FM12: AS Monaco - Ligue 2's abundantly youthful, billionaire-backed, sleeping giant

[Mighty Shrimper]

AS MONACO FC

In A Nutshell...

As of patch 12.2, AS Monaco has become one of the most interesting and versatile saves on FM12. Although they were relegated from Ligue 1 last season, the team has a lot going for it: The team has a strong squad and should be easily capable of achieving promotion; On top of that, the club has an excellent youth system, with a bunch of talented youngsters, including Dennis Appiah, Nampalys Mendy and Terence Makengo, and great facilities, which can be further upgraded; This is possible due to a recent takeover by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev in December 2011, who will give you bags of cash to spend (although he is not considered a sugar daddy); Finally, the club has the romantic appeal of being a ‘fallen giant’, sitting at the bottom of France’s second division by the winter break in real life, and it provides the challenge of returning the club back to Ligue 1 and the Champions League. The only downside is the size of the stadium, a meagre 18,500 seats, but what do you expect for a country the size of Monaco? Despite this, AS Monaco has all the ingredients for a fun and hopefully long-lasting save.

History

AS Monaco FC was founded in 1924 as the unification of numerous local clubs around France and the principality and the club first gained its professional status in 1933. Top division football, however, did not arrive until 1953 and it was not until 1960, by this time under the reign of their first iconic manager Lucien Leduc, that the club won its first trophy, the Coupe de France. This success was continued into the decade by winning the French Championship the following season and a League and Cup Double in 1963. Leduc’s departure led to a decline in the club’s fortunes but upon his return almost fifteen years later in 1977, Monaco won the Division 2 title and the Division 1 title again in the season of their promotion.

The 1980s were a decade of great success for AS Monaco, especially after the appointment of the hitherto rookie manager Arsène Wenger in 1987. During his seven years in charge, Monaco regularly challenged for honours domestically and continentally, including winning the Championship in the manager’s debut season, the Coupe de France in 1991 and finishing runners-up in the UEFA Cup Winners Cup in 1992, the club’s first taste of European success. Following Wenger’s reign, Monaco achieved two more league titles, the most recent one in 2000.

The first half of the noughties saw the side struggle financially, with the club almost being relegated due to its debts. However, this coincided with Monaco’s most successful European campaign, with Didier Deschamp’s side reaching the final of the UEFA Champions League, but they lost out to José Mourinho’s F.C. Porto. The club’s most recent trophy win was the Coupe de la Ligue in 2003, although they came close in 2010, losing the French Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain in 2010.

2010-11 Season

Last season saw AS Monaco relegated to the second division for the first time since 1976. A home defeat to Olympique Lyonnais on the final day of the season secured the drop, just below arch-rivals OGC Nice in 17th. Strangely, for a team that were relegated, Monaco had one of the stingiest defences in the league, conceding a mere 40 goals in the league season. The problem lay, however, in the potency of the attack. Park Chu-Young was often isolated at the head of a 4-2-3-1 and the goals just simply did not arrive. A total of 23 players left in the summer of 2011, including goalkeeper Stéphane Ruffier, Nicholas N’Koulou and Yohan Mollo, while they were replaced by 12 in the summer and 10 in January 2012, following Rybolovlev’s takeover and subsequent cash-injection.

Famous personnel

Famous former players are aplenty at AS Monaco. Wenger’s reign saw the signings of George Weah, Glenn Hoddle, Jürgen Klinsmann and Youri Djorkaeff. Claude Puel’s title-winning side of 2000 included the likes of David Trezeguet, Rafael Márquez and Fabian Barthez. Deschamp’s European Cup runner-ups included Patrice Evra, Emmanuel Adebayor, Fernando Morientes, Jerome Rothen and Dado Pršo, as well as current club captain Ludovic Giuly. Monaco’s youth system can boast the development of World Cup winners Thierry Henry, Lilian Thuran and Emmanuel Petit.

Further Information

In Bed With Maradona has an interesting piece on the ‘Fall of Monaco’.

BBC Sport reports on Rybolovlev’s takeover.

The Dugout shines the spotlight on AS Monaco.

FM Formation has a team guide for those still residing in the Dark Age of patch 12.0.

