Check out the most accurate Barclays Premier League Players Predictions for FIFA 17 Ultimate Team. Manchester City players ratings will be analysed in this page.
FIFA 17 Ratings Predictions for Premier League Players
With the FIFA cycle almost coming to an end, and EA in the process of creating the next installment in their franchise, there is no bigger time for the FIFA team to analyse and study the ability of the players residing in their game. From the upcoming youth players at your average League 2 team to the superstars of Messi and Ronaldo, every player will be reviewed to get a measure of how accurate their ratings are, and whether they need updating.
The league that generates the most attention is the Premier League – after all, it is the most watched worldwide and draws the largest TV audience in many countries across the footballing world. EA have to make sure they hold a small margin of error with the players plying their trade here to avoid any unnecessary backlash. As a result, we are going to look at the players of each of the top clubs in the country, and give them a rating ourselves for FIFA 17. I will only be doing the players who have a chance at the first team, to avoid having to rate every young player in the team.
Today we will cover the Manchester City players but you can also expect FIFA 17 ratings predictions for the other five biggest English Premier League clubs.
FIFA 17 Ratings Predictions for Manchester City Players
A season that started with huge promise for the blue half of Manchester became one of dogged frustration and missed opportunities, as what could have been a title winning season turned into a fight for the top 4 that was barely accomplished. The arrival of Guardiola won’t disguise the downgrades that a fair few players may be receiving next year.
GK – Joe Hart – 84
Joe Hart was one of the best players at City last season, with outstanding performances across the league campaign and an arguable man of the match showing against Real Madrid in the Champions League. This was sadly ruined by an abysmal set of performances at Euro 2016, in which key errors in three of England’s four games marred his and England’s tournament. As a result, any chance of an upgrade has been quashed and he leans more towards a downgrade if Euro 2016 lies fresh in the mind at EA. I think his club form will have been enough to keep his spot, but he faces a close run for his rating.
GK – Willy Caballero – 78
The Argentine is a decent, if not great, back up keeper, and his heroics for his club in the League Cup final may prevent Caballero from sliding down a rating. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him remain at 78.
RB – Bacary Sagna – 81
Sagna’s age and lack of renowned status shouldn’t be a detriment to his ability as a player, as he was one of the most reliable defenders across the season for City and defied his age to make himself a key part of the France back line at the European Championships. Whilst an upgrade may be a stretch Sagna has adapted his game and become one of the sturdiest defenders in the league, and a small boost would be entirely justified.
RB – Pablo Zabaleta – 81
Zabaleta I have considered the best right back in the Premier League for some time – but sadly I feel his age and injury record are taking a toll on his performances, and I can’t see him keeping his rating going into FIFA 17. With Sagna looking the more accessible player for City right now, it would not come as a surprise to see the Argentine placed on a pedestal with Sagna.
LB – Gael Clichy – 79
Clichy has not enjoyed a sustained run of good form for an incredibly long time in the City team now, and I start to wonder how a downgrade hasn’t been given to him sooner given his defensive inadequacies. I think the major slump in form seen by City over periods this year in the league will be the factor EA need to knock his rating down, as with Kolarov ahead of him at City and France not even selecting him for their squads any longer it seems apparent he can’t realistically hold onto his 80 rating.
LB – Aleksandar Kolarov – 77
That is to give no praise to Kolarov though, who has had a similarly poor season with more games to evidence this. Whilst by no means atrocious it is hard to imagine the Serb keeping the same rating after City’s often embarrassing displays at the back, and I would imagine a small downgrade is coming.
CB – Vincent Kompany – 85
Kompany when fit is without doubt one of the finest defenders in Europe – the problem appears to be sustaining his presence in the City team. He hasn’t managed a long period of time in the side since 2014, and missed out on Euro 2016 through injury, and whilst he is strong when he plays the questions have to be asked over whether he can realistically maintain such a high rating for a defender. 85 can be kept for now but a downgrade would not be a major shock.
CB – Nicolas Otamendi – 83
Otamendi, comparatively, cannot claim injury as a factor in his poor form over the season. While Demichelis was undoubtedly the worst of the centre backs by a landslide, Otamendi struggled for form for the majority of the campaign and did not live up to his sturdy reputation from La Liga. A solid Copa America campaign with Argentina repaired some of the damage but I think it won’t be enough to save him from a downgrade overall.
CB – Eliaquim Mangala – 79
Mangala is one of the most frustrating players at Manchester City – someone who has the physique, defensive abilities and athleticism to be a terrific defender yet consistently makes errors and mistakes to undo his work. Whilst he showed in a strong partnership with Kompany he can be terrific like Otamendi he had far too many poor games to avoid a downgrade, and I can’t see anything else but a knock to his rating.
LM – Raheem Sterling – 81
Sterling drew huge ire for not living up to his mammoth transfer fee in his performances last year, and looking at his games in the Euros and across City’s season that has to be considered true. However, taking into account the ire the draws from fans, with the hatred of vast sections of Manchester United, Liverpool and those opposed to Man City (of which there are a lot), and the embarrassing and repugnant media led campaign led by sections of the British media to criticise him, the scale of Sterling’s underperformances has been extremely exaggerated in my opinion. I expect a downgrade, but I don’t see it being colossal – Sterling is still a young talent, and far from the worst player for City or England over the last season, has shown in games for both that he is capable of a lot, and the scorn he receives is not a reflection of the player he actually is.
