Sporting CP – The African Project Reviewed

A few seasons ago I changed to a more heavy focus on youth recruitment. Bringing in players before they get their first move and then developing and selling on. This has proved so successful that I’ve made nearly €10billion PROFIT on transfers in 21 seasons at Sporting CP whilst winning 12 titles in that time. After a while I decided recruiting from the usual spots of South America etc wasn’t giving me such the challenge I decided to focus more heavily on Africa. I noticed that understandably their newgens weren’t as developed as some of the players I was signing but they were also a lot cheaper.

I set up my recruitment foci and set my scouts to work

One thing to take into consideration was the realism that I’d need to adjust my “What is a good player” As a lot of reports were coming back scoring D’s. But actually there was certain reasons for that. So I decided to review all the reports on individual merits and there are certainly a few where I take gambles.

I wanted to write this piece so people can see that there is talent to be found and players can be developed. The main thing is to remember I’m not trying to sign ready made players, I’m focusing on players that I can develop. Either for the first team or to be sold on for a profit. Hopefully this project will be totally self funded with sales that can then be reinvested in more recruitment.

I’ve played on a further 10 seasons and will show who I signed and how their careers panned out. Overall we will look at if the project was a success or not.

2033/34

The First player was signed from Ivory Coast. 18 year old centre back Franck Sangare joins us for €100,000

The scouts scored him a C- which is very high for the first batch of players. He had already made 66 first team appearances by the time I signed him. Following his signing I sent him out on loan to the Portuguese 2nd division for some game time at SP. Farenese where he did really well playing 29 games averaging 6.76. His second loan didn’t go so well at Osasuna where he didn’t make a single appearance so I recalled him and then sent him out on loan to Bristol Rovers in the Championship. Again he did well there 16 appearances in the second half of the window with an average rating of 6.79 which saw him promoted to the first team squad that summer. He went on to make 16 appearances over the course of the season before Goztepe offered him a loan as an important player so he went there and played 27 games averaging 6.83 which saw him earn a €6m move to Sampdoria where he went on to play 34 games in his first season there.

He has gone on to make a total of 170 appearances for Sampdoria over the years proving to be a smart signing for them

This is how Sangare currently looks at Sampdoria.

At 29 he’s nearing 50 international caps and 400 career appearances.
As far as being our first player through the doors to go on to make a €5.9m profit is a great success. It also shows how using the loan system can also help develop youth but also paying attention so if like the Osasuna loan isn’t working recall asap and find a better one.

Total spent – €100,000
Total Received – €6million
Profit/Loss – €5.9m 

2034/35

Pacome Kouyate

Left winger Kouyate would join the club for €135k, two loans, One to Liga 3 then top flight Turkey would follow. We managed to secure €165k loan fee which would put us €30k in profit on his transfer fee already. He then spent two seasons in Liga 2, one for my B side before a loan to Lusitano Evora. After this we made the decision he wasn’t going to make the grade for us so we sold him to Dijon for €88k

After two seasons at Dijon he moved on a free to rivals Clermont before a €500k move to Rodez. He is spending the current season on loan to Brann.
With Kouyate he eventually found his level at Ligue 2 in France without ever impressing.
This is how he currently looks,

As you can see he has improved but not to the point where he would have made the grade here. He has still nearly played 200 games in his career. But failed to make a senior international appearance.

Michel Ange Okoubi

Okoubi would be the first of many Goalkeepers I would sign from Africa. We paid €425k for him. He had already made one transfer before and become first choice at his club.  An unsuccessful loan to Spain saw him be recalled then sent to the Portuguese 4th division on loan. The following season he would become my B team keeper before Leyton Orient wanted him as first choice where he did well.

He then spent 2 season on loan at top flight Casa Pia before Besiktas signed him for €1.8m. For the next 4 seasons he became Beskitas first choice Keeper. As you can see here with Okoubi it has taken time for him to reach the top. Hes now playing Champions league football and has made over 250 career appearances. Loans were used to ensure he had the gametime needed to develop.

