The 10 top WhoScored rated players valued £0M-5M on Football Manager 2020

 

Having run through the top WhoScored rated players valued £10M-20M and £5M-10M on Football Manager 2020, it's time to conclude our mini-series by revealing the top WhoScored rated players valued up until £5M, excluding those the wrong side of 30 years old. 

 

Spent the majority of your transfer budget on one or two big name players and are now scraping the barrel for buys? That doesn't necessarily mean you have to settle for average players. Using WhoScored's unique database, we believe there is more than great value at this price range, particularly in Ligue 1. Some will provide an instant impact, while others have the potential to develop into players with big valuations.

 

As always with these articles, we will start with the lowest WhoScored rated player from the top-10 and run down to the best rated, comparing their WhoScored data with Football Manager (FM20) stats and their respective valuations. Remember, FM20 is free to play on desktop until 3PM (GMT) April 1, so get a move on!

 

 

10. Predrag Rajkovic (Reims) - 7.03 rating / FM Valuation £4.1m

 

Signed from Maccabi Tel Aviv in the summer, Predrag Rajkovic has done what few goalkeepers manage and make the headlines for all the right reasons. The 24-year-old has been immense in goal for Reims this season and is currently the goalkeeper in the WhoScored Team of the Season in Ligue 1, having notably saved four of the five penalties he has faced.  

 

Rajkovic unsurprisingly has a statistically calculated strength of 'penalty saving', as well as rating well for both saving close ranger and long shots. The Reims shot-stopper has also demonstrated great reflexes and is performances are part of the reason why the club have the best defensive record in Ligue 1 this term (21 goals conceded). His base stats on FM20 align with our strengths, also. He rates 16/20 for both bravery and command of area, which part explains his strength of saving close range attempts.

 

9. Denis Bouanga (Saint-Etienne) - 7.05 rating / FM Valuation 5M

 

Denis Bouanga has been an instant hit at Saint-Etienne since joining from fellow Ligue 1 side Nimes over the summer. The 25-year-old has already surpassed his goal tally in the league from 18/19 (8) by two for Saint-Etienne despite the fact Les Verts are locked in a relegation battle. Bouanga can play in a variety of positions from the wing, central midfield and up front to make him an even more attractive proposition on Football Manager, despite being at the top end of the £5M budget.

 

The Gabon international has impressively picked up six WhoScored Man of the Match awards in Ligue 1 this season and four of those came in a spell of five matches from October to November. Aside from the goals he has scored this season, Bouanga's best trait is taking opponents on in one-on-one situations, illustrated by a return of 2.6 successful dribbles per 90 in Ligue 1 this season. Furthermore, of players that have made at least five appearances in the Europa League this season, Bouanga rates second for successful dribbles per 90 (5.9). This is reinforced on FM20 by base attributes of 15/20 for dribbling and 14/20 for flair.

 

8.  Xavier Chavalerin (Reims) - 7.06 rating / FM Valuation £4.1m

 

As already mentioned in the piece, Predrag Rajkovic in goal has played a key reason in Reims having the best defensive record in Ligue 1 this season but it also down to the payers in front of him, as highlighted by the fact only four sides are conceding fewer shots per game than David Guion's side (10.1) in the division. As Reims' defensive midfielder, Xavier Chavalerin has also played a big role in that. An average of 3.0 tackles per game and three WhoScored Man of the Match awards in 24 league games suggests as much. However, the Frenchman also averages 1.8 key passes per game and has three assists to his name in that time.

 

At the age of 28 at the start of FM20, however, you may feel inclined to go for someone younger, as it's unlikely there is much room for growth at that age, although the role of a defensive midfielder is often better filled by someone experienced. So that is worth noting. He ranks 13/20 for tackling, 14/20 for passing, 13/20 for vision, 14/20 for concentration, 16/20 for stamina and 14/20 for work rate - all solid returns for someone in his position.

 

7. Angelo Fulgini (Angers) - 7.06rating / FM Valuation £2m

 

Angelo Fulgini  has spent the last three years at Angers and has quietly gone about his development with the French club. Now 23, Fulgini has spent most of this season in central midfield, with cameos on either wings. The former France Under-21 international notably averages 2.8 successful dribbles per 90, while also completing 1.4 key passes per 90. The youngster is also willing to put in the hard graft when Angers are out of possession, emphasised by a return of 1.6 tackles per 90  in Ligue 1 in 2019/20.

 

His base statistics on FM20 also reflect what we have seen this season. He rates 13/20 for dribbling, vision and technique, and 14/20 for work rate and stamina. With so many years ahead of him, there is also room for plenty of improvement. He is certainly worth keeping tabs on even if he doesn't feature highly on your list of transfer targets.

