FIFA 15: Predicting the top 10 midfielders in the game

With so much football in everyones blood with the start of yet another new season, EA Sports are coming out at the right time with their latest installment in their FIFA series: FIFA 15. The release date given by EA sports is 23rd September, 2014, so make sure you dont miss out. When you start a new career in FIFA, midfielders who usually are the kingpins in the game of football form a crucial part of the way your team plays.Retaining the ball from the center of the field to scoring long range goals, midfielders are the most important players in the game as they are the connecting bridge between attack and defence. Similarly,your teams chemistry is highly dependent on the flow of the game throughout the field which mainly includes the midfielders.Honourable mentions:Koke, Yaya Toure, Mario Gotze, Lucas, David Silva, Jack Wilshere, Sergio Busquests and Juan Mata.Here is a slideshow predicting the top 10 midfielders of FIFA 15:Note: The ratings are based on not just previous ratings and their season performances, but also their age and potential ability.

#10 Franck Ribery: 90

Previous rating: 90

Ribery’s 2013/14 season for Bayern Munich was quite good. Ribery’s pace and finishing have been every opposition’s nightmare. The midfielder scored 10 goals and had 10 assists to his name in 22 appearances for Bayern Munich. Ribery’s injury problems left him out of the France World Cup campaign.

Franck Ribery’s rating in FIFA 14 is 90, and given that he is 31 years old, it is unlikely that he will be receiving any major upgrades. His ratings in FIFA 15 may remain the same as 90.

#9 Bastian Schweinsteiger: 88

Previous rating: 88

The German midfielder was in his fine form for both club and country during the 2013/14 season. Bastian Schweinsteiger’s ability to regain possession in the midfield and scoring goals from outside the box have been his major strengths. He was also the architect for Mario Gotze’s goal, that proved to be the winner for Germany in the World Cup final against Argentina.

Schweinsteiger’s rating in FIFA 14 is 88 and due to his age, it is highly likely that the midfielder’s rating in FIFA 15 may remain the same.

#8 Luka Modric: 85

Previous rating: 87

Luka Modric was Real Madrid’s best playmaker last season, appearing in 48 matches for the Los Blancos, scoring twice and assisting ten goals. However, statistics are often half-side of the story, and Modric’s influence in the centre for Real is most likely to give him an upgrade of at least two points.

#7 Andrs Iniesta: 89

Previous Rating: 89

Andrés Iniesta is, as gamers say, one of the beasts in the game, and is likely to continue to be one. Iniesta’s dribbling ability is every opposition defense’s nightmare, and his passing accuracy and ability to create chances are his major strengths. Iniesta had a regular season with Barcelona in the 2013/14 season, and also an above average World Cup campaign with Spain.

Iniesta’s rating in FIFA 14 is 89, and given he is a 30-year old midfielder now, it is highly doubted that his ratings will see a major change in this installment.

#6 Eden Hazard: 87

Previous rating: 86

Eden Hazard has been a nightmare for the Premier League defenders since his debut Premier League season, and has been improving season after season for Chelsea after his move from Lille to Chelsea for a fee believed to be around £32million. The 23-year old had an impressive 2013/14 Premier League season with Chelsea scoring 14 goals, and having 7 assists to his name. However, Hazard had an average World Cup campaign having just 2 assists to his name in 4 games.

Eden Hazard’s impressive form for Chelsea will surely lead to a statistical upgrade of his ratings in FIFA 15 to 87 from his FIFA 14 rating of 85. He will also continue to be one of the best players in the game, and will grow up to a minimum of 93 to 94 in FIFA 15.

#5 Cesc Fbregas: 87

Previous rating: 86

The Spanish midfielder joined Chelsea in the summer transfer window from Barcelona in the ongoing summer transfer window after failing to be one of their consistent starters. Despite the few starts, Fabregas’ 2013/14 season was impressive in which the midfielder scored 15 goals for Barcelona. Fabregas’ World Cup campaign was shortlived as the midfielder was present on the bench for Spain’s disastrous campaign and had made just 2 appearances from the bench.

Fabregas’ rating in FIFA 14 is 86, with a potential growth of 90, and after an above average season with Barcelona, his ratings are most likely going to get an upgrade of 1 point.

#4 ngel Di Mara: 87

Previous rating: 86

Angel Di Maria is one of the most sought players in the world after his fine form for Real Madrid and Argentina. The midfielder was a pivotal part of the squad that won the La Decima for Real Madrid in the 2013/14 season. Di Maria also was important in the Argentine squad for the World Cup who eventually were the runners up. The midfielder started 55 matches last season, scoring 13 and assisting 24 times, a very impressive record in itself. He is most likely getting an upgrade of one point.

Di Maria’s rating in FIFA 14 is 86, and a rating of up to 87 can be expected in FIFA 15.

#3 Arturo Vidal: 86

Previous rating: 85

Juventus’ Arturo Vidal is one of the most consistent midfielders in the Europe, and the Chile midfield dynamo was in fine form for the Bianconeri in the 2013/14 season. Vidal’s fine form was even continued for Chile in the World Cup. The 27 year old’s ability to regain possession and accurate finishing has been his major strength’s.

Arturo Vidal’s rating in FIFA 14 is 85 with the potential to grow up to a minimum of 88. A starting rating of 86 is expected of the Chilean in FIFA 15.

#2 Mesut Ozil: 88

Previous rating: 87

Despite being one of the best midfielders in the world, Mesut Ozil’s ratings in FIFA has somewhat always been overlooked by EA. Not that 87 is a bad rating, but considering his statistics and potential, he deserves to be rated at least 89 in the game with the potential to reach 92 as the career progresses. The German playmaker completed his move from Real Madrid to Arsenal in the 2013/14 summer transfer window for a fee believed to be around £42.5 million making him the most expensive German player of all time. Mesut Ozil’s sublime passing and ability to create chances have been applauded by many critics. The German was in fine form in the 2013/14 season for both Arsenal and the German national squad.

He had a decent season for the Gunners in his first year in England, starting 26 matches, scoring 5, and assisting 9 goals. Leaving out his stamina and strength, he is the ideal midfielder that you would want to have in your team, especially if you are managing Real Madrid, and are looking to re-unite him with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ozil’s rating in FIFA 14 is 87, and a prediction of 88 or 89 can be expected for the German playmaker in FIFA 15.

#1 Toni Kroos: 86

Previous rating: 84

Toni Kroos transferred to Real Madrid in the ongoing summer transfer window from Bayern Munich. The German had an impressive 2013/14 season with Bayern Munich, scoring important goals for the Die Roten. Kroos’ ability to score from long range and also his ability to shoot from both legs are some of his major strengths. The German’s passing accuracy has also been applauded by many. His World Cup campaign in Brazil for Germany had also been incredible.

Kroos’ rating in FIFA 14 is 84, and because of his high potential and age, his rating may receive a boost of up to 88 or 89 in FIFA 15.