Career Premier League Flop - A Goaltopia Attempt (Completed)

[Ross Bowater]

Welcome, after being a Vibe member for a long time (browsing purposes only as it turned out), it seems it is my time to step up to the plate and attempt a mighty challenge. 

Challenge

I'm going for the Goaltopia Challenge (created by @FuddledFox, original link is here) going for goals with up to four players of our choice and at any club of our choosing. 

The Aim

Looking back over the years, we can all remember a player that we were all excited to see join our respective club..... and then fail miserabley. Believe me as a Tottenham fan, there are too many to even write. However why not see if they can achieve something in their careers? I have chosen 3 players who once looked to light up the Premier League (One of them is still attempting to) and taking them on a journey to greatness. Let's see how many goals we can score with these now aging flops.

Club: Guangzhou Evergrande

 

Players:

Vincent Janssen

Once seen as being the perfect back up to Harry Kane after demoloshing defenses in the Eredervise for AZ Alkmaar scoring 31 in 49 appearances, even claiming the number 9 for the Holland National team scoring 7 in 17 games he looked destined to give Kane a run for his money. However, a return of 6 goals (only 2 from open play) in 42 apperances and a severe fallout with Daniel Levy saw Janssen get shipped off to Mexico. Not able to recapture his best form for Monterry, lets see if his place is in China linking with fellow Spurs flop Paulinho.

Joelinton

Signed for £40million from Hoffenheim by stingy git Mike Ashley after a semi decent showing showed that surely this man would have the Brazillian Alan Shearer effect for the Toon. I'm not sure if it is Joelinton's identical twin brother who has joined the club but with a return of 7 goals in 70 games for Newcastle, it's never looked like money well spent. Lets see if he can break the Shearer goal record in China?

Nick Powell

After a fantastic season for Crewe Alexandra, SAF jumped at the chance to sign the then 18 year old hoping he had found one for the future. And it seemed he had, a goal on his Premier League debut after coming off the bench for Ryan Giggs gave the buzz around Old Trafford for a potential Red Devil in the making. After failing to break into the team, Powell was loaned out on 3 occasions before being permenatley shipped off to Wigan. Now playing his trade for Stoke in the Championship, can this man become the Red Devil for Guangzhou?

Now the fun begins, lets see if the boys can finally find their feet. 

Thanks for reading, and I'll update with the progress at the end of the season. 

Edited April 6, 2021 by Ross Bowater

[Ian]

Some interesting player choices.

Good luck. 

[Ross Bowater]

3 minutes ago, Ian said:

Some interesting player choices.

Good luck. 

Thnaks my man! Got the inspiration after reading your attempt. Time to see if they can hit a barn door! 

[broodje kip]

Good luck. I’m sure @Rich would be mad at the choice 😂

[Rich]

Awesome, love the sound of this, hopefully you can get Joelinton scoring goals😁

[Ross Bowater]

Season 1

A frustrating first season in the CSL. Shandong have proven to be the bogey team so far and the Floppy Mavericks took some time to adapt.

Transfers

After spending all my original Transfer Fee's on the 3 main men, I was left with very minimal funding left. After persevering through to the mid season transfer market, a transfer listed Bernard caught my eye in the hope of bringing in a new wide midfield dynamic. However he failed to make any formidable impact. A few spoilers for season 2 lie ahead (I forgot to take a screenshot of my formation and team of season 1).

Season Finish

So end of the season brought some mixed reviews, 3 Finals and only 1 trophy for the season, it's a sure sign that transfers must be made. It was clear to see that, although the stats may not reflect, the trio did carry the team performance wise. But the positive is, it can only get better from here right? 

 

A few monthly injuries to the Trifecta hampered the season and spent most of the time around 8th place. But a late surge and some excellent performances (and 1 utterly ridiculous shootout) in the cup kept us in for another season in the Champions League. As you can see by the GF we struggled creatively making chances, something that I need to rectify for the new season. 
 

Spoiler

 

The Gaffer

Because I am a boob, I forgot to take a screenshot of the main man at the end of the season (So have a mid second season one for a glimpse of how I'm getting on). Also don't judge me on the Domestic Bias, I mean, can you blame me?
 