 

6. Jordan Amavi (Marseille) - 7.07 rating / £4.6M

 

Jordan Amavi has spent the last few years back in France after a failed stint in the Premier League with Aston Villa. The Frenchman started life at Villa very impressively before a serious knee injury all but ended his time in England. Now 26, Amavi has started to rediscover top form for Marseille, who currently occupy second in Ligue 1. The left-back impressively averages 4.3 tackles and interceptions combined per game in Ligue 1 in 2019/20 and has notably won 70.8% of the aerial duels he has contested. Everything we have seen from this rebooted verision of Amavi is reflected on FM20, with statistics of 12/20 for tackling and anticipation and 13/20 for heading.

 

5.  Fabien Centonze (Metz) - 7.08 rating / FM Valuation £1.2M

 

Fabien Centonze is the cheapest optiona available on FM20 from our top-10. 2019/20 is the right-back's first ever top-flight campaign in one of Europe's top five leagues and his displays have certainly been encouraging for the Ligue 1 side. Now 24, Centonze has started all 28 of Metz's league matches this season and has registered three assists and won as many WhoScored Man of the Match awards in that time.

 

While a decent return from his position, it's his defending that sets him apart with a return of 4.8 tackles and interceptions combined per game in Ligue 1 this season. Of the 99 tackles he has attempted, he has only been dribbled past 23 times, which is less than one per game. Stats like tackling and anticipation (both 12/20) and work rate and stamina (both 14/20) are unsurprisingly among his best attributes on FM20. Depending on what sort of side you manage, Centonze is certainly worth consideration as a back-up right-back at least with a valuation of just £1.2M.

 

The 10 top WhoScored rated players valued £0M-5M on Football Manager 2020

 

4. Nordi Mukiele (RB Leipzig) - 7.08 rating / £3.5M

 

RB Leipzig have not thrown Nordi Mukiele into the deep end since signing the Frenchman from Montpellier in 2018 with just 29 starts from a possible 59 league matches in that time. His reputation has dipped as a result, particularly as Dayot Upamecano has been so impressive this season, and that is reflected by his FM valuation. Nevertheless that represents great value for the now 22-year-old.

 

Mukiele has made 15 league starts this season and most of those have come at right-back under Julian Nagelsmann. The French defender has notably scored three league goals despite limited game time and also provided one assist. However, it's tackling where Mukiele best stands out. His tackle success rate is 83.3%, which is all the more impressive when you consider his jobs is the mark wingers. This is also noted on FM20, where he rates 16/20 for tackling and 15/20 for anticipation.

 

3. Zinedine Ferhat (Nimes) - 7.30 rating / FM Valuation £5M

 

Following the departure of Teji Savanier, it was important for Nimes to find someone capable of filling his void and they hope to have done that with Zinedine Ferhat's arrival from Le Havre. Despite the fact both players occupy different positions, the 27-year-old has done that to a certain extent with three goals and four assists in his first 26 league appearances for the club. As a right winger, Ferhat has naturally taken over Savanier's role as Nimes' set-piece taker. It is therefore a positive he has developed a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'crossing' this season.

 

Ferhat's role as a deadball specialist is also noted on the latest Football Manager. The Algerian rates 15/20 for crossing and passing, 14/20 for corners, vision and technique and 12/20 for free-kick taking. With that in mind, he could prove a useful option for your saves but given his age and the unlikeihood he will develop much more, there are perhaps better options out their for you to pursue.

 

2. Hassane Kamara (Reims) - 7.23 rating / FM Valuation £1.4M

 

For someone that has picked up seven WhoScored Man of the Match awards in 18 league starts this season, it's a mystery why Hassane Kamara is not one of the first names on the team-sheet for Reims this season. In fact, only Neymar and Dimitri Payet (both 8) have won the star man award more times than the Reims left-back. As a result of his startling displays, Kamara has racked up eight statistically calculated WhoScored strengths and no weaknesses. He averages over 5 tackles and interceptions combined per game and has scored twice.

 

Valued at only £1.4M on FM there is no risk in pursuing his signature. He is rated well all round on FM20, with stats ranging from 12/20 for tackling, 13/20 for anticipation to 12/20 for heading, crossing and dribbling. He is quick, illustrated by 15/20 for pace and 14/20 for acceleration and on the game he can even play in central midfield and as a striker.

 

1. Mounir Chouiar (Nimes) - 7.30 rating / FM Valuation 1.7M

 

In just his first top-flight season, Mounir Chouiar has done his reputation no harm for French side Dijon. His performances in 2019/20 compared to his FM20 valuation makes him an absolute bargain, too. The 21-year-old has scored four goals from 20 league appearances but it's his work in general that has been most notable.

 

For instance, only Neymar (6) average more successful dribbles (3.5) than the Dijon winger in Ligue 1 this season. Moreover, only Dimitri Payet (2.1) averages more key passes per game from set-pieces than Chouiar (1.6). These key areas are also reflected by his FM stats with dribbling (15/20), vision (13/20) and free-kick taking (16) among his best attributes.

The 10 top WhoScored rated players valued £0M-5M on Football Manager 2020