Football Manager 2021 is the Sports Interactive management game published by SEGA on 24 November 2020, covering more than 50 nations and 2,500 clubs from the top flight down through the pyramid. Its defining theme was body language: FM21 introduced Gestures, so you could put an arm on a shoulder, smile warmly, pound a fist or throw a water bottle, and the choice fed into how players and media read you. It also brought xG into the game properly through data supplied by SciSports, added a post match SIxG readout comparing your result against the chances you created, and gave you a Performance Analyst producing monthly reports modelled on what real managers receive. Note before you plan a save: FM21 has been delisted from the Steam store, so it is no longer purchasable there although existing owners keep it in their library. That, plus a squad database frozen at the 2020/21 season, is the real argument for or against starting a save here rather than on a later edition.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary equipment | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your role's key combinations |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary equipment | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
English football pyramid
Key resources: The longest continuous promotion ladder and the largest scouted player pool Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Segundo Volante upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Spanish leagues
Key resources: A 2020/21 Barcelona squad that no later Football Manager can reproduce Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Segundo Volante upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Italian leagues
Key resources: Cheap experienced players and a market where reputation moves faster than money Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Segundo Volante upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
German leagues
Key resources: The best concentration of affordable young talent in the starting database Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Inverted Wing-Back max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Brazilian leagues
Key resources: High volume of cheap wonderkids for clubs that cannot compete in Europe Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Inverted Wing-Back max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (English football pyramid to Spanish leagues)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials, since you'll need them later
- Focus on Segundo Volante once accessible
Mid Game (Italian leagues)
- Push Segundo Volante to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Inverted Wing-Back
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (German leagues to Brazilian leagues)
- Max out Inverted Wing-Back. This is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary equipment for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple equipment: Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials: Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear: Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Italian leagues farming: This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early: Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- FM21 is delisted from the Steam store. You cannot buy it there any more, though owners keep it in their library, so check your account before planning a save around it.
- Farm Italian leagues during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build. Some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Football Manager 2021 Guides
- Football Manager 2021 Football Manager 2021 Overview
- Football Manager 2021 Best Builds
- Football Manager 2021 Tier List
- Football Manager 2021 Walkthrough
- Football Manager 2021 Beginner's Guide
- Football Manager 2021 Tips & Tricks
- Football Manager 2021 Weapons Guide
- Football Manager 2021 Combat Guide
- Football Manager 2021 Boss Guide
- Football Manager 2021 Maps & Locations
- Football Manager 2021 Classes & Characters
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