Football Manager 2024 has been released live on Steam through early access and fans of the popular game are already sinking their teeth into the latest edition.
The series is now over 30-years old and an impressive worldwide database of clubs, players and staff gives gamers the opportunity to take charge of their beloved clubs and attempt to guide them to unprecedented successes. Just for fun, we simulated three years into the future with the new game to see how clubs across the EFL and the rest of the world had fared.
Here is how the Preston North End starting XI looked in our simulation at the close of the 2026 summer transfer window:
1. GK - Freddie Woodman
Preston’s undisputed first choice stopper throughout or simulation and also the club captain - misses just three league matches in all three seasons
2. CB - Jack Whatmough
A stalwart of the Deepdle defence, and vice captain, with his best season coming in 25/26 where he has an overall average rating of 7.05
3. CB - Gabriel Osho
Arrives from Luton Town in January 2025 for a fee of £1.6m, he makes 12 appearances in the second half of that season and then establishes himself as a regular starter in 25/26
4. CB - Lewis Neilson
Signed from Hearts by Ipswich Town for £450k in 2024, he has loans at Sheffield Wednesday and Watford before Preston pay £275k for his services in the summer of 2026