Get ready to get your hands on the latest edition of EA Sports FIFA 17 which releases in September. EA Sports FIFA is one of the most played and enjoyed games in the world, which brings fans as close to the football pitch as they can virtually get. The FIFA 17 edition has introduced a number of changes from its predecessor FIFA 16, the most notable being the use of the Frostbite engine.
Lionel Messi adorned the cover of the EA Sports FIFA for the past four years. However, this year it will be Marco Reus on the cover, who was voted by the fans via an online poll.
Chelsea is one of the most popular clubs in world football and in FIFA. After the disastrous season that Chelsea had, it is expected that many of the stars would be downgraded by a few points. However, there have been some bright sparks last season who are expected to get an upgrade.
We take a look at the predicted ratings for the Chelsea players in the new EA Sports FIFA 17.
#1 Goalkeepers and defenders
Thibaut Courtois: 86→86
The lanky goalkeeper who displaced Petr Cech in Chelsea’s Premier League title-winning season in 2014-15 is regarded as one of the best young goalkeepers in the world alongside David De Gea. Courtois was plagued with injuries and poor form last season and didn’t help Chelsea’s cause much as they finished a lowly 10th.
However, a good Euro 2016 campaign for Belgium might just be enough to save Thibaut Courtois from a downgrade.
Asmir Begovic: 82→82
Begovic signed for Chelsea from Stoke last season after Petr Cech left for Arsenal and provides good backup for Thibaut Courtois between the sticks. Begovic put in some impressive performances for the Blues when he was deputising for the injured Thibaut Courtois.
Good game time last season and without major blushes, expect Begovic to hold on to the rating he had last season.
Jamal Blackman: 59→ 60
The young goalkeeper has been present as the third goalkeeper in the Chelsea squad for two seasons now and is expected to stay if another goalkeeper doesn’t come in.
Blackman made 12 appearances for Swedish side Ostersunds FK where he was sent on loan late in the season. With some valuable game time, it is expected that Blackman would gain at least one rating point in the upcoming FIFA 17.
John Terry: 85→82
A strong 2014-15 season meant that Terry would get a strong 85 rating in FIFA 16. However, his performances last season have been not as noteworthy as the previous one. Age has finally caught up with John Terry as he endured a difficult season for the Blues last year.
Niggling injuries didn’t help his cause either, with him looking as slow as ever and making some amateur mistakes over the course of last season. We expect Terry to be downgraded by 3 points in the FIFA 17 ratings.
Branislav Ivanovic: 80→79
The Serbian right-back started off as a centre-back for Chelsea, but was moved to right back and loves to dart forward from the flank and also possesses immense aerial threat. However, Ivanovic’s performances at right-back were worrying for the Blues last season as he was often caught off guard and slow to recover against speedy wingers.
Once one of the best defenders in the league, Ivanovic’s atrocious performances is sure to warrant him a downgrade of at least 1 point.
Gary Cahill: 83→81
Gary Cahill has been a consistent performer for the Blues over the past few seasons. However, he, like other defenders at Chelsea had a terrible season in 2015-16 with his starting spot is in serious doubt after the emergence of young Kurt Zouma.
A poor EURO 2016 campaign means that Cahill too would see a downgrade of a couple of points.
Kurt Zouma: 77→80
Kurt Zouma, who had an ACL injury last season, is considered one of the best young defenders in Europe and was one of the few Chelsea players who shone last season. Immensely praised for his pace and recovery, Zouma should be rewarded with an upgrade of a few points in FIFA 17.
Cesar Azpilicueta: 82→82
Though he stuttered in form last season due to continuous change in playing positions, Azpilicueta was reliable as usual for most parts of the season and is expected to hold on to his rating.
Matt Miazga: 68→69
The American was signed by Chelsea last season and has been predominantly a squad player for the Blues. Miazga’s involvement with a side of Chelsea’s reputation might just earn him a single point upgrade.
Ola Aina 60→62
Ola Aina is one of the top academy talents, plays as a full back and has impressed for the U21 side. Aina impressed during Chelsea’s pre-season tour in the States this season and if not loaned out, might rack up a few minutes to warrant him an upgrade of a couple of points.
