EA Sports’ FIFA 17 is one of the most realistic football-based video games. Six months into its release and we still cannot get enough of the game. We have completed the career mode with a number of clubs, and winning trophies and leading them to glory is almost second nature now.
However, the thing about the FIFA games is that there is always a better one which will come out next year. FIFA 17 is good, probably the best ever football game, but it does come with its share of flaws. And, one of the major flaws is the unrealistic ratings of some of the players.
This time around, though, EA is ensuring that all the players are rated appropriately such that the final ratings give a true reflection of each players’ on-field capabilities.
Some of the players, we hear, are set to receive a major cut-down in their ratings. Here is a list of five players who are likely to have their ratings downgraded in FIFA 18.
Also Read: 5 players who will get an upgrade in FIFA 18
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned the FIFA Player of the year just last month. He also won the Ballon d’Or award back in December. The obvious question arises; why should his rating be decreased?
Well, for starters the awards were given on the basis of his performances in 2016 whereas in the FIFA 18, players will be rated on the basis of their performances in the ongoing season. In the previous instalment, EA had rated Ronaldo at 94, the highest among all players.
However, this season his performances so far have been a tad bit average (going by his standards). According to our sources, if Ronaldo does not perform exceedingly well in the latter half of the season, there is a chance that the Portuguese forward will be rated at 93 in FIFA 18.
His eventual ratings may look like -
Overall – 93
Pace – 92
Shot – 92
Dribble – 90
Passing – 80
Defence – 32
Physicality – 80
#2 Neymar
Neymar received a rating of 92 in FIFA 17 which reflected his on-field performances in the 2015-16 season. He had scored 24 goals in 34 league appearances and had assisted 12 times.
In contrast, this season he has scored only 5 times in 17 league appearances while assisting seven times. A dip in form has seen him sprawling chances that he would not have missed last year. Consequently, alongside his confidence, his goal-scoring stats have gone down.
Do not get me wrong. He is massively talented and can still run past three-four defenders with considerable ease. However, the Brazilian has not been able to replicate his last season’s form so far. Word is, his rating is set to be decreased by at least two points, i.e. Neymar will be rated 90 in FIFA 18.
His eventual ratings may look like -
Overall – 90
Pace – 92
Shot – 82
Dribble – 94
Passing – 84
Defence – 25
Physicality – 55
#3 Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil finished last season with an incredible 19 assists in the league to his name. In 35 appearances, he also scored five times but it was due to his assist record that he was rated 89 in FIFA 17.
This season, though, he has only been a shadow of his former self. After a strong start to the season, the German playmaker has somewhat fizzled out. Reports that he was unhappy over his wage probably unsettled him for a while. But a return of only four assists is not something you expect of Ozil.
Now, our sources are reporting that EA is all set to give the Arsenal playmaker a lower rating in FIFA 18. It is likely that his rating will be cut down by four points to 85 unless, of course, he gets going in the remainder of the season.
His eventual ratings may look like -
Overall – 85
Pace – 73
Shot – 80
Dribble – 89
Passing – 90
Defence – 27
Physicality – 60
Also Read: 5 things that you can expect in FIFA 18
#4 Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero scored 24 times in the league last season and finished as Premier League’s top scorer. Going by his exploits in the English top division, EA had aptly given him a rating of 89 in FIFA 17.
However, under new boss Pep Guardiola, the Argentine forward has failed to even cement a first-team position. Having failed to get accustomed to the counter-pressing tactics, Aguero’s performances have gone down drastically and so has his confidence.
New recruit Gabriel Jesus has starred in his first two appearances and it is likely that Aguero will have to warm the benches for a while. Our sources believe that if he does not feature regularly in the first-team, Aguero’s overall rating will be reduced by at least three points to 86.
His eventual ratings may look like -
Overall – 86
Pace – 88
Shooting – 88
Dribbling – 86
Passing – 73
Defensive – 25
Physicality – 70
#5 Thomas Muller
Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller is one of the most deadly finishers in world football. Last season, he showed just that when he scored 20 times in 31 league appearances. Consequently, EA had given him a rating of 87 in FIFA 17.
Muller’s stats this season are nothing short of shocking. A player of his calibre scoring only once in the league with half the season gone is absolutely ridiculous. Maybe it had something to do with Guardiola leaving for Manchester City, maybe he has not been able to get going under Carlo Ancelotti, we will never know.
Anyway, EA has reportedly decided to reduce his overall rating in the next instalment of the game. Our sources claim that Muller will be rated at 84, which means a reduction by 3 points.
His eventual ratings may look like -
Overall – 84
Pace – 77
Shooting – 80
Dribbling – 77
Passing – 77
Defensive – 45
Physicality – 72
Also Read: 5 things that make you happy playing FIFA
