Football Manager 26: The 10 players you MUST avoid in the game

"Assan Ouedraogo is one of the most promising footballers in the world and an absolute gem in real life: but if you get him in FM26, you're going to need to consider that low level of natural fitness when it comes to his best position, in central midfield. The German also lacks the positioning and marking attributes to contribute defensively there: you can play him on the wing, but he's not as lethal or productive as other options there."

"Kostas Koulierakis is a 21-year-old defender with brilliant physicals and a standout determination attribute, meaning that he'll almost certainly be among the best on Earth in three years time. But for that price!? Wolfsburg will demand at least 80m for his services, and that's assuming he doesn't sign a new deal in the game. Koulierakis matures into a top centre-back, but there are better options there: Zeno Debast, for example, is a level-raiser for a similar price."

Football Manager 26 presents numerous player acquisition opportunities, but strategic selection is crucial since poor signings can significantly damage a project's trajectory. The game features several high-profile players whose in-game attributes and pricing make them poor investments despite real-world talent. Assan Ouedraogo, despite being a promising midfielder, lacks natural fitness and defensive positioning for central midfield roles, making his 70m+ price tag unjustifiable when cheaper alternatives exist. Kostas Koulierakis, a 21-year-old defender with excellent physicals, commands an 80m+ fee from Wolfsburg despite maturing into a top-tier centre-back only after years; alternatives like Zeno Debast or Willy Kambwala offer better value. Samuel Soares, a goalkeeper with exceptional kicking ability, similarly presents questionable value relative to his cost.

Read at www.fourfourtwo.com