The Team (Season 4)

The comings and goings at The Anchor have been extensive, but the core of the first team remains the same. I would post up all the transfers, but there have been so many ins and outs, as well as ins then outs, that it’d take all day. So without further delay, here is the Beaulieu FC team hoping to retain the AEFA Premiership title for the coming season:


GK - Samir Handanovich

Rogerio Ceni was about to turn 39 and it was clear that I was going to need a new keeper sooner rather than later. When the Slovenian shot stopper became available in auction, I decided he was the man to fill the legendary Brazilians shoes and managed to secure him to a 2 season contract.


DR – Nelson

Dani Alves was immense at right back for the first three seasons, but I was very short of cover in defence. Nelson was a player I had wanted for a long time, but was always priced out of a move. When I saw he was available at wage auction, I made him my number one priority and I’m looking forward to seeing him in the blue and white shirt of Beaulieu FC.


DL – Mariano Pernia

Following the sale of Zambrano, Guardado had ‘enjoyed’ a very poor season at left back. This wasn’t helped by my very attacking formation, with the full backs providing both the only width in my team and the only defence down the sides. Pernia is no spring chicken, but he’s got enough pace about him to hold down the left wing on his own. More importantly, I’d never had a brilliant free-kick taker – with 19 freekicks and good PPMs, Pernia is worth a couple of points a season in the extra goals and assists alone.


DC – Martin Caceres

Martin has blossomed into one of the best defenders in the game, especially considering his relatively low wages. He’s a monster in the air, with brilliant, rounded technical skills and amazing mental abilities. He’s pretty quick, too.


DC – Nedum Onouha

Onouha started his Beaulieu FC career at right back as I judged his aerial ability, or lack of, would be a severe hinderence to the team. I moved him inside to CB during the second season and he’s gone from strength to strength. With some of the best physical stats in the game – he’s lightning quick AND good in the air – he’s added very solid mental abilities and very good defensive technical skills. He recently got the extra half star reputation to become World Famous and he’s truly formed what is arguably one of the best defensive partnerships in the Gameworld.


MR – Dani Alves

I always wanted to deploy Dani Alves further forward down the right wing, where he can truly damage the opponent. With the signing of Nelson, I’ve been able to release the one man whirlwind and his performances have been nothing short of match winning in pre-season. Along with Nelson, forms perhaps the best right wing in Saunders.


ML – Ismail Aissati

After losing Guardado, I was looking for someone who could play both the left wing and centre-midfield. Aissiti was available in transfer auction and I decided that he was the player my team needed. Very, very pricey at 4.5m (including agents fees) when cast against a backdrop of wage auctions and world class free agents, but he’s been a revelation down the left wing. I eventually plan to move him centrally, but that will involve more signings, a tactical change and yet more players left out of the team!


MC – Michael Johnson

After Roberto Guana succumbed to a 2 week injury, my need for a new CM became more pressing. After deciding I wasn’t going to play with 3 strikers in the coming season, I was touting around Welbeck when the owner of Johnson showed interest, offering some of his other players. I eventually proposed a straight swap, which was of interest to both parties so the deal was done. I’ve given him more liscence to roam forward than Guana and he’s not disappointed as he’s been a revelation in midfield, acting as the anchor at The Anchor and neatly linking the play.


MC – Julio ‘The Beast’ Baptista

Put simply, the man is a monster in this game. Bought prior to the market crash for 7.5m, he was one of the main reasons my team pulled through at the end of the season and won the title. In season 3 he’s averaged 0.4 goals per game from midfield, with almost that many assists and has added that extra dimension to the attack that has turned losses into draws and draws into wins.


FC – Enrique Esqueda

The Mexican wonderkid came to life in the first half of the second season, but his form died towards the end. He’s going into the second year of his two year contract and there is every chance the next few weeks will be his last opportunity to impress. Possesses blistering pace and great mental attributes, but lacks a little in technical ability that sees him spurning a fair number of chances.


FC – Guilherme

Guilherme has had a mixed third season. He peaked in the second season and really set the world alight with one of the highest goals per game in the Gameworld. But despite scoring for fun most of the time, in the league the goals dried up for the talented young Brazillian. I think the 4-3-3 system didn’t play to his strengths, but he managed less than 0.5 goals per game and an average rating of less than 7. Better things are expected of him this season, as a good cup run is long overdue.


Bench

A strong bench includes Nicholas Navarro (GK), Felipe Monteiro (MR/MC), Emmanuel Villa (ST) and Roberto Guana (MC).