[Mighty Shrimper]

CLUB INFORMATION

Nation: France

Year Founded: 1924

Status: Professional

Reputation: National

Nickname: Les Monégasques / L'équipe de la Principauté / Le Rouge et Blanc (take your pick)

Chairman: Status Loves the Club

Legends: Jean-Luc Ettori

Icons: Delio Onnis, Manuel Amoros, Arsène Wenger, Fabien Barthez, Jean Tigana, Emmanuel Petit, Claude Puel, Glenn Hoddle

Favoured Personnel: Flavio Roma, David Trézéguet, Thierry Henry

Derbies: Côte d’Azur Derby (vs OGC Nice)

Fierce Rivals: OGC Nice

Other Rivals: Olympique de Marseille, AS Cannes, SC Bastia, ROS Menton

Finances: Secure

Average Ticket Price: £12.20

Average Season Ticket Price: £236

Season Ticket Holders: 2000

Estimated Value: £35.5m

Continental Competition: -

Media Prediction: 2nd

Squad Personality: Ambitious

Captain: Ludovic Giuly

Vice-Captain: Petter Hansson

Honours

Kits

Staff

AS Monaco have also got a very good setup in the staff department. There are two assistant managers, Jean Petit and Frédéric Barilaro (there were three on 12.0!), both of whom are good at their job. There are a couple of good scouts for this level in the form of Jean-Luc Buisine and Arnold Catalano. There is also potential to recruit many more scouts. The physios are numerous and have good ratings, but the coaching could be better and is worth an overhaul.

Affiliated Clubs

Feeder clubs:

EF Saint-Gilles (Reunion) – First option.

AC Ajaccio (France) – Loan partnership (a weird affliation, as Monaco are the parent club, but in the league below.)

Centre Africain (Senegal) – First option.

CA Propriano (France) – First option.

Finances

Monaco’s takeover by a Russian oligarch means that the finances are in a very healthy state. Although Rybolovlev is not considered a sugar daddy (despite him publicly pledging investment into the club’s transfer funds), money is there to spend and the bank balance should please the club accountants. You will have ten-fold the amount of money to spend compared the league’s other teams, but promotion is the minimum expectation. This should be possible even with no investment however.

Stadium

The Stade Louis II is located in the Fontvielle district of Monaco and serves as the home ground of AS Monaco FC as well as the stadium of the national team and the host of the UEFA Super Cup every year since 1998. The original stadium opened its doors in 1939 before the current incarnation opened in 1985. The stadium is unique in that it is the only stadium in the world that can host almost two-thirds of its country’s entire population, which sounds impressive but actually only adds up to 18,524 seats, most of which you’ll struggle to fill in Ligue 2. It was named after Louis II (as you might guess), who was the Prince of Monaco when the original stadium was built, and is famous for its nine arches and for its inclusion in the early Pro Evolution Soccers (fond memories).

Facilities

Training Facilities: Top training facilities

Youth Facilities: Good youth facilities

Junior Coaching: Good junior coaching

Youth Recruitment: Well established youth recruitment

Thanks to Rybolovlev’s billions, the board will allow you to improve most of these too.

[Mighty Shrimper]

SQUAD ANALYSIS

AS Monaco have strong squads across the board and you challenge for honours in Ligue 2, CFA and the youth leagues. There are a number of players in the Reserve team that could easily do a job in Ligue 2 and there are a load of good youth players who could replace them in the Reserve league. The squad analysis will give overview of the depth and quality of the goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, winger and striker positions and will make note of any respective key players or youth prospects, and any potential transfer targets with their sale value. This will be followed by a more detailed analysis of each player in the first team, and any players of interest in the reserve and youth teams. Click the player name for a screenshot of the player.

First Team Squad

Goalkeepers

This is a position that has a lot of strength in depth but no outstanding quality. Loan signing Johann Carrasso is a good keeper for Ligue 2 and will be your first choice in the 2011-12 season. Your next best option is Sébastien Chabbert, but he is injured for 9-10 months and therefore won’t be available until the second season, by which his age and long-term injury might have taken its toll on his attributes. Danijel Subasic provides decent backup, while Martin Sourzac and Marc-Aurèle Caillard both have the potential to be a future no. 1.

It would perhaps be wise to plan ahead in this position, as you could enter Ligue 1 in the second season (assuming promotion is gained) without a recognised goalkeeper. One solution is to buy a recognised keeper straight away and cancel Carraso’s loan or risk it and see who is available in the second season.

Key Player(s): N/A

Youth Prospect(s): Martin Sourzac, Marc-Aurèle Caillard

Transfer Target(s): Alphonse Areola (Paris Saint-Germain, 18, £2.4m), Douglas (Vitoria, 23, £475k)

16. Johann Carrasso (on loan from Stade Rennais FC)

France, 23, GK

Monaco’s top keeper for the first season and, at just 23, he has room for improvement, but he is only on loan and will need to be replaced in the second season, although he can be bought outright for £2m. You can trust him to do a decent job in Ligue 2.

