Football Manager 2022 has arrived, giving you the chance to step into the manager's hot seat and begin your new rollercoaster career.
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With Manchester City desperately close to clinching their first-ever Champions League title, we've got some simple tips as to how you can be the manager to guide the blue half of Manchester to European domination in Football Manager 2022.
Club Vision
With Manchester City becoming one of the most dangerous teams in world football, you won't be surprised to hear your targets will be set at a high level.
Not only will you be required to sign high-profile players and play attacking football, but you'll also need to scout out the best wonderkids in order to sell them on for future profits.
In terms of competition progression, the board are expecting another strong season from Manchester City, with domestic success demanded in both league and cup.
Whilst your personal goal may be to reach the pinnacle of Europe, your board will accept a semi-final exit, giving you more time to develop your team of European champions.
Tactics
Emulating the success of Pep Guardiola's false nine supremacy may be difficult in Football Manager 2022, but we've got a few styles that are certain to impress your fans and the board.
Why not put on your innovative hat and try out a 4-3-3 DM WB Wide system that gives you the chance to deploy offensive full backs, whilst keeping a defensive midfield spare to support your backline?
Of course, you could stay conventional and opt for a tiki-taka 4-2-3-1, a favourite of Guardiola before he lost out on his main striker target.
As long as your style is expansive and entertaining, the Manchester City faithful will certainly give you a pass.
Top Players
Manchester City has one of the richest and most exciting teams in the world, with their attacking options a particular highlight.
Whilst we have only pinpointed the top three, you're certain to find a number of world-class talents at your fingertips when you take over at the Etihad.
Kevin De Bruyne
The Belgian midfielder oozes class, and he will be key to any success you find at Manchester City.
With the former Chelsea man now hitting his prime, we think De Bruyne is the perfect progressive midfielder to feed your forward line and dart into the box to gobble up any loose balls.
Ruben Dias
Manchester City's star signing from last summer is once again one of the best players in Football Manager 2022, with the Portuguese centre half set to dominate for many more years to come.
A future captain and leading light in England, this young defender is just the man to build your team around.
Phil Foden
Described by Guardiola as one of the best talents he has ever worked with, it's fair to say that Phil Foden is the man that can lead your line for many, many years to come.
Already a hero on the blue side of Manchester, building your team around Foden will allow you to house one of the future best players in the world.
Youth Prospects
The Manchester City board see developing youth as a key part of your success at the Etihad, meaning it's key for you to focus on some of these young talents.
From rough diamonds to potential superstars, you'll find plenty of talent in your youth ranks and these two are the cream of the crop.
Liam Delap
Maybe the answer to the striker conundrum at Manchester City can be answered from within, with Liam Delap potentially ready to become a star.
With good stats and a high potential rating, we think you should allow this young Englishman to develop in the first team.
Callum Doyle
Currently plying his trade on loan at Sunderland in League One, Callum Doyle is the centre half with all the potential to become one of Europe's best.
Potentially your man to partner Dias for the next decade, you need to keep a close eye on this young man's development and don't be afraid to give him a start when he returns from his loan.
Transfers
With a transfer budget of £100 million, you already have a head start on many of your Premier League rivals, unless you're looking at Newcastle.
Whilst a striker is an obvious need, there's also the small matter of bringing a top-class left-back and we think these suggestions are certain to boost your hopes of securing that elusive Champions League trophy.
Who to Sell
It's always difficult to know who to sell when you're dealing with a top-class squad, but ultimately you will still need to sell in order to get the very best players through the door.
John Stones and Oleksandr Zinchenko are two options for the chop, with neither man able to truly cement their place in the Manchester City first team.
Selling these two would mean losing some highly influential players, but you could end up making a healthy sum of roughly £50 - 80 million depending on your negotiating skills.
Who to Sign
With players sold and a healthy budget ready to improve an already mega-star squad, we suggest looking for a striker and a left-back.
With Harry Kane valued at £200 million, signing the England captain may be off the cards, meaning you could turn to alternate stars like Dusan Vlahovic, who would only set you back roughly £50 million.
In terms of a left-back, there only seems to be one option, with Alphonso Davies appearing as the front-runner for the position.
The Canadian defender is the perfect full-back, with his speed and dribbling skills offering an incredible dynamic that is certain to improve your team's fortunes.
Conquer Europe
Your main task is to do what no manager has been able to thus far, and that's secure European success at Manchester City.
Through following these simple steps, as well as making your own intelligent decision, we believe that guiding City to global domination could be quite a simple task, especially when you consider the sheer quality embedded in the team.
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