FIFA 17 is not like any other football game. It has significant changes, with value-added set pieces, an active real-time physics engine and general AI enrichments. This is the first FIFA game to integrate the Frostbite engine that delivers exceptional graphics with enhanced physics.
We also see the inclusion of the much-anticipated story mode called The Journey. Here, one gets to grow as a footballing legend right from the grassroots.
Based on the real-life performance of the players in the previous season in both league and club competitions, EA has released the player ratings ahead of the game’s launch.
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We have put a list of the top ten midfielders of FIFA 17 that are set to dominate the next calendar year both in career mode and online on The Ultimate Team.
#10 Marco Reus: overall – 88
At number ten, we have Marco Reus from Borussia Dortmund. The 27-year old German wide midfielder had a decent season last year with 23 goals and 8 assists in all competitions. This year Marco Reus receives an upgrade to 88 overall from last year’s 86 overall.
In FIFA 17, Marco Reus is all about pace. He shows good pace with brilliant reactions. This highly agile player is also a skilled dribbler. He is an excellent passer and has a high-quality cross. Reus is even good with his shooting and can easily play as a secondary striker. He is most effective when you ask him to make runs past the defence during long balls. The only downside, Reus is injury prone. A higher rating for physical would make him rank a lot higher on the list.
Overall – 88
Pace – 90
Shooting – 85
Passing – 84
Dribbling – 86
Defence – 40
Physical - 63
Marco Reus ticks all the boxes needed for a wide midfielder and is a great addition to any team in FIFA 17.
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Eden Hazard: Overall – 88
At number nine, it is Eden Hazard from Chelsea. The 25-year old Belgium midfielder had a forgetful season last year. He has only six goals and eight assists to his name in all competitions. This dropped his rating by a single point in FIFA 17 to an overall of 88. Even after the drop, he is still a key man in FIFA 17.
Like Marco Reus, he shows great pace. Combine that with exceptional dribbling skills and great passing, Hazard is just impossible to stop on the wide positions of the pitch. He is a playmaker and holds the team together. With Hazard, you can launch attacks within moments catching your opposition off-guard. His high attack work rate is a bonus.
Overall – 88
Pace – 90
Shooting – 91
Passing – 81
Dribbling – 82
Defence – 32
Physical - 64
Eden Hazard still is an expensive buy in the manager mode. Consider spending huge sums of money if you plan to get him away from Chelsea.
Buy FIFA 17 here
Toni Kroos: Overall – 88
The central midfielder from Real Madrid takes the eight spot on our list. The 26-year old German footballer has 13 assists to his name the last season. Toni Kroos shows an improvement to an overall of 88 from an overall of 87 last year. Kroos is an excellent playmaker and is key while holding the box just outside the box. With his technical dribbling skills, he can get past most of the defenders with ease. Not only that, he is a distance shooter, meaning he will take the shot right outside the box.
This should pose a constant threat to your opposition as the shots taken in the final third of the pitch increase rapidly. His below average rating for pace is a disappointment, though.
Overall – 88
Pace – 45
Shooting – 80
Passing – 88
Dribbling – 79
Defence – 69
Physical - 70
Toni Kroos is an excellent central midfielder and he could be the missing link that holds your team together on FIFA 17.
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Andrés Iniesta: Overall – 88
The central midfielder from Barcelona takes the seventh spot on our list. This 32-year old Spanish footballer has an overall of 88, the same as FIFA 16. He had a decent season with Barcelona in La Liga. Iniesta did not have many assists to his name but was instrumental in creating a whole lot of chances for FC Barcelona in the 15/16 season. You can expect the same in FIFA 17.
This playmaker is very versatile and is equally good playing as a left-winger, thanks to his high attack work rate. His excellent dribbling skills should be a worry to most of the defences in the game. The only downside, an average rating for stamina and aggression.
Overall – 88
Pace – 73
Shooting – 72
Passing – 87
Dribbling – 90
Defence – 59
Physical - 60
Andrés Iniesta maybe in his thirties but still is one of the best central midfielders in the game but getting him from FC Barcelona will not be easy in the manager mode.
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#6 Luka Modric: Overall – 89
Just missing out on the top-5 is Luka Modric from Real Madrid. This 31-year old central midfielder from Croatia had a decent season with four assists and three goals in all competitions. Like Iniesta, he too is an excellent dribbler. Modric's overall increased to 89 from 87. He is very agile and shows great balance. His phenomenal short passing skills with a great vision make him a must have for any team on FIFA 17.
This playmaker orchestrates your attacks to perfection. Moreover, he is a great long passer too. Luka Modric is good with his defending as well, you can even ask him to play the role of a holding midfielder. He standing tackle attributes are in fact on par with most of the central defenders.
