Here's a list of 5 FM2021 players we expect to see a stat decline in Football Manager 2021.
Football Manager is famous for gauging player potential and ability so much so that real clubs sometimes use the game engine as a means to scout players. The game is said to employ real-life scouts which make gauging players more accurate.
Here are 5 players who were underwhelming in the year 2019-2020 that they warrant a definite stat decrease in FM2021.
1. Kepa Arrizabalaga
Kepa was one of the better keepers in FM2020, however, his performance in the 2019-2020 season, was nothing short of disastrous. He had the worst save percentage out of all keepers who had played a minimum of 5 games in the top 5 leagues of Europe and was constantly benched by a 39-year-old Willy Caballero. He has started off the 2020 season in a terrible fashion too, having made the most errors that lead to a goal (among PL keepers). With the signing of Mendy, Kepa is expected to play a backup role for the club, definitely not a good sign for a club-record signing.
2. Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil has seen one of the fastest declines in recent football. Just a couple of seasons ago, Ozil was one the best players for Arsenal if not the entire league, now Ozil is firmly not a part of Arteta’s plans and is set to miss out on squad registration itself and will be condemned to the reserves. He only made 18 league appearances last season itself with very few of those coming under Arteta and the gunners are set to move on from the German Playmaker. Ozil is expected to undergo a major stat decrease in FM2021.
3. Roberto Firmino
Firmino was one of the best strikers in the game in FM2020 with extremely high potential ability and current ability on the back of a stunning UCL win. However, he has really seen a dip in form since, with Firmino failing to score a single goal in Anfield for more than a year (despite Liverpool winning the league). He hasn’t started 2020 too brightly either having no goals for the club and with Liverpool looking to sign new strikers in the market, Firmino’s best days may be behind him and this will surely reflect in his stats in FM2021.
4. Antoine Griezmann
It may come as a surprise to see the World Cup winner on this list but Griezmann had a pretty awful 2019-2020. For the first time in 7 seasons, Griezmann’s league goals tally did not reach double figures and the striker has been on pretty awful form ever since his “dream” move to Barcelona. Griezmann has missed 26 of his last 28 shots, which is an incredible 92% making it one of the worst conversion rates in Europe. Although Griezmann may not suffer as much as other people on this list, he will definitely have a reduction in stats and may not rank as one of the best strikers in the game which he has consistently been in several past instalments of the game.
5. Isco
The versatile Real Madrid man has not featured a lot for Zidane over the past 2 seasons and with reason. He has not given the returns expected of him with Isco contributing just 4 goals and 4 assists for the last 2 seasons combined. He has not been a part of the Spain national team set up for more than a year now and is looked at many as a footballer on the decline. His stats are definitely expected to take a hit in the 2021 instalment.