Football Manager 2019: Black stars - meaning explained

The star system in Football Manager 2019 is elementary in evaluating player potential. This makes it all the more important to know the meaning of black stars. We clarify.

Black stars mean uncertainty, but this can be resolved.

We have explained how to develop and improve players in this guide.

Football Manager 2019: Black stars important for potential evaluation

Black stars indicate the uncertainty of scouts. Explained as an example:

• A player you have scouting will receive four yellow stars, while the fifth star is filled with black.
• This means that his potential is either at the existing four stars, or perhaps at five stars.
• This is therefore the possible lower or upper end of the actual rating.

To get certainty, further scouting is necessary. The evaluation skills of your scouts will determine how quickly black stars become a definite statement. In addition, keep in mind that stars are generally always to be understood in relative terms: They refer to the player's strength compared to the rest of your squad. A player who is five stars on an underclass team may be listed as only three or four stars on a top team.