Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium
ENGLAND UNITED



Manchester United are a global force who have always had a spine of English players, but what happens when they only play and employ English players? My aim here is to dominate the English division with English players only. All non-English players and staff will immediately be sold and replaced with English players and staff.
I'll also be managing the national side, so any success the club receives should hopefully transfer to the national side. It'll be interesting how this works, having to pay the "English Premium" on players and generally only dealing with English clubs.



Dan
13 years ago
2 weeks ago
16,964
Always enjoy this sort of save! Good luck!
KEZ_7
18 years ago
2 weeks ago
1,884
Love this, it's the type of thing I often try to do myself but never follow it through. Good luck
Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium
Thanks chaps! I'll be resurrecting this now I've had my fill of challenges and other shenanigans.

So just a brief post about my own rules, I have to sell all foreign players and release all foreign staff, hiring only english. The only differential to this would be if a player is dual nationality and hasn't declared. If I can't move a player on (I suspect Pogba is going to be difficult) then they will rot in the reserves.

Next update will be at the end of the summer transfer window.
SrWer
12 years ago
3 weeks ago
7,010
Good Luck With this Sr. I'll keep an eye on this save. Enjoy
Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium
Summer Update - September 2017


Transfers



As you can see, there is just no money in the first Summer transfer market. Your usual big players of Real Madrid and PSG seem fairly skint at this point. I practically gave away some of the team, Pogba and De Gea for a combined £50m is a travesty.
For the ins, if there's something I've learned from this window is that the english players are full of utter dross. With the little I had available after sales, I've had to buy an entire new team. I couldn't afford to dine at Tottenham's table so had to look at mid-lower table. Who needs DDG when I can have Ross Turnbull... My attempts to sign Danny Wellbeck proved fruitless as Arsenal wanted a scandalous £65m for him. I fully expect the prices to sky rocket once Brexit starts.

Who's Left?



If I could have moved this lot on, I would have been in a much healthier financial position to maybe buy a Delle Alli. Alas, I am now lumbered with the long contracts and huge wages of Alexis Sanchez, Lukaku and Matic. I very much doubt I will shift them in the Winter and their value will likely plummet in the Summer. Martial broke his ankle during pre-season, so there was no chance in moving him on either.

The Team





The team is a little thinner on the ground than I would like right now, but hopefully, this an give some of the poorer players a run in the side and hopefully some form. The squad should bulk out with the return of the loanees, I never thought I'd be so happy to have James Wilson come back into the fold! I'm not expecting fireworks from Charlie Austin, who was really only brought in to back up Rashford. But my aim is to turn both Lingard and Redmond into support strikers, flanking Rashford. My scouts tell me Ben Osborne was one to keep an eye on, so comes in as backup to Shelvey, Tom Carrol and Livermore, also supplemented by McTominay. On that note, I need to convince him to play for England before Scotland nab him, otherwise that's another sell.
At the back, we were thankfully pretty strong through the middle and on the left. So Sam Byram was brought in to add a bit of pep at RWB after the departure if Valencia. Turnbull ha literally been brought in on a 10 month deal while I wait for Johnstone and Henderson to return in goal. Jack Butland was a no-brainer and will likely stay in goal for the team for the bulk of his career.

How Are We Doing?




Only 4 competitive games with the new team so far; the first of which being a 1-0 loss to Real Madrid in the Super Cup, which I didn't think was too bad all things considered. A couple of wins against West Brom and Stoke sandwiched an abysmal loss to Southampton at home.
Looking forward, I'd like to still be in the top 4 at Christmas, but with form like this I'm not sure this'll happen.