30. Martin Sourzac

France, 19, GK

A young lad with good potential. Try to give him a few games to aid his development. You could perhaps bring an experienced keeper in to tutor him, and work on his handling and positioning.

40. Danijel Subašić

Croatia, 26, GK

Decent backup for Carrasso, no worries here.

Defenders

Monaco’s defence is pretty solid but is undermined by a lack of quality in the right back department. Your key player in the centre here is Rabiu Afolabi, but he can also do a good job at left back. This is useful as both of your recognised full backs, Giorgios Tzavellas and Vincent Muratori, are injured for the first few months of the season. Layvin Kurzawa is an able deputy here, however, and a future starter. You are also spoilt for choice when choosing who to partner Afolabi in the middle, as Petter Hansson, Andreas Wolf and Gary Kagelmacher are all good centre backs, although vice-captain Hansson is worrying slow.

The right back position is a complete contrast to the strength of the rest of the defence. Dennis Appiah is really one for the future but is your strongest player in this position, as Eric Marester will never be more than a backup player. You are faced with a similar problem as the one at Manchester United with Rafael da Silva, as you could play Appiah as first choice and risk being exposed down that flank, but a whole season of first-team football will speed up his development. I would recommend either buying a recognised full back to rotate with Appiah or that you retrain Wolf or Kagelmacher to cover the position.

Key Player(s): Rabiu Afolabi, Giorgios Tzavellas

Youth Prospect(s): Dennis Appiah, Layvin Kurzawa, Florian Pinteaux, Olivier Ferblantier, Yvan Erichot, Mamaye Tounkara, Yarouba Cissako, Jérôme Phojo

Transfer Target(s): Romain Genevois (Tours FC, 23, £180k), Renato (Sport Recife, 21, £300k)

2. Dennis Appiah

France, 19, D ® / D (L), WB (RL)

Dennis ‘Couldn’t Be’ Appiah is an old FM favourite for many I’m sure. As the club’s best right back, you can either throw him in at the deep end and hope he doesn’t sink or buy a starter to rotate with him. Either way, you’ll have a top right back in a few years.

3. Vincent Muratori

France, 23, D (L) /WB (L)

Injured for the first three months of the season but is good enough to rotate with Tzavelas in the left back slot when he’s fit. A homegrown lad, so keep him around.

Rabiu Afolabi

4. Rabiu Afolabi

Nigeria, 31, D © / D (L)

One of a dozen summer signings, Afolabi is the rock at the centre of defence and puts in a pretty good shift at left back too. A good all-rounder this one.

13. Petter Hansson (Vice-Captain)

Sweden, 34, D ©

Your assistant managers will rate this lad pretty highly, but his pace worries me. A deep defensive line will help but I wouldn’t put him up against a fast striker. Despite his faults, Hansson has good mental stats and is strong in the air.

15. Layvin Kurzawa

France, 18, D (L) /WB (L)

Could do with some beefing up and some work on his defensive skills, but this lad will make a good attacking full-back one day. Maybe try to loan him out if you can.

21. Gary Kagelmacher

Uruguay, 23, D ©

A good defender with age on his side, although his ‘Tries To Play Way Out Of Trouble’ PPM should be ‘unlearnt’ as soon as possible, especially with a not overly impressive passing attribute of 11. He has the potential to be a future captain, with his ‘Leader’ personality and 19 influence.

26. Eric Marester

France, 27, D ® /WB ®

Pretty naff really, he’s on par with Appiah but with all the young lad’s potential I’d play him ahead of Marester in a heartbeat. He’ll provide okay backup but could easily be put on the transfer list.

31. Andreas Wolf

Germany, 29, D ©

Andreas ‘Das’ Wolf is the new German on the block and is stereotypically efficient at what he does. A good player, like all the centre backs.

36. Giorgios Tzavellas (on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt)

Greece, 23, D (L) / WB/M (L)

The first of Monaco’s Greek duo, Tzavellas should be your first-choice left back. Like Muratori, he is injured at the start of the season and, as he is only on loan, he will need to be replaced in the second season.

Midfielders

Monaco’s midfield is crying out to be played in a 4-2-3-1 formation and therefore defensive and attacking midfielders are important here. This is bad news for Sambou Yatabaré, who prefers the central midfield position, but he provides good cover through the centre and has room to improve. Your first choices here will be Alexandros Tziolis and Stéphane Dumont acting as holding players with Nacer Barazite spearheading the midfield. Cover for the defensive midfield position is provided by Gary Coulibaly and Nampalys Mendy, the latter of whom has high potential. Barazite is covered by youngster Valentin Eysseric, while Marama Vahirua, Ludovic Giuly and Vladimir Koman can also play here.