Spoiler

 

The Floppy Mavericks

I must admit I was shocked. I was expecting a season of pitiful misery and for this to go down as well as a tonne of led ballons with me conceding defeat early on. Which honestly, for a first time poster that would have been embarassing. The players I've chosen aren't exactly the 'improvable' type. However for the new seasons I have higher hopes than what I started with.

Vincent Janssen

Goal wise, Janssen had a great season. It took a while for him to get going but when he did, he just kept going. Janssen contributed 31 goals in 41 appearances and even managed to earn himself a recall to the Dutch national team, which did wonders for his form. 

 

Spoiler

 

Joelinton

Although Janssen took the plaudits for goals, I can't knock Joelintons contribution. 16 goals and 17 assists in 42 games is a fantastic return for a striker who I honestly didn't think had it in him. (Sorry to any Newcastle fans). Maybe a Brazil call up could be on the horizon this year? 

 

Spoiler

 

Nick Powell

Nick had the best start to the season and began contributing quickest of the three. However a strained relationship with the centre midfield pairing of Pualinho and Talisca proved to be a stumbling block. Not also helped by a 2 month injury part way through the season. But Powell persevered through and kept his form steady throughout the remainder. I'm hoping for a bigger contribution from him as 11 goals and 8 assists in 44 games could prove to be a hindrance more than anything.

 

Spoiler

 

The Future

By the end of this, I would honestly be happy, yet quite shocked to even reach 250 goals. The aim for me is 300 currently considering the players I am using. The board have given me a massive transfer budget (which I'm sure you noticed I spent from the late manager stats) so let's see what ground I can make up.

Season 1 Stats

Vincent Janssen - 31 Goals - 41 Games

Joelinton - 16 Goals - 42 Games

Powell - 11 Goals - 44 Games

Overall - 58 Goals - 127 Games

 

 

[Rich]

That’s a decent first season there, I’m sure you’ll build on it and better it second season 😁

[broodje kip]

Surprised to see Joelinton even able to score goals 😂. Well done.

[Rob]

Love this! Great concept 

[FuddledFox]

Interesting choice of players, good luck.

[StuartM]

Echoing the earlier comments Ross, good luck! I seem to always check where Joelinton is in my careers, having signed him on a free in League One and seen him struggle there!!

[Ian]

A nice opening season from the flops. Hopefully your new signings prove to be successful. Good luck for season two.

[Ross Bowater]

Season 2

Season 2 was definitely an improvement on the first.

Transfers

I've decided to focus mainly on the transfer list this season, and my word I have picked up a few gems. After recieving a whooping £151million transfer budget, I thought it would be rude not to improve near the entirety of my team. 

The addition of a couple of creative players in Lamela and Saint-Maximin did help tenfold with my chacnces created per game. And let's be fair, defeinsive solidity was also needed. Diop and Mina providing some excellent starting points for domination.

Season Finish

A treble winning season was infront of us as we failed to win the Super Cup at the second time of trying, but the League, Champions League and CFA were ours for the taking. And me being a noob, still forgot to screenshot the league table.... pillock. But as you can see from the results, 2 losses in the League and my Super Cup demise were the only losses all season. A fantastic season if I do say so myself.

 

Spoiler

The Gaffer

 

Spoiler

The Floppy Mavericks

An improved season had by all. It was a much more clinical season with some big victories along the way and if this is a sign of things to come... I may have to re-evaluate my target of 300 Goals.

Vincent Janssen

WHAT A SEASON! Pheonomonal from the Dutch man as his resurgance continues.

Spoiler

Joelinton

Much more clinical from the big man up top as his partnership with Janssen is becoming more formidable. I may have underestimated him.

Spoiler

Nick Powell

He's beggining to re-find his feet and reminding me what SAF saw in him. Big things will come from this player.

Spoiler

 

Season 3

YES YES YES! Honestly it was a good day to get a couple of seasons in. And am I glad I did. There was elation, infuriation, and then heartbreak on this journey. Also a small matter of another Treble. I just cannot win that stupid Super Cup.

Transfers

If someone had told me that I would sign 2 of these players I would have laughed in anybody's face. Again focusing on the Transfer Listed players, how on earth are these two in there?!

Season Finish

WHAT A DOMESTIC YEAR! This was a fantastic season for the team going unbeaten in the league and showing the dominant force we are becoming. The 31 point difference in first and second really shows the gulf in class and as you can see below, how earlt the league was won, almost wasn't fair. Another victory in the Champions League and CFA have really got the team buzzing for the new season. 