At 28 he has time to make another move and is currently wanted by a series of Serie A clubs.

Mohamed Diallo

Next in was Diallo a €175,000 signing from Senegal. He had just broken into the first team at Generation Foot. Following his move to us he was sent on a series of loans, First to the 4th division, Where he did well enough to attract the interest of Ligue 2 side Auxerre for a loan. He then got a chance at top flight in Belgium as first choice for Genk. I made the decision to make him first choice but then Feyenoord met his release clause after 5 matches and he moved for €32.5m

Despite making 361 appearances he is only on 1 international cap.

Total spent – €935,000
Total Received – €40,388,000
Profit/Loss – €39,453,000

2035/36

Ibrahim Traore

Traore signed on a Free, After playing nearly 60 games already in Ivory Coast I had high hopes for him. Despite a few loans and seasons with our B team he’s struggled to make his mark.

Rachid Pogba

Pogba would join us for €41,500. Already a first team player in Guinea. Following 2 loans in France and one in Germany, Feyenoord would sign him for €20m. After just 1 season their he would join Dortmund for €33m where he’s become their first choice.

After nearly 300 games and over 60 caps he is developing well.

Adama Traore

Adama would join us for €125,000. Another player who had already broken through to the first team in his nation. Which I always take as a good sign. A loan to France saw Brest take an interest in him and paying his €7.5m release clause. During his time in France he’s struggled to make a name for himself but has just moved to Caen.

Daouda N’Dour

N’Dour had already been picked up by Generation Foot on a free from the Oslo Football academy. Having broken into the first team for both at ages 16 and 17. It saw me pay one of my biggest African outlays with a €3.3m deal and a hefty sell on. After a loan to top flight Turkey then top flight France, Real Sociedad would pay his €23.5m release clause. He has nearly played 400 games plus nearly 100 caps. He has turnt into a real star.

Joel Djedje

Just €5,750 was spent on Djedje. As he was already a senior player in Ivory Coast I loaned him back there to a better club, then a year in Turkey which was not a success. Wolves offered me €1m which I accepted but unfortunately for him it ended up being a bad move with just 7 appearances in the next 7 seasons.

 

Benedict Mohammed

After paying €600,000 for Mohammed he would go on to be a superstar. Real Madrid signed him for €66m. His first season with us he spent in the B team finishing with 5 goals and 7 assists in 16 games. He was then promoted to the first team. 8 goals and 7 assists in 28 games later Real Madrid came in for him. Hes gone on to make 172 appearances for them scoring 53 and setting up 15. He also has 75 caps and 33 international goals.

At 26 he is seen as an elite winger and not for sale. He has plenty of time left in his career as well. A really successful find and €65.4m profit. We also had sell ons which we sold which have taken his fee up to about €95m in total (But I won’t count that in the figures)

Abdou Razak Diomande

Diomande was signed for €175,000, After a season with the B team he would go out on loan to France. Then he returned to the B team before PAOK signed him in the winter for €1.9m. After 2 years in Greece Mallorca would sign him then sell him a year later to Casa Pia. He has taken his time and a few moves but hes finally settled in the top flight making over 100 apperances for Casa Pia now.

Mohamed Sall

Sall flew onto the scense with 8 goals in 14 games in Senegal aged 17. We signed him for €215,000, He spent his first season in our B team scoring 11 in 13 following his winter signing. A loan to top flight Belgium would follow where he scored 9 in 29 before returning to the B team, 8 in 17 was enough for Leicester to take him on a unsuccessful 6 moan loan. Werder Bremen were adamant he was going to be first choice for them so he joined them on loan and scored a respectful 7 in 25. Racing saw enough to spend €35.5m on him where hes go on to make over 130 appearances scoring 50+ goals.

He’s Just signed for Leiria at the end of contract on a free. So he returns to Portugal hoping to make his mark here again.