There is a real lack of creativity in the deeper midfield positions and so it might be worth bringing in a deep-lying playmaker to inject some invention here. Other than that, the midfield should be fine. Thomas Mangani’s return from loan in season 2 will be a much welcome bonus.

Key Player(s): Alexandros Tziolis, Nacer Barazite

Youth Prospect(s): Sambou Yatabaré, Nampalys Mendy, Valentin Eysseric, Aadil Assana

Transfer Target(s): Jamel Aït Ben Idir (AC Arles-Avignon, 27, £650k)

6. Stéphane Dumont

France, 28, DM / MC

Despite having a girl’s name, Stéphane is an able partner to Tziolis in defensive midfield.

10. Sambou Yatabaré

Mali, 22, M © / DM, AM ©

Yatabaré must feel pretty lonely as the only natural central midfielder in a team so perfectly suited to a 4-2-3-1 Deep formation. He can cover the DM and AMC positions, but is not really suited to either as he can’t shoot or tackle. His excellent physical attributes make him a very good Box-To-Box Midfielder if you decide to use centre midfielders in the future, when he shall hopefully live up to his potential.

38. Alexandros Tziolis

Greece, 26, DM / M ©

Like Tzavelas, Tziolis is the best player in his position and will shield the defence nicely. As with many players on this team, he’s also pretty handy in the air at set-pieces.

Nacer Barazite

39. Nacer Barazite

Netherlands, 21, AM © / M (RLC), AM (RL)

The ex-Arsenal star is the playmaker of this side and thrives in the Attacking Midfield position. His versatility, however, means he can cover the whole midfield and, considering his good finishing attribute and his ‘Places Shot’ PPM, would even make a good striker if you wanted to retrain him.

Wingers

Your key man here is Ludovic Giuly, captain and Monaco hero. Although he’s getting on (he turns 35 soon) he will still be your best player and, if his attributes hold up, he will still be able to do a job in Ligue 1. As Giuly will have the right wing taken, Nabil Dimar will compete with Chris Malonga for first-choice on the opposite flank. Backup is provided by youngsters Vladimir Koman and Edgar Salli, both of whom are good from the start. Barazite can also cover both wings.

There’s no real need for investment here, other than to replace Giuly, but that’s not urgent with Dimar and Salli fighting for his place.

Key Player(s): Ludovic Giuly

Youth Prospect(s): Vladimir Koman, Edgar Salli, Dominique Pandor, Yannick Ferreira Carrasco

Transfer Target(s): N/A

7. Chris Malonga

Congo, 23, AM (L) / M (L), AM ©

He doesn’t look particularly impressive attributes-wise, but he’s your best natural left winger and will do a decent job.

Ludovic Giuly

8. Ludovic Giuly (Captain)

France, 34, AM ® / M ®, AM ©, ST

Captain Marvel and the best player on the team. Despite being almost being a geriatric, he always delivers, at least for a season or two. Treasure him.

20. Vladimir Koman

Hungary, 22, AM (L) / M (RLC), AM (RC)

Like Barazite, this young lad provides good cover across the board, although he prefers the left wing position. Instruct him to ‘Cut Inside’ on his stronger right foot and he’ll score some blinders.

28. Edgar Salli

Cameroon, 18, AM ® / AM (L)

Despite his tender years, ‘Mustang’ Salli is very able and his pace will cause defenders problems on both flanks. As with Afolabi, he’ll probably be taken to the African Cup of Nations, which will great for his development.

32. Nabil Dirar

Morocco, 24, AM ® / M ®, AM (L)

A £6.5m signing in January 2012, this guy’s a bit of an odd one. He’s Monaco’s best passer but his creativity stat of just 5 discounts him as a potential playmaker. He has great technical skills but is behind Giuly in the race for right wing, so it might be worth retraining him to become a natural on the left wing, so he can compete with Malonga for the spot. Monaco’s bank balance means you can afford his eye-watering £33,500 a week wage demands, but it still hurts to see that much money spent on a player who is not guaranteed a starting place in the team.

Strikers

Up front for Monaco is not the strongest area of the pitch. You have a choice between loanee Marama Vahirua and the aging Thorstein Helstad. Crucially when playing with one striker, this position requires a goal-scorer, which is why Helstad would be my first-choice. Vahirua offers a different option as a ‘trequartista’ and is the team’s best free-kick taker. Backup is provided by the young homegrown star Terence Makengo and the average Ibrahima Touré.

