Squad Management

Squad Management is one of the most important areas in Football Manager 2013 to get right and to have a clear vision and plan to stick to as it can reap high rewards if done properly.

I use a 4-2-3-1 tactic with Chelsea so I like to have 2 players for each position, giving me a First Team squad of 22 players.  I also try to make sure I've got at least 2 youngsters for each position coming through the Reserves and Under 18's to move up whenever a spot opens up in the First Team.

Wage Budget

I personally stick to a maximum wage of £100,000 per week for the First Team and a maximum of £20,000 per week for youngsters coming through the Reserves or Under 18's.  Anyone that will break this is sold on for as much as possible, with a 25% sell-on if they're 27 years old or under.

Transfers

I try to get players at 15 years old or as young as possible as it gives me the time to tutor them, have them learn Player Preferred Moves to suit their position and role and to count as home-grown by the club before they move up into the First Team squad.

I will try to bring a young player through to replace someone who has moved on but I also make sure I have possible targets in mind when I need a key position in the First Team filled if no young player can make that jump up.

When the season is over and after recalling back anyone out on loan, I go through each squad of the club to check for players with only a year left on their contracts.

I will look to sell on anyone that's over 27 in the First Team, 22 or older in the Reserves and not good enough for the First Team or any young players who won't make the grade (including those with more than a year left on their contracts).

I will then look to offer new deals to the players I want to keep at the club, only selling anyone who breaks my self-imposed wage cap.

Loans

I will only loan a young player out if they've been tutored to get their personality as I want, learnt the PPM's I want them to and are classed as Home-Grown by the club.