 

Spoiler

The Gaffer

 

Spoiler

The Heartbreak

I don't think I even need to explain this. But near the end of the season, this happened.

 

Spoiler

 

The Floppy Mavericks

Superlatives are beggining to fail me. The progression that this trio is making is leaps beyond what I thought. I'm re-assessing my targets and also being left speechless by some performances. When the going feels tough, the Trifecta get going.

Vincent Janssen

Now you've all seen the heartbreak. But, Imagine what could've been achieved if that didn't happen. My word. WHAT. A. PLAYER.

 

Spoiler

Joelinton

I'm sure that the player I'm seeing is an imposter. With the frequent glimpse of pure broothish brilliance similar to R9. The man is becoming an Animal. No Brazil call up yet, but, surely it shouldn't be long? 

 

Spoiler

Nick Powell

I'm saving the best for last. I have Frank Lampard reincarnate. Every season Powell is developing into an Architect I'd be more than happy designing my house. For anybody managing a lower tier Premier League team.... SIGN THIS MAN. Just look at the stats.

 

Spoiler

Season 2 & 3

Season 2

Vincent Janssen - 44 Goals 41 Games

Joelinton - 20 Goals 42 Games

Nick Powell - 16 Goals 47 Games

Overall - 80 Goals 130 Games

Season 3

Vincent Janssen - 33 Goals 30 Games

Joelinton - 38 Goals 47 Games

Nick Powell - 22 Goals 47 Games

Overall - 93 Goals 124 Games

The Story So Far

Vincent Janssen - 108 Goals 112 Games

Joelinton - 74 Goals 131 Games

Nick Powell - 49 Goals 138 Games

Combined - 231 Goals 381 Games.

To Be Continued.......

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 15, 2021 by Ross Bowater

[Rich]

So unlucky with the Janssen injury, devastating. But luckily big Joe stepped up as usual. No doubt he will get a cap for Brazil soon😂

[broodje kip]

The score looks awesome mae. KIU

[Ross Bowater]

14 hours ago, Rich said:

So unlucky with the Janssen injury, devastating. But luckily big Joe stepped up as usual. No doubt he will get a cap for Brazil soon😂

A small tear came to the eye with Janssen, he was on absolute fire. Still awaiting the call up… think I might be getting ahead of myself! Maybe the Brazil job can come my way in the future 😂

11 hours ago, broodje kip said:

The score looks awesome mae. KIU

Thank you buddy! A big season ahead! 

Edited March 16, 2021 by Ross Bowater

[Ross Bowater]

Here it is.... Season 4.

My emotions are mixed. It was another exceptional season for the team. Some reduced goals from the main men (Janssen expected after missing the first five months with a broken leg) but some mad standout performances. 

Transfers

Continuing my traditional approach of claiming the unwanted off the transfer list, a few more gems appeared along the way. 

I brought in Ings to make up for the loss of Janssen for a fifth of the season..... then this happens 15 games in.

 

Spoiler

Just. My. Luck. 

The fans took unkindly to the signing of Adama, but he proved to be a good upgrade on the wing. There was a major need for me to increase my squad depth, so a few bit part signings in Minamino, Dendoncker and Ajer were more than welcome to the team.

Season Finish

Another Quadruple season (which lets be fair, its expected now) kept the morale high within the team and the goals flowing with Tielemans, Ings, Minamino and Dendoncker contributing heavily in that department. Unfortunately a loss to Shandong in the league meant 2 seasons unbeaten in the league wasn't on the cards. 

 

Spoiler

The Gaffer

 

Spoiler

The Floppy Mavericks

Another solid solid season from the Trifecta has taken us past the 300 goal mark I set in my mind originally and truly believe that we can push for 500. Janssen and Powell just begin to edge into their 30's so I am expecting a decline to start soon which I'm hoping doesn't impact this challenge too much. Joelinton is still 28 so I believe he will soon be taking over the goalscoring feets of Janssen. So let's see how it goes. 

 

Spoiler

Another fabulous season from Janssen who continued to define the odds evenafter his disastirous injury from last season impacting the start of this on and still manager to hit over 1 goal a game. 
Joelinton couldn't quite hit his heights of last year but truly stepped up in the absence of Janssen. No Brazil call up stil..... sort it out! 
Powell continues to be the heartbeat of creation in the team and is truly becoming a free kick specialist. I believe soon he will have more assists than goals showing his true creative talents.

