‘Necesitar’ with personal ‘a’

[fglorca]

They need players = Necesitan jugadores.

Am I correct in assuming that because we don’t know the names of the players, or who they are yet, we don’t use the personal ‘a’ (necesitamos ‘a’ jugadores)? Is in incorrect if we use it?

Many thanks.

[Tomisimo]

There are exceptions and nuances to the concept of the personal "a". For example, you often don't use it after the verb "tener"

Tengo tres hijos.

Also you can use the personal a with things that aren't people to accomplish literary personification:

Amo a mi coche. (No es cierto)

The opposite is true as well. You can refer to people in a non-specific way and not use the personal a. And this is where your example comes in.

Necesitan jugadores.
Necesitamos trabajadores.
Estoy buscando ayudantes.

For this last one, if I'm thinking of a specific person (or people), I'd use the "a", but if I'm thinking of a general concept of players or helpers, then I wouldn't use the "a".

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I agree with Tomísimo. Since you're not thinking of a specific person, you don't need the personal "a", not even in singular:

- Necesito un ayudante.
- Necesitan un jugador.

[aleCcowaN]

Necesitan un jugador. Necesitan a Mike Trout. O al menos necesitan un Mike Trout (do you get the difference?)

Necesitan un jugador en especial (someone really good in that place)
Necesitan a un jugador en especial (Mike Trout)