Investment in the right player here could prove to be a good idea, as there is no outstanding player in this position. There is also a lack of an aerial target-man. You can survive for the first season by rotating Vahirua and Helstad but a marquee signing is a real necessity when you reach Ligue 1. Daniel Niculae is another striker on par with these two, but he is out on loan for the season. Also, as tempting as it is to buy a load of high-potential young strikers, you already have two very good ones in the form of Makengo and Morgan Kamin.

Key Player(s): N/A

Youth Prospect(s): Terence Makengo, Nicholas Jeausseran, Morgan Kamin, Quentin Ngatoukou, Tafsir Chérif

Transfer Target(s): Thierry Bifouma (Espanyol, 19, £2.5m)

9. Marama Vahirua (on loan from AS Nancy Lorraine)

France, 31, ST / AM ©

This guy almost has everything needed to be a great poacher, the only thing that lets him down is his finishing, a measly 10. Fortunately, he makes a pretty good trequartista and will still get goals and assists. He is also Monaco’sbest free-kick and penalty taker, which boosts his scoring rates. His hefty £20k a week wages might make you think about cancelling his loan if you can find a replacement.

11. Ibrahima Touré

Senegal, 25, ST

An average striker, but decent backup. Could be worth selling, as he limits the progress of Makengo.

17. Terence Makengo

France, 19, ST

A decent young home-grown player with high potential and good pace. Try to give him some playing time if you can or, if possible, loan him out.

22. Thorstein Helstad

Norway, 34, ST

The best finisher on the team by a long way, which is lucky, because that’s about all he can do well. For this reason, I’d say he’s ahead of Vahirua in the pecking order. Ignore what the assistant managers say about playing him as a ‘Deep Lying Forward’, stick him up front where he can see the goal as an ‘Advanced Forward’ and let him do what he does best.

[Mighty Shrimper]

Reserve Squad

AS Monaco’s reserve squad is, like most, a mixture of the mediocre, the past-its and the perennially injured, but with a few gems too. Players worth promoting include Gary Coulibaly, Nampalys Mendy and Valentin Eysseric, while Florian Pinteaux and a few others could be future stars. Thomas Mangani, Daniel Niculae and Kévin Diaz are first team squad quality when they return from their loan spells.

Goalkeepers

1. Sébastien Chabbert

France, 33, GK

The owner of Monaco’s no. 1 jersey, but he probably won’t see much time between the sticks. He is injured for the whole first season and as an injury-ravished 34 year old, he might not be up to Ligue 1 standard. A shame.

Stéphane Porato

France, 37, GK

This old-timer definitely won’t get a game but the young players seem to look up to him, so I thought he was worth a mention. Plus he’s another Stéphane.

Defenders

12. Adriano

Brazil, 29, D ©

Like Chabbert, Adriano also suffers from a long-term injury and will be out of action for a whole fifteen months! One to send to the glue factory I think.

14. Florian Pinteaux

France, 19, D (L) / WB (L)

The defensive yin to Kurzawa’s attacking yang, Pinteaux is on par with the other young left back but with different qualities. Send him out on loan if you can, and Monaco should have a decent pair of left backs in a few years time.

19. Isaac Koné

Ivory Coast, 20, D ©

Not a bad player, could have the potential to move up a squad in the future.

23. Olivier Ferblantier

France, 20, D ©

Along with Yvan Erichot, he could turn into a good player one day.

29. Tristan Dingomé

France, 20, D (L) / WB/M/AM (L)

Another decent young left back, but he doesn’t have the potential of Kurzawa or Pinteaux.

33. Jérémy Labor

France, 19, D ©

Another one I’ve included mainly for his inclusion in the first team squad in real life.

Yvan Erichot

France, 21, D ©

Still has time to develop into a good player.

Midfielders

5. Gary Coulibaly

France, 25, DM

One of a few players ready to step up and provide cover for the first team.

Nampalys Mendy

24. Nampalys Mendy

France, 19, DM

Another home-grown player with huge potential, he should be promoted and played as often as possible. Perhaps ahead of Coulibaly, purely to encourage his development. He possesses good physical stats and has all the making of a top defensive midfielder.

25. Valentin Eysseric

France, 19, AM © / M (LC), AM (L)

A talented young player and surprising to see him in the reserves, as he should be a good understudy to Barazite in attack midfield.

Thomas Mangani (on loan at AS Nancy Lorraine)

France, 24, DM / D ©

One of the few success stories of the 2010-11 season, he is out on loan at Nancy, but will fit in nicely to first team upon his return.

Wingers

Kévin Diaz (on loan at FC Metz)

France, 22, AM (L) / AM ®

A talented young guy with a nice bit of pace, he'll provide competition for Malonga when he returns from loan.