Season 4

Vincent Janssen - 35 Goals 31 Games

Joelinton - 30 Goals 44 Games

Powell - 15 Goals 45 Games

Overall - 80 Goals 120 Games

 

The Story So Far

Vincent Janssen - 143 Goals 143 Games

Joelinton - 104 Goals 175 Games

Nick Powell 64 Goals 183 Games

Overall - 311 Goals 501 Games

To Be Continued.........

 

P.S Thank you all for reading, hope you're enjoying this strange venture so far. Any tips or feedback is always welcome here. Have a good day everyone.

[Rich]

Awesome season mate! The boys are doing great. What luck with Ings as well, that atrocious 🙈

[StuartM]

Loving the goal return from Joelinton! Great stuff.

[broodje kip]

Doing good mate. KIU

[Ross Bowater]

Season 5 

A good season all in all with a shock semi-final exit in the Champions League after a 5-2 loss to Melbourne knocking out trophy clean sweep out of the window. 
The team continue to outperform any of their Chinese counterparts and are finding the league little to no competition. 
A shock entrance into the Club World Championship saw us facing Bayern Munich… this really put the team back into its place showing the immense contrast between the Chinese League and the Bundesliga giants. However the extra games were appreciated for the challenge. 
 

Transfers

Decided against any Transfers this year with the team looking strong and not noticing any frailties. Traore fell victim to wanting to reclaim some money for the team and he was shipped off to Lille for a nice £25million fee. Traore has since found himself back on the transfer list. 
 

Spoiler

Season Finish

As stated above, the season was overall okay. I was disappointed after throwing away the Champions League, but credit Melbourne on their endeavour to overcome the first leg deficit. 
The Club World Championship was a nice experience for the team and after a fantastic performance from Tielemans, Bayern swiftly came in with a pitiful £17million bid which was swiftly declined. 
 

The goals certainly don’t seem to be drying up thus far and the defence are getting more and more solid as the years go on. 
I have managed to tie Powell, Joelinton and Janssen to five year contracts so they should be seeing out their careers with myself. Not even a job offer from Newcastle could tempt me away from my Chinese Dynasty just yet. 
 

 

Spoiler

The Gaffer and The Team

After having a scroll through my previous posts I noticed, I’ve never divulged my team. Well, today is your lucky day! 
this has been my longest save on FMM21 so far and doing this post and challenge have made the game so much more enjoyable to myself and look forward to the next challenge I undertake after this. 
 

 

Spoiler

The Floppy Mavericks

Another fantastic season from the Trifecta who are solidifying themselves in Chinese folk law. 
 

Vincent Janssen

The Dutch powerhouse continues to defy expectations and is becoming an impeccable servant for this club. The stats speak for themselves! 
 

Spoiler

Joelinton

Honestly still baffled this man has not received a Brazil call up. I need to see who is above him in the pecking order, sign him, and bench him forever. So I may end up forking out money on Gabriel Jesus soon. 
 

Spoiler

Nick Powell

The Stoke Lampard still continues to show his creative talents and eye for goal. Even after 5 years, Chinese defences haven’t been able to stop him. At this point, I believe he could still carve a pass through the Great Wall Of China itself. 
 

Spoiler

Season 5

 

Vincent Janssen - 34 Goals 46 Games

Joelinton - 37 Goals 51 Games

Nick Powell - 17 Goals 46 Games

Overall - 88 Goals 143 Games

The Story So Far

 

Vincent Janssen - 177 Goals 189 Games

Joelinton - 141 Goals 226 Games

Nick Powell - 81 Goals 229 Games 

 

So Far - 399 Goals 644 Games

To be Continued…..

[Rich]

Another great season mate, great returns from all three. Hopefully more of the same next season 😁

[broodje kip]

Well done mate. Don’t do Gabby like that, he’s a cry baby 😢

[Ross Bowater]

Season 6 

A better season than last in regards to trophies taking home another clean sweep and reclaiming the Champions League after a shock performance last year. 
It will be interesting to see how the team fairs as we seem to be the oldest in the league with some players starting to show it. 
The trifecta are still showing there class but they are coming into the final years of their playing careers so, I need to prepare for their departures. But let’s be fair, once they depart, so shall I! 
Don’t worry @broodje kip I’ve kept Jesus wherever he is! 
 