Next update in February 2018!
Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium

January 2018


Players in Focus




If there's something I've had to do with this team is train them all to be versatile. Most players play a minimum of 2 positions, unless they're a specialist position (WB).
Jack Butland has been solid, if unspectacular. He's let in a couple of howlers which have really cost us. Ross Turnbull is thankfully well away from the starting line up and is yet to make an appearance.
Smalling and Jones have provided a solid base to the team, playing most of the games. Both were offered new contracts to keep Chelsea's hands off them. Ryan Bertrand has either played on the left flank or provided a rest at CB. Currently keeping Shaw out of the stating line up. Byram has been decent as my first choice RB, swapping now and again with the ever-versatile Ashley Young. Cammy Borth-Jackson has actually proved solid backup. I'll likely move him on in the future, but he's doing a good job for the moment.
In the middle of the park, playing 3 CM's, Scotty McTommy has been a standout, chipping in with 8 goals and 8 assists. He can also step up top if needed. Jonjo Shelvey hasn't set the world alight, with Tom Carroll and Ben Osborn keeping him out of the starting XI. A shame, considering he's a high earner. Carrick has played more than I would have liked, but he has been needed with the squad depth lacking.
Up top, Charlie Austin proved me wrong early in the season with 15 goals and 11 assists, but has tailed off towards Christmas, losing his spot to a resurgent Redmond. Jesse Lingard hasn't filled me with confidence and really cannot find a run of form. My star man is Marcus Rashford who will be at the club forever. Spent a couple of months injured, but still my top scorer. Also...

Looking at players out, there's interest in Lukaku, Lindelof and Rojo. Hopefully I can reinvest in a new out-and-out striker.

How Are We Doing?


At one point, I was 4 points clear at the top of the league. I then hit a dry patch in London, losing to Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs. But the top 3 is now split by a hair, so an interesting run-in for the league.
Carabao Cup was a dud, losing 4-3 to City at the Etihad.
Champions League was hit and miss, a 3-0 loss to Besiktas put me on a downer until I spanked them 5-2 on the return visit. Finished top of the group, but wow it was tight.


England United?



Despite criticism of so many United players being in the team, I do let my assistant make the call ups. The only player I am guilty of is calling up McTominay to ensure his allegiance to England. Lingard is playing better for England then for United, probably because he's flanking Kane. Butland is also in fierce competition with Pickford, with both taking turns between the sticks.
We qualified for the World Cup with ease, so the next England update will be for the WC!

Depending on how the Winter Transfer Window goes, we'll see on the next update.
M3rlin
8 years ago
5 months ago
39
As much as I despise United (#YNWA), I'm loving the English players only idea.
Good luck on this one.
Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium
Winter Transfer Window 2018


IN


So, this window has given me the opportunity to to finally bulk up the squad, and most importantly, my striking options.

Dimitris Vaseileiou was picked up by my scouts playing for Fulham u19's. He's a 16 year old CB who could do some real damage after a few loans. Watch this space!
Ryan Sessegnon was an obvious purchase and will no rotate with Luke Shaw, leaving Bertrand to rotate at CB.
Saido Berahino was on the transfer list for £6m, which seemed a good deal for a backup striker to Charlie Adam. Finally, Arsenal relented and let me bring Danny Wellbz home for £13m, daft when I offered them a lot more in the Summer.

OUT


For the outs, Rojo left for China (which I'm surprised he hasn't done IRL) and Romero off to Lazio. The biggest surprise was Tony Martial to Southampton. Not because of the outlay (I did give them £55m in the Summer) but that he was happy making the move to the South Coast.
A notable failed transfer was Rom Lukaku to Arsenal. Despite us contributing 45k wages, he still wasn't interested.

Next update, end of season and the WC!
Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium
ENGLAND UNITED
2017/18 REVIEW



COMPETITION REVIEW


So the league went to the last day. I managed to lead for a bit during the winter, but to be honest, City has lead all year long. I managed to close it to a few points by turning them over a few games before seasons close but it wasn't to be. I'm very happy with second though.
I could have finished the the season empty handed! The FA Cup was taken to penalties after drawing 1-1 against Southampton in the final. The Champions League final on the other hand, was bloody heartbreaking.
I lost Rashford in the final run in of games and I just don't have the goals in the the other guys. During the match, I suffered 4 injuries so finished the game with 10 men and players playing all over the place, including a debut for a 17yo Vasilieou. Naturally, with all the injuries, we had 7 minutes injury time, as I was leading 3-2...Salah equalised in the 98th minute! Sobbing. We lost it in extra time. The team did great to get past Porto, Chelsea and PSG though.

