Chelsea, this season, have dusted off last season’s problems in style and turned the title run-in into a mere formality with their 3-0 win over Middlesbrough last week. Chelsea have literally walked away with the title and have by far looked the most complete unit in the Premier League.
A combination of superlative team and individual displays are sure to result in an increase in their players' ratings in the next instalment of the FIFA series.
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Apart from this, players from other clubs have also performed admirably well, an example being Romelu Lukaku who despite playing for a club outside the traditional powerhouses is leading the Premier League scoring charts with 24 goals this season.
These displays are likely to be rewarded with rating upgrades in FIFA 18 and in this article, we list those Premier League players who deserve to receive rating upgrades in FIFA 18 after an impressive 2016-17 season.
#1 Eden Hazard
The 2015-16 was a nightmare for Eden Hazard. Off the boil and out of favour with manager Jose Mourinho, Hazard only showed glimpses of his true potential once the Portuguese incumbent was sacked and Chelsea were languishing in 15th place.
The Belgian endured a difficult season, so much that his most memorable contribution was the derailing of Spurs’ title charge which allowed Leicester to run away with the title.
This season though, Hazard has looked like a man on a mission. Playing a free role in Antonio Conte’s otherwise extremely disciplined 3-4-3 setup, Hazard, true to his name has been an imperious threat to defences all season.
His incisive dribbling and movement have seen him score 15 Premier League goals and provide 5 assists to his teammates while also creating space for them with his intelligent runs.
The winger’s rating for FIFA 16 had remained stationary at 88 after a poor season under Mourinho but this season’s performances have lived up to the hype surrounding the Belgian. He is now, without a doubt, the best player in the Premier League and will be expected to overtake David de Gea for the title of the Premier League’s best player in FIFA 18.
Expect Eden Hazard to command a rating of around 90-92 after exceptional performances that led to Chelsea winning the title this season.
#2 Romelu Lukaku
Everton’s Romelu Lukaku has been earmarked for greatness ever since he moved to Chelsea as a teenager back in 2011. The signs of potential were visible in his loan spells away from the club; the hat-trick in West Brom’s 5-5 draw in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final game at Manchester United saw him outscore all of his Chelsea teammates that season, finishing with 17 goals.
Still not finding favour under Jose Mourinho, the big Belgian was shipped out to Everton where he impressed and signed a long-term contract. This season, he seems to have realised the potential, topping the Premier League scoring charts with 24 goals, three goals ahead of the nearest challenger Harry Kane who has found the back of the net 21 times.
In FIFA 17, Lukaku was rated at 85, and upgrade of three points over his FIFA 16 rating. After his goalscoring exploits in the 2017 season, however, we expect Big Rom to see further rating upgrades to a level of around 88 rating points with a potential rating of 92.
Also, expect a hectic transfer window for Everton as they struggle to hold him down to his contract and eventually start their search for a replacement striker as Lukaku is surely meant for bigger things.
#3 Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford has had a dream Manchester United career till now. Initially drafted into the starting XI by Louis van Gaal as a buffer for United’s injury problems last season, Rashford has now become a fixture in the lineup under Jose Mourinho. The last year has seen the Englishman go from an unheard youngster to a full blown England international.
On the FIFA series, Rashford’s fledgeling career has seen a meteoric rise in ratings. Making his FIFA debut in the 2016 edition, Rashford was rated at only 69, with his pace being his biggest attribute. Rashford’s rating saw a huge jump in FIFA 17 with EA Sports giving the youngster a rating of 78 in the game.
This season, Rashford has yet again impressed in United colours despite the goals drying up a little. Again, his speed has been his chief strength and he used it to devastating effect in Manchester United's tactical masterclass against Chelsea at Old Trafford.
After establishing himself as a regular first-team player this season, Rashford’s rating can be expected to go up to a level of around 83-84 as he cements his place in the Manchester United attack.
#4 N’Golo Kante
Chelsea's $30 million pre-season defensive midfield signing has been so successful that he even won the PFA Players Player of the Year ahead of teammate Eden Hazard. Blues’ 3-0 win over Everton confirmed their title triumph and as a result, this will be the second Premier League title N’Golo Kante wins in his two years in England.
Kante’s tireless legs and a brilliant footballing brain have ensured that Chelsea are secure in the middle of the park and can concentrate on causing damage further upfront. Kante’s FIFA story is similar to Rashford in the sense that both had a breakout 2015-16 season which has seen their FIFA ratings skyrocket.
The Frenchman started 2015 rated at 73 but has since seen his rating shoot up 10 points. His performances in Leicester and Chelsea’s title triumphs have been immense and after a stellar 2016-17 season we can expect his rating to go up to 86 or 87, fitting for someone whose ability has seen his clubs win two league titles in two consecutive years.
#5 Marcos Alonso
Before becoming a fixture in the Chelsea line-up, the Spanish full-back endured a journeyman career which saw him tour the Santiago Bernabeu, Bolton Wanderers, Fiorentina and Sunderland before finally washing up at Chelsea and winning the Premier League.
Make no mistake, Alonso’s Premier League title has been thoroughly deserved with him being a regular fixture at left fullback.
Starting the season, Alonso was only rated at 79, hardly the level he has shown throughout the campaign. It was clear early in the season that FIFA had erred by giving him low ratings. Chipping in with six goals through the campaign, the Spaniard has managed to make his mark even in an attacking sense while also being a solid presence at the back.
Alonso has shown this season that he is much better than what FIFA rate him to be and EA Sports will be correcting their mistake in the next edition. The fullback will comfortably cross the 80 point barrier and end up with a rating of 83-84 after performing impressively as a member of Antonio Conte’s Chelsea unit this season.
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