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Gareth Southgate's England have been on another level but that has not got them a trophy just yet. They finished 4th in the World Cup and 3rd in the UEFA Nations League – and that should be seen as a huge sign of improvement.
The defenders have not been at their best for The Three Lions but have decent ratings in FIFA. Here's a look at the top 5 English defenders in the game:
#5 – Chris Smalling (80)
Chris Smalling might not be the best centre-back at Manchester United but he has a better rating than most of them. The English defender is not the prefered choice of Gareth Southgate as well and rightly so.
Smalling has been making way too many mistakes at the back and that has cost Manchester United big time. The Red Devils have lost a lot of games because of Smalling's mistakes and that has seen them drop out of the top 4 once again and play in the Europa League.
The Manchester United centre-back was rated at 81 in FIFA 19 and it is very likely for him to get a downgrade. He has not lived up to his expectations and with so many mistakes, his defending stats should take a big hit.
He should be pushed to 80 in FIFA 20 and that would be a reasonable rating for him.
#4 Kieran Trippier (81)
Kieran Trippier has not been at his best lately but that has not stopped him from helping Tottenham when needed. He has made a few mistakes at the back but then again, he has done a lot from them to win matches as well.
He is rated at 82 in FIFA 19 but is likely to get a downgrade too. While he hasn't been as bad as Chris Smalling, he does not deserve a rating of 82 in the game.
EA Sports should push him down to 81 in FIFA 20 as that would be a reasonable rating for him.
#3 – Harry Maguire (82)
Harry Maguire might soon become the world's most expensive defender but he has not done enough to earn that tag. Manchester City and Manchester United are chasing him this summer and both clubs have been told to pay £80 million by Leicester City.
Rated at 82 in FIFA 19, he might be in line to get an upgrade but that depends on if he makes a move from Leicester City.
#2 – John Stones (82)
John Stones has been in and out of the Manchester City starting XI but he has shown signs of improvement when he takes the pitch with England. The former Everton player has been solid at the back and is still young.
The centre-back is rated at 82 and is likely to remain at the same when FIFA 20 comes out as well. An upgrade or downgrade isn't needed as his rating right now is apt for him.
#1 – Kyle Walker (86)
Kyle Walker is England's best defender by a mile and Pep Guardiola has done a lot to get him to that status. The former Tottenham star had to potential while he was at White Hart Lane but the Spanish manager has worked his magic to make him better.
Walker is in line to get an upgrade in FIFA 20 after he was shockingly ignored in the FIFA 19 Winter Upgrades. He was rated at 84 in FIFA 19 and was the favourite from Manchester City to get an upgrade apart from Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva.
Given that he has done exceptionally well in the 2018/19 season, he deserves an upgrade and EA Sports should push him to 86. Anything less would be questionable and should be considered as a huge mistake in his rating.
Do you agree with the ratings? Sound off in the comments section below!