THE PLAYERS


GK Jack Butland has been solid all year, playing every single game of the season due to poor backup. Letting in 49 goals has seen him completely off the pace for the Golden Glove.
Def Jones, Smalling and Bertrand have rotated all season long, giving me a solid base in front of Butland, switching out with CBJ for for a good bit of academy experience. On the right, Byram has been OK. He may be the first choice RB, but Ashley Young has really pressured him with 8 assists over his 6. On the left, Ryan Sessegnon has proven to be a great acquisition to push Luke Shaw to the limit, already gaining an asset in 5 appearances to Shaw's 3 in 23.
Mid Playing 3 CM's will always lead to a lack of flair, but Tom Carroll has been in good form for most of the season, laying on 12 assists to go with his 2 goals. Somehow, Jake Livermore has managed 8 goals and 8 assists (?). Carrick went out for 4 months in late-spring, bringing his career to a sad close on an injury. Super disappointed with Jonjo Shelvy. He was a sod to negotiate with in the first place and does not deserve the salary he is being paid. Ben Osborn has also struggled at this level, so a loan may be on the cards. Scott McTominay has been fantastic all season when given the opportunity, and I'm really looking forward to see how he blooms, STAY AWAY SCOTLAND!
Fwd These guys have kept me in touching distance all season long, Marcus Rashford has been the absolute MVP despite missing a third of the season. Every time he was out, it was noticed. I fully expect a World Player of the Year in the near future. Redmond and Austin have quietly been getting on with the jobs, especially in Rashford's absences, but Austin can often go missing against the bigger clubs. Wellbeck and Berhaino have both turned into good squad players, with Wellbeck chipping in with some important goals throughout the year.

AWARDS

Top Goalscorer


Team of the Year


Young Player of the Year



SUMMER PLANS

So the board have given me a £90m budget, and I still have about £200m worth of foreign talent currently rotting in my reserves. IF I can move them on, then we will be in a great position to upgrade now I have a solid base to build on. Top transfers? Delle Alli and Harry Kane please. I don't think Charlie Austin and Ben Osborne are good enough, so these will be definite upgrades. Another out will be Jesse Lingard who just doesn't fit into my system and is hankering for a new contract. With Brexit around the corner, I need to get these in quick before the premium takes hold.

Next Update...
Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium
England Squad Decided...


GROUP STAGE






2ND ROUND



QUARTER FINAL



SEMI FINAL



FINAL


Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium
ENGLAND UNITED
SUMMER 2018




TRANSFERS IN



As I mentioned last season, we now have a solid base of English players to build upon, allowing us to cherry pick the best players available rathe than picking up from mid-table. First things to note is the plethora of unknown lower-league 16 year olds. Frankly, I lost a lot of foreign reserves so I needed to bulk the ranks. It's also worth noting the that the pillage fo Fulham continues into this season for some of their better rated youths, Whitehead and Waters-Whittingham were both well scouted by the team so were worth looking into.
As for the first team, the crown jewel of the transfer window was Dele Alli. Daniel Levy proved to be a nightmare to deal with after all, with it costing me £119m to get him out of North London, with plenty of winding up in the press and fluttering my eyelashes. He will now form the lynchpin of my team with Rashford. Replacing the retiring Carrick is Lewis Cook from Bournemouth, and this is where the English Premium is really taking hold. £60m is way too much for talent.
The next two I was mildly surprised with to get as cheap as I did, Kieran Trippier for £15.25 to rotate with Byram at RB and Jamie Vardy for only £11.75m. I appreciate he is 31, but a proven English goalscorer for this amount couldn't be ignored.
A notable failed bid for Harry Kane as he decided to sign a new contract instead...git.

