EA Sports has confirmed that the winter updates for FIFA 17 will roll out from 17 February to 27 February 2017. The upgrade will see hundreds of players being affected on the basis of their performances over the first half of the season.
It was also confirmed that a series of upgrades and downgrades for FUT Ultimate Team players would be made in the coming 10 days.
Also read: FIFA 17: Five fastest players post the winter update
With the deserving players receiving upgrades, it will be great fun to play with them in the game. On that note, here we take a look at five Premier League stars who received an upgrade following their impressive showing so far in the season.
#5 Dele Alli (80 to 82)
From being a lanky teenager playing for League One side Milton Keynes Dons, Delli Alli has come a long way. While he first announced his arrival last season when he impressed one and all for Tottenham, many believed that he was just another one-year wonder from England.
This season, however, he has stamped his authority in English football and has proved that he is here to stay. His performances have already attracted the attention of several European giants including Real Madrid and Barcelona. With 11 goals and two assists from just 21 appearances, Alli has proved his doubters wrong.
EA has visibly been impressed by his performances and has given him an upgrade in the winter update. His rating has been increased from 80 to 82 thus making him one of the highest rated youngsters in the game.
#4 Antonio Valencia (80 to 82)
Antonio Valencia has been one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League this season. Brought to the club by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2009 as a right-winger, Valencia was shifted to right-back by Louis van Gaal. Although he had played in that position a few times in the past, he never looked comfortable in that role.
However, this season it has been a whole different story. Valencia’s influence has been so immense that Jose Mourinho has been able to play without any specialist right winger in the starting lineup. The Ecuadorian bosses the right flank and his presence allows Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to drift inside and create chances through the middle.
The 31-year-old is now one of the first names on the team-sheet and consequently, he has been given a boost in his ratings by EA. His rating has been increased from 80 to 82.
#3 Sadio Mane (79 to 82)
When Liverpool bought Sadio Mane from Southampton, many feared that he would go down as yet another bad signing. However, it was only when Mane left for the Africa Cup of Nations that everyone understood that it was him and not Philippe Coutinho who was their most important player.
Mane had impressed in his first few months but his performances had been overshadowed by Coutinho. When the Brazilian got injured, the speedy winger helped his team remain in contention for the title. However, as soon as the Senegal international left to join his national side, Liverpool’s form dipped.
With his return, the Reds have finally found some form again. Mane has scored 11 goals and assisted four times in the league so far and EA has given him a boost from 79 to 82.
#2 Alexis Sanchez (87 to 88)
In the last few days, Alexis Sanchez has cut a forlorn figure in the Arsenal side. He has been the only player in the Gunners side who has been able to perform on a consistent basis this season. However, reports have emerged suggesting that the Chilean is unhappy at the club and will move on in the summer.
Coming to his performances, Sanchez has been quite brilliant. Arsene Wenger has employed him in a free central forward role, in which the Chilean has flourished. He has led the attack from the front and is the leading goal scorer in the Premier League with 17 goals from just 24 appearances.
Furthermore, he has assisted eight times and looks on course to win the Premier League Player of the Year. EA has given him a boost, and deservedly so. The Chilean has seen his rating rise from 87 to 88.
#1 Eden Hazard (88 to 89)
After a very disappointing season last year, when Chelsea’s team failed as a unit, Eden Hazard has had somewhat of a rebirth this season. Playing in a free role in attack, the Belgian has opened up new dimensions in his gameplay that no one thought he was capable of.
Antonio Conte has changed the Chelsea side from a boring defensive unit to an exciting counter-attacking team, at the heart of which is Hazard. The 26-year-old has scored 10 times and assisted thrice in the league in 24 appearances.
Riding on the back of his performances, the Blues managed a 13-game winning streak which saw them climb to the top of the table. Hazard, who was one of the contenders to be on the cover when EA launched the game, has been given a boost from 88 to 89 because of his impressive performances so far.
