5 Investment Starter Squads

Yesterday I posted the 32 best early investments for FIFA 19. But rather than having those players sit on your transfer list, why not give them a shot in-game?

Here are 5 Investment Starter Squads for early on, with detailed descriptions as to why I foresee each player rising in price substantially.

Investment Squad #1: Calcio A

• (LF) Kluivert – The Netherlands winger transferred to Roma from Ajax this summer. He has a good chance at making the OTW squad, and his pace makes him a good option for starter squads.
• (ST) Martinez – There aren’t many inexpensive quality strikers out of the Calcio A, but Martinez is one of them. A 4* WF and 4* skills make him even more desirable, not to mention his green link with winger Balde Diao.
• (RF) Baldé – A well known player in the FIFA community, Diao also has a chance at making the OTW squad on September 28th (loan from Monaco to Inter). Like Martinez, he also has 4* skills and weak foot.
• (CM) Allan – The midfielder from Napoli is one of the more well-balanced players in the Italian league. There is no doubt he will be sought after for Brazilian hybrid squads as well, especially since many people are expecting a Brazilian requirement for the Moura POTM.
• (CM) Can – After a long stint with Liverpool, Emre has left the Premier League and moved on to Juventus. His stats and OTW potential make him valuable both in-game and in SBCs.
• (CM) Nainggolan – The Belgian midfielder will be, by far, the most expensive player from this squad. He is high rated and has been a menace on the pitch for the past few FIFA installments. While his ROI likely won’t be as high as his cheaper Calcio A counterparts, I still expect him to rise nicely because of his prestige, stats, and OTW potential (transfer from Roma to Inter).
• (LB) Dalbert – Pace is key for starter squads, and Dalbert offers just that. In addition, he links nicely with Allan, so I expect him to be used in Brazilian hybrids along with full Calcio A squads.
• (CB) Albiol – I know, he has 53 pace. It’s shit. But the title of this post isn’t “Starter Squads”, it’s “Investment Starter Squads”. Albiol won’t be used as widely early on, and I anticipate him to be undervalued as a result. His value lies in his rating, nation, and position for SBCs. A challenge will require him eventually and his price will rise dramatically. It’s just a matter of when.
• (CB) De Vrij – The Dutch center back was just transferred from Lazio to Inter. In addition to OTW potential, his high rating and position make him useful for SBCs (CBs tend to rise some the most compared to other positions).
• (RB) Cancelo – Another transfer that could has a shot at a OTW card, Cancelo is also statistically supreme. With 88 pace, 81 dribbling and 76 defending, expect to face him a lot in the early stages of the game.
• (GK) Szczęsny – With Buffon out, the Polak has taken the helm in front of goal for Juventus. His high rating, easily linkable club, and competent statistics make him a good look both in-game and for SBCs.

Investment Squad #2: Spain/Brazil Hybrid

• (LF) Vinicius Junior – According to the FUTHEAD Hot 250, the 18 year old Real Madrid transfer is the most searched player on the site. Hype like this means that many people will want to use him. He has pace. He has 5* skills and a 4* weak foot. He has OTW potential. He plays for the most dominant club in recent history. Buy him early, sit back, and watch his price rise.
• (ST) Talisca – One of the featured people are looking forward to most in FIFA 19 is the addition of the Chinese Super League. The CSL has an abundance of great Brazilian options, such as Hulk, Paulinho, Oscar and, or course, Talisca. He is one of the few players outside of the 5 major leagues that I think has a good shot at getting a OTW card (transfer from Besiktas).
• (RF) Malcom – Another Brazilian transfer with OTW potential, Malcom will be a good option for those not willing to spend the money to get his teammate, Ousmane Dembele. Malcom’s stats are nothing to slouch at either.
• (CM) Busquets – Again, I know, he has 43 pace which is shit. But let me remind you of our fellow 88 rated friend Godin from FIFA 18. When the right SBCs hit, you’ll be happy to have Busquets in your club.
• (CM) Fabinho – There are few players who check all of the boxes like Fabinho does. He is high rated. He is from Brazil (potential POTM requirement). He plays for a popular club. He is one of the best CDM options in the most popular league in FIFA. He is a transfer that could get a OTW. Pending on his price early on, he could be the best look during the web app period.
• (CM) Fred – Just as Fabinho checks a lot of boxes, so does Fred. But the Manchester United midfielder has one big advantage; he will be less expensive, and cheaper players almost always have better ROI (return on investment).
• (LB) Gaya – With 87 pace and a Spanish nationality, Gaya can be easily incorporated into many squads. He will be a cheaper alternative to Jordi Alba that many people will look to.
• (CB) Pique – Like Busquets, I expect Pique to be undervalued early on because he lacks in-game value. But again, he will be profitable later on because of his usability in Squad Building Challenges.
• (CB) David Luiz – The Brazilian center back took a big statistical hit from FIFA 18 to FIFA 19, dropping from and 86 rating to 83 and losing 9 points. However, people will turn to him because of his prestige, and his position, rating, and nation make him highly likely to rise in price for the Lucas Moura August Player of the Month.
• (RB) Pereira – Affordable, quality right backs are hard to come by in the Premier League (after Valencia and Walker). Pereira will be a fullback many people turn to early on. In addition, his transfer from Porto to Leceister gives him OTW potential.
• (GK) Alisson – High rated. OTW potential. Possibility of POTM requirement. Popular club. Desired league. What more could you ask for?