Transfers

Quite a few shock transfers with not many I would’ve expected to sign! Some true talent has joined the ranks this year.

Spoiler

Season Finish

Another clean sweep in the career, but with the team we have in place, it’s not a surprise. 
Some very convincing performances throughout the year. 
 

 

Spoiler

The Gaffer

 

Spoiler

The Floppy Mavericks

The trifecta are all coming to the ends of the career’s with Joelinton just turning into his thirties at the youngest! 
I’ve not seen a dip in form from the trio just yet but I do expect to see the decline taking place in the coming season. 
The stats still shock me at the moment and hope it continues. 
 

 

Spoiler

Season 6 

 

Vincent Janssen - 30 Goals 41 Games

Joelinton - 31 Goals 51 Games

Nick Powell - 15 Goals 47 Games

Overall - 76 Goals 139 Games 

The Story So Far

Vincent Janssen - 207 Goals 230 Games

Joelinton - 172 Goals 277 Games

Nick Powell - 96 Goals 276 Games 

So Far - 475 Goals 783 Games

To Be Continued……

[broodje kip]

Another great season there. Sane signing for only £59M is a real bargain!

[Rich]

Who would have ever thought Joelinton would be 1 goal off 200 career goals? 😝

Awesome stuff mate 👍

[Ross Bowater]

Season 7 

Another trophy clean sweep for the team. It feels as if we win the league earlier and earlier each campaign that we do! 
I tried to inject a little more youth into the team this year after noticing my teams average age was around 30! Apparently my youth policy sucks! 
But I am a bargain hunter and it has done me well this far. 
 

Transfers

As life seems to be busier at the moment, I am getting more and more forgetful….. By this I mean I am an idiot and didn’t screenshot them! 
During the window I managed to sign several rotation players and a couple of replacement forwards for any injury concerns. 
Andreas Christiansen definitely being the highlight of the transfers and has been a rock this season. 
 

Season Finish

We are getting the results when we need them. We have a fair few draws with a million shots to 1 and always seem to end up as 0-0 games. I can see a dark patch coming from all the purple ones we have been seeing. I wonder when it will occur though? 
I may have also had an extremely vein moment during the season….. can you spot my moment of vanity? 
 

 

Spoiler

The Gaffer

Like I said, my youth policy sucks. 
 

Spoiler

The Floppy Mavericks

No signs of the retirement home for any of these guys just yet! I’m waiting for a dip in numbers but I just do not seem to be getting it yet. This has been a hell of a fun journey so far. 

Vincent Janssen

I feel like he doesn’t age. His goal scoring abilities seem to have no bounds as he continues to be clinical in front of goal. I’m sure if the Netherlands job came up I would surely take it just to put him back in the Dutch team. At his age a goal every other game is still fairly impressive…. It’s a shame I can’t train his penalties. I’m sure if he scored the ones he missed, he’d have scored fifty. 
 

Spoiler

Joelinton

The youngest of the trio finally hits the 200 career goal mark, which let’s be fair, nobody thought was possible. Sorry Newcastle fans. He picked up the Golden boot for the league this year and I imagine he will do so next if he continues his good form. 
 

Spoiler

Nick Powell 

Another excellent contribution from the Englishman. He still continues to be the heartbeat in midfield and has an excellent assist contribution to the team. A massively underrated player in this challenge, but if it wasn’t for his assist’s, I don’t think we’d be any where close to what we are now. 
 

Spoiler

Season 7

Vincent Janssen - 23 Goals 46 Games

Joelinton - 25 Goals 44 Games 

Nick Powell - 19 Goals 43 Games

The Story So Far 

Vincent Janssen - 230 Goals 276 Games 

Joelinton - 197 Goals 321 Games 

Nick Powell - 115 Goals 319 Games

Overall - 537 Goals 916 Games

Surprisingly Still To Be Continued….

 

Edited March 22, 2021 by Ross Bowater

[Rich]

Well done on another great season mate! Out of interest, what are there attributes looking like now?

[Chelseaplchamps2022]

Fantastic season again mate!

[broodje kip]

Going great. Keep it up