Football Manager 2022 Newcastle Guide: Time to splash the £200m budget


Newcastle United will be one of the most popular choices to manage on Football Manager 2022 thanks to their financial takeover that has given them a ludicrous transfer budget.

Just because you have the money doesn't mean you're guaranteed success, so spend wisely, bring in some structure, and create a new dynasty with The Magpies.

Club Vision

With the new financial takeover, the club vision has changed, and you are expected to sign high-reputation players - don't mind if we do!

Don't get too carried away, you must still work within the wage budget, but it is a mighty one.

FM22 Newcastle Club Vision
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SPEND BIG - The board want top players signed to meet their ambitions

As your will be bringing in a higher calibre of players, you will be expected to show some club progression, finishing in the top half of the table and getting to at least the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in your first season.

The season after you will be looking to qualify for European competition, and within five years bring a domestic trophy and Champions Cup football to the club.

If you manage this, then it will also increase the reputation of the club and bring in more finances, which is part of the five-year plan.

Tactics

With such a big budget the formation will surely change quickly to accommodate premier new signings, so this is just what we think will suit the current crop of players.

Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson are by far your best players, so we're using a system that should let them shine and carry the team.

FM22 Newcastle Line Up Tactics
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CURRENT THINKING - The tactics will change quickly as new players join

While asking Miguel Almiron and Joe Willock to provide some kind of defensive shield, playing with a fluid counter-attack will also let them show off and get forward in direct, dynamic play.

The defence isn't the best around, so we're playing five at the back to make it as tough to break down as possible.

If the defence holds up and does its job, you should be able to nick goals on the counter and win tight games.

Top Players

There aren't many shining lights in the squad yet, but that is soon to change.

However, there are a few players that will survive the transition between relegation struggles and future champions.

Allan Saint-Maximin

FM22 Allan Saint-Maximin
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SILKY SKILLS - Saint-Maximin is the most exciting player at the club

The best and most dangerous player at the club, Allan Saint-Maximin has ridiculous dribbling and flair to get past the opposition.

His pace will also be a very useful trait for playing on the counter-attack until the club has fully transformed.

With a PA of 165, he is a player for now and the future.

Callum Wilson

FM22 Callum Wilson
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BORROWED TIME - Wilson will soon be replaced with a superstar striker

The other man you will be relying upon for goals, new signing Callum Wilson may have another season in him leading the line before he becomes a super-sub.

With great pace and strength to power past defences, his top finishing will be put to the test, with you needing him to be hitting the back of the net more often than not.

Miguel Almiron

FM22 Miguel Almiron
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FAN FAVOURITE - Almiron's work rate will keep him safe from complaints

Although Martin Dubravka is the next best player at the club, Miguel Almiron should have far more impact.

We've put him in a deeper role than he prefers, but we're hoping his work rate won't be compromised, and he will get about the pitch with his usual aplomb.

Almiron is another with great pace that will hurt the opposition in transition and on the counter.

Youth Prospects

If you are going to transform Newcastle United into a powerful side with a great dynasty, you will need to vastly improve their youth prospects.

Making sure you've got a constant influx of young players with top potential to match the clubs ambitions will keep the team competing for years to come.

Joe Willock

FM22 Joe Willock
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JUST IN TIME - Willock has seen his move coincide with big change at the club

Joe Willock is a new signing that looks to have got through the door just at the right time.

Already establishing himself as an important member of the starting XI, he is one of few players that will stay with the club during the clearout.

Sean Longstaff

FM22 Sean Longstaff
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LONG WAIT - Longstaff will have to bide his time before being a regular starter

At 23, Sean Longstaff isn't quite as youthful as you may hope for, but he still has a great potential to fulfil.

A late bloomer, he is now on the fringes of the team and can play a great squad role during the transition, before linking up with superstar starters down the line.

Transfers

Ok, now we're at the fun bit - £200,000,000 to spend!

However, we're about to ruin your plans of signing Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, and instead, recommend investing in multiple defensive players.

You can get by on the strike force currently at your disposal, and should definitely invest in top talent at the other end of the pitch next, but the biggest weakness at the club is very average defenders.

Also, you will need to vastly improve the club's reputation before luring the biggest stars to your side.

Who to Sell

It's a dangerous time for Newcastle players, with basically everyone at the club a possibility for the chop.

Instead of saying who should go, it will be quicker to say who should stay.

FM22 Bernd Leno
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SURPLUS TO REQUIREMENTS - Leno has been usurped by Ramsdale

Players already mentioned, Saint-Maximin, Wilson, Dubravka, Almiron, Willock and S. Longstaff are all safe - for now!

Isaac Hayden, Jamaal Lascelles, Javi Manquillo, Jamal Lewis and Matty Longstaff will also be worth keeping hold of, but from there it's up to you to be as ruthless as you like.

Who to Sign

When bringing in new players look at getting some top young stars who will grow with the side, as well as some experienced heads that can show the way for the youngsters.

Maxence Lacroix would be our first choice CB signing, already a top player with the potential to become a phenomenon, and available for less than £30 million.

FM22 Maxence Lacroix
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SOLID CENTRE-BACK - Lacroix will command your back line through the years

Nordi Mukiele could be brought in for around that much too, with Renan Lodi available for even less!

That's a backline transformed for under £100 million, so you still have plenty to play with to bring in more exciting players.

When you see who's available for under £50 million you will really start believing silverware isn't far away for your new-look side.

Look to bring in some cheap reinforcements all over the pitch, with Riechedly Bazoer and Corentin Tolisso both cheap centre-midfield options.

Spend wisely

It would be very easy to go wild and try to spend your £200 million on a couple of marquee signings, but that won't get the team where they need to be.

Instead, invest all over the pitch, give yourself a strong foundation for the future, and look to bring in bigger names next season, where you will still get a very nice £100 million spend.

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