Strikers

18. Valère Germain

France, 21, ST / AM ©

I included him in this list because, for some reason, he starts up front in real life and is the team’s current top goalscorer. Nevertheless, he’s rubbish on FM.

Jan Koller

Czech Republic, 38, ST

Remember him? Of course you do! The 6’8” Czech giant is still a beast in the air, but at 38 it would take a brave manager to play him again.

Daniel Niculae (on loan at AS Nancy Lorraine)

Romania, 28, ST / AM ©

Another quite good striker, rated similarly to Vahirua and Helstad, he will provide another option up front after his loan spell. He’s another one that can’t shoot though.

Frédéric Nimani (on loan at PAOK)

France, 23, ST

Might make a decent target man in the future, with his good physicals.

Youth Squad

The players below are ones in the squad who could potentially become first team players in the future. This team won the Coupe Gambardella, France’s Youth Cup, in 2011 and should challenge for the youth league title.

Goalkeepers

Marc-Aurèle Caillard

France, 17, GK

He needs a lot of work but he has the potential to be a good player in the future.

Defenders

Mamaye Tounkara

France, 17, D ©

Good physical attributes means you can focus more on developing his technical skills.

Yarouba Cissako

France, 16, D ® / WB ®

Like Kurzawa and Pinteaux on the left, Monaco also possess a pair of good young full backs on the right flank (not including Appiah), with Cissako being the younger of the two. Offer him a proper youth contract.

Jérôme Phojo

France, 18, D ® / WB ®

Phojo makes up the other half of this duo and should be a good challenger to Appiah’s spot in a few years time.

Midfielders

27. Aadil Assana

France, 18, DM

The only member of this youth squad to have first team experience in real life (hence the squad number), he also has one of the highest starting abilities in the squad in FM.

Wingers

Dominique Pandor

France, 18, AM (L) / AM ®

As well as Koman and Salli, Monaco are lucky enough to have a high potential winger for each flank in the youth team too.

Yannick Ferreira Carrasco

Belgium, 17, AM ® / ST

The Belgian with the weird name should be tutored by Giuly to realise his potential.

Strikers

Nicholas Jeausseran

France, 17, ST

Jeausseran is the first of a quartet of potentially great strikers in the youth team.

Morgan Kamin

Morgan Kamin

France, 17, ST

The jewel in the crown that is this youth team, this lad progresses rapidly and will have you dreaming of a future Makengo-Kamin strike partnership.

Quentin Ngatoukou

France, 17, ST

Who couldn’t love a guy with the name Quentin? This boy could be ace.

Tafsir Chérif

Guinea, 16, ST

This young Guinean, like any of these strikers, could be a very good player in the future.

[Mighty Shrimper]

Formations

With the players available at the start, AS Monaco are best suited to a 4-2-3-1 Deep formation. Barazite should be the playmaker and if Helstad is starting up front I recommend you make him the target man, with balls ‘Played into feet.’

The team can also accommodate a classic 4-5-1 formation, if more balance is desired.

Challenges

-Gain promotion to Ligue 1 in the first season.

-Win Ligue 1 once again.

-Triumph where Deschamps failed, in the Champions League final.

-Nurture the youth talent at your disposal.

-Return AS Monaco to its former glory!

BONNE CHANCE! (GOOD LUCK!)

[Llew_Arshavin23]

Looking forward to his thread

Had a brief spell with them, on my brothers PC, while my laptop was being repaired. Good, young squad which certainly does have potential. I think I got £10 million in the first transfer window.

[ArsenalFan7]

I'll try and end up here on my journeyman save

[Purefun]

Someone played a couple of seasons with them?

How was the transferkitty after the first season? ....

[Paulista]

I played half a season with them. It's pretty funny. You have the funds to create a new powerhouse, but the first few season will be tough. you should look for young talented players

[Mighty Shrimper]

Looking forward to his thread

Had a brief spell with them, on my brothers PC, while my laptop was being repaired. Good, young squad which certainly does have potential. I think I got £10 million in the first transfer window.

Glad to hear it.

And yeah, the transfer fund can rise as high as £10m if you say you can win the league.

Someone played a couple of seasons with them?

How was the transferkitty after the first season? ....

I'm near the end of my first season, on course for promotion, so I should be able to answer this soon.

[Gungner]

Someone played a couple of seasons with them?

How was the transferkitty after the first season? ....

I'm currently in my third season, and (if I remember correctly, which I think I do) I received around £25 million to spend in my second season. More than enough to strenghten the squad.

[NorthernGooner]

Great thread Looking to start a French save so maybe AS Monaco, who knows.