TRANSFERS OUT




Probably worth talking about the big money exports first, as it's taken another year to move most of these on and bolster my transfer pot. Lukaku, Lindleof, Herrera, Matic and Fozzie-Mensah all left for a combined over £110m. A notable (and annoying) leaver was Alexis Sanchez on loan. He just would not leave no matter who came in for him so a loan move was for the best.
First teasers to go, CBJ at defence. I don't usually like letting graduates go, but Axel Tunazebe is better in the middle of the back row and has a lot more potential, I just didn't need them both. £3m to Wolves was good money. Ben Osborn isn't good enough for me (jeff) at this level so I managed to claw back what I bought him for to Newcastle. Ashley Young was another that played up and wouldn't leave, so a loan was the best move for all. His contract is up at the end of the season anyway, so this is the end for us. But the top money came from Bayern Munich for Jesse Lingard, £55m! I honestly don't know what they see in him, but danke.
notable loans out and players to keep an eye on; Dimitris Vasileilou to League One Burton and Tyrell Warren to League One Southend. Both a good level of football so hopefully they can push on for the next level next season.
Dan
13 years ago
2 weeks ago
16,964
Love this, always enjoyed doing one of these myself. Big deal for Alli but sure it'll pay off. Dead unlucky in the competitions last year finishing runners up in 3 with United then the world cup too! Things to build on tho
Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium
Love this, always enjoyed doing one of these myself. Big deal for Alli but sure it'll pay off. Dead unlucky in the competitions last year finishing runners up in 3 with United then the world cup too! Things to build on tho


Cheers mate. Yeah, last season was a bit soul destroying, but ultimately I was happy to make it as far as I did. With all my reinforcements, the media have me predicted as 5th, so I look forward to spoiling the party for them!
It'll get more exciting when the regens really start to take hold.
DNZY
16 years ago
1 week ago
1,883
Premium
Enjoying this a lot, nothing better than a home grown save.
Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium
Enjoying this a lot, nothing better than a home grown save.


Thanks buddy. Yeah, I love setting my own rules and sticking with them. I really enjoy the experiment on how it impacts upon the national team. Does having the same players playing week in week out transfer to the international scene, despite a lower ability?
Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium

November 2018


We're there! finally confirmed the last two foreign players to leave (while we wait for the loan move of Sanchez to Chelsea to become permanent)

Joel Pereira to FC Lorient for £5m


Andreas Periera to Rubin Kazan for £5m



One last confirmed transfer this month. Unfortunately, there's no space for 2 up and coming English keepers to back up Butland.

Sam Johnstone to Bournemouth for £3.2m
SrWer
12 years ago
3 weeks ago
7,010
About the end of 1 season.
A little difficult, a lot of exits many entries to try a squad totally English.
Sad to be 4 points from the title but stayed in 2 place that gives the going to champions. There was still victory in the fa cup and I give my congratulations for it.
But I think in the second season it's time to win the championship and more if possible.

Looking forward to second season, good luck with this mate.
Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium
About the end of 1 season.
A little difficult, a lot of exits many entries to try a squad totally English.
Sad to be 4 points from the title but stayed in 2 place that gives the going to champions. There was still victory in the fa cup and I give my congratulations for it.
But I think in the second season it's time to win the championship and more if possible.

Looking forward to second season, good luck with this mate.


