For a while now, the Championship playoff game has been known as the richest game in football . This season, it was Huddersfield Town who de...
For a while now, the Championship playoff game has been known as the richest game in football. This season, it was Huddersfield Town who defeated Reading in the game at Wembley to secure passage to the Premier League.It takes a lot to mould a team to be able to compete and conquer the Championship due to its rugged style of play, but to do so brings immense riches to the club. It’s one of the greatest challenges in football, and that’s why it’s such a popular route to take on Football Manager.
To get there, you’ll have to do it with a somewhat limited budget. So, to help ease your path to glory from the Championship to the Premier League, here are a few cost-effective, strong players for you to sign from within the second tier of English football.
Andre Dozzell
We’ll start off with the type of player that everyone looks for on Football Manager, a wunderkind. Andre Dozzell starts the game as a 17-year-old valued at just £215k and taking a £1.2k per week wage; he’s very cheap and incredibly talented.
Boasting 13 and 14 ratings for corners, first touch, free kick taking, passing, technique, composure, flair, and vision, Dozzell can make for a good rotation player in your team. The Ipswich-native will only continue to improve as he plays more, so if you have the squad to do it, you could throw him into your first team.
With 11 first team appearances before he turned 18, showing a wealth of potential, it was only a matter of time before he got a call up to the England under-19s. He’ll likely be playing a more advanced role for the Ipswich Town next season. You could very well have him playing in your first-team too, with him either turning into your star player or a big-money sale.
Vahid Hambo
Vahid Hambo hasn't earned a first team cap for Brighton & Hove Albion, who are 6/5 to get relegated next season – which can be enhanced with the £25 Totesport betting promotions – and he doesn’t garner much praise from scouts on Football Manager - projecting him to be a good striker in the Championship potentially. However, 'The Finnish Zlatan' has base stats that make for a decent striking option – particularly as a target man – and his value of £475k and £500 per week wage make him very cost effective.
The Finnish 21-year-old has high ratings in finishing, heading, flair, determination, bravery, and aggression. Hambo’s physical attributes are all 12 or above, with his jumping reach, strength, pace and balance all greatly exceeding that. He may not be Premier League calibre, but five goals in three Finland under-21s games by the 6’4’’ striker speaks for itself.
Matt Mills
If you need a rock at the back who could also become your team captain, Matt Mills is your man. He’s not much of a threat in the opposition’s box, but he’ll work hard all game to prevent you from conceding. The 30-year-old starts off the game as being valued at just £1.4 million and is on £10k per week.
Everything you look for in a centre back shows in abundance with Mills: his strength, stamina, and work rate all clock in at 14 while his heading, marking, tackling, aggression, bravery, determination, leadership, and jumping all exceed that.
You’ll need to work some tactical magic to get any team to the Premier League, but these three signings can not only come cheaply but will also have a positive impact on your squad.
