Like in reality, the virtual football game also demands midfield domination. Over time, the likes of Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez and various others have shown how the game of football is won and lost in the centre of the park.
Midfielders are not only important in the attacking or passing sense but also conduct other duties like box-to box play and breaking up play.
With some revolutionary changes expected in FIFA 18, the midfield is expected to gain an even higher level of importance in virtual football. In this article, we list those midfielders who we think will be the cream of the crop in FIFA 18.
Read on to find out which players you could use to bolster your midfield in the next FIFA instalment.
#1 Luka Modric
The clever Croatian schemer has been an irrepressible part of the Real Madrid midfield for almost five years now. Tasked with opening up defences which typically sit deep against a powerhouse Real side, Modric is a threat with his vision and passing whilst also possessing the ability to place the ball in the corner of the net from distance.
The 31-year old was an influential part of the Blancos side which became the first ever team to defend the Champions League last season, making the £30 million Madrid paid for him look like an absolute bargain.
In FIFA 17, Modric was rated at 89, a rating which did not change even after the midseason ratings refresh. Despite having crossed over to the wrong side of thirty the season before last, Modric’s influence over the Real midfield has only increased.
By the time FIFA 17 was released, the Croat had already won two Champions League titles with Real which saw him receiving an 89 rating from EA.
A successful defence of the Champions League title saw Modric once again play a key role in a triumphant Real Madrid season where they also won the league title. The Croatian will be 32 by the end of the next season but his performances seem to be getting better with age like a certain Andrea Pirlo.
The midfielder's rich vein of form should continue next season and in all probability, he will be given a rating of around 90 by EA in the upcoming instalment of the FIFA series.
#2 Paul Pogba
The mercurial French midfielder was already touted as one of the best midfielders in the world before his world record move to boyhood club Manchester United. After an arrival marked by stormy, snazzy haircuts and Pogba’s very own Twitter emoticon, the Red Devils faithful discovered what they had let go in 2012.
A midfield which was ponderous and one dimensional now had a dynamic unpredictability to it. The United engine room finally had the presence it was craving for since the retirement of Paul Scholes.
Paul Pogba’s FIFA 17 rating stood at 88 and after initially looking like he was trying too hard to impress, he settled in and started showing why he was bracketed as one of the best midfielders in the world.
One of the best midfielders in the Premier League, Pogba ended the previous season looking perfectly placed to kick on and justify his standing as one of the standout midfielders in world football.
The 24-year old ended last season with 5 goals and 4 assists in the league but hit the post an astounding nine times throughout the season; a stat which shows what he is capable of, in spite of his relatively low output.
Towards the end of the season, Pogba had developed on-pitch partnerships with his teammates, especially Zlatan Ibrahimovic and midfield partner Ander Herrera. He will be expected to kick on in the upcoming season and his undoubted ability is likely to be rated at 89-90 by EA Sports.
#3 Kevin De Bruyne
The Belgian attacking midfielder is a player perfectly suited to the style of play Pep Guardiola demands from his players. With a technically astute playing style characterised by a natural flair, Bruyne is one of the most naturally gifted players in the Premier League.
The 24-year old is a versatile attacker and can operate across various positions with the latest being a false-8 position he occupies in central midfield alongside David Silva in Pep Guardiola’s fluid system at Manchester City.
Last season, Manchester City fans had the opportunity to see the playmaker at his scheming best with Guardiola’s system bringing out the best in the Citizen’s ball players. An exceptional season saw him gain three rating points to reach an overall of 91 mid season.
The Belgian is expected to play an even bigger part next season with City stalwarts David Silva and Yaya Toure fighting the effects of age and the fall in productivity it brings along with it. City look a more potent side with De Bruyne in their ranks and considering his exploits last season, we can expect to see him being rated at a level of 90 next season.
#4 Toni Kroos
Another Galactico from the city of Madrid, Toni Kroos was a crucial cog in Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich side before making a 30 million euro switch to Real Madrid in 2014. Known for his ball retention abilities and an ice cool head which allow him to safely manoeuvre out of most difficult looking situations, Toni Kroos is a world class midfield operator.who has played for two of the most prestigious clubs in Europe.
The versatile midfielder can play in a variety of roles ranging from defensive midfield to a box to box role as well as being able to play in a more advanced position as a central attacking midfielder. For the multitude of qualities Kroos offers his team, the German was ranked at 88 in FIFA 17.
After a wonderful season where he defended the Champions League, Kroos has raised his standing as one of the game’s finest midfield operators. Ranked at 88 in FIFA 17, expect Kroos to maintain a similar level in EA Sports’ FIFA 18.
#5 Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil moved to Arsenal after three seasons at Real Madrid which cemented his status as the premier attacking midfielder in world football. When it comes to providing assists, there is no one like the wily German.
In his three seasons in the Spanish capital, the 28-year old provided more than 50 assists, with 27 of them contributing to Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal tally.
Ozil has been a similarly influential player for Arsenal and has provided over 40 assists during his time with the club; a number which surely would have been much higher were it not for some lax finishing by Arsenal’s forwards. After a 2015-16 where he laid on more than 15 assists for his club, the German was rated at 89 by EA Sports.
Although the 28-year old had a slightly sub-standard 2016-17 season, there is no doubt over his talent. The next installment of the FIFA series should ideally see the German ranked at a level similar to his FIFA 17 ranking. An overall of 88-89 would not be off the mark.
