FIFA 18 Ratings: 10 Things They Got Right & Wrong

FIFA 18 is almost out folks. We currently have the top 100 players and as usual, EA got some ratings exactly right and others just horribly wrong so here I’ll take a look at some of those players. Over the years, EA has been slow to either upgrade up-and-coming players or downgrade declining stars so there is always some controversy surrounding the player ratings. This year proves to be no different as finally some player have been given the credit they deserve whilst others are probably living on borrowed time. So let’s dive right in!

10. Marco Asensio – 84

Verdict – Right

Marco Asensio had one of the greatest debut seasons for the La Liga giants, Real Madrid, this past season. From relative obscurity to Champions League stardom, his meteoric rise has been reflected in his increased FIFA rating. Although his stats may not fully represent his performances, over the years FIFA has raised the rating of young stars such as Veratti and Pogba slowly but surely. It is a formula that has had great success as it prevents one season flash-in-the-pan players from being too oppressive in the game. The only possible adjustment would be to increase his shooting rating but expect his rating to increase to 86 or 87 as the season progresses and Asensio asserts himself as one of the best players in football.

9. Casemiro – 85

Verdict – Wrong

Often described as the linchpin of Los Blancos who allows the fullbacks, Marcelo and Carvajal, to show off their offensive prowess, Casemiro is criminally underrated by FIFA 18. He, alongside N’Golo Kante and Arturo Vidal, are currently the world’s finest defensive midfielders but he is leaps and bound ahead of the Frenchmen. Casemiro has already dominated the biggest games on the largest stage against the midfields of Juventus, Bayern Munich and Barcelona whilst the Frenchman has yet to prove himself on the European stage. That is not a knock on the ex-Boulogne man as he hasn’t been afforded the opportunity yet but rating him higher than Casemiro after 2 less successful seasons seems incorrect. Vidal also has a fair claim to the title of best central defensive midfielder but he has been practically outplayed by Casemiro almost every time they have met and has an 87 rating compared to Casemiro’s 85. Casemiro has 3 Champions League medals to his name in the last 4 years which should earn him at least an 87 rating in this year’s game.

8. Lorenzo Insigne – 85

Verdict – Right

Insigne finally lived up to his potential scoring 20 goals and assisting another 12 in all competitions last season. I was happy that FIFA reflected that in his much improved rating as he is certainly one of the most electrifying players in Serie A and may pose a serious threat to the Old Lady’s domination in the near future. That being said, I do have one major quarrel with his stats as he only has 74 shooting which is ridiculously low. He scored nearly scored a dozen screamers and goal of the season contenders last season. The only other player seemingly hitting worldies ever other week was Roma’s Radja Naingollan, who deservedly has 80 shooting and an 86 overall rating.

7. Philippe Coutinho – 86

Verdict – Wrong

The Brazilian magician has had another dazzling year for the Reds and although his antics over the summer may have annoyed the Anfield faithful, they cannot deny what a tremendous asset he is. 13 goals and 7 assists in 31 appearances fail to demonstrate how incredible Coutinho was last season as he formed the most dangerous triad in the Premier League in recent history alongside Firminho and Mané. If it wasn’t for Liverpool’s defensive frailties, Coutinho would’ve been a serious contender for the EPL best player award. You can only really see one way forward and that is up for the ex-Internazionale man for the upcoming season.

6. Toby Alderweireld – 86

Verdict – Right

At 28 years of age, Toby Alderweireld is about to enter his prime and has proven himself as one of the finest defenders in the Premier League. Often underrated and overlooked in the past, Alderweireld is currently the best defender in English football and can even rival the likes of Boateng, Hummels, Ramos and Godin in the coming year. Tottenham has been a side that has received plaudits for their offensive ingenuity boasting the likes of Eriksen, Kane, Alli and Son but defense is their true strength. They have conceded the least goals in the last two seasons and it is not a coincidence that this started the same year they purchased the Belgian international from Los Rojiblancos.

5. Mesut Özil – 88

Verdict – Wrong

How far the mighty have fallen… Mesut Özil’s career trajectory has seemingly regressed ever since he left Real Madrid to join Arsenal. Whilst that can be chalked up to having a less than average supporting cast featuring the likes of Giroud and Welbeck, he had an extremely average campaign last season. For a player of his caliber, 8 goals and 9 assists in 33 games is a truly dreadful return especially when you consider that he took part in 25 goals (6 goals and 19 assists) the year prior. He also disappeared on the biggest stage against Bayern Munich where the Gunners were simply outgunned by the Bavarians. How has this translated to an 88 rating while the likes of Eriksen and Alli are rated lower at 87 and 84 respectively? An overall rating of 84-85 would be fair considering how they docked Thomas Müller’s rating after he had a significantly better year than Özil.

4. Thiago Alcantara – 88

Verdict – Right

Xabi Alonso’s retirement last season was overlooked due to the retirements of fellow legends, Philipp Lahm and Francesco Totti, but the Basque midfielder has left huge shoes to fill in the Allianz Arena. His successor, Thiago, however; looks more than capable of filling in for the retired Spaniard as Thiago has slowly progressed into one of the finest central midfielders in the world. The 26 year old looks to improve on a magnificent campaign where he pulled the strings and controlled the temp for Der Bayern. With a world cup place coming up, the ex-Barcelona man is sure to step up his game even more this season as he vies with the likes of Koke, Iniesta, Fabregas and Saul for a starting position. He has earned every bit of his 88 rating.

3. Thiago Silva – 88

Verdict – Wrong

There was once a time when Thiago Silva was the world’s best centreback. Ever since he has moved to the Parisian outfit, he has declined. Injuries have also not helped the former Milan player as he played 27 leagues games in each of his last 2 seasons and seems well past his prime at this stage. His captaincy and leadership should also be called into question as he captained two of the sides that had the worst mental collapses in memorable football history; the 6-1 game against Barcelona and the 7-1 loss to Germany. Additionally, PSG failed to defend their Ligue 1 crown as Monaco’s youngsters dazzled the world with both offensive and defensive brilliance. At this point in Silva’s career, an 84 rating would be fair as he is no longer one of the world’s finest centrebacks.

2. Kevin De Bruyne – 89

Verdict – Right

The career of Kevin De Bruyne has been an interesting case study over the years. From the wonderkid that Chelsea let go to the upcoming star that lit the Bundesliga on fire with Bremen and Wolfsburg, he has finally matured into one of the best central attacking midfielders in the world with Manchester City. He racked up a mind-boggling 18 assists and 6 goals in 36 appearances and took the Citizen’s firepower to a new level. His versatility shouldn’t be understated either since he can play on either flank in midfield or even further below in the center of midfield where Pep has asked him to take over. De Bruyne has all the tools that a modern midfielder should have and will easily be one of the best players in the world in the following years.

1. Gareth Bale – 89

Verdict – Wrong

After a disappointing, injury-ridden personal campaign two seasons ago, everyone expected last season to be Gareth Bale’s make or break year. I think it’s safe to assume that he simply doesn’t offer enough to be a starter at Real Madrid due to the fact that his game was extremely linear and one-dimensional. Moreover, Bale tended to have minimal impact and a passive mindset especially in big games for the Madrid outfit as he couldn’t take over games the way most world-class players can. Constantly overshadowed by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Isco, Alvaro Morata and Marco Asensio on the offensive end, it seems that the Welshman’s journey is coming to a stop sooner rather than later. An overall of 85 or 86 is probably much more appropriate due his inconsistencies and ineffectiveness over the last few seasons.