[higgins]

Nice thread, I'm still looking for a new career, I could consider a Monaco save.

[Mighty Shrimper]

I'm currently in my third season, and (if I remember correctly, which I think I do) I received around £25 million to spend in my second season. More than enough to strenghten the squad.

£25 million! I'm looking forward to that.

Great thread Looking to start a French save so maybe AS Monaco, who knows.

Nice thread, I'm still looking for a new career, I could consider a Monaco save.

I'd recommend it, they tick a lot of boxes. Gives you the freedom to play however you want.

[Dexter_Morgan]

I'm currently in my third season, and (if I remember correctly, which I think I do) I received around £25 million to spend in my second season. More than enough to strenghten the squad.

That's good then, I did notice in the official editor they don't have a sugar daddy or anything to suggest they'd get the amount of money MSI have said they'd invest over the next few years, though Dmitry Rybolovlev does have a high attribute for business so I guess it could be made up there via the type of sponsorship deals he can get for the club.

Moving on from that... Good OP and very detailed. I have been tempted to do this even before the millions came in as I like the thought of resurrecting a sleeping giant. I'll keep an eye on the thread and make my mind up

[Sapačko]

Great thread and interesting club, gonna start to finally play FM and give Monaco a GO !

[highlander]

So just started a save today hoping to see if I can bring success in Europe but have noticed no one you try sign wants to come to you anyone else having this problem only players signed so far are Gilberto for tutoring purposes and mathieu Deplagne for 2.1mill from Montpellier only 2 games into pre-season an 8-0 thrashing of fc Zwolle and a pens win over den Haag in the friendly cup semi hope more people pick up on this thread as see Monaco as a little hidden gem in the game

[Mighty Shrimper]

That's good then, I did notice in the official editor they don't have a sugar daddy or anything to suggest they'd get the amount of money MSI have said they'd invest over the next few years, though Dmitry Rybolovlev does have a high attribute for business so I guess it could be made up there via the type of sponsorship deals he can get for the club.

Moving on from that... Good OP and very detailed. I have been tempted to do this even before the millions came in as I like the thought of resurrecting a sleeping giant. I'll keep an eye on the thread and make my mind up

Great thread and interesting club' date=' gonna start to finally play FM and give Monaco a GO ! [/quote']

So just started a save today hoping to see if I can bring success in Europe but have noticed no one you try sign wants to come to you anyone else having this problem only players signed so far are Gilberto for tutoring purposes and mathieu Deplagne for 2.1mill from Montpellier only 2 games into pre-season an 8-0 thrashing of fc Zwolle and a pens win over den Haag in the friendly cup semi hope more people pick up on this thread as see Monaco as a little hidden gem in the game

Thanks for the kind words.

£25 million! I'm looking forward to that.

So, promotion has been achieved and for the second season my transfer budget is a grand total of... £70k.

No joke, it would appear the club is in financial turmoil for some reason. The fact that Rybolovlev isn't even an underwriter sugar daddy means that the large wage budget and destroyed the club's bank balance. Has anyone else had this happen to them?

I'm tempted to try again from the start, to right the wrongs of this season (only 2nd place and too much money wasted on players I didn't need).

[highlander]

That really fills me with hope how did you get on attracting players I couldn't even get the like of Jordan Rhodes or Mphela thought the club name may have helped

[Mighty Shrimper]

That really fills me with hope how did you get on attracting players I couldn't even get the like of Jordan Rhodes or Mphela thought the club name may have helped

It is quite difficult to attract players, which is strange considering the team's reputation is easily the highest in the league and even higher than most Ligue 1 clubs. I did manage to persuade Alphonse Areola to join, but my best buy was definitely Jamel Aït Ben Idir, a bargain at just £650k.

[joe__the__man]

This has to be the best OP of FM12. Great job.

[Purefun]

Yep indeed, very well made thread.

[SRL88]

Nice thread .

[Gene]

Just decided to try my hand at Monaco, hopped on the boards here and searched for a team thread... great OP. I'm really looking forward to this save.

[Mighty Shrimper]

Cheers for all the nice comments about the OP, especially as I've never made one of these before.

Anyway, I have decided to start again, and hopefully not make the same mistakes, and it looks like I won't be the only one giving AS Monaco a go - let's hope this will turn into a popular thread!

[highlander]

Can't you go into the editor and change the chairman to a underwriting sugar daddy

[Mighty Shrimper]

Can't you go into the editor and change the chairman to a underwriting sugar daddy

I suppose I could, but by the time I realised it I'd already finished a season. I think I'll just keep it as it is and just try to be more careful with my money, but it's not a bad idea for those interested.

