Summary
Guarding the last line of defense between the sticks is the sacred job of goalkeepers inFootball Manager 2024. Traditionally, they are required to have competency in a certain set of skills, such as Reflexes, Handling, and Anticipation to keep the opposition’s forward from scoring, securing the traditional clean sheet in a football match.
However, with the renewed requirement for a modern goalkeeper, many teams are now looking for goalkeepers who can also contribute to the passage of play. As such, goalkeepers with above-average stats of Kicking and Vision also become a necessity, although such goalkeepers can be quite expensive to acquire. These keepers mitigate that issue, coming in cheap but providing instant value.
Updated on June 29th, 2024, by Evan Arnoldi:Despite their importance in the field, Goalkeepers can sometimes be neglected in favor of several other positions such as Center Backs and Strikers, although the keepers are ultimately responsible for a team’s points in Football Manager 2024. Therefore, securing the signature of a great, cheap goalkeeper can be a season-winning move for certain teams that already have a good spine of players at their disposal, as even the most consistent defenders will have a moment of lapse of concentration in an intense game. Moreover, a great goalkeeper can basically secure a number of points, as long as the rest of the outfield players are able to pull their weight as well by performing to the highest standard.
9Luiz Junior
Wonderkid Goalkeeper Available For A Comparable Budget
Although his price is not attainable for the lower ranked teams in an upper division such as the Premier League,Luiz Juniorcould become a very good acquisition for a mid-table team in the league, as he will be able to become a great goalkeeper in the future thanks to his status as a Wonderkid. The status is reflected by his already high attributes of Reflexes, Jumping Reach, and Rushing Out, which are crucial for a modern Goalkeeper to have since the match plan inFootball Manager 2024involves having a speedy forward to catch the defenders in a failed offside trap.
In addition to his high attributes, the potential of Handling, One-on-one, Concentration, and Aerial Reach also makes him able to grow to a greater height in the future, as long as he is sufficiently trained with adequate focus and getting constant match time. Junior is ultimately capable of being a great goalkeeper in the future for teams in the top division that are willing to take a gamble on his progress as a goalkeeper.
8Sergio Asenjo
Cheap Option For Either A Backup Or First-Choice
Sometimes, having a tight budget means that a manager needs to decide on a cheaper option for certain aspects of the team, including the defense. Although having a cheaper option between the sticks can lead to an increase in conceded goals,Sergio Asenjocan easily secure it for a mere£1.5M.
Asenjo can be brought in as either a backup goalkeeper for Cup competitions and the odd matchesagainst the minnowsor as a first-choice goalkeeper for teams with a tight budget. His above-average Handling, Reflexes, Positioning, and Decisions make him a solid choice on a budget for lower-ranked teams in a top division, or even a challenger in the lower divisions such as the Championship in the English Football League.
7Alessio Cragno
Capable Of Securing Clean Sheets With His Reflexes
As thetraditional requirement of a goalkeeper, Reflexes remain one of the most important attributes to have for players in the position. However, acquiring a goalkeeper with high Reflexes can prove to be both challenging and expensive at the same time. Fortunately,Alessio Cragnowith his high Reflexes can be acquired for£1M.
Moreover, his high Reflexes are also complemented by his above-average Command of Area, making him able to secure the penalty area through coordination with the defenders in front of him. His above-average Handling, Positioning, and One-on-Ones further complement his set of skills.
6Patrik Carlgren
One-On-One Specialist For Team With A Tight Budget
Unfortunately,even the best defenderscan get caught in transition, leaving the opposition free to charge along the field and into a one-on-one situation with the team’s goalkeeper. When this situation happens, a manager would hope that the goalkeeper would be more than capable of keeping the net safe from an incoming shot.
Patrik Carlgrenremains a solid choice for a team with a tight budget that is looking for a goalkeeper with a high One-on-Ones attribute. Aside from that, he is also capable of Rushing Out with his attributes and has above-average Handling to smother any incoming shots.
5Juan Carlos
High Reflexes Coupled With Aerial Reach
During set pieces, such ascorners and indirect free-kicks, goalkeepers need to be able to secure their penalty box by claiming any incoming crosses that are heading their way. However, a goalkeeper needs to have a certain set of attributes to secure any incoming crosses, such as Aerial Reach and Jumping.
Juan Carlos, available for a cheap price of£1.2M, can secure such tricky crosses with his Aerial Reach, coupled with his high Reflexes and Handling. Moreover, his above-average Concentration will ensure he stays free from any silly mistakes that could cost his team a goal.
4Sven Ulreich
Solid Backup For Upper Teams Or First Choice For Lower Teams
Thanks to his status as a backup in Bayern Munich,Sven Ulreichwill be willing to move teams rather easily as long as his new club can either guarantee a higher salary than his current one or guarantee a sizeable increase in game time by being the first-choice goalkeeper in his new team. Both are reasonably worth it for the veteran goalkeeper thanks to his high sets of attributes that befit a modern goalkeeper inFootball Manager 2024.
His high Jumping Reach and Natural Fitness allow him to dominate aerially, claiming any cross or corners reliably while being naturally fit for continuous games, which can be the norm in the upper division for teams that are competing on multiple fronts. In addition, Ulreich also has above-average numbers in Handling, One on Ones, and Reflexes, which are the most important stats for a goalkeeper to have to keep a clean sheet. His acquisition is worth to both strong teams looking for a reliable backup and a lower team in an upper division that is looking for a solution to prevent goals from pouring in.
3Leandro Chichizola
Capable Of Hollywood Saves Off Tricky Shots
Sometimes, having high Reflexes is not enough for a goalkeeper to save a tricky shot from thebest forwards in the game, such as a powerful shot into the corner of the net. Saving those shots requires a goalkeeper to have both high Reflexes and Agility.
Leandro Chichizola, available for£1Mfrom Parma, is able to save such tricky shots with his high Reflexes and above-average Agility. Moreover, his Command of Area is also decent enough for him to organize the backline before a set piece, or when defending against an attacking transition from the opponent’s team.
2Shuichi Gonda
Veteran Goalkeeper In His Prime Years
In contrast with the usual outfield players, goalkeepers are players who can age like a fine wine, making them able to perform at the highest level during their twilight playing years. Therefore, acquiring such a veteran should not be a problem for a team with a strict budget, with one such example beingShuichi Gonda.
At the price of£700k, Gonda offers an impressive set of attributes with high Reflexes and Agility, making him able to save tricky shots fromlong-shot specialist midfielders. Moreover, his above-average Handling and Positioning also complement his other goalkeeping attributes quite well.
1David De Gea
Legendary Free Agent Capable Of Miracles
Veteran players of the game and diehard fans of the real game will be very familiar with the nameDavid De Gea, the legendary goalkeeper of Manchester United who was recently released and is currently afree agent on the market. Although his status as a Free Agent might be a hindrance in some cases, it enables him to be acquired freely by teams that can match his ambitions.
His outstanding Reflexes make him capable of miracles, such as saving point-blank shots with ease. Moreover, they are also complemented by high Handling, Aerial Reach, and Agility. His Determination is also high enough to rally other players on the field, making him one of the most wanted free agents in the game.
