Friday, 26 February 2021 19:00

Football Manager 21: 10 Best Budget Goalkeepers You Need To Pick Up

Written by Jack Pursey
Rate this item
(0 votes)
If you're shopping around for a goalkeeper that won't break your bank in Football Manager 21, these are the best budget options.

One of the many similarities between Football Manager and the sport in real-life over the years has been that goalkeepers are the most overlooked position on the pitch. However, their importance is finally getting deserved recognition recently, with their shot-stopping, aerial presence, and even ball-playing ability being appreciated and subsequently more heavily scrutinized.

RELATED: 10 Great Unlicensed Sports Games

Whereas keepers used to be transferred for minimal fees, they're now starting to garner some of the sport's top prices, exemplified by Chelsea's Kepa and Liverpool's Allison being bought for around £70 million ($97,993,000) each. Thankfully, you won't need to fork out such eye-watering fees to secure a talented keeper on Football Manager 21, as there are plenty of top players in the game that can be purchased for a cost-effective price.

NOTE: For those interested in the star ratings for the players listed below, it's worth pointing out that the pictured reports were done using Liverpool's scouting team so that the ratings will reflect their needs and standards.

10 Manuel Gasparini

Manuel Gasparini's inclusion in this list may seem dubious when just glancing at the player's attributes, but it will quickly become apparent why the Italian shot-stopper is included in this list when seeing his age. At just 18 years old, Gasparini is one of the best young talents globally, and he could one day be in contention for his national side's No. 1 spot.

Gasparini's high potential isn't reflected in his transfer fee, as Udinese are only likely to ask around £7 million ($9,797,536) for the Italian's services.

9 Ionuţ Radu

Ionuţ Radu begins Football Manager 21 contracted to Inter Milan. The Romanian keeper can't get a game over Inter's Samir Handanović, hence why he can be prized away from the Italian club. Radu doesn't have any stand-out strengths, but he is devoid of a particular weakness, making him a solid option for top teams in need of a cheap backup or lesser teams wanting a young, reliable shot-stopper.

Ionuţ Radu is valued at £4.4 million ($6,156,700) at the start of Football Manager 21, but Conte's side will only want around £4 million ($5,596,792) for the player.

8 Tim Rönning

Swedish keeper Tim Rönning begins Football Manager 21 at Allsvenskan side IF Elfsborg. Rönning is an excellent option for defensive teams who like to operate in a narrow, compact low block, as his excellent Aerial Reach, Jumping Reach, Handling, Anticipation, Concentration, Command Of Area, and Handling attributes mean that he will be able to come and collect many of the crosses that will be pumped into the box.

Rönning will only set you back around £2 million ($2,797,810), despite his strong aerial presence.

7 Iván Martínez

The second, but not the last 18-year-old keeper on this list, Iván Martínez is another excellent option for teams looking to secure top talent for the future. The Spaniard has a few issues in playing out from the back, exemplified by his lackluster Passing and Vision stats. Still, his young age means this can either be worked on in training with him or he can simply be molded into an old-fashioned keeper without any offensive duties.

RELATED: 8 Best FIFA Games Ever (& 7 Worst)

Iván Martínez is, unfortunately, going to cost considerably more than his £94k ($131,521) value, but Subiza is unlikely to demand any more than £8 million ($11,193,320).

6 Martín Campaña

At 31 years old, Martín Campaña is the oldest keeper to appear on this list. However, considering that keepers usually have the longest careers of any players, the Uruguayan could still be between the sticks for another decade. Campaña's age isn't indicative of his playstyle, as he is a great choice for managers who want to employ modern, ball-playing keepers thanks to his decent Kicking, Passing, Throwing, and Teamwork stats.

With some good negotiating, Al-Batin will let Martín Campaña leave for around £6 million ($8,410,020).

5 Stefan Bajic

The third and final 18-year-old wonderkid on this list, Stefan Bajic has the potential to be lining up for France in the 2026 or 2030 World Cup. The French Sweeper Keeper probably isn't ready to start for any of the sides in Europe's top league yet, but the young Frenchman has a solid base of attributes that can be built upon by a manager willing to nurture Stefan Bajic's talents.

AS Saint-Étienne is likely to ask for around £6 million for Stefan Bajic.

4 Pierluigi Gollini

Pierluigi Gollini didn't set the world alight during his time at Aston Villa, but the Italian keeper has grown into a reliable shot-stopper while at Atalanta. Gollini is comfortable playing as an attacking Sweeper Keeper, but his lackluster Passing and Vision stats mean that he may be better suited for a more reserved role.

Unfortunately, the Italian begins Football Manager 21 with damaged crucial ligaments. Therefore, it's unlikely that Gollini will pass a medical in the initial summer transfer window, but it's worth waiting until the winter window if the keeper matches your team's philosophies. The 25-year-old keeper will be available for around £8 million ($11,217,120).

3 Álvaro Montero

Like the aforementioned Gollini, Álvaro Montero doesn't have any stand-out traits, but he's a well-rounded, solid keeper who can play a starting role for many second-tier teams or a back-up role for a team in any of the world's top leagues.

RELATED: 15 Nintendo Switch Games To Play if You Like Wii Sports

Moreover, his underwhelming stats compared to some of the other keepers on this list are compensated by Montero's price. Columbian side Deportes Tolima is usually willing to let their shot-stopper go for under £500k ($700,800).

2 Dani Martín

With a Kicking stat of 14, Reflexes of 14, Determination of 16, Concentration of 14, and birth certificate that makes him just 22 years old, Dani Martín can guard the goal for a team in any league for well over a decade. Dani Martín begins Football Manager 21 being most comfortable in a support Sweeper Keeper role, but he can easily be trained into an attacking role if required.

Dani Martín begins the game with a value of just £1.3 million ($1,821,612), but Real Betis will demand around £5 million ($7,006,200) for his services.

1 Álvaro Fernández

The final keeper continues this list's trend of featuring keepers that have plenty of time to improve and can play for at least the next 10 years. Álvaro Fernández may not have a national cap yet, but if David De Gea and Kepa Arrizabalaga continue to make errors for the side, then Fernández could find himself between the sticks sooner rather than later if he reaches his potential.

Despite being a potential starter for the Spanish national team one day, SD Huesca's player can be purchased for as little as £3 million ($4,203,960) with some good negotiation.

NEXT: 10 Best Selling FIFA Games, Ranked (& How Much They Sold)

Read 60 times
Login to post comments