Ladji Ndiaye

6 foot 4 CB with 19 first team appearances aged 17. certainly raised my eyebrows. We signed him for €120,000. He spent the 6 months with the B team before a loan to France where he played 31 times. He returned to our B team and in that winter after 15 games Everton paid €10m for him. They sent him straight out on loan to Sheffield United, Then Norwich. Then he finally cracked the first team.

But then he Spent 42/43 on loan at Lyon and this season he has just signed on loan with Arsenal. At 27 he is just shy of 300 matches and valued at €60m.

Total spent – €5,517,250
Total Received – €205,788,000
Profit/Loss – €200,270,750

We have passed the €200m profit mark and the African project is now fully funded. All transfers and wages are covered due to the sales. With only a €5.5m outlay on transfers

2036/37

Joaquin Miranda

Miranda would join us for €3m, after a year with the B team Napoli offered us €2.2m with lots of add ons and sell ons (Wish FM showed total fees)

After struggling to make the grade at Napoli he would join Sampdoria, A year later Dortmund they loaned him straight out to Porto then sold him to Stuttgart.

Ricard Ateba

6ft 5″ CB 18 appearances at 17, €48,000 fee? No brainer. After a year in the B team he went on loan to Germany as first choice. He returned to break into the first team then that winter PSV met his release clause of €14.25m

After 18 months in Holland, Real Madrid came calling. He would spend 18 months in Spain before a move to Leverkusen. Racking up nearly €100m in transfer fees so far.

Monday Ibrahim

Signed on a Monday, at 18 he had already been a first team player for 2.5 seasons in Nigeria. So we loaned him back for 6 months, taking his tally to 88 games aged 18. A loan to second division Portugal was enough to see Napoli offer us €1.1m with add ons. After 2 loans he signed for Bordeaux on a free where he seems to have finally broke through last season.

At 25 he has time on his side and is nearly 200 appearances.

Achille Ouro Nile

Nile probably has had the most moves out of all the Africans,  signed on a free from Planete Foot where he was already a first teamer he was sent straight out on loan to the 4th division, the following season he had 6 months in the B team before a loan dropping down to the 3rd division. Back in the B team next year saw a winter loan move to Turkish top flight hampered by Injury. Again he returned to the B team for 6 months before a loan moving to Spain. He was now full established as a B team starter all season. That following their relegation a loan move to Lille proved idea. Finally on the verge of the first team but went to holland for 6 injury filled months. Finally Bournemouth signed him for €5m

At 25 there is potential he can still do well but injuries keep hampering him.

Ali Ouattara

When Ali signed I was concerned because we didn’t play with a 10 or did he seem mobile enough to drop to an 8. But I was hoping to develop him at least for a profit.

He was already shining in Ivory coast that when he joined he went straight out on loan to Turkey, A year in Scotland followed by Italy, then Spain then back to Italy saw him play and develop. A year in my system in the B team he struggled. So he went back out on loan top Holland and then Italy before Saudi came calling for €12m. He improved but just couldn’t fit in my system.

Total spent – €8,685,250
Total Received – €240,338,000
Profit/Loss – €231,652,750

2036/37

Oliver Njoya

6 FOOT 8 INCHES!!! THIS IS A BIG CENTRE BACK! over 70 games in Cameroon before aged 18. I would sign him for 145,000. Following two successful loans to Turkey and France. Aston Villa signed him for €36m.

After 152 games Spurs would sign him for €175m! and you better believe I had a 40% of profit sell on fee!

Matar Moussa Gomis

Gomis would join for just €10,000 after already playing 58 times in Senegal. Numerous loans in Portugal then Belgium have seen him develop and he is still at the club as a back up.

Bakary Manga

Like Ali earlier. Manga would struggled to fit in the system. Loans to France, Belgium 3 times back to France, Then Spain and now back to Belgium. Have helped him develop.

John Zimba

Ali, Manga and now Zimba. All these 10’s with no where to play. But I didn’t know at the time if I wouldn’t adapt to fitting in a 10 if they had developed.

Zimba mainly stayed in the B Team before his release this summer.

