5 players with biggest drop in FIFA 18 rating

As we edge closer to the release date for FIFA 18, the picture is starting to become clearer as regards to how various sides may shape up in the prestigious EA Sports creation. This year's lineup, particularly, will see some new talent streaming through, along with a host of new features.

Gaming fans around the world will no doubt be excited to witness the numerous developments in this edition as compared to FIFA 17 and things look highly promising if first looks are to be considered. However, football fans are more concerned with how their favourite teams and players will shape up for this new extravaganza.

The recent ratings reveal made things fairly clear but it came with its own set of shocks and surprises. Some glaring errors can be seen in ratings' allocation but as it has been in the past, EA Sports have stuck to their guns. But since the world is already at their throats for these clear mistakes, we'll try our best to be as objective as possible.

In some situations, top players have been given huge downgrades. Here are some of the most noteworthy ones:

#5 Loic Remy 77(- 4)

Remy's FUT 18 card

Loic Remy was once considered one of the fastest strikers in the Premier League but his recent FIFA 18 rating tells an entirely different story. A brief spell at Newcastle United looked promising for the Frenchman and his move to Stamford Bridge made the future look bright.

However, erratic loan spells and too much time on the bench has since seen him forced out on a free transfer to Las Palmas where the forward is still settling in. His 81 rating in FIFA 17 has taken a major hit due to a loss in form and he now stands at just 77. Ouch. That really must hurt.

#4 Klaas-Jan Huntelaar 77(- 4)

Huntelaar's FUT 18 card

Once a bright young prospect, Dutch striker Huntelaar has been there and thereabouts for much of his career. His most recent successful stint at Schalke earned him a decent rating in FIFA for most of the past five seasons. But since making the move to his native Holland, Ajax hasn't quite proven to be the best hunting ground for the forward and his FIFA 18 rating is indicative of just that.

Shooting remains his only strong suit and his overall numbers have taken a huge hit, falling to 77, 4 below his previous rating in the game. At 34 years of age, time could be running out for this once prolific scorer.

#3 Nolito 79(- 4)

Nolito's FUT 18 card

Nolito's future in European football looked on the right track following his brilliant run with the Spanish national side at Euro 2016 and subsequently being signed by English giants Manchester City. But as is the case very often, the Spaniard took a while to adjust to the fast-paced British style of football and injuries didn't help his cause either.

What transpired was a failed stint at the Etihad and a forced move back to Spain with Sevilla. The winger continues to find his feet in Seville but could consider himself a shade unlucky to receive a 4 point downgrade in FIFA 18. His shooting and dribbling stats look respectable, however, and he could just crawl his way back into the Ultimate Team good books this season.

#2 Ashley Young 75(- 4)

Young's FUT 18 card

Here's a shocker if there ever was one. Even the harshest critic of winger turned fullback Ashley Young has to agree that EA Sports made a hash of his rating this year. The pacy Manchester United star was once a mainstay in Sir Alex Ferguson's side but finds himself out of favour under current manager Jose Mourinho.

That being said, his contributions to the club remain as important as ever, making his overall rating of 75 seem all the more cringe-worthy. A 4 point downgrade from last year seems highly odd when you consider that several other players who haven't featured all season still have decent ratings in the game. He'll be itching to prove the makers of FIFA 18 wrong as we dig our teeth into the new Premier League season.

#1 John Terry 78(- 6)

Terry's FUT 18 card

Former Chelsea and England skipper John Terry will be disappointed when he gets his hands on FIFA 18 to find himself rated just 78 this year. He may be disappointed, but that's pretty much where it ends as the defender will have to admit that his ageing body has caught up to him and a transfer to second-tier Aston Villa has only further hurt his chances of being rated decently in FIFA 18.

A 6-point reduction this year earns him the dubious distinction of being the biggest rating downgrade in the game. Should he have just retired a champion? Based on what we've seen so far, he may very well have done just that.