Picture this. You’ve just started a new career, picked a second or third-tier team that you want to push to new heights, only to find out that you’ve got a budget so small that the thought of paying actual money for anyone is a non-starter. Working on a shoestring budget, or with a squad full of newly signed deadwood can be a nightmare beginning for any manager.
But fear not, as the start of the new season doesn’t need to be fraught with a lack of progress. At the beginning of the 2019/20 season, it’s fair to say that you’re not going to get world beaters for free on sensible wages, but you will be able to pick up a number of players that can offer you some squad depth, and maybe even in some cases push for a first-team spot.
Here are the best free signings at the start of the season in Football Manager 2020.
Goalkeepers:
Emiliano Viviano
Key Stats:
- Reflexes – 16
- One On Ones – 16
- Command of Area – 14
- Positioning – 13
Gianluca Curci
Key Stats:
- Handling – 14
- One On Ones – 13
- Anticipation – 14
- Positioning – 14
Gorka Iraizoz
Key Stats:
- Reflexes – 14
- Communication – 14
- Anticipation – 14
- Positioning – 15
Roberto Santamaría
Key Stats:
- Reflexes – 14
- Handling – 13
- One On Ones – 13
- Agility – 13
Defenders:
Adil Rami (CB)
Key Stats:
- Marking – 16 / Tackling – 14
- Heading – 16 / Jumping Reach – 15
- Anticipation – 14
- Positioning – 15
Nicolás Pareja (CB)
Key Stats:
- Marking & Tackling – 15
- Heading – 13 / Jumping Reach – 12
- Decisions & Composure – 15
- Positioning – 16
Raúl Rodríguez (CB/RB)
Key Stats:
- Marking – 13 / Tackling – 15
- Heading – 13 / Jumping Reach – 12
- Concentration – 14
- Positioning – 14
Bacary Sagna (RB/RWB)
Key Stats:
- Marking – 14 / Tackling – 15
- Heading – 14 / Jumping Reach – 12
- Dribbling – 11 / Crossing – 13
- Positioning – 14
- Work Rate – 13
Jefferson (LB/LWB)
Key Stats:
- Marking & Tackling – 11
- Acceleration – 13 / Pace – 12
- Dribbling – 12 / Crossing – 15
- Off The Ball – 15
- Work Rate – 13
Fábio Coentrão (LB/LWB)
Key Stats:
- Marking – 10 / Tackling – 14
- Acceleration & Pace – 13
- Dribbling & Crossing – 15
- Off The Ball – 16
- Work Rate – 13
Midfielders:
Yaya Touré (CM/DM/AMC)
Key Stats:
- Passing – 17 / Vision – 16
- Long Shots & Free Kick Taking – 15
- Dribbling & Crossing – 14
- Technique – 16
- Composure – 17
Ben Marshall (RM/RW/Utility Midfielder)
Key Stats:
- Passing – 14 / Vision – 13
- Stamina – 15
- Dribbling – 12 / Crossing – 15
- Technique – 13
- Composure – 13
Ki Sung-Yeung (DM/CM)
Key Stats:
- Passing & Vision – 14
- Stamina – 14 / Natural Fitness – 15
- Dribbling & Crossing – 13
- Balance – 15
- Teamwork & Decisions – 14
Youssouf Mulumbu (DM/CM)
Key Stats:
- Passing – 14 / Vision – 11
- Strength & Natural Fitness – 15
- Tackling – 15 / Marking – 14
- Anticipation – 15
- Positioning – 14
Marco Fabián (AMC/LW/RW)
Key Stats:
- Passing – 14 / Vision – 16
- Long Shots & Flair – 17
- Dribbling – 13 / Crossing – 15
- Technique – 16
- Agility – 16
Samu (RM/RW)
Key Stats:
- Passing – 13 / Vision – 15
- Acceleration & Pace – 14
- Dribbling – 12 / Crossing – 14
- Off The Ball – 14
- Technique – 15
Aarón Ñíguez (LW/AMC)
Key Stats:
- Passing & Vision – 14
- Acceleration – 15 / Pace – 12
- Dribbling – 15 / Crossing – 14
- Off The Ball – 14
- Technique – 16
Strikers:
Daniel Sturridge
Key Stats:
- Finishing & Anticipation – 15
- First Touch – 15 / Composure – 16
- Dribbling – 13 / Technique 16
- Off The Ball – 15
- Flair – 15
Diafra Sakho
Key Stats:
- Finishing – 14 / Anticipation – 13
- First Touch – 12 / Composure – 11
- Heading – 16 / Jumping Reach – 13
- Off The Ball – 14
- Work Rate – 14
Marcus Pedersen
Key Stats:
- Finishing – 15 / Anticipation – 14
- Heading – 14 / Jumping Reach – 13
- Strength & Stamina – 14
- Off The Ball – 14
- Work Rate – 18
Ikechukwu Uche
Key Stats:
- Finishing – 15 / Anticipation – 13
- Dribbling – 14 / First Touch – 12
- Decisions – 12 / Teamwork – 14
- Off The Ball – 15
- Work Rate – 14
