FM 22 Galatasaray Summer Transfers Reviewed

No matter how much the Turkish league talks every year about financial trouble, exchange rates, and financial fair play, no force could stop the Turkish clubs from making transfers again this season, just like every other season!

Of the big three, each of which set a different strategy this year, the team that made the boldest and most radical decisions was Galatasaray, under new president Burak Elmas and manager Fatih Terim. Having been burned in previous years by paying high wages to so-called star (strawberry) players, Galatasaray went down the path of getting younger at the start of this season, with almost all of the players it brought in being under 25.

Let's take a look together at whether these players, based on their current FM 21 cards and future potential, can actually reach their Football Manager (FM) 22 potential in real life.

How Will Galatasaray's Football Manager (FM) 21-22 Season Transfers Play Out In-Game?

Note: since I'm in my second season in the game, I haven't benefited from the updates where these players transfer to their new clubs. But the advantage of being in my second season is that we'll get to see what kind of development FM 21 expects from the players at the start of this season.

FM 21-22 Alexandru Cicaldau

Cicaldau, Galatasaray's signing from Craiova, put in an average performance in his first matches. The team not yet being settled and the tactical uncertainty could be a reason he hasn't been able to show his qualities, and that's certainly the case for FM even if it isn't for us!

Looking at the player's overall stats, he has all the attributes you'd want in a midfielder (aside from pace). Cicaldau looks like a player who can make up for his pace with his technique and passing, and FM shows him as one of its future stars.

I think once he adapts to the team and his role is fully defined, we'll get an answer to whether he really has these attributes and can reach his potential.

FM 21-22 Olimpiu Morutan

We've moved on from one Romanian to another. Morutan's transfer saga finally came to an end, and he gave a small answer to the expectations around him right from his very first match. Despite being only 21 years old, Morutan stands out especially for his vision, anticipation, and decision-making, and as long as he keeps building on these attributes, he could become one of the elite-class 8-10 hybrid players people talk about. He should definitely be kept on the team in FM 22 and given regular playing time so his potential can be tracked.

FM 21-22 Victor Nelsson

Nelsson, who Norwich City signed in the game, joined Galatasaray in real life for 7M euros. His FM card, which stands out for his strong physique and tight marking of his opponent, shows most of his mental and physical attributes above 12-13, which is a sign he could go on to great things in the future.

We can put his issue down to the same thing as Cicaldau's, the team not yet being settled. Given that Marcao has been played at left centre-back since his incident and Luyindama's lack of form, I think Nelsson can show his quality once he builds chemistry with Marcao in upcoming matches. We can safely say that Football Manager shares my view here, and even expects even more from him.

FM 21-22 Alpaslan Ozturk

Alpaslan, whose full attributes I haven't unlocked in-game, joined the squad as soon as his Torino contract ended. As his player attributes suggest, Alpaslan is fast, aggressive, and effective in his first touch, but I find it hard to see him getting regular playing time in real life (especially in such a troubled defense). Even if he could succeed alongside a settled, rock-solid centre-back partner, he definitely doesn't carry the traits of a leading centre-back. In FM, though, his card looks like one that could be useful if he's used in the new season.

FM 21-22 Aytac Kara

I think Aytac Kara, who joined the team for free from Kasimpasa, is a true backup number 6. In particular, I believe he should be used as a ball-winner who adds dynamism around a team that builds its play elsewhere, since the sole defensive midfielder role he's been given is a poor fit for Galatasaray and Fatih Terim's tactics. His FM card isn't bad, but it isn't at the level Galatasaray's midfield needs.

FM 21-22 Berkan Kutlu

Berkan's FM card, signed from Alanyaspor (a Lion by birth), doesn't really reflect his real-life game much. For a player who stands out for his tempo and dynamism in particular, the Football Manager editors seem to think he won't develop much further and will stay around this level. While the player does have some solid attributes, it's also true he has plenty of areas to improve.

Let's see whether he can make the leap expected of him in real life and prove the FM editors wrong.

FM 21-22 Halil Dervisoglu

Halil, whose name was linked with Turkish clubs throughout the entire transfer window, has returned to Galatasaray once again. What he's shown in a short time, along with his composed presence and movement on the pitch despite his young age, has managed to earn him plenty of praise. Looking at his overall attributes, his pace, technique, and dribbling ability are quite good for his age, and if he develops these further, it's not far-fetched to think he could become a complete striker.

He's definitely a talent who should be kept on the team and given serious consideration in FM 22.

FM 21-22 Alper Yilmaz

Baris Alper Yilmaz, signed from Ankara Kecziorengucu, managed to turn heads with his performance in the European qualifying match. For a player I haven't been able to learn much about in-game, FM doesn't seem to view him very favorably. Still, with attributes like pace, acceleration, determination, and flair shown between 11 and 17, the player does appear to have some qualities.

The player's FM 22 card looks like it could hold some surprises.

FM 21-22 Patrick Van Aanholt

For the player who's signed for Rostov in-game, it makes more sense to look at his current attributes rather than his potential given his age. Even though he's 30 years old, Aanholt has been given a pace of 18, and I think his physical attributes will start lower in FM 22. Still, Aanholt is a solid and sufficient option for the Turkish league, and he could be used for the first season before looking for a replacement.

FM 21-22 Sacha Boey

Boey, who joined for 1M euros from Dijon, quickly won fans over and showed he has real potential. In-game too, his physical attributes are quite solid for his age, and his mental attributes are also impressive. If he develops attacking traits like dribbling, passing, and crossing, there's nothing stopping him from becoming a European-standard full-back. His development should definitely be tracked in FM 22, and he should be given playing time.

FM 21-22 Gustavo Assuncao

And we've arrived at the deadline-day signing. While everyone was expecting a Gedson Fernandes transfer, Gustavo Assuncao, who's very similar to him both physically and in type, joined the squad instead. Looking at his card, we can safely say he plays differently from Gedson and performs better in the defensive midfielder role, meaning he's the type of number 6 Fatih Terim was looking for. In particular, his ability to receive the ball with his back to goal and beat opponents, his decision-making, and his passing rating make for a very special card for his age. His only real weak point is that his weight is a bit low for his height, and he's not a physically strong player. But he also has the athletic attributes, like balance and stamina, to make up for that. The FM editors, who give him very high potential ratings, believe this player will become a huge star in the future. You should definitely keep Assuncao on the team in FM 22 and track his development closely by giving him as much playing time as possible.

That's it for our Galatasaray transfer roundup.

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