Fancy making the Brighton and Hove Albion dugout your new home on FIFA 19? It’s not the most glamorous position to take in the Premier League and the expectations match that, but with the right manager at the helm can go on to great things.
The board’s expectations
When you take the keys to the ship away from Chris Hughton, the main focus is just staying in the middle of the Premier League table.
The meagre expectations stem from the board wanting you to focus on maintaining a profit margin of £66million or more, and this will mostly be met via Premier League pay-outs come the end of the season.
The board also asks that you to sign a crucial midfielder or forward – meaning someone who demands to be a first team player – but they are not too generous with how much you get to spend.
The transfer kitty
The transfer budget for Brighton and Hove Albion is just £28.8million with a £100k wage allowance. Even taking the wage allocation down to the £70k region will only just allow you to sign a few significant additions.
Three players to buy
Nadiem Amiri
Bearing in mind the low transfer budget on offer, Hoffenheim’s Nadiem Amiri may seem an out-there purchase given he carries a £24.7m release clause, but the Bundesliga side are open to negotiating and jump at the chance of anything close to £15million.
The 21-year-old German will also meet your board’s demand for a crucial first team addition, despite the talented attacking midfielder seeking a wage close to £25k.
Waldemar Anton
Sticking in the Bundesliga with another young German, Hannover’s Waldemar Anton is another worthwhile purchase. The 22-year-old carries a £19m release clause but can be acquired with a much lower bid closer to £13.5m, making both his and Amiri’s moves possible with the given budget.
Oliver Norwood
Technically Oliver Norwood would not be a new face at Brighton, given he’s been at the club since 2016, but recalling the Burnley-born ace from his loan to Sheffield United for just £68k is a must.
The 27-year-old is one of the best centre-mids at Brighton and would walk straight back into the starting XI given a chance.
Three players to sell
Ezequiel Schelotto
The Seagulls have four right-backs on offer, with another one out on loan, and even though Ezequiel Schelotto is the worst of the experienced options, he still carries the second highest value at £2.7million.
Leon Balogun
Leon Balogun may be a versatile defender, as he can fill in at right-back when not required in the centre, but it’s hard to fit the 30-year-old into the side when the two above him in the pecking order – Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy – are crucial first team members. His sale will also help to fund inbound transfers, with a £4.4million valuation and a £30k wage.
Viktor Gyokeres
In Brighton’s youth ranks, there are two young strikers who both start with a 62 rating – Viktor Gyokeres and Aaron Connolly – but only one should be kept at the Amex Stadium.
Gyokeres may even have a two-year deal to Connolly’s one, but the 20-year-old Swede is the one to sell, as he’ll at best reach a 79 rating to the 81 of the Republic of Ireland youth international.
Three for the future
Aaron Connolly
As just mentioned, Aaron Connolly is one to watch out for in the Brighton youth ranks. The 18-year-old from Galway, Ireland may not start with any standout stats but will develop to be head and shoulders above his comparable rivals.
Yves Bissouma
Mali midfielder Yves Bissouma may have a head start on development when you take over at the Seagulls’ helm, but the central midfielder, who can fill defensive or wide roles, can leap ten ratings from his initial 72 to be a rock in the heart of your side.
High attacking and medium defensive work-rates don't make the 6 foot midfielder a great defensive option, but as an all-round central midfielder he can be used immediately given his well-rounded attributes – particularly 72 standing tackle, 75 dribbling and 72 long shots.
Anders Dreyer
Denmark’s Anders Dreyer may not become a world-beating right midfielder, but the 20-year-old can be a solid squad option in years to come. His agility and balance are his stand out stats, and cutting in from the wing to his favoured left foot is a must when the 5 foot 8 forward is used.