Intro
When starting out on Sorare, the most important division in my opinion is All Star Division 4.
This is because you can get ETH for hitting threshold scores:
=>205 = 0.01ETH
=>250 = 0.02ETH
Hitting these thresholds means you can get guaranteed ETH to start building from. There is also a possibility of winning card rewards.
Its important to do research and target certain players/positions when building. It is tempting to just jump in and auctions are addictive! This can however lead to spending too much on players you dont need.
I will look to identify certain players I would suggest scouting. What is more important than the specific player is the type of player.
The main areas I look at are
Scoring -average, high point, DNPs (are they starters)
Team - strength, league , upcoming fixtures, season length
Price - current price, last auction price,
I will be looking at rare defenders first and will give a few examples.
Some of these players are from Asia where the season is ending in early December and likely restarting in mid Feb. Its important to realise you wont be able to use those cards then which is somewhat reflected in the price. However, it also means you are able to get some cards a lot cheaper now compared to when hype builds for these divisions. There is also plenty of GWs available still to make use of these cards.
I tend to try and strike a balance between the different divisions so I can have players available for most of the year. This of course will take time to build and learn but having it in your mind can help when making your decisions.
Player Suggestions
Budget range
Name: Yutaka Yoshida
Team: Nagoya Grampus
League: Japan J- League
Price: 0.025 ETH
Positives
Starter for Nagoya
Nagoya are still in ACL so has extra fixtures
Scores vary but has decent peak scores and over the last 3 months:
Nagoya have the most clean sheets in the league this season with 19
Likely to remain at Nagoya for next season as a trusted and experienced player
Risks
Asia season is ending in early December
As a wingback, he will lose possession more than a CB which has negative points effect
Is 31 years old, though for me can see playing for a good few more years
Other players to check:
Wessel Dammers, Mariano Bíttolo, Kim Min -Tae
Mid range
Name: Diego Godín
Team: Cagliari
League: Serie A
Price: 0.05 ETH
Positives
Starter for club
Starter (captain) for country - this is particularly important as so many qualifier games for Uruguay
Consistent scorer and high peak scores. Not reliant on CS as makes lots of tackles and interceptions:
Risks
With a poor team that concede a lot. However as mentioned, he less reliant on CS than other defenders
Is 35 years old so unlikely to play for many more years and injuries could be become a bigger factor. He played 28/38 games last season ( 74%)
Other players to check:
Clinton Mata, Trent Sainsbury, Noborizato
Top range
Name: Samuel Gigot
Team: FK Spartak Moskva
League: Russian Premier League
Price: 0.14 ETH
Positives
Starter for club
Scores v well and consistently. Very good peak scores too
Spatak Moscow are in the Europa League so he will have extra utility there
Is 26 years old and at or near his peak years
Consistent scorer and high peak scores. Not reliant on CS as makes lots of tackles and interceptions
Risks
The RPL will have a winter break from mid December to mid February
There are alot of transfer rumours with Gigot, especially around returning to play in France. It is unknown how he will score in a different/more difficult league.
Other players to check:
Finish
For full disclosure, I own Godin who I got recently as a reward. These players are all good picks but what is more important is the thinking behind your decision and this is just my thinking which I hope you find useful :)