Investment Squad #3: La Liga

• (LW) Vinicius Junior – [copied from above] According to the FUTHEAD Hot 250, the 18 year old Real Madrid transfer is the most searched player on the site. Hype like this means that many people will want to use him. He has pace. He has 5* skills and a 4* weak foot. He has OTW potential. He plays for the most dominant club in recent history. Buy him early, sit back, and watch his price rise.
• (ST) Rodridgo – The pacey Spaniard is one of the better attacking options of the La Liga. Although he will be pricey early on, I expect him to rise nicely following the web app period.
• (RW) – Malcom – [copied from above] Another Brazilian transfer with OTW potential, Malcom will be a good option for those not willing to spend the money to get his teammate, Ousmane Dembele. Malcom’s stats are nothing to slouch at either.
• (CM) Kondogbia – Standing at 6’2″, Kondogbia looks like one of the more OP midfield options for FIFA 19. His stats are excellent across the board, and his French nationality makes him useful for hybrids.
• (CAM) Yedder – In FIFA 18, the French attacker gave headaches to opponents. Much of that could be attributed to his 5* WF and 4* skills. These haven’t changed for FIFA 19. The headaches linger on.
• (CM) Wass – Like his Valencia teammate Kondogbia, Wass also looks great statistically with all stats 72 or above. Expect the tandem to do be used far and wide in late September and early October.
• (LB) Gaya – [copied from above] With 87 pace and a Spanish nationality, Gaya can be easily incorporated into many squads. He will be a cheaper alternative to Jordi Alba that many people will look to.
• (CB) Murillo – Noticing a theme here? Valencia FC has a lot of great starter squad options for FIFA 19. The Colombian defender has 75+ pace and 80+ physical/defending, perfect for an early team.
• (CB) Paulista – Just as Wass-Kondgobia make a good 1-2 punch, so too do Murillo and Paulista. The difference? The Brazilian center back has potential to be required for the Moura POTM as well.
• (RB) Semedo – The Portuguese fullback is the best look from La Liga for the right side of the defense. If you can get him during the web app period, his price will shoot up by early October.
• (GK) Neto – Yet another quality player from Valencia. Coupled with his 84 rating and Brazilian nationality, Neto is a great look early on.

