FIFA 14 | Lower League Gems (summer) – Left backs


Well it took a while, but I’ve finally been able to update the FIFA 14 Lower League Gems series for summer! If you want promising players for an absolute bargain, you’re in the right place.

If you’re not sure what these articles are all about, click the bold link below. Otherwise, let’s get straight in to the recommendations.

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These articles aim to highlight young, high potential players that are priced at £1m or less. If a player is not available to buy straight away, their maximum price (in the ‘Cost’ column; see below) is £500,000. Most articles will showcase players with a minimum potential of 77 (although in some cases having a minimum potential of 78 brought back more than enough players).

This year I made a couple of exceptions to the price rules. I have included players whose clubs want £1.1m for them (as opposed to a maximum price of £1m) because you can negotiate this down to under £1m, and in some cases excluding these players meant to articles were lacking players you could actually buy straight away! For the same reason I have bumped the £500,000 rule up to just under £600,000 (e.g. £525,000, £575,000, etc).

The ‘Cost’ column refers to the price your scout will bring back after he’s looked at the player. The ‘They want’ column refers to the price you will be quoted by the team if you enquire about their player. These enquiry prices are negotiable, so don’t be afraid to bid below what they want.

The ‘Avai?’ column is short for ‘Available?’ and refers to whether the player is available to buy in the first transfer window. The first letter indicates this (Y for yes, they are available and N for no, they are not), whilst the number refers to the length of their contract. Y/1 means the player’s contract is about to expire, so you should be able to get them for a discount price.

Finally, because EA release update squads every week, this could mean that some of the players listed in the article below are slightly different on your game. Furthermore, players sometimes exceed their potential, while it has been noted that occasionally players don’t grow as hoped. Therefore these stats are a guide only.

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These are the left backs I recommend:

  • Declan John
  • Eduard Sobol
  • Boli Bolingoli Mbombo
  • Naser Aliji

My first recommendation in tonight’s article is Declan John. I really like this player because he’s perfectly balanced between attack and defence, being able to do both equally well. He has a powerful shot and can pass and dribble just as well as he can tackle and mark. He’s good physically, too, with 84 acceleration, 80 sprint, 82 agility and decent strength. With a potential of 80 he’s an excellent option, and £750k should be enough to prize him away from Cardiff City.

My second pick is Eduard Sobol. In terms of his technical stats, Sobol is superb. 73 crossing and 70 short passing will make him a threat going forward, while his 73 interceptions, 73 stand tackle, 70 slide tackle and 72 marking means he’s tough to beat defensively as well. He’s not quite as fast as John, but as one of the most technically gifted left backs in this article, he’s one you should seriously consider buying. He’s 67 OVR at 18 years old and so should definitely exceed his 78 potential and make it into the 80s.

Aside from having an absolutely fantastic name, Boli Bolingoli Mbombo makes for a brilliant left back. He’s pacey, with 86 acceleration and 81 sprint speed, and his 79 stamina means he’ll be running all day. As well as that, his 74 strength and good defensive stats make him solid at the back as well. His technical stats aren’t quite as good as Sobol’s, but he’ll easily go past his potential of 77, and so it won’t be long before they start rapidly improving. You can’t get him until January, but then you’ll be able to buy a player who combines speed, strength and excellent potential.

Finally we’ve got Naser Aliji of FC Basel. With 84 acceleration and 86 sprint speed he’s the fastest player in this article, and with 77 stamina he’s got an engine that will keep him ticking all game. Not only that, but his ball control is fantastic (rated at 76), so the chances of him losing control of the ball and ruining an attack or gifting one to the opposition should be kept to a minimum. He’s a player that combines technical skill with physical prowess, and should be a useful addition to your side should you choose to go for him.

Check out the full list below:

[table id=125 /]
Have you tried any of these left backs in your career? Is there a left back not in this article that you’d thoroughly recommend? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

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