As we are spending our time in Denmark in this version of FM, I’ve been keeping an eye on Danish football and I saw this item pop up
Danish side FC Midtjylland intend to have a player win the Ballon d’Or within a decade
Well, I can’t let this happen. Not on my watch. So, we’re on our way back to Denmark for a new save in which we will attempt to usurp their plan and groom a Ballon d’Or winner within a 10 year period.
How we are going to do this? Simple. We’re taking Brøndbyernes Idrætsforening and pumping a ton of money into their facilities to bring them all up to 20 for the start of the season.
What I will do with these is post the player pics with my commentary on all players ranked at 3* or more for Potential on the intake, then below that, an update on the previous intakes, along with snapshots year on year for development.
2021 Youth Intake
This is an extremely encouraging preview. To get three first-team level players in GK and full backs would be ideal, as it would mean we’re solving three problems already, with regards to our lack of youth talent.
This is a brilliant intake on first glance. We have SEVEN players rated at 3* or more for potential, so possibly some real gems to develop and sell on! Without further ado, let’s dive into a bit more of the players on show.
- Morten Boje (15, D/AMR, Denmark) – 4* Prospect
Hmm. This isn’t the slam-dunk it looked on the preview. Morten can play up and down the right hand side and his Pace, Acceleration, Technique, Determination and Bravery are all plus points for his positions. However, his very poor Work Rate is screaming at me, as is the lack of Concentration. Both huge requirements for me in a player that will play in those positions and unless there is a major uptick in his training, I cannot see him making the grade here.
2. Alexander Kjernholm, (15, DR, Sweden) – 4* Prospect
Ooh, now this is more like it. The young Swede’s Pace, Acceleration and Work Rate is first rate for a player his age, along with a good starting level for his Technique, First Touch, Concentration and Tackling. He’ll go straight into the first team as backup RB until he’s 16 and will see a lot of action in the coming months. Obviously it’s early to say whether he’ll get any better, but we’ll concentrate on bringing up the mid-tier stats and hope that he develops.
3. Lukas Lindqvist, (15, DL, Sweden) – 4* Prospect
What a find! What a player! To get someone like this on first intake? Magnificent. Undisputed first choice left back, even at 15, Lukas could be a nailed on Swedish international before his 20’s. His Strength and Dribbling would be what we would target to improve but, really, Lukas just needs game time and a good team to buy him.
4. Anton Gustafsson, (15, GK, Sweden) – 3.5* Prospect
Arrrgh. Those physicals. Horrific. Such a shame as I love his lack of Eccentricity and his Handling, Reflexes and Command of Area, which would lead me to think he could be a decent player for us. His Positioning is a little iffy, but something I would expect to improve over the course of his career naturally. As a snap judgement, I think he’ll be in the U-19’s until he’s overage, then sent out on loan for a season or so. Hopefully, by such time he should have improved to become a first team player.
5. Thomas Johansen, (15, AMR, Denmark) – 3* Prospect
Thomas is a good prospect in my eyes. His Pace and Acceleration are his real assets for me, but the Off The Ball, Passing, Flair, First Touch and Technique stats are really, really pleasing. His Dribbling and Composure need work, but he’ll really be the one to watch in our youth team, promoted for cup games etc, but left there to hot-house, much in the same way as Gustafsson above.
6. Brian Skaaning, (15, DC/DM, Denmark) – 3* Prospect
Brian is a good defensive prospect. His Pace & Acceleration is good for this level of player, as is his Positioning & Composure. The technical trinity of Heading, Marking and Tackling are all 10+, which, to me, is a sign that this player could make the step up in an emergency or for a cup game as he is, right now. If he continues to develop on this trajectory, he could be an integral part of our first team and a squad player for a bigger European club.
7. Jorgen Thrane, (15, DM/MRC, Denmark) – 3* Prospect
A player with the willing, but not the will. His physical attributes absolutely suck and this completely overrides any kind of advantage his Free Kick Taking, Work Rate and Off The Ball gives him. He needs some major work on his physicals to get anywhere near our first team, so my snap judgement is he’ll end up being released before his first pro contract.
So, our first intake looks to be a relative success, however the real yardstick will be at the end of this intake’s youth contracts.