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FIFA 18 released late in September and with that, there is a brand new player hierarchy in the FIFA universe. We have studied the newly released ratings and come up with an all-new Premier League best XI.
Boasting the cream of the crop from Manchester and London, the Premier League XI has an average rating of 88. No club players apart from those at Spurs, the two Manchester clubs, Chelsea and a sole representative from Arsenal make the XI. For Liverpool's fans wishing to see their stars in the best Premier League lineup, better luck next time.
GK: David De Gea (90)
The Spaniard has admirably grown into his role at Old Trafford after a shaky debut and is now amongst the world's elite shot-stoppers. On FIFA 18, he is second only to Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich, who is rated at 92 on the latest FIFA installment.
Now probably one of the first names on Jose Mourinho's team sheet, David De Gea is one of the best goalkeepers in world football. Once the subject of a controversial story involving Real Madrid and a faulty fax machine, he now seems content at Manchester United and is anchoring their title defense with his indomitable performances in goal.
Defence
a) RB, LB: Antonio Valencia (83), Jan Vertonghen (85)
The best Premier League defence in FIFA 18 is an all-London affair with players from last season's stoutest defences, Chelsea and Spurs, making the ranks. At right fullback is Manchester United's winger-turned-defender Antonio Valencia, who is now the Manchester United captain in the absence of Michael Carrick. The Ecuadorian has established himself as one of Jose Mourinho's untouchables and is hardly ever rotated or dropped unless injured. The other flank is occupied by Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham, who has played at the spot on various occasions through his career in spite of being a center-back by trade.
b) CB: David Luiz (86), Toby Alderweireld (86)
The center-back slots are occupied by another Chelsea-Spurs duo. David Luiz anchored the Blues' title charge last season and has been given a rating of 86 in the game. His partner at the heart of the defence is Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld, who was part of the second stingiest defence in the league as Spurs finished second to eventual winners Chelsea.
Midfield
a) CDM: Paul Pogba (87), N'Golo Kante (87)
The midfield features a French partnership in the form of Paul Pogba (86) and N'Golo Kante (87). In what is a perfect blend of silk and steel, the Chelsea midfielder's tireless running and intelligent tracking of the ball will provide an effective screen for the defence, while Paul Pogba's athleticism, incisiveness, and dynamism will enable a team to transition from defence to attack in the blink of an eye. With effective distribution and the eye for a pass that he has shown under Jose Mourinho, Pogba should also be able to effectively release the illustrious attacking midfielders in front of him.
b) RW, CAM, LW: Alexis Sanchez (89), Kevin De Bruyne (89), Eden Hazard (90)
The attacking midfield trio has an average rating 89.5 and is composed of the Premier League's best player in Eden Hazard (90), Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez (89) and Manchester City's mercurial playmaker Kevin De Bruyne. With Eden Hazard on the left, De Bruyne in the centre and Sanchez on the right, the striker in this team can rest assured that he will not be starved of service anytime soon.
ST: Sergio Aguero (89)
This all-star team is led by the irrepressible talent of Sergio Aguero. The Argentine is being touted as one of the finest strikers to have ever graced the Premier League. Already a League icon after his heroic title-winning antics in 2011, Aguero has aged like fine wine.
After looking slightly out of sorts in the initial phase of the Pep Guardiola regime, the 29-year-old has adapted well, forming an effective partnership with fellow South American striker Gabriel Jesus as the spearheads of the Manchester City attack.
