The latest edition of our favorite football game, FIFA 17 is set to release in less than a month, and we honestly can’t wait anymore. The much-awaited game is coming out on multiple gaming platforms including PS3, PS4, XBox One, XBox 360 and PC, on 29th September in India.
The game includes a lot of new features including The Journey, which sees a young rookie live out his dream of playing in EPL, and the new Frostbite engine, which was previously used by EA Dice in Battlefield. FIFA has also innovated set-pieces, and AI players will make more intelligent runs. Marco Reus is FIFA 17’s cover star, replacing Lionel Messi.
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Talking about Southampton, they have lost key players this transfer window- Sadio Mane to Liverpool, Victor Wanyama to Spurs and Graziano Pelle to the money-rich Chinese League. However, the Saints are used to big-name departures every summer transfer window, but what would hurt them most is their manager, Ronald Koeman’s departure to Everton.
Also Read: FIFA 17: Predicted player ratings for Atletico Madrid
Saints finished strong last season in 6th place, and will look to repeat or even better last season’s performance.
They have recruited a new manager in Claude Puel, who is known for promoting young talents- which bides well with Saints’ philosophy. The Saints have signed Nathan Redmond, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, among others, to replace the outgoing players, and they certainly have the potential to be big names in the EPL.
However it may turn out to be, the new 2016-17 season promises to be an exciting one for Southampton fans. Let’s take a look at Southampton’s predicted player ratings for FIFA 17:
Goalkeepers and defenders
Fraser Forster: 76 → 80
Foster had a very good season in goal for the Saints last season. Joe Hart’s dip in form has also given him a golden chance to establish himself as England’s No. 1. He kept 6 clean sheets in a row, and kept Saints in the game time and again. Forster deserves an 80 rated card this season.
Alex McCarthy: 75 → 75
The Southampton academy graduate is likely to be Forster’s back-up. McCarthy spent last season at Crystal Palace and featured in 7 league matches. He looked in control and did nothing to harm his 75 rating.
Ryan Bertrand: 78 → 80
Bertrand has been an integral part of Southampton’s setup since his arrival from Chelsea in 2014. He was solid at left-back and pretty effective on the attacks. The Englishman also chipped in with a goal and 3 assists last season. Bertrand is likely to get a +2 increase.
Cuco Martina: 69 → 72
The Frenchman was pretty good in his debut EPL season. The right-back made only 11 starts but looked like an all-around defender. He also scored a goal and an assist in 2015-16, and should be rated in the 70’s.
Cedric Soares: 78 → 80
Southampton’s first choice RB and part of the triumphant Portugal side of Euro 2016, Soares would be very pleased with the season. He was solid in his defensive duties and formed a vital part of the defense which helped the Saints finish in a Europa League spot. A good showing at both club and country should get him the 80 rating card.
Jose Fonte: 81 → 82
Southampton skipper, like his teammate, Cedric, was a crucial part of Portugal’s Euro triumph. He recently attracted a lot of interest from Manchester United but decided to stay at St. Mary’s Stadium. Fonte is very good with the ball in his feet, and combined with good aerial abilities, Fonte is likely to get an upgrade.
Virgil Van Dijk: 77 → 82
The Dutch was arguably Southampton’s best defender last season and featured in almost all of their matches. He is known for crunching tackles and good interceptions. He remains an integral part of their defense this season, and showed his class against Manchester United, in a recent clash between the two sides. Van Dijk will probably receive an 82 card.
Order FIFA 17 here
Midfielders
Steven Davis: 76 → 78
Davis was brilliant last season and has always been a bit underrated. He did an excellent job at CM last season, and also managed to score 5 goals and 3 assists. Davis has good passing abilities too and deserves the +2 upgrade. The only barrier to the 78 card is his 31 years of age.
James Word Prowse: 75 → 76
Word Prowse had a decent season, but certainly, has loads of potential. He is a brilliant passer of the ball, especially the long balls. He doesn’t do too much defending but has the class in him to trouble opposition defenses time and again. He scored 2 goals and provided 4 assists, and might manage to get a slight upgrade.
Jordy Clasie: 78 → 77
Clasie had a very disappointing season, and despite the manager’s trust in him, the Frenchman didn’t click last season. He didn’t manage to score a single goal or assist, and that should see him lose a rating point.
Dusan Tadic: 79 → 81
Tadic suffered a downgrade in FIFA 16, but he was really good this season, scoring 7 goals and was one of the highest assist providers in EPL, with 12 assists to his name. The Serbian will be a vital part of Saints’ attacking force this season, and is likely to get a +2 bump in his rating.
Oriol Romeu: 73 → 76
The Spanish midfielder had a good season at St. Mary’s Stadium last year and made 29 appearances for the club. He didn’t score as many goals or assists as he would have liked, but was solid in his defensive duties, and helped Saints’ build-up play. Romeu is likely to be rated around 75.
Nathan Redmond: 74 → 76
Redmond is Southampton’s recent signing from relegated Norwich City. Redmond was the stand-out player for Norwich last season, scoring 6 goals and 3 assists. Redmond can turn out to be a very good signing for the Saints, and has certainly shown loads of potential.
Southampton surely knows how to groom future talents, and Redmond is certainly one. The 22-year old should get a +2 upgrade.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: 73 → 73
Another one of Saints’ new signing, Hojbjerg promises to be a good addition to Southampton’s midfield. The man from Denmark did not have the best of seasons at Schalke and just managed 1 assist in 23 appearances for the club. It’ll be interesting to see how the 21-year old fares in the Premier League, and should be able to hold on to his 73 rating card.
Forwards
Jay Rodriguez: 77 → 77
Rodriguez was out with injury for most parts of last season but looked sharp on his return. He got only 12 appearances under his belt last season, 9 from the bench. Rodriguez should be able to hold on to his 77 card in FIFA’s latest.
Charlie Austin: 77 → 78
Charlie Austin attracted a lot of interest from PL clubs, following his goal scoring in 2014-15, when his club, QPR, got relegated to the Championship. Southampton bought him in 2015, and after a short spell at the club, he was loaned out to QPR. He scored 10 goals in 12 starts, and that should earn him an increased rating.
Shane Long: 75 → 80
Long was probably Saints’ best striker last season, along with outgoing Graziano Pelle. He scored 10 goals and provided 4 assists in EPL last year. He was pretty good at Euro 2016, in Republic of Ireland’s surprising run to the round of 16. Long will spearhead Saints’ attack this season, and is likely to start FIFA 17 with an 80 rating.
