The Team (Season 5)

Although the start of the 5th season isn’t until the end of the week, the limited funds available mean that this will almost certainly be the starting lineup for Beaulieu FC in their bid to reclaim the All Evening Premiership crown.

GK – Helton

The experienced Brazilian shot-stopper is a new signing for The Blues and so far he’s excelled in preseason. An average rating of above 7 for a goalkeeper is outstanding and, although he’s not kept many clean sheets, Beaulieu FC haven’t lost many matches with him commanding the back line.

DR – Nelson

Nelson is going into his second season at Beaulieu FC and this is one of the few positions where there may be changes as, based on his previous season, he doesn’t deserve a lock. Although spectacularly solid in defence, he’d promised to form the best attacking right wing in the gameworld, but had failed to deliver going forward. A big season will be expected from the Portuguese right back.

DL – Balzaretti

The veteran, versatile Italian fullback will be given the starting birth at left back for the coming season. He’s got bags of ability and so far in preseason he’s performed well both in defence and going forward. A valuable addition to Beaulieu’s backline, as a lot of the goals conceded last season came from Pernia’s mistakes.

DC – Radoi

Another member of the Beaulieu FC defensive line also on the wrong side of 30, never-the-less Radoi is an impressive central defender who is able to play with the ball at his feet as well. Great technical skills are matched with good strength and ability in the air and outstanding mental attributes. Beaulieu FC’s captain really marshals the backline.

DC – Caceres

Martin Caceres is one of the real veterans of Beaulieu FC. He’s progressed into one of the best defenders in the world and is a rock at the back. He’s brilliant in the air, blessed with pace, he has great mental skills and fantastic technical ability. Best of all, at the start of the 5th season he turns 25, meaning he’s got many more years of service for Beaulieu FC.

MR – Dani Alves

Put simply, my best player. With over £50,000 wages, he’d have to be pretty special and he hasn’t failed to deliver over all 4 seasons of his career at Beaulieu FC. Could the money be better spent elsewhere? Possibly, but Dani Alves encapsulates everything that Beaulieu FC stands for – attacking, attractive, flair football.

ML – Menez

Menez was an impressive capture for Beaulieu FC who fits in nicely with the team. He hasn’t got the best crossing ability compared to some other wingers, but with Guilherme upfront, that’s not the most important consideration. Importantly, he can play a multitude of positions and likes playing inside his fullback, allowing a fluid attacking formation to also be interchangeable. At 24, he’s also got the best years of his career ahead of him.

MC – Johnson

Last years player of the season returns to link midfield and attack and he’s going from strength to strength. A complete box-to-box midfielder with good defensive and attacking skills, another big season is expected of the young Englishman.

AMC – Aissiti

With the arrival of Menez, Aissiti has moved into a more central role. With stats more suited to be a midfield playmaker than a winger, Aissiti has enjoyed his change in role, with goals and assists arriving more frequently for the Dutch maestro. He’s linked up well with Menez and hopefully he’ll be able to build upon his impressive first season.

AMC – Baptista

The beast is staying at Beaulieu! He’d been up for grabs at wage auction, but with so many other quality players available no-one chose to pay £30,000 a day for an aging midfielder. That’s their mistake. The Beast is one of the best players in the world and he’s often the difference to turn 1 point into 3. He’s not just a brilliant passer, he’s got stunning finishing and long shots and he’s immense in the air. So far in the fourth season he’s got over 0.5 goals per game from midfield. Immense.

FC – Guilherme

Alongside Caceres, Guilherme is the longest serving player at Beaulieu FC. The first two seasons he was impressive, but he’d gone completely off the boil in the third to the extent that he averaged under 7 and had less than a goal per two games – awful for a leading teams’ main striker. This season he’s been prolific with 34 goals in 36 games in the league and an overall return of 0.8 goals per game. For someone who doesn’t take freekicks and doesn’t go up for corners, it’s an amazing return. Still only 23, he’s going to be Beaulieu FC’s leading striker for the next decade (so until next Christmas!!).