Try building a squad from a different league. BPL is good because you can make any formation work but you're missing out on some fun not trying Ligue 1, Bundes and Serie A. Expensive in forms aren't really worth it in pure coin value over their NIFs. If you check the in game stats of the NIF they're a lot closer to the IF than you realise. SIF are more worth it stat wise but they cost a lot more generally unless they're a reasonable card weight and in a good TOTW.
Can make some pretty nice hybrids as well.
Same nation = 1 link
Same league = 1 link
Same club = 1 link
One line from the player means 1 link. To get 10 chemistry you need all of the links filled. So if you have 5 links coming from a Xabi Alonso and he is linked to Ramos and Modric that provides 3 links from Ramos and 2 from Modric following those rules above. So then he will be on 10 chem whatever else is around them (assuming either Manager or loyalty bonus).
Then as long as you can get enough links for the other players you can have fun with hybrids. Like so:
Not saying get this team, just to try and give you some ideas for hybrids. My favourite teams since FUT 10 or whenever I started, have always been hybrids.