Edit: I've just noticed while playing that I completely neglected to mention Kévin Diaz, an exciting young player on loan at FC Metz. I'm not sure how I missed him, but I've added some info about him, and Frédéric Nimani too, to the OP. So there is a decent winger in the reserve team!

[Gooner88]

Great thread, definitely gonna start with Monaco

[highlander]

Is there any other goalkeepers that are maybe a little older that u rate as feel areola is more for future at want 1 more for next season

[Mighty Shrimper]

Is there any other goalkeepers that are maybe a little older that u rate as feel areola is more for future at want 1 more for next season

Yeah, to be honest I struggled to find good available goalkeepers. Have you looked at Wallace from Vitoria?

Carrasso is a very good keeper and improves throughout the season, so you could pay the agreed price of £2m if you wish. However, on my save, I noticed that Rennes transfer listed him at the start of the second season for £950k.

[bennceltic]

Started a Monaco save and then noticed this thread, nice write up

Personally ive only been able to sign 2 players so far Adel Taarabt from QPR for 3.5m and Rosina from Zenit for 2m... yet ive lost both my opening league games, so its going to take a bit of reworking to get this team going in the right direction i think!

[Gene]

Thanks for the kind words.

So, promotion has been achieved and for the second season my transfer budget is a grand total of... £70k.

No joke, it would appear the club is in financial turmoil for some reason. The fact that Rybolovlev isn't even an underwriter sugar daddy means that the large wage budget and destroyed the club's bank balance. Has anyone else had this happen to them?

I'm tempted to try again from the start, to right the wrongs of this season (only 2nd place and too much money wasted on players I didn't need).

How did this happen? Were you in debt?

[MeesterCat]

Love the thread. Good work.

[Mighty Shrimper]

How did this happen? Were you in debt?

I think it was because I spent a fair bit of money in the first season on transfers, the board also authorised a youth facilities upgrade and a training facilities upgrade, the wage bill was pretty high and I didn't make any money by selling players. And the owner isn't classed as a sugar daddy, for some unknown reason, so I think it's a combination of all those reasons why the club lost so much money in just a season.

[Cheens]

This thread has gone quiet anyway! I've just started my first season as fancied a challenge. In October so far, 4th spot but struggling. The squad has no consistency, went on a good 5 game winning streak and now I'm either losing or drawing and first spot is slipping away. How has everyone else been finding it and was there any update on what to expect for a season 2 transfer budget, assuming I get promoted.

[jimbobBRFC]

Thinking of maybe starting a Monaco save. Although my current tactical plan may not fit in with their squad.

http://twitpic.com/9zzc2i/full

Im going to attempt to play with something of Cleon's so full credit to her. Planning on experimenting with it on my Arsenal save to get it tweaked and working well then unleash it on Ligue 2. Do people think the players available would manage to make this formation work. Obviously there are funds available to make a few signings. Any help would be much appreciated

[ArsenalFan7]

How much did everyone get second season?

I got an incredible budget of £0 for transfers and £300k for wages and the chairman had to inject cash to stop the club from entering receivership (Losses of £27million for the first year, awful financial position). I thought these were billionaire backed with a promise of £84million over 4 years!

Pathetic I tell you..

[Gungner]

Have you downloaded the Sugar Daddy Fix?

I have that DB, and I received a little under £25 million in my second season

[ArsenalFan7]

I wasn't even aware a fix was needed

Halfway through 3rd season here and whilst finances are alright I only really get half decent money through selling players and the odd few million the chairman gives me.

And then the chairman never has funds to buy bigger players for me and upgrade facilities etc.

[Dexter_Morgan]

I've nearly finished my first season as Lens but Monaco have been relegated I'll finish the season off and upload it from the final whistle of the last day. Whilst I don't know the exact budgets they only spent £2.7M of their kitty and Gary Kagelmacher was the only outgoing so by rights you should have a good kitty (Note that I didn't use the sugar daddy fix though as I wasn't playing as them) with a squad more than capable of easing back up. I'll add details like leagues loaded ect when the save is uploaded, I am actually tempted to take them on myself at a later date.

[Dexter_Morgan]

http://www.gamefront.com/files/22060726/Monaco+Relegation.rar

Saved on the final day of the season as promised (Also makes it easier for leagues to be added/removed with being saved there) Had a quick look myself and there's just over £8M to spend but only about £2M in the bank so that will have to be taken in to account.

Leagues loaded (Top divisions only)

England

Spain

Germany

Holland

Italy

France (all)

Large DB with top division players from Europe and South America (roughly 68,000)