Investment Squad #4: Spain

• (LW) Promes – The acclaimed Dutch winger made a move this summer to La Liga. While it was difficult to incorporate him into squads while he was playing in Russia, FIFA players everywhere will be chomping at the bit to build their FIFA 19 squads around Promes. Good stats, hype for his newly upgraded 5* skills, and OTW potential are a recipe for a good investment.
• (ST) Williams – You would be hard to come by a more sweaty player than Inaki. He was widely used in FIFA 17 and 18, and this year’s game will be no exception. His Spanish nationality makes him easily linkable, and his pace will continue to be a nightmare for defenses.
• (RW) Dembele – Unfortunately, Ousmane suffered an injury early last season, preventing him from getting upgraded cards that would sustain him as a viable option. However, the French international is back in action for Barcelona this season. Expect his gold card to be used widely at the beginning of the game, and inform and special cards to be used later on.
• (CDM) Parejo – Another slow, high rated Spanish player. Another good investment opportunity. Just like in FIFA 18, Spain is the nation people go to when completing high rated Squad Building Challenges; they have a lot of players that are the cheapest for their respective ratings. I don’t expect that to change this year.
• (CM) Iniesta – The former Barcelona star may have moved on to Japan, but that does not mean he is no longer valuable. I anticipate Iniesta to have a low price early on, but a high rated SBC will change that very quickly.
• (CDM) Busquets – [copied from above] Again, I know, he has 43 pace which is shit. But let me remind you of our fellow 88 rated friend Godin from FIFA 18. When the right SBCs hit, you’ll be happy to have Busquets in your club.
• (LB) Hernandez – Great pace, good defending, and good physical are exactly what’s necessary for a quality full pack. Hernandez offers just that, and his French nationality make him useful for hybrids.
• (CB) Pique – [copied from above] Like Busquets, I expect Pique to be undervalued early on because he lacks in-game value. But again, he will be profitable later on because of his usability in Squad Building Challenges.
• (CB) Albiol – [copied from above] I know, he has 53 pace. It’s shit. But the title of this post isn’t “Starter Squads”, it’s “Investment Starter Squads”. Albiol won’t be used as widely early on, and I anticipate him to be undervalued as a result. His value lies in his rating, nation, and position for SBCs. A challenge will require him eventually and his price will rise dramatically. It’s just a matter of when.
• (RB) Cancelo – [copied from above] Another transfer that could has a shot at a OTW card, Cancelo is also statistically supreme. With 88 pace, 81 dribbling and 76 defending, expect to face him a lot in the early stages of the game.
• (GK) Asenjo – As I mentioned above, Spain players are the go-to when completing high rated SBCs that have chemistry requirements. Asenjo delivers in that respect, and his stats aren’t too shabby either.

Investment Squad #5: Goat 🐐 Hybrid

• (LW) Gnabry – Early looks at the Bayern Munich transfer make him seem like one of the more OP players in FIFA. He has 91 pace, 86 dribbling, 81 shot, a 4* WF and 4* skills. That, coupled with the fact that he has a good shot at making the OTW squad, makes him a great early investment opportunity.
• (ST) Werner – Pacey strikers in the Bundesliga are hard to come by. You can be sure that many people will turn to Werner early for just that.
• (RW) Baldé – [copied from above] A well known player in the FIFA community, Diao also has a chance at making the OTW squad on September 28th (loan from Monaco to Inter). Like Martinez, he also has 4* skills and weak foot.
• (CM) Goretzka – One of the three confirmed OTW players for FIFA 19 (along with Ronaldo and Lemar) Goretzka’s card looks immense. The fact that he has a perfect link with fellow OP teammate Gnabry makes him an even better look for investment. There are no sure things in life, but investing in Goretzka early on is close.
• (CM) Can – [copied from above] After a long stint with Liverpool, Emre has left the Premier League and moved on to Juventus. His stats and OTW potential make him valuable both in-game and in SBCs.
• (CM) Nainggolan – [copied from above] The Belgian midfielder will be, by far, the most expensive player from this squad. He is high rated and has been a menace on the pitch for the past few FIFA installments. While his ROI likely won’t be as high as his cheaper Calcio A counterparts, I still expect him to rise nicely because of his prestige, stats, and OTW potential (transfer from Roma to Inter).
• (LB) Gaya – [copied from above] With 87 pace and a Spanish nationality, Gaya can be easily incorporated into many squads. He will be a cheaper alternative to Jordi Alba that many people will look to.
• (CB) Paulista – [copied from above] Just as Wass-Kondgobia make a good 1-2 punch, so too do Murillo and Paulista. The difference? The Brazilian center back has potential to be required for the Moura POTM as well.
• (CB) Juan Jesus – Nothing flashy about the Brazilian center back. He has competent statistics, has a chance at being required for the POTM, and is easily linkable, checking all of the boxes when it comes to an investment.
• (RB) Vrsaljko – Only one of Cancelo or Vrsaljko will earn a OTW spot as the RB of the Calcio A. The question is, which one? Statistically, they are both solid, so I would recommend investing in both early on.
• (GK) Alisson – [copied from above] High rated. OTW potential. Possibility of POTM requirement. Popular club. Desired league. What more could you ask for?

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Cheers,

Chief