Introduction
A look at my favourite strike partnership ever - Todorov and Kristjánsson

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When were they great?
Back in CM03/04, the last Championship Manager to be made by Sports Interactive, I remember there being a lot of buzz around Todorov. The Bulgarian striker played for Litex at the time, and although was obtainable to smaller teams, it was a race against the computer to snap him up before he left Litex. Kristjánsson, on the other hand, was a find of mine that I was very pleased with. Playing for Keflavik in Iceland, he would sign for almost any club in the lower English leagues for free straight away, and would guarantee you goals every season.

Why I love them
I'm a big fan of really good strike partnerships, something that I feel is missing in football presently. At the beginning of my first season in charge of Luton Town, I managed to pick up Kristjánsson, and to my surprise he banged in 35+ goals in his first season. Todorov followed the season after and the two immediately gelled. They were a match made in heaven - Todorov playing the role of a pacey, instinctive and vastly influential poacher and Kristjánsson the role of a target man who could shoot from distance. Their passing and movement for each other was exquisite, and both men managed to score 40+ goals in the First Division. What surprised me the most, however, is their ability to both step up to the top level domestically and continentally, with my Luton side taking the European Cup title a couple of seasons later. Finally, both men hardly got injured, meaning they were almost ever present.

Todorov
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Kristjánsson
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What have they done in real life?
As per most FM gems, neither has gone on to anything major at all. Todorov has moved around from club to club, and is currently plying his trade in his native Bulgaria at Brestnik 1948, currently in the third tier. He has dropped back from a striker to an attacking midfielder. Kristjánsson made a move to Aberdeen, playing 3 times for the club but failing to score. He returned back to Keflavik, and is now playing for Klepp in Norway.

What are they like in FM these days?
At the age of 29, Kristjánsson should be in the prime of his career. He would be a good choice for League 2/BSP sides, as he requires no transfer fee and very little wages. Unfortunately, his attributes are no where near the quality they were in CM03/04.

Todorov could be a decent back up option for a Championship side, with the possibility of being first choice for a League One side. He is only 25, so he's got a good few years left in him yet. His versatility is his major selling point, being at least "competent" in 5 positions. With low wages and no transfer fee, he'd make a fine purchase.

Todorov now
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Kristjánsson now
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