Football Manager 2024 is edging closer towards its official release, and the excitement is already palpable among gaming enthusiasts. Here, we look at the best Football Manager 24 free agents to sign, with some prominent names amongst them.
Best Football Manager 24 Free Agents to sign
David de Gea
David de Gea can easily be regarded as one of the top goalkeepers to have graced the Premier League in the last decade. After spending four years at Manchester United, the 32-year-old goalkeeper left the Red Devils in the summer. He is still a free agent amidst interest from several clubs across Europe.
A few years ago, David de Gea was heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, and it speaks volumes about the calibre of the player. An excellent shot-stopper, the Spaniard excels in terms of aerial reach, handling, reflexes, and natural agility. He can significantly improve the defensive rating of a team at no additional cost.
Phil Jones
Phil Jones is available as a free agent in FM24. The English defender is another player with deep Manchester United connections after having featured for the Red Devils for well over a decade. Jones started his days with Blackburn, and he made the switch to United for £17m in 2011 amidst plenty of interest from other top English clubs.
Jones can be a very versatile player with the option of playing at centre-back, right-back, or defensive midfield. A player with clear aerial abilities, Jones can be a very good tackler as well. However, his fitness levels can be one of his downsides.
Jesse Lingard
Jesse Lingard is the third player on this list with a Manchester United connection. The former England international is currently a free agent after leaving Nottingham Forest, and at just 30 years old, Lingard is a player who still has at least a couple of years left amongst elite circles.
He can be a decent attacking asset for any team with his ability to play in various positions – inverted winger, inside forward, and advanced playmaker. His mental attributes on Football Manager 24 identify him as a team player who is not shy from contributing to the defensive area of the game.
Erik Lopez
Even though the 21-year-old Lopez did not make a huge impact at his previous club, Atlanta United, the potential is certainly there within the player. At just 21 years of age, Lopez is more of a long-term investment.
Shkodran Mustafi
At 31, Shkodran Mustafi is a great value proposition as a free agent in Football Manager 2024. The German centre-back has played for the likes of Everton, Valencia, Arsenal, Sampdoria, and Schalke. A World Cup winner with Germany in 2014, Shkodran Mustafi offers the flexibility of playing in different defensive positions.
He is excellent in the air and his mental attributes also make him a strong professional in the squad. Even though he is prone to diving into tackles, it is not enough of a flaw to produce a sharp drop in his ratings.
Football Manager 24 release date – when is it out?
Football Manager 24 will be released on Xbox and PlayStation 5 consoles at 4 PM on Monday, 6th November 2023. A touch version will also be available for Nintendo Switch users. One can opt for early access if they have picked up FM24 from select retailers up to 15 days before November 6.
However, early access options are available only for those who have chosen the PC version and if they play using Epic or Steam.
A number of new features are being brought into the Football Manager 24 ecosystem. These include the option of choosing from ‘real world’ or ‘custom’ squads. If a player is already on the FM23 game, they can transfer the progress and continue the same on FM24. It is possible to hire intermediaries to generate interest or sell players easily.
Meanwhile, TransferRoom enables users to advertise the availability of players. One can use this to bring set-piece coaches, create individual player targets, and more.