Tamo Bikana

Signed as a B Team player and spent most of his career so far as a B Team player, bar one loan.

Florentin Sherif

Sherif would join for just €62,000, A loan to second division Spain then top flight Belgium was enough for Ajax to meet his release clause of €13.25m. After 3 successful seasons in the Netherlands Fulham would take him to the premier league for €48m. Following their relegation Italian giants Juventus would sign him for €43m taking his career transfers over the €100m mark.

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The development of Sherif’s attribute’s has nothing short of remarkable. Playing over 275 games and 62 caps he’s now a powerful CB.

Eric Eloundou

€40,000 for this young winger who needs work on his physicals and technical’s but with a high determination and work rate he has a chance. Already a first teamer in Cameroon aged 16 then 17.

Following loans to second divisions in both Spain and Germany where he did well two years at Top flight in Portugal showed he was ready for the first team. And after just 6 months in the first team Bayern had seen enough. A €49.5m offer was too good to turn down so he moved on.

As you can see he has developed really well from where he started. Now making over 200 appearances and 50 caps.

Youssouf Diarra

€400,000 was spent to secure young striker Diarra, with 18 goals in 56 appearances in Togo before he turnt 18 showed promise.

He would spend the first season in Portugal second division first with the B team then a loan. Before Stepping up to the French second division No goals in 17 appearances was a concern but Ipswich saw him as a star player so he went there on loan. Torino saw enough to pay his €5m release clause to make him their first choice for the next 4 seasons making 136 appearances for them.

Total spent – €9,650,750
Total Received – €344,088,000
Profit/Loss – €334,437,250

We have now nearly spent €10m but sold €344m worth of talent.

2037/38

Richard Thaiw

A another tall centre back. Joins for €450,000. Just broke into the first team in Senegal. He needed games. A loan to the second division paid off as he started nearly every game. He then had a loan to Spain again doing really well. This saw him needing to play at a higher level.

A loan to top flight Germany which was again successful, So The following season he was promoted to the first team, He split the season between the first and the B side before finally making the spot his in 2042, That winter Villarreal had seen enough to meet his €35.5m release clause. He has since gone on to be their first choice. He has now made over 200 appearances and 35 caps

Orenikatche Latoundji

Latoundji would join for €500,000, Already playing top flight football in Benin aged 16 & 17. After a season in the B team, Nice met his release clause of €8.5m

His career never took off at Nice and he has just been Released on a free at end of his contract

Assane Sambou

A free signing, Sambou had already broke through in Senegal. After just one year Nice also met his release clause. Again his career at Nice has barely taken off mainly playing for their reserves.

Senan Adigo

Adigo would join us for just €26,000, Already a first team player in Benin. A loan to second division in Portugal was successful enough to show he could play top flight, He then had a loan to top flight Germany that went well followed by top flight in the Netherlands. Which was enough to see Leverkusen meet his €19.75m release clause where he has become a first team player.

Franck Diallo

Diallo was spotted playing senior football in Togo. We saw enough to invest €7,750 to sign him. After 6 months in the B Team an 18 month loan to Portsmouth was secured. Next he went to Top flight in Belgium where whilst he played alot he didnt deliver. A step down to Spanish second division made sense. RBS saw enough to sign him for his €12m release clause and just two years later Monaco have paid €34.5m for him.

Total spent – €11,401,750
Total Received – €423,438,000
Profit/Loss – €412,036,250

We finally break the €10m spent but we have now brought in €423m before sell ons etc

2038/39

Dalhata Oussale

A 6’7 Goalkeeper. Signed for just €79,000 after over 75 games in Burkina Faso. Straight away he became the B Team keeper. The following season a loan move to the French second division was successful he got his chance in the top flight. A successful loan move later and he became my first choice keeper for the next 2 seasons before Sevilla paid his €50m release clause.

Over 250 games played and 55 caps he is only 23. He still has a big career ahead of him.