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#2 Midfielders
Nemanja Matic: 84→82
The Serbian CDM was one of the most important players for Chelsea in their title winning 2014-15 season but suffered a horrendous campaign last year.
Lethargic and lackluster, Matic was nowhere close to replicating the form he had shown, which may be a reason why he would probably be downgraded by a couple of points.
John Obi Mikel: 77→78
Mikel had some good matches in the latter half of last season as he was often chosen ahead of Nemanja Matic by Guus Hiddink. However, a one-point upgrade is all he’s going to get.
N’Golo Kante: 77→82
Kante had a brilliant season for Leicester as he was instrumental in the Foxes’ fairytale title win. Kante’s rating is expected to go up by leaps and bounds after his extraordinary performances.
The midfielder has become one of Chelsea’s star signings this summer and warrants an upgrade of a few points.
Cesc Fabregas: 87→87
The Spanish midfielder is considered one of the best passers of the game and is responsible for keeping the Chelsea midfield ticking. Fabregas’ rating is not expected to take a dip even though he had a poor first half of the season.
Fairly good post-winter performances should be enough to for him to maintain the 87 rating that he had in FIFA 16.
Oscar: 84→84
The talented midfielder often shows sparks of brilliance but is known to wither away after Christmas. It was the same old story for Oscar last season, too, as he started off well but could not keep up the tempo towards the latter half of the season. However, he is expected to hold on to his rating in FIFA 17.
Willian: 82→84
The tireless midfielder has become an asset to Chelsea in the past couple of years and is expected to shine next season as well. Willian was the only player who managed to play at the highest level throughout the season and was a highlight in Chelsea’s season which was terrible, to say the least.
A constant threat from set-pieces, Willian’s top class performances should give him a boost to at least 84 in FIFA 17.
Juan Cuadrado: 82→82
The winger was loaned to Juventus last season after Jose Mourinho found him surplus to his requirements. Cuadrado had a decent season out on loan with the Italian champions which should be enough not to be given a downgrade in FIFA 17.
Kenedy: 62→70
The young Brazilian winger was brought by Jose Mourinho and has impressed for the Blues in the few chances he has got. Kenedy was relatively an unknown figure in the European football scene before he played as a left-back for Chelsea.
Experience in the English top flight should be gifted with an upgrade of at least 5 points.
Eden Hazard: 89→88
The Belgian sensation was the Premier League’s best player in Chelsea’s 2014-15 title winning season. However, the winger was a mere shadow of his former self, last season for the Blues. Niggling injuries didn’t help his cause either as he was often benched in favour of other players.
He found a hint of form in the dying stages of the Premier League last season and had a good Euro campaign which should be enough to prevent his rating to take a big toll.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek: 63→69
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is poised to be the first player from the Chelsea Academy since John Terry to establish himself as a crucial squad member for the Blues.
The young midfielder was given quite a number of games by both Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink over the course of last season, where he largely impressed. Expect his rating to go up by at least 5 points.
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#3 Strikers
Pedro: 83→82
The Spanish forward was brought from Barcelona by Jose Mourinho last season to add depth to their attack. But the winger did not have the best of seasons in his first year with Chelsea.
His form was poor and was dropped halfway through the season. It would be a surprise if he holds on to his rating which is almost sure to be downgraded.
Diego Costa: 86→85
The volatile striker never fails to be in the news, whether it be for his goal scoring prowess or his on-field antics. Diego Costa endured a steep dip in form last season after scoring 20 goals in the previous season.
His poor performances for Chelsea saw him dropped for EURO 2016 which makes it inevitable that his rating will take a hit.
Loic Remy: 81→79
Loic Remy played second fiddle for most parts of Chelsea’s campaign last season. Jose Mourinho lost trust in Remy, who also failed to impress Guus Hiddink as well after the Portuguese was sacked.
Remy made only 20 appearances last season and managed to score just 3 goals which should downgrade his new rating by a couple of points.
Michy Batshuayi: 79→80
The Belgian striker made a big money move to Chelsea from Marseille this summer and has been likened to Blues legend Didier Drogba. The young forward had a breakthrough season for Marseille last year scoring 23 goals in all competitions for the French outfit.
He was also selected to represent Belgium in EURO 2016 and it is expected that he would get an upgrade of at least 1 point.
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