Overall – 89
Pace – 74
Shooting – 75
Passing – 86
Dribbling – 89
Defence – 72
Physical - 66
Luka Modric is in his prime and is a great central midfielder. Being in his thirties, do not expect a lot of growth in career mode.
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#5 Mesut Özil: Overall - 89
At number five, we have Mesut Özil from Arsenal. This 27-year old central attacking midfielder from Germany had a terrific season last year, having 19 assists and 6 goals in the Premier League. His overall made a bump to 89 from 87. He shows tremendous vision and displays exceptional passing skills. With him in the midfield, expect to create a whole lot of chances in FIFA 17 for his through balls are excellent. He is an excellent dribbler and a brilliant playmaker as well.
Özil is decent with his shooting and will pop a few goals himself if he is in the box. Use a target man along with Özil and you will start creating more chances instantaneously. The only downside, an average rating for physical.
Overall – 89
Pace – 72
Shooting – 74
Passing – 86
Dribbling – 86
Defence – 24
Physical - 58
Mesut Özil is a must-have for any team in FIFA 17. However, be willing to spend huge amounts of money to get him from Arsenal in the manager mode.
Buy FIFA 17 here
#4 Gareth Bale: Overall – 90
The Welsh winger from Real Madrid takes the fourth spot. This 27-year old midfielder has a massive bump in his rating to an overall of 90 from 87. He had a terrific season last year, scoring 19 goals and 15 assists in all competitions. He had a decent Euro 2016 as well. Gareth Bale shows tremendous pace and is one of the fastest players in FIFA 17. Ask Bale to run past the defence during a long ball; not many defenders can keep up with his pace.
His excellent dribbling abilities and tremendous passing skills make him lethal in the final third. He is a clinical finisher and a complete forward; you can even play him as a striker. The only downside, he is injury prone.
Overall – 90
Pace – 94
Shooting – 87
Passing – 84
Dribbling – 86
Defence – 57
Physical - 76
Gareth Bale will be on the wish list for many players. However, be prepared to spend around €90 million if you plan to buy him in manager mode.
Buy FIFA 17 here
#3 Neymar: Overall – 92
Neymar from Brazil makes is at number three. He had a fantastic season last year, netting 31 goals and 21 assists in all competitions. Neymar even bagged a gold at the Olympics. The 24-year old player from FC Barcelona has a huge improvement in his rating for overall. He moved from 87 to a mind-blogging 92. He shows tremendous pace and exceptional dribbling skills, a must-have for any excellent winger.
He is highly agile and shows good anticipation. Neymar’s amazing dribbling skills combined with a high attack work rate make him deadly in the opposition’s half. He is deadly in front of the goal, thanks to his excellent finishing skills. The only disappointment, an average for physical.
Overall – 90
Pace – 91
Shooting – 84
Passing – 78
Dribbling – 95
Defence – 30
Physical - 56
Neymar is a world-class player and is the second best dribbler in FIFA 17. With him in the team, you can change the game in an instance.
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#2 Lionel Messi: Overall – 93
At number two, we have the best dribbler in FIFA 17. Lionel Messi from FC Barcelona had a great season last year netting 41 goals and 26 assists in all competitions. However, his overall dropped from 94 to 93 this year. This Argentinian winger is a free kick specialist too. His clinical finishing skills make him a nightmare for most goalkeepers. Messi shows tremendous vision and is a great passer.
Not may defenders can keep up with his dribbling skills. Get him on the ball around the box and there is almost a certainty of chance creation. He is decent in the air and possesses decent stamina.
Overall – 93
Pace – 89
Shooting – 90
Passing – 86
Dribbling – 96
Defence – 26
Physical - 61
Lionel Messi is one of the best footballers in the world, if not the best footballer. A true match winner. It will be almost impossible to get him from FC Barcelona, but you could try by shelling out insane sums of money in the manager mode.
Buy FIFA 17 here
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo: Overall – 94
Cristiano Ronaldo is our top ranked midfielder in FIFA 17. Not only that, he is the top ranked player in the game. Ronaldo had an excellent time in the 15/16 season netting 51 goals and 15 assists in all competitions. He was the second highest goalscorer in La Liga with 35 goals. Ronaldo shows tremendous pace along with out-of-the-world dribbling skills.
The 31-year-old is a clinical finisher and is equally good as a central striker and is extraordinary in the air too. He is a poacher and is lethal inside the box during attacks. With an excellent rating for physical, he can go head-to-head with most of the defenders in FIFA 17. Ronaldo’s powerful driven free kicks find the target almost every time.
Overall – 94
Pace – 92
Shooting – 92
Passing – 81
Dribbling – 91
Defence – 33
Physical - 80
Cristiano Ronaldo maybe in his thirties but still is the best player in FIFA 17. Shell over €100 million if you plan to buy Ronaldo in the manager mode.
Buy FIFA 17 here
