To celebrate the launch of Football Manager 2014, the tech geeks behind the hit game have crunched more than a decade’s worth of FM stats and data and turned its database’s attention to solving some of the greatest ‘what if’ moments for fans of Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City and West Ham.
Fans arguing that Man City bought the title, Mourinho should never have been sacked and Gerrard could have a clutch of Premier League winners medals, get the answers they crave courtesy of Football Manager data-crunching simulation.
What if Arsenal didn’t sell their best players and Van Persie, Fabregas, Adebayor, Nasri, Clichy all stayed?
Despite coming under fire for his transfer policy, it appears Wenger knew more than his detractors. Even with these top players in the side, Arsenal FAIL to win any major trophies and can only achieve consistent third and fourth place finishes.
His best season is 2012/13 when they finish third, keep the tightest defence in the league and score the 2nd highest number of goals. They Reach the FA Cup final in 2011/12 but are beaten by Liverpool.
Van Persie top scores for the club, scoring 32 goals over the three seasons during the simulation.
‘What if’ Gerrard had signed for Chelsea in 2006?
Look away now Stevie G. Signing for Chelsea would have pocketed you FIVE Premier League titles with Chelsea (2006,2007,2008,2010,2011), according to the simulation.
Add to that two FA Cups (2008, 2011) and two Champions League titles (2011, 2012).
Despite mixed performances for England, he plays an integral role in the side alongside Lampard in the centre of midfield and together, they are consistently Chelsea’s best players.
During the same period Liverpool is trophy-less without his presence.
‘What If’ Jose Mourinho had stayed as Chelsea manager?
Put simply, they would have WON more silverware.
The Special One would guide his side to the title in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012; three more than in the same period in real life. But loses out on the FA Cup.
He also doesn’t manage to pull off the Champions League. Best Champions League performance was a quarter-final defeat to Barcelona in 08/09.
The old guard continues to shine as Didier Drogba ends top scorer 2008, 2009 and 2010 with best figures of 28 in 43 games during 07/08.
‘What if’ Tevez and Mascherano had never joined West Ham United?
The controversial signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano more than likely kept West Ham in the Premier League in 2006.
Without them, the simulation sees the Hammers RELEGATED on 41 points after finishing in 18th position. Dean Ashton and Carlton Cole’s 36 goals between them are not enough to save the team with the worst defence in the Premier League as 63 goals conceded ultimately sends them down.
What if Ken Bates hadn’t sold to Roman Abramovich?
According to Football Manager Chelsea would NEVER have won the Premier League, reached a cup final or made an impact in the Champions League.
With significantly less spending power, the best Mourinho can finish is 3rd in his second and final seasons in charge. Eidur Gujohnsen is Chelsea’s top scorer during the simulation between 2005 and 2013.
What if Sheikh Mansour hadn’t taken over at Man City?
Money certainly buys you happiness if you are a Man City fan. Without the Qatar takeover, the club would NEVER have won the Premier League, with a best finish of 6th in 2010/11. In fact, they remain trophy-less throughout the simulation period 2006-2011.
Football Manager 2014 is available for Windows PC, Mac and Linux now.
Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, Liverpool FC, Manchester City FC, Steven Gerrard, West Ham United FC
Mourinho and Ozil embrace after the final whistle
JIMMY ODUMUYIWA @le_visibilitybloG 