Football Manager 2018 will not be released for at least another three months, but it would be fair to say that the immense excitement surrounding the latest version of the virtual reality sports game is already causing waves.
Football Manager has taken over relationships, caused havoc in households, and turned fully-grown men into quivering wrecks as they look for the perfect formation to lead their chosen team to glory.
The 2018 version will be released in November, and with that in mind, we have picked out five teams that will provide interesting challenges…
1. AC Milan (Serie A)
AC Milan are 18-time winners of Serie A, but the giants of the European game have not landed Italy’s top prize since the 2010-11 campaign. The last of their seven European Cups was in 2007, meanwhile, and it has certainly been a turbulent last few years for the Red and Blacks.
Milan’s sixth-place finish last season was their highest position for four years, and although they have sealed a return to Europe, Vincenzo Montella’s side finished a mammoth 28 points behind the champions Juventus.
Milan are now under the ownership of Chinese consortium Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux, however, and a spending spree has seen the likes of Leonardo Bonucci, Andre Silva and Franck Kessie move to the San Siro this summer. Young goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, meanwhile, has also signed a new long-term contract.
Restoring Milan to the glory days will be a fascinating challenge on the new version. The squad is still lacking serious talent in the final third of the field, but money will be made available. Backed by Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux, bidding to help Milan back to the top of the Italian and indeed European game is something that a lot of gamers will be looking to take on.
Key player: Leonardo Bonucci
Biggest challenge: Breaking the domination of Juventus
Last season: Sixth in Serie A
2. Everton (Premier League)
In Football Manager terms, Everton have always provided a popular challenge. Helping the Toffees break into the top four of the Premier League on a regular basis has been achieved by many, although it has proved difficult to take that next step – winning regular titles – due to the spending power of other clubs.
The Merseyside club has spent significantly in this summer’s transfer window, however, with Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane, Davy Klaassen, Sandro Ramirez and Cuco Martina all arriving at Goodison Park since the end of last season. That said, there is no more Romelu Lukaku, who has been a regular provider of goals in real life and indeed on the game in recent years.
There is also the small matter of the return of Wayne Rooney, whose statistics on the game, technically at least, should stay high despite a difficult season at Manchester United. Everton are still pursuing a deal for Swansea City’s Gylfi Sigurdsson, meanwhile, which shows that there is still plenty of money in the bank.
A top six does seem to have formed in the Premier League, but a new-look Everton side will fancy their chances of breaking the mould next season. There is still a lot of work to do in terms of long-term progress, however, and taking on Everton in Football Manager 2018 could provide years and years of excitement.
Key player: Wayne Rooney
Biggest challenge: Dealing with the increase in expectations
Last season: Seventh in Premier League
3. Parma (Serie B)
Parma once had the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Hernan Crespo and Fabio Cannavaro in their ranks, but times have changed at the club that lifted the UEFA Cup in both 1995 and 1999.
It has been a turbulent few seasons for Italian outfit I Crociati, but two years after bankruptcy forced their demotion to the fourth tier, the club are back in Serie B following a second successive promotion.
Parma came through the playoffs last season to secure a return to Italy’s second tier, and taking over a team that has fallen spectacularly in recent years is a task that many will be relishing in Football Manager 2018.
Nothing is more enticing than helping a sleeping giant return to former glories. It is a challenge that will be difficult due to the gulf between Italy’s second and third tiers, but the rewards could be immense.
Key player: Antonio Di Gaudio
Biggest challenge: Securing a return to Serie A
Last season: Promotion from Lega Pro/B
4. Blackburn Rovers (League One)
For the first time since 1980, Blackburn Rovers will start a league season in the third tier of English football following their relegation from the Championship at the end of the 2016-17 campaign.
They are the first Premier League-winning club to have been relegated to League One, and anything other than securing an immediate return to the second tier will be regarded as another disaster.
The expectations will be high, but the rewards great. Experienced midfielder Peter Whittingham is among those to have arrived at Ewood Park this summer, while outgoings – in terms of key players at least – have been kept to a minimum.
Dealing with difficult club owners Venky’s, who posted a near £20m financial loss in their first full year of ownership, will be a very difficult task in Football Manager 2018. However, Blackburn are a club that should be playing Premier League football, and it is a save that will provide an excellent challenge.
Key player: Peter Whittingham
Biggest challenge: Dealing with club owners Venky’s
Last season: Relegated from Championship
5. Billericay Town (Isthmian League Premier Division)
For those Football Manager fans that love a long-term challenge, Billericay Town will prove to be very popular on the 2018 version. Backed by multi-millionaire owner Glenn Tamplin, the Essex club have famously signed the likes of Jamie O’Hara and Paul Konchesky, while Jermaine Pennant has also turned out for the Isthmian League Premier Division club during pre-season.
Tamplin has already shown that he is not afraid to pump funds into the playing side of the club, while the British businessman has also improved matters off the field, and taking on this challenge in Football Manager could see Billericay Town one day promoted to the Football League.
With a wage bill in excess of £25,000 a week, managing expectations and keeping star players out of the clutches of Football League clubs will be a big challenge. Funds will be made available to improve the squad on a yearly basis, however, and a number of free agents are sure to fancy the challenge in Essex.
Starting in the seventh tier of English football, an immediate promotion would see Billericay Town move into the National League South. From there is a direct route into the National League, and the chance to enjoy an FA Cup journey in the mould of Lincoln City’s last term could well be on the horizon.
Key player: Billy Bricknell
Biggest challenge: Breaking into the Football League
Last season: Eighth in Isthmian League Premier Division