Jacob Gogoua

A shorter keeper at 6’1 but after he had broke through in the Ivory Coast we signed him for €235,000 with a loan back. The following season he would spend ion second division Germany before stepping up to the Championship. Monaco saw enough to pay €22m to take him to France.

Lamine Seck

Seck signed for €650,000 from Senegal. He would spend most of his career in the B team before Sint-Truden signed him for €4.9m

121 games and just 2 caps. But at 23 he has time on his side.

Total spent – €12,365,750
Total Received – €500,338,000
Profit/Loss – €487,972,250

2039/30

Abayomi Lawrence

Lawerence would join us for €525k, He would suffer the issue some of the other “10’s” would of not fitting my system. A loan back to Nigeria followed loans in Portugal before I released him on a free. He was picked up in Turkey where he played every game earning a €1.6m move.

Cyrille Fofana

Fofana signed for €100,000 and is still at the club, His first season he spent half in the B team and half on loan to Nantes, Next year he struggled on loan in the top flight. Dropped back to the B team he did well before a 6 month loan to ALaves then to Lens for 12 months. On his return hes been promoted to the first team as a squad player then this season he started the first 3 games.

Pascal Okoro

Okoro signed for €575,000. Loans to Nantes, then Saint-Etienne and Schalke saw him ne ready for first team football. After 1 season in the first team Bayern paid his €32m release clause.

Michael John

John signed for a big €1.1m. Straight away he was loaned out to newly promoted Portimonese. A loan at Brondby where he scored 6 in 7 before injury cut it short made me want him as a squad player next season. He split his time between the first and B team before becoming the starter the following year. 29 goals in 25 games later Leeds paid his 60m release clause.

Welle Kabore

Kabore signed for €400,000, Already closing on 50 games in Senegal. He was sent straight out on loan to Lille. The following season he was first choice for the B team scoring 22 in 30. Whenever given the chance he hasn’t quite been so clinical for the first team but this season he would be first choice.

Abdoul Kader Sanogo

Young keeper Sanogo was signed for €210,000, A loan back to the Ivory coast made sense as he wqas starting there. Followed by a loan to the second division that went well, Back to back loans to France went well but then disaster struck. 8 games in the B team and he conceded 23 goals!!! He’s not played a match since as is first team sub keeper.

Joseph Lokosa

At 5’7 Lokosa is a small striker, He cost €250,000, Already playing in Nigeria and scoring goals a loan back made sense. Following a loan to Germany cut short by injury he would be the B team first choice. 10 goals in 16 a loan to Belgium made sense but that was cut short by injury. The following year a loan to Reims again was cut short by injury. Then He was promoted to the first team and EXPLODED 25 goals in 21 games, Leeds brought him to pair him with John above for €50m.

Total spent – €15,525,750
Total Received – €643,938,000
Profit/Loss – €628,412,250

2040/41

Wilfried Silue

Silue would sign for €160,000 from the Ivory Coast where he already played 65 games before turning 18. A loan to Spain went well enough to see him promoted to the first team. After 3 seasons in the first team Fulham would pay his release clause of €48.5m

Jacob Bi Bola

Bi Bola would sign for €325,000 another who already was playing first team football. After two loans Anderlecht paid €2.5m plus sell ons.

Arnaud Priso

Priso a full back would sign for €130,000, After a loan to the top flight, Then a year with the B team He was ready for the first team. After just 1 season Sevilla would pay his €11.25m release clause.

Total spent – €16,140,750
Total Received – €706,188,000
Profit/Loss – €690,047,250

2041/42

Maissa Diousse

Diousse a free signing from Senegal, would be loaned out to Belgium then Recalled, Then to France. Neither proved successful so he dropped down a level for a better loan. 6 months in the B team saw him loaned out again before Genoa Paid his €1m release clause.

Mame Ly

Ly was signed for €97,000, After 6 months in the B team a loan to top flight was arranged to see how well he was doing. It didnt pay off so it was back to the B team. He struggled for games so I loaned him out again. He did better so he became 4th choice for me rotating between the first and B team. That summer Wolves paid his €11.25m release clause.

