemplified by its very positive 86 Metascore on PC, the series retains its status among the most critically-acclaimed titles in management gaming. Along with tactical changes, training, and team selection, one of the many factors that players love about the Football Manager series is making transfers.
Football Manager 22 requires players to be more financially astute than in previous editions, as the financial impact of the pandemic means that most managers will have significantly less money to work with in the opening transfer window. Consequently, free agents are more important in FM22 than ever before, making the following players tantalizing options.
7 Jordon Ibe
25-year-old Jordon Ibe first burst onto the scene at Liverpool in the mid-2010s. The Englishman had a ton of expectations on his shoulders following Raheem Sterling's move from Liverpool to Manchester City, as Ibe was being touted as Sterling's ready-made replacement.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, Ibe didn't fulfill these expectations, though they did receive a decent fee for him of £15 million ($20.1 million) from Bournemouth. Ibe's time at Bournemouth was lackluster to say the least, and after a short spell at Derby County, the winger is now a free agent.
Despite his trend of failing to reach expectations, Ibe is still a fantastic option for those who need a flair winger. Ibe's poor work rate of 6 will be an issue for many teams, though those willing to spend time developing the player could help him finally reach his high potential.
6 Fernando
Brazilian central-midfielder Fernando is a great option for those in need of a free-kick taker. His Free-Kick Taking attribute of 17 will make opponents think twice before fouling players around the box.
Fernando isn't just a set-piece specialist, however. The 29-year-old also has magnificent Technique, Passing, and Vision stats that can make him a valuable playmaker in central or defensive midfield. Fernando's Determination and Concentration of 10 can make it tricky to get consistency out of him, though the Brazilian will likely show enough spark for a team to make an offer for him the following summer, making the free agent a profitable, risk-free investment.
5 Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere has, unfortunately, become a modern staple of how damaging injuries can be to a talented young player's career. The Englishman was once tipped to be the country's next great central-midfielder on par with Gerrard, Lampard, and Scholes; however, numerous injuries and over-playing from his club eventually caught up to him, and his extraordinary potential was never reached.
Still, Wilshere's career is far from over as, believe it or not, the central-midfielder is still only 29 years old. Like Fernando, Jack Wilshere has an excellent array of playmaking abilities, which could make him a pivotal part of a team's midfield if a manager can recapture his best form.
4 Willy Caballero
A former Manchester City and Chelsea goalkeeper with a treasure-trove of trophy wins may seem like a no-brainer for those needing someone between the posts. Truth be told, though, Willy Caballero has often been the third choice keeper at both clubs and made under 40 Premier League appearances for both clubs across seven seasons.
Still, the Argentinian can still be a reliable backup or even solid starting option for many lower-division clubs. Furthermore, Caballero's experience and leadership make him a positive influence in the dressing room, and he could become a key member of a club's coaching staff when he retires.
3 Fernando Llorente
Fernando Llorente is a great option for teams that need an old-school, target-man striker. At 6ft 4, and with Heading, Teamwork, and Balance attributes of 18, Llorente is an imposing figure in the opposition's box that can convert crosses or set up his teammates.
Llorente has had a journeyman career, playing important roles for Spurs, Juventus, Napoli, Swansea, and Athletic Bilbao, among others. At 36 years old, it's unlikely that the Spanish striker will be able to play week-in and week-out, but he could be a valuable option to bring off the bench.
2 Dani Alves
With his career seemingly winding down, many people were starting to look back on Alves' legendary career and debate where he ranks among some of the greatest right-backs of all time. However, recent real-life events have shown that Alves' career still has pages to be written, as Xavi has recently re-signed Alves to Barcelona after becoming their new manager.
Dani Alves still starts Football Manager 22 as a free agent, though, and his stats show that Xavi isn't just recruiting his former teammate as a token gesture. At 38 years of age, Alves could only have one season left in the game, though his maxed-out Determination stat, partnered with 16 Crossing, Passing, and Technique, makes him a tantalizing option.
1 Paulinho
When looking at Paulinho's attributes, the first thing that will stand out to many people is how well-rounded he is. The 32-year-old's solid array of stats make him an option for a range of different central-midfield roles, while his experience can make him valuable in training for youth players to learn from.
Unfortunately, Paulinho's excellent range of stats means that it can be tricky to sign the Brazilian, as teams like Manchester United, Chelsea, and Juventus will often make offers for the free agent in the game. For those able to secure the Brazilian's signature, they're rewarded with one of the best free agents in this year's game.
Football Manager 22 is out now for PC, Mobile, and Xbox.