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With the release of the FIFA 18 demo, fans of the popular gaming franchisee are drooling over the expensively assembled attacking talent in clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United. What is going under the radar, for now, is the importance of a solid defence manned by defenders capable of dealing with the threat posed by the tricky attacking lineups of these sides.
Scoring goals may be the most important part of football but with a leaky defence at the back, FIFA players might find themselves in a situation similar to that of Liverpool, where scoring goals comes easy, but stopping them from going in at the other end is next to impossible. The importance of a strong foundation at the base of the team cannot be understated, especially in FIFA where games can turn in an instant, and holding on to leads is a gruelling affair.
In order to make players' lives easier ahead of the release of the game on September 29, we have compiled a list of the best defenders on FIFA 18 which will surely come in handy once the game is released and FUT leagues are in full flow.
10) Toby Alderweireld
The 28-year-old Belgian was part of one of the stingiest defences in Europe last season, helping Tottenham Hotspur to a second-place finish behind eventual winners Chelsea. The centre-back has formed a commanding partnership with fellow Belgian Jan Vertonghen at the heart of defence and is the leader at the back for Spurs.
In FIFA 18, Alderweireld has seen his overall rating rise by one point, which now sees him rated at 86 in the game, making him the 10th best defender in the latest instalment. The Belgian might not be the fastest player in the game with a speed rating of 66 but he is certainly impressive as a defender with an 87 rating.
9) Gerard Pique
Barcelona were in need of a leader after Carles Puyol's retirement and those shoes have been capably filled by Gerard Pique who has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in world football. The 30-year-old is a libero in the true sense of the word and forms a silk and steel partnership with Sergio Ramos at the heart of the Spanish team's defence.
In FIFA 18, the Cule receives a one-point upgrade over his FIFA 17 ratings, which saw him finish with an overall rating of 87. His defending rating is a remarkable 86 while physicality (76) and passing (69) are also respectable for a centre-back. In addition to this, Pique also receives a two-star skill rating which is unusual for a defender.
8) Marcelo
The Brazilian fullback has been a fixture in the left side of the Real Madrid defence for almost a decade now. A capable defender and a genuine threat going forward, Marcelo has been a key part of the rampant Real Madrid side which has won three Champions League titles since the 2013-14 season.
The fullback was instrumental in Real Madrid's Champions League defense last season and as a result, has seen his rating too being upgraded by one point to 87. Dribbling has always been a major part of the Brazilian's gameplay and FIFA 18 sees him receive a rating of 85 for his dribbling prowess while also maintaining his defensive attributes at 82.
7) Jerome Boateng
Jerome Boateng is a formidable presence in defence (unless you're Lionel Messi) for Bayern Munich and Germany and has been a constant presence in five Bundesliga triumphs for the Bavarian giants. Despite anchoring Bayern Munich to yet another title in the last season, he his rating has been downgraded by two points to 88.
The 29-year-old's defending rating is elite at 88 while he remains an imposing figure with a physicality rating of 84. What may have contributed to the rating downgrade could be the lack of genuine competition to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and the thrashings handed out to them in Champions League by a Ronaldo fueled Real Madrid. In spite of the decline, Boateng is still one of the world footballing elite and will be able to hold his own on FIFA 18.
6) Diego Godin
Uruguay's Diego Godin has been one of the best defenders on the European stage for a few years now. Vital in Atletico's unlikely runs to two Champions League finals and a La Liga triumph in this decade, Godin has maintained his rating 88 on FIFA from the previous edition.
The 31-year-old is known for his no-nonsense attitude and never-say-die spirit which see him make seemingly impossible blocks and tackles while also contributing handily to Atletico's goal scoring with his set-piece prowess.
FIFA 18 sees Godin's defence rating at 88 while his physicality is lower than some might expect at 78. The Atletico skipper was never known for his dribbling and attacking attributes and is rated correspondingly lower in the shooting and dribbling departments.
5) Mats Hummels
Jerome Boateng's ratings downgrade has coincided with the rising star of teammate Mats Hummels. The pair has formed a fruitful partnership for both, club and country; something which seems to be paying handsome dividends for Bayern Munich, who have now won five consecutive Bundesliga titles.
Hummels has never been the fastest of defenders and has been known for his reading of the game rather than his physical attributes. This is evident by the fact that his pace is rated at 64 while his defending is rated at 89. The 29-year-old's overall rating, however, sees a one-point increase to 88 from his previous rating of 87 on FIFA 17.
4) Thiago Silva
The Brazil and PSG skipper is the complete package as a central defender. Combining imposing physicality with deceptive speed and technique, the 33-year-old is equally adept at defending his goal as well as well as attacking that of the opponent.
The fourth best defender in the game, Thiago Silva also has also been given a rating of 88 on FIFA 18, an upgrade from his FIFA 17 rating of 87. Silva remains a formidable defender with an 88 defending rating while his pace has seen a slight dip to 72. The Brazilian remains a formidable physical presence with a rating of 79 which sees him dominate attackers in Ligue 1.
3) Leonardo Bonucci
Considering Italy is the home of the Catenaccio school of football, it would be surprising if there were no Italian footballers in the list of the best defenders in the world. (Spoiler Alert: There are two of them in the top three.). Fortunately, that is not the case and Leonardo Bonucci, who made the controversial switch to Milan from Juventus in the summer transfer window is the third best defender in the game with a rating of 88.
Bonucci was a part of Juventus' own version of the BBC alongside Barzagli and Chiellini before making the switch to Milan after a reported bust-up with Paulo Dybala. Rated at 88, he is one of the best pure defenders in the game. His defence rating is world class with an 87 rating while he is also a physical specimen, with a rating of 81 in that department. Playing for Milan, he is expected to bolster their defensive line and, hopefully, steer them to their past glory.
2) Georgio Chiellini
Another Catenaccio practitioner, Georgio Chiellini is part of the defensive foundation on which Juventus have won five consecutive Serie A titles. The second best defender in the world as per the FIFA 18 ratings, he forms an intimidating defence alongside Andrea Barzagli with the legendary Gianluigi Buffon in goal.
Chiellini's basic FIFA 18 card is rated at 89 with a defence rating of 90, making him the only player in the game to cross the 90 mark in that department. A physically imposing figure, Chiellini has also been given an 85 rating in the physicality attribute making him arguably the best out and out defender in the game.
1) Sergio Ramos
Real Madrid's Champions League defending captain, Sergio Ramos is the best defender in the game, with an overall rating of 90. The Spaniard is also the only defender in the game to cross the 90 mark and also features in the top ten highest rated players in the game.
Ramos has been crucial to Real Madrid's recent success in Europe and Spain with his last-gasp goals and set-piece prowess winning many a lost game for the Los Blancos. He also famously sparked the comeback in the 4-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final in Lisbon a couple of seasons back.
Ramos has been given a rating of 90 which includes an 83 rating for physicality and an 88 defending rating. An all-round footballer, he also possesses a three-star weak foot and skill moves while being equally effective at the defending and attacking aspects of the game.
