Best Clubs To Manage On Football Manager 21

As the Football Manager 21 release date nears closer, we’re at that time of year when people start asking who the best clubs on FM21 are.

I thought it would be an interesting proposition to share with you my teams who I will be managing in the next game. I have tried to prepare a list which caters from the hardcore professionals to the newcomers who are just learning the ropes. This list can also work on the new 2021 season update patch for Football Manager 20, which is available for download on the site.

Here are the best clubs to manage on Football Manager 21:

5. Chelsea

The only reason Chelsea are as low down as fifth on this list is due to the fact you probably knew they would be on this list and everybody will be managing them. But they will undoubtedly be one of the best clubs to manage on FM21. That said, while I think this will be an easier save, I don’t think it will be the ‘walk in the park’ many expect. Liverpool will be even stronger on FM21 and trying to dismantle them will be a challenge. That said, Chelsea will have a transfer budget many clubs can dream of as well as the additions of Football Manager superstars Kai Havertz and Timo Werner. They will be a challenge but perhaps one of the easiest teams to manage on this list.

4. Aston Villa

Now, I will be honest with you; I am an Aston Villa fan. You may be wondering why Aston Villa have been selected over one of the newly promoted sides for this position and that is because I believe Aston Villa will be in a very unique position in FM21. Backed by over 7 billion dollars of investment, Aston Villa is now one of the richest clubs in England following their takeover in 2018. They will have a hefty transfer budget, some interesting additions such as Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez as well as the irreplaceable (and surely upgraded) Jack Grealish. This is a former powerhouse of the English game who are, very slowly, beginning to find their feet back in the Premier League. Ensuring their survival again will be a priority in the first season but, after that, it’s about using Villa’s young squad and heavy resources to build a serious contender in the English top flight.

3. Villarreal

Villarreal is a team in a unique position. They are part of the trailing pack to the dominant trio in La Liga but what separates them is the talented and young squad in comparison to their rivals. Players such as Samuel Chukwueze and Javier Ontiveros will provide a strong base for your team to mount a challenge against the big boys and win La Liga. The return of Santi Cazorla could also be a boost but keeping your young stars and making some smart additions on a relatively tight budget will be needed to reach the top.

2. Barcelona

The rebuild of all rebuilds. Barcelona are facing a huge internal crisis. Suarez is gone. Bartomeu is still there; but so is the mercurial Lionel Messi… at least for one year. While the squad is still expected to control La Liga, with the exception of Real Madrid, Barcelona’s lack of Champions League success for several years is where the club need a victory. On top of this, the squad has a serious age problem. Pique, Alba, Busquets, Pjanic and many more are approaching their twilight years. Armed with an expected huge budget and a couple of promising starlets, Barcelona are in dire need of a makeover; and it may be harder in FM21 than ever before.

And if you’re still playing FM20, why not try our ‘make Barcelona great again’ challenge? Which is even tougher with the 21 season update for Football Manager 20.

1. Monza

How could it not be Monza? A town more famous for its motorsport than its football was taken over last year by the outrageous, outspoken former Prime Minister of Italy; Silvio Berlusconi. Berlusconi has backed Monza to unprecedented levels leading them to promotion to the Serie B at the end of the 19/20 season. Now, in Italy’s 2nd tier, Monza is closing in on the riches and prestige of the Serie A; a league they have never reached. It will be a wild ride under the watchful hand of Berlusconi but this is a club truly in the ascendancy and with players like Kevin-Prince Boateng joining the side, they could be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years; putting them first on my list.

So those are my picks. Honourable mentions include Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday and Sivasspor. As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, please leave a comment or drop me or the page a DM on Instagram.

Thanks for reading.