Fact is Crespo alone has cost me a few games because of lucky goals no other player can score but him apparently.
Guardiola has been a nightmare so yes these players can and do effect game play , most of the time not in your favour.
The fact these players can score a goal from being on back foot all game and suddenly be everywhere after they have been running around like a headless chicken is ridiculous.
So yes they do effect the game.
Remember not everyone wants to spend fortunes on this rubbish.