LM – Samir Nasri – 82
I would be very surprised if Samir Nasri manages to keep his rating for FIFA 17. His appearances, though afflicted by injury, have become increasingly sporadic, and whilst he isn’t a poor player his actual effectivity and role at the club appears far weaker than in previous years. A small downgrade is the most likely outcome.
RM – Jesus Navas – 79
Jesus Navas is not an unlikable player, as his effort and commitment to City cannot be faulted, having played the most games out of any player for the club in 2015-16. Yet his poor contributions in attack, and his wastefulness with the ball leave it obvious to most observers of City that he is a weak squad member and thus can’t expect anything but a downgrade.
CAM – Kevin De Bruyne – 87
Kevin De Bruyne was one of the stand out players of the 2015-16 season in England, and would have easily gained more plaudits had he lasted the full season without injury. His technical ability and finesse gave him more importance in the City squad than David Silva, and the side were stronger throughout with De Bruyne in the team – hence positioning the Belgian in the ideal position to earn an upgrade.
CAM – David Silva – 87
Silva is undoubtedly one of the most technically refined and able players in the division, but when compared to his like for like Ozil at Arsenal the Spaniard’s performance is not equivalent. He failed to hold the impact he had over previous seasons and whilst injury was no help he was lacklustre in too many games to hold a rating as high as 88. His position at the club ensures that with significant playing time he could earn his way back to a higher rating but for FIFA 17 he seems destined for a minor downgrade.
CM – Yaya Toure – 84
The time when Yaya was the king of the court at the Etihad seems far gone. Watching City it feels as though Toure has one good game in five, being absent for lengthy periods in far too many games and drifting away from the action into midfield submission. Whilst still a gifted footballer it seems a stretch to keep him at such a rating, and I can see a downgrade heading his way for FIFA 17.
CM – Ilkay Gundogan – 84
Just as De Bruyne received a boost following his move to the Premier League last year I expect Gundogan to be the recipient of a small boost here. The German suffered from injuries across the 15-16 season and sadly missed Euro 2016 but holds a strong reputation as one of Germany’s finest young players, and one of a long line of exceptional talents to come out of the Dortmund side. He will have a lot of weight placed on his shoulders from the start and his new rating may well reflect the expectation Gundogan has in moving to the Etihad.
CM – Fernandinho – 81
Fernandinho was another decent performer across the season, with far stronger performances coming from the Brazilian than many of the midfielders around him. Playing a half century of games, the midfielder should definitely receive an upgrade for FIFA 17, as he displayed his efficiency in the middle of the park for his team.
CDM – Fernando – 80
Fernando is a similar story to his similar-sounding compatriot – he played for City in all the competitions, developing from a utility player to a key asset for the club to use last season whilst the club was struck with injuries, and should be in line for a small upgrade going into FIFA 17.
CM – Fabian Delph – 76
Much like Sterling, Delph is another player who draws the ire of many fans across the country – and whatever the error laden terms of his departure from Aston Villa were, it has to be said that Delph did not enjoy the best season at the club. Lacklustre performances, if at times limited, probably put Delph as a prime candidate for a downgrade – though a minor one, given injury afflicted much of his campaign.
LW – Nolito – 84
Nolito has shown over his extremely impressive form with Celta Vigo that he will be a stellar signing for Guardiola to deploy when he takes the reigns at City – and as a result an upgrade in FIFA would reflect fairly onto real world events. A strong showing in 2015-16, as well as a move to the Premier League, will likely see Nolito earn a significant boost.
ST – Sergio Aguero – 89
Sergio Aguero is a striker considered amongst the best in the world – and his exceptional goal scoring record and prolific character make that hard to dispute. At a time when out and out strikers appear increasingly difficult to come across, the added importance of a player like Aguero gives him prime conditions to be the recipient of an upgrade. City are a different team with him leading the line, and his consistently high goal scoring records signify a boost up to a rating as substantial as 89 is on the cards.
ST – Wilfried Bony – 80
The times in which Aguero was injured perhaps highlighted the troubling season Bony had, especially when Pellegrini preferred Iheanacho and even Sterling to occupy the striker position. Bony did not enjoy a good season and struggled to find goals for lengthy periods of time, and when compared to the efforts of the other forwards at City has a dismal record to display. A downgrade is more than likely for the Ivorian.
ST – Kelechi Iheanacho – 75
A stellar breakthrough season for the Nigerian striker should see him earn a significant boost up to a gold card – Iheanacho is yet to reach 20 and looked clinical and professional across his first season in the limelight, which I see as enough to reward him generously with an upgrade in colour as well as rating.
The Author: Owen Macdonald
Owen Macdonald is a 25 year old from London, United Kingdom and supports Fulham FC. Whilst a relative newcomer to the Ultimate Team franchise, having created his first team in FUT 13, Owen’s passion and ever growing knowledge of the footballing world has led to a love for FUT.
His enthusiasm for the game is not matched by many, and if asked will gladly talk about FUT and football on the whole for hours. Away from football Owen is a keen writer and enjoys politics and cinema.