retired_glitergothgoddes

I'm halfway through my first season with At.Madrid. I'm 2nd behind Barcelona, in the Uefa Cup 2nd round and the Spanish Cup semi's. I play a 4-1-2-1-2 attacking formation and its working well. Now many people will say 'if its not broke dont fix it' which i would normally agree with. But, i've just been looking at the players i can sign on a free for the end of the season and i'm looking at signing Crespo age 33 and Riquelme age 29. My question is, are they worth it considering they want very high wages? I have the likes of Luis Garcia/Jurado/Raul Garcia playing in the AMC role and they're all doing pretty well. Up front I mostly use Forlan and of course Aguero, with Mista making the odd appearance. I think i need a new striker as its best to have 4 decent strikers and even at 33 Crespo is still decent right? And surely Riquelme is better than my 3 AMC put together!?

I'm also after Rolfes from Leverkusen for free too as cover for my DMC.

Any input/advice would be much appreciated.

mayed111

Riquelme I would say go for it, but Crespo I would pass on. I wouldn't sign any striker even on a free over the age of 30, 32. His attributes will drop steadily all throughout the season.

retired_jaclynnew1212

Riquelme, if he's free, would be brilliant. He's very good on various counts but be aware that his teamwork and work rate are pretty low. So if you like your AMC's to track back at times and help out in defence etc, you can forget it with Riquelme. But yeah, he's a brilliant player. And at 29 will give you atleast 3 solid years.

Crespo, I'm not so sure of though. Yeah he's still decent at 33. I suppose he'll be ok as a backup but is he willing to play that role? Also, do you really want to pay his high wages if hes just a backup?? He cant play instead of Aguero or Forlan. He's not that good anymore.

If you do well in the league and the UEFA cup and the others, you'll probably have a fair bit of money coming your way. So your transfer budget for next season should be decent no? (I really dont know how AM's transfer budget is because never tried to play as them!). Dont sign a player because he's free. Its much better if you spend some money and get in another class striker. I think every club needs atleast 3 world-class strikers. Aguero is one, Forlan is really good as well and you can do with one more I suppose. So instead of Crespo, try to sign someone. Mista would then be a very good backup.

What happened to your players like Simao, Maxi, Reyes etc?? I would have thought they should be playing more?? All three of them are very good. I suppose you might have sold them eh? If not, get rid of the one you use the least. You should get a good amount for him. Use that to buy a striker if you dont have any transfer kitty left.

retired_glitergothgoddes

Thanks guys! Appreciate the feedback. I sold Maxi to Arsenal for £11.75m as he didnt really have the attributes i wanted as a RW. Plus when i sold him i made Pablo the captain and the whole team said it was great. I've still got Simao and Reyes, they play on the left and right almost every game they can. I spent my transfer budget (incl. the money made from Maxi) on a Mudingayi because Motta's tackling isn't good enough for a DMC, and i also bought Helton and sold Leo Franco. One thing's for sure though, Aguero is an absoloute beast.

retired_gn_hill

I know there not free but Van der Vaart and Mark Bresciano work wonders in attacking midfield together.
Im Newcastle United and joint top I mean come on how often do you see that! its a miracle lol!