The latest version of the world’s favorite football game, EA Sports FIFA 17 is set to release in under a month. The much-awaited game is coming out on multiple gaming platforms. The game will release on 27th September in the USA, and on 29th September in rest of the world (India included).
The game includes a lot of new features including The Journey, which sees a young player dream of playing in the Premier League, and the new Frostbite engine, which was previously used by EA Dice in Battlefield. Marco Reus will be FIFA 17’s cover star.
Leicester City scripted one of the greatest miracles in modern football, after beating 5000/1 odds to be crowned as English Champions. The Foxes barely survived relegation in the 2014-15 season, and the rest is history.
The game got new stars in Vardy, Mahrez, Kante, and Leicester’s fairytale triumph was a reminder that spending big bucks does not guarantee success. The Foxes’ - a club with limited financial resources, showed the importance of team-spirit, amidst extravagant spending by bigger clubs.
Last season, Leicester were the underdogs, but this season, they are the hunted. Every team wants to defeat the champions, and the Foxes’ will be wary of it. Leicester will even make their European debut this season, and the world’s eyes will be on them.
Let’s take a look at Leicester City’s predicted player ratings:
#1 Goalkeepers and defenders
Kasper Schmeichel: 76 → 81
Often overshadowed by his dad and legendary goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel, the Denmark international had a brilliant season, and his performance in goal was crucial to Leicester’s fairytale. With 15 clean sheets to his name in the EPL, Schmeichel would, in all probabilities, be rated in the 80s.
Ron-Robert Zieler: 80 → 80
Zieler joined the English champions this transfer window, from Hannover 96. He had a decent season in Bundesliga and is set to retain 80+ rated card.
Cristian Fuchs: 74 → 77
The Austrian skipper had a phenomenal season at King Power Stadium, and he contributed a lot to Leicester’s solid defensive performance throughout the season. His performances last season should get him a +3 bump in the ratings.
Robert Huth: 78 → 80
Huth’s partnership with Wes Morgan at the heart of Leicester’s defense was vital to Leicester’s PL triumph. He was exceptionally solid at the back, and with tremendous aerial abilities, he chipped in with goals at crucial junctures.
The most notable one was his brace against Manchester City, which really announced Leicester as serious title contenders. The centre-back deserves an 80, if not more.
Wes Morgan: 73 → 76
The skipper did an exceptional job last season - as a solid defender and an excellent leader. The Jamaican was key to Leicester conceding only 36 goals last season, and like the rest of Leicester’s team, deserves an upgrade.
Danny Simpson: 72 → 77
The full-back had a very good season, making 30 appearances in the season. He was solid in defense and efficient in attack. He often troubled defenders coming in from the right, and should get a +5 increase for his contribution to Leicester’s defense.
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#2 Midfielders
Danny Drinkwater: 74 → 78
The English midfielder did a brilliant job at central midfield, alongside Kante throughout the league. He also contributed with 7 assists and 2 goals, and almost broke into England’s squad for Euro 2016. EA is likely to reward him with an upgrade.
Riyad Mahrez: 76 → 83
The Algerian has been a revelation, and probably one of the best transfers ever for a mere 400,000 from Le Havre. He lit up the Premier League, with 17 goals and 11 assists. Mahrez attracted a lot of interest from big clubs, but to Leicester’s relief, he penned a new contract. The amazing season should see him get an increased rating.
Marc Albrighton: 71 → 75
Albrighton didn’t stand out like Kante, Vardy or Mahrez, but his contribution was invaluable to Leicester’s cause. He was very good in attack and equally good in his defensive duties. He chipped in with 6 assists and 2 goals, and might get a rating of 75 for FIFA 17.
Nampalys Mendy: 74 → 77
The Frenchmen is another one of Leicester’s new signing and is the Foxes’ replacement for N’Golo Kante. Mendy played a vital role in Nice’s 4th placed finish in Ligue 1, featuring in almost all of their matches. Leicester fans will hope he can recreate Kante’s exceptional performance last season, and s expected to start FIFA 17 as 77 rated.
Bartosz Kapustka: 62 → 72
The Poland youngster is Leicester’s new signing from Cracovia on a 5-year deal. The 19-year old showed a lot of potential at Euro 2016 and has attracted interest from a lot of clubs. After good performances with club and country, Kapustka should be able to break into the 70s for FIFA 17.
Andy King: 70 → 72
Andy King made only 9 starts this season while making 16 appearances from the bench, but he was very good in the limited playing time. The Welshman will probably get an increased rating.
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#3 Forwards
Jamie Vardy: 75 → 82
Jamie Vardy really did have a party last season, and this party elongated over a year and was absolutely crucial to one of the greatest miracle in modern sports. He scored 24 goals and provided 6 assists in the league, completing an incredible journey from non-league football, 4 years ago, to EPL glory.
His rating will increase by quite a bit, it remains to be seen how much, but our prediction is a rating of 82.
Shinji Okazaki: 78 → 80
Okazaki did not have much to do, due to Vardy’s goal-scoring heroics, but chipped in with valuable performances. The 30-year old had 5 goals to his name last season, and his overall performances should be enough to secure an 80 rated card.
Leonardo Ulloa: 73 → 75
Ulloa merely provided back-up to Vardy last season, and made 29 appearances, out of which 22 was from the bench. However, he managed to score 6 goals and provided 2 assists, and his best performance was the brace against Swansea City at a time when people thought the Foxes’ would fumble following Vardy’s suspension.
The Argentine was not as good as his other team-mates, but FIFA will probably give him a +2 increase.
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