Thanks man. It was a little disappointing to finish runner up in so may competitions, but lets not forget the poor quality of the squad. To get that far was brilliant. To put it into perspective, the media only predict a 5th place finish and the board are happy with european qualification.
The biggest gut wrench was losing the world cup final..
Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium
SrWer
12 years ago
3 weeks ago
7,010
Thanks man. It was a little disappointing to finish runner up in so may competitions, but lets not forget the poor quality of the squad. To get that far was brilliant. To put it into perspective, the media only predict a 5th place finish and the board are happy with european qualification.
The biggest gut wrench was losing the world cup final..


yes i forget to talk about that .. sad to not win the cup! i belive next time you can! Cheers mate
Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium

JANUARY 2019


Players in Focus



Rotate, rotate, rotate. With so many touchy English players in the ranks, it's important to me to give everyone their time in the team. I have a few players that are pretty undroppable, Rashford, Alli and Butland, but the rest of the team will rotate week-in week-out.
Speaking of Butland, another solid 6 months between the sticks. I've thought about going in for Pickford and moving Jack on but I really don't think the upgrade is good enough. I'm hoping the youth team produce a potential World Class keeper to oust him in the future, but for now, the jersey is his. Dean Henderson has been given a few games to whet the appetite.
At full backs, Byram and Trippier are neck and neck for assists but neither are setting the world alight. On the Left, Sessegnon (still only 18) has begun to oust Luke Shaw as my first choice. Because of his ability to play on the wing, his crossing is invaluable.
At the base, Bertrand and Smalling are currently my top choices with either fitting in naturally to either side of the CB positions. Jones has been fine when called upon. Axel Tuanazebe lurches from having good games, to absolute stinkers. Let's chalk this down to youth and inexperience.
In the middle of the park, more solidity from the "old guard" Livermore, Shelvey and Carroll with the latter providing a lot of creativity in the middle. Lewis Cook still has some growing to do into the team. Dele Alli hasn't set the world on fire, despite playing more than everyone else, I'm sure he'll get there.
Up top, I've been trying to marginalise Charlie Austin, but every time I give him a game he keeps scoring! Exactly the same for Nathan Redmond. The real surprises from Berahino and Vardy who have chipped in with 22 goals and Vardy with 11 assists. He really proved to be a good bit of business. But once again, the real MVP goes to the boy Rashford, who at this moment is still only 21. Speaking of which...





I said this guy would win the Ballon d'Or, and he's not far off. Again, he's 21! Bizzarely, he didn't win the European Golden Boy (Mbappe).

How Are We Doing?



We're still in for the lot! Let's not forget, a media prediction of 5th and the board aiming for Europa qualification, sitting on top of the mountain in January is a great achievement for the team. The run in though Spring will be very exciting, with only 5 points separating 1st and 4th.
A win in the Community Shield (If mourinho calls it a trophy, than so am I!) and a semi-final against the noisy sods next door, it's been a good season.
Champions League?

Looking at that group, I thought I'd be lucky to squeak 2nd. But the other teams have been terrible. Also, how odd that Bayern only won one game but still qualified? Next up, a trip to Naples and an exciting potentially high scoring game with Napoli.

England United?


What's changed in a year? Well McTominay isn't quite good enough for the team so he's out (for now). i now have 11 players in the team, so could easily field a full first team of Man Utd players in white. Which then means we have quite a lot of players missing (Shelvey, Livermore, Carroll)

What's Next?
I have £111m sitting in the transfer kitty burning a hole in my pocket. As I've mentioned previously, some of the CM's just aren't good enough. If all goes well, I plan to try and move Shelvey and Livermore on, and replace them with one man...Dier
Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium

January 2019


And he gets his man!

Eric Dier from Tottenham Hotspur for £92m

Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium

MARCH 2019


And the first (proper) trophy is in! A well earned and hard fought final against the Welsh boys at Swansea. Looking through the competition, it was an easy win and I did well not to come up against any of the other big hitters, with a clear run through to the silverware.




Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium
Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium
ENGLAND UNITED
2018/19 REVIEW



COMPETITION REVIEW


As a whole, we certainly became the nearly team in all but one competition. The league went to the last couple of games, but to be honest, Arsenal had it wrapped up with their 6 point lead with 5 games to go. Losing 8 games is just to big a hill to climb. No real surprises in the rest of the league, except maybe defending champions City finishing 6th.
FA Cup was sad, losing to Chelsea in extra time in the semi final, but without a doubt the quarter final Champions League loss was hard to take, losing 5-4 to Bayern Munich against a 94th minute James goal. The League Cup was nice to win, but was an easy run in so didn't feel deserved. Overall, a step back from last season.

THE PLAYERS


GK Another solid but unspectacular year for Jack Butland, completely off the pace for the Golden Glove. Dean Henderson pulled in a couple of games as solid backup.
Def With the signing of Dier, he has formed a solid partnership with Phil Jones, nudging Smalling and Bertrand out of the picture. Tuanazebe has proven to have bags of potential, but I have an eye on Vasileiou on loan at Burton. One more season on loan and he'll be ready to provide back up to the team. On the right, Trippier couldn't dislodge Sam Byram with the later chipping in with 13 assists. On the left, Ryan Sessegnon and Luke Shaw have been duking it out for a starting berth, with Shaw just about edging it with 8 asset to Sessegnon's 5.
Mid Dier was originally signed to play in the middle, but slotted better at the back. This left me a little light in the middle of the park, with just Alli, Cook, Mctominay and Carroll vying for the 3 positions.
Fwd Jamie Vardy was an animal, and it's ridiculous that he wasn't in for any awards. 31 goals and 25 assists for a 32 yo new signing proved the £11.75m was a real snip. Marcus Rashford was injured a couple of times, which really ruined the rhythm. The other guys were hit and miss, which has made me decide to move at least one on.

AWARDS

Goal of the Season




SUMMER PLANS

A £160m budget to splurge, so I'm going to head back in for Mr Kane, completing my pillaging of the Spurs squad. If this pulls through, then I'll be moving two of the strikers on, probably Berahino and Austin. No foreign talent to sell this time around, so I'll need to make my own money from sales.

Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium

June 2019


And the window is OPEN!

IN

Get ready...
Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur for £97m


Jordan Pickford from Everton for £27m


OUT

Jack Butland to Borussia Dortmund for £30m


Charlie Austin to West Brom for £11.25m


SO let's talk a bit about these transfers, starting with Harry Kane. I appreciate £97m seems a lot, but he is clearly the best striker not only in England, but probably the world. Also considering I paid £119m for Dele Alli year ago, I consider this a snip.
To be clear, I had no intention of upgrading on Butland, but once Dortmund offered £30m, I thought I'd have a go for Pickford for a similar price. As he came in cheaper, it was a no brainer. You can now add the best English keeper to best English Striker and Midfielder. Now for god sake let me win the league!!
Charlie Austin leaving was an easy choice. He's now probably bottom (along with Saido) for a chance in the team.

Good news, I still have £66m burning a hole in my pocket.
Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium


So not the best competition to shout home about, but for god sake, another final loss. 3-2 loss in the 91st minute. My teams have a real issue with conceding late on.

Joe Boy
16 years ago
1 month ago
324
Premium

June 2019


OUT

Saido Berahino to Southampton for £7.5m


James Wilson to QPR for £1.9m


Jake Livermore to Newcastle for £5.75m


Alexis Sanchez to Real Madrid for £11.25m

A bit of background on this one, Sanchez spent the year on loan at Chelsea. I was convinced he would make it permanent, they didn't fancy it. Thank you Real Madrid.

Jonjo Shelvey to Swansea for £5.75


Ryan Bertrand to Everton for £5.75m


Scott McTominay to West Ham for £5.75m


So after still having a bit of deadwood around the place, and the squad feeling little bloated with average players. I've now moved most on (at a loss) to help go for quality over quantity.

IN

Matt O'Riley from Fulham for £16.5m


Tom Davies from Everton for £73m


Another big one one, this time with an eye on the future. The UK have now left the EU, so prices are clearly inflating.

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