Amara Traore

Traore would join for €30,000. Already a first teamer in the Ivory coast I loaned him back to a better team. After 1 year in the B team Forest would pay his €1.5m release clause.

Evams Kayode

Kayode would sign for €1.5m, He went straight into the B team and did well. A loan move to Germany made sense and went well. An injury hampered him the following season but Elche paid his release clause of €12.5m this summer.

Ousmane Thiam

Thiam cost me €475,000. Again another player who was already a first team player in Senegal. He joined in the winter and spent the rest of the season in the B team, A successful loan to France followed 8 months out injured. Club Brugge had seen enough to pay his €17.5m when he returned to fitness.

Felicien Drole

Drole is a perfect example of the “D” Sign as a last resort report. Ignoring this has paid off. I paid €500,000 for this talent. A loan to top flight Portugal went really well but I wanted him to have more games. SO he dropped to French Second division before being promoted to my first team. Then now a wonderkid Man City Paid €42.5m to secure his transfer.

Total spent – €18,742,750
Total Received – €792,688,000
Profit/Loss – €773,945,250

2042/43

Caleb Appiah

Appiah would join us for €550,000 after a loan in the french second division, Rennes would give us more than double what we paid for him plus a 40% sell on fee.

He had already started showing signs of improvement, especially physically.

Total spent – €19,292,750
Total Received – €793,888,000
Profit/Loss – €774,595,250

2043/44

Stephen Dauda

Our final signing from Africa would be for a free. A first team player already in Ghana.

After 1 season Man City met his release clause to take him to England.

Total spent – €19,292,750
Total Received – €798,888,000
Profit/Loss – €779,595,250

We finished with nearly €800m transfer fees in, yet under €20m spent. I think this is a clear sign this project has been successful. It has shown there is talent in Africa, a lot cheaper than other areas. You can use the loan market to develop or develop them in house. A B team in a competitive league helps.

The End of The Sporting CP Save

The date is the 3rd of September 2044. I have been in charge of Sporting for 7,726 days, over 21 years. And here the save ends. I finish with 12 league wins, 37 cup wins.
1,008 games played.

We have pretty much dominated Portugal during my tenure despite such a high turnover of players

431 players in over 21 seasons is an average of 20 players coming into the club each season due to our extensive scouting network. Which we needed due to losing 514 players an average of 24 players a season. We spent €3.2 Billion whilst selling €12.7 Billion worth of talent. Halfway through the save we switched our primary focus to Africa showing that it is possible to recruit and develop talent from there.

Overall this has been one of the best saves I’ve had in years and a great way to end the current era of Football Manager. Thanks to all for following along with the save over the past 10 months.

Q&A

Here I’ve predicted possible questions:

Q: What Skin is that?
A: Its the Statman Skin, This is V1.7 but V1.8 has now been released
V1.7 – LINK
V1.8 – LINK 

Q: Where do you get that facepack?
A: Its PJH Designs Facepack (He also did the thumbnail)
FMUGens – LINK

Q: Why are your release clauses so low?
A: They’re not, I set them as fair value as I want the players to move. If I set them at €100m, I’d have hundreds of players on my books.

Q: How did you set up Recruitment Focuses, It never works for me?
A: FMStag & Myself wrote about this here.. LINK
I also wrote about it here – LINK 

Q: Why do you keep mentioning the amount of games they had played in Africa?
A: I think if they’re already playing for the first team aged 16 and 17 its a good indicator there is talent there.

Q: What African nations did you have loaded?
A: None, Just a good sized database

Q: Did you win the Champions League?
A: No, This save whilst successful was focused more on player development, With transfer budgets of €2bn some seasons I could easily have bought the best but I was constantly thinking about player development. We did win the Europa League though.

Q: Are scout reports broken? 
A: No, They just have a lot of factors to make the score.

Q: Where will you be playing your FM25 save?
A: I will be back with a FM25 club save announcement on the 26th September.