The official 3.9.68 patch for Championship Manager 01/02 is the definitive version for many fans, primarily because it fixes various gameplay bugs while introducing a data update that shifted the "power levels" of several legendary players. While some icons like Mark Kerr or Taribo West are slightly toned down compared to the earlier 3.9.60 version, the patch provides the most stable environment for the game's famous "Super Greeks" and "Super Swedes" to shine. The "Must-Buy" Legends

Regardless of your budget, these players are widely considered the "holy grail" of a successful 3.9.68 save.

Maxim Tsigalko (FC): Often cited as the greatest player in CM history, he remains a lethal goal machine in .68, even if some players feel he was slightly stronger in .60.

Mark Kerr (MC): The Scottish midfield engine from Falkirk. He is a dirt-cheap essential buy for any top-flight or promotion-chasing team.

Taribo West (D/LC): Available as a free agent at the start of the game, he is arguably the best defender you can sign without a transfer fee.

Assane N'Diaye (SW/DC): A powerhouse defender who consistently delivers 8.00+ ratings. He is frequently paired with Taribo West for an impenetrable backline.

Dionisis Chiotis (GK): The "Super Greek" goalkeeper from AEK Athens. He is widely considered the best value-for-money keeper in the game. The Super Swedes & Greeks

The .68 database is famous for high-potential players from these two nations, often referred to by the community as "Super Swedes" or "Greek Gods". Championship Manager 01/02 - Facebook

Here’s a blog-style post written for fans of Championship Manager 01/02 who love patching the game to the legendary 39/68 database.

Left-Backs (DL):

• Javier Delgado (Racing Club): He costs £550k and has Pace 20, Dribbling 19, Crossing 18. He is a winger who can defend. The best attacking full-back on the patch.
• Michael Ball (Rangers): More defensive than Delgado. Available for £2M. Professional personality, never gets injured.

The "Titanium" Standard (Must-Haves)

These players are widely considered the absolute best in the game for the v3.9.68 data. They have high potential, consistent performance, and are usually attainable for top-tier clubs.

Best Players in This Patch (3.9.68 / Common Community Versions)

These are universally agreed upon by the CM 01/02 community:

| Position | Player (Club) | Why they're OP | |----------|--------------|----------------| | GK | Kepa (Athletic Bilbao) – not the Chelsea one, a Basque legend | 20 reflexes, 20 handling, cheap | | DC | Mike Duff (Cheltenham) | £50k, 20 tackling, 20 determination | | DC | Taribo West (free agent) | World-class, free, low wages | | DMC | Kim Källström (Häcken) | 18 passing, 20 long shots, £300k | | AMC | Mark Kerr (Falkirk) | £200k, 20 passing, 20 creativity | | SC | To Madeira (Gouveia) – fictional player | Scores 50+ goals a season, £50k | | SC | Maxim Tsigalko (Dinamo Minsk) | Pace + finishing = broken | | SC | Julius Aghahowa (Shakhtar) | 20 pace, 20 jumping, cheap |

The Wizards (AMC):

• Andrés D’Alessandro (River Plate): The "New Maradona." Dribbling 20, Flair 20, Passing 19. Costs £6M, but worth every penny. The best playmaker in the patch.
• Mikael Dorsin (Stabæk): Wait, he is a D/DM LC. But play him at AMC. He has Long Shots 20 and Finishing 18. Set his mentality to "Gung Ho." Scores screamers.

Central Midfielders (MC)

• Joshua Kimmich (Bayern): All-round rating of 88. He can play RB, DM, CM. Captain material.
• Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona): Dribbling (19), Passing (19). Glides past players.
• N’Golo Kanté (Chelsea): Stamina (20), Work Rate (20). Still broken despite being 30.

The “How Are They This Cheap?” Gems

You won’t have millions. These players cost peanuts and deliver diamonds.

• Taribo West (Free Agent) – Yes, the crazy-haired Nigerian. On 3.9.68, he’s a free agent at the start. Offer him a contract immediately. World-class centre-back for zero transfer fee.
• Mike Duff (Cheltenham) – An Irish right-back with 20 for work rate, stamina, and crossing. He’s non-league on paper, Premier League on the pitch.
• To Madeira (Gouveia) – The mythical Portuguese forward. Some say he was a fake player, but in 3.9.68, he’s very real and very lethal. Goals galore for pocket change.

Right Backs / Wingbacks

• Gary Neville — Rating: 16 | Tackling 16, Positioning 16, Work Rate 15 | Role: Defensive FB
• Cafu — Rating: 17 | Pace 17, Stamina 16, Crossing 16 | Role: Attacking Wingback

2. The Ultimate "World Class" Signings

These are the players who will walk into almost any team and become legends. They are expensive but guaranteed success.

The Defenders

• CB: Raphael Wicky (Hamburger SV): The best defender in the game. Has a massive release clause (£15M–£20M) but is worth every penny. He never has a bad game.
• CB: Walter Samuel (Roma): A rock. Expensive, but forms an unbeatable partnership with Wicky.
• CB: Fabio Cannavaro (Parma/Inter): Aggressive, high determination, stops any striker.
• RB: Hatem Trabelsi (Ajax): Best attacking right-back in the game. Cheap initially (£3M–£5M), develops into a world-beater.

The Midfield Engine

• DM/CM: Patrick Vieira (Arsenal): The ultimate midfielder. High aggression, stamina, and passing. He dominates games.
• DM/CM: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool): Similar to Vieira but scores more goals.
• CM: Ronaldinho (PSG): Before he was a legend, he was a wonderkid on this patch. Expensive, but guarantees flair and 20+ assists a season.
• CM: Kaka (Sao Paulo): Needs a work permit, but develops into the best attacking midfielder in the world within 2 seasons.

The Strikers

• ST: Andriy Shevchenko (Milan): The most complete striker. Fast, clinical, strong.
• ST: Samuel Eto'o (Mallorca): Blistering pace. He will score 30+ goals a season easily.
• ST: Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid): A wonderkid at the start. Expensive, but becomes the best striker in the game alongside Eto'o.
• ST: Javier Saviola (Barcelona): Not the strongest, but his finishing and off-the-ball movement are cheat codes.