FUTBINOur first team predictions for EA Sports FC 24 are in and we’re starting big. Manchester City took home the treble last season and were by far the best team in the world so it only made sense to start with them.
Goalkeepers and Defenders:
Ederson Moraes - 89 OVR
FIFA 23 Rating - 89
Ederson showed his quality in the Champions League final as he made 3 huge saves to keep out Lukaku, Lautaro and Gosens in the dying minutes but his form in the league wasn’t great.
He only kept 11 clean sheets compared to 20 the year before and also conceded 6 more goals than expected.
We’ve kept him at 89 as we don’t want to base the rating from one insane performance but there’s no denying he’s in that world class bracket of goalkeepers.
Kyle Walker - 86 OVR
FIFA 23 Rating - 85
Manchester City switched to a back 3 midway through the season meaning Walker should hopefully have a CB alternate position next year.
He hasn’t played as many games as he wanted to and was benched for the Champions League final, but when he has featured has proved he can still do it to an incredible level.
Pep brought him in to face Vini Jr and he didn’t disappoint, keeping him quiet over both legs.
Joao Cancelo - 87 OVR
FIFA 23 Rating - 88
Despite winning both the Premier League and Bundesliga, it was a season to forget for Joao Cancelo.
The Manchester City defender reportedly fell out with Pep Guardiola and wanted to leave. He had his eyes set on Tuchel’s Bayern Munich with the aim of winning the Champions League.
He had to watch on as his parent club sent him packing and left him without the treble.
Nathan Ake - 82 OVR
FIFA 23 Rating - 78
Since making the switch to Manchester, Nathan Ake has won the Premier League in every season up north and impresses more and more each season.
With Guardiola favouring the back 3 this season Ake slotted in perfectly and was integral to Manchester City’s treble win.
Ake made the top 3 for Manchester City’s Player of the Season alongside KDB and Haaland, we think he’s in for a huge +4 upgrade for EA FC.
Manuel Akanji - 83 OVR
FIFA 23 Rating - 81
Akanji arrived from Dortmund last season for a relatively small fee so there weren’t too many expectations on the Swiss defender.
Despite many believing he would come in as a squad player the defender actually displaced Laporte and held his own in the back 3 for the majority of the season.
Another well deserved defensive upgrade for Manchester City, this time a +2.
John Stones - 85 OVR
FIFA 23 Rating - 83
The Barsnley Beckenbauer really has come into his own this season, the £50m City paid back in 2016 is looking like a bargain.
Stones has not only impressed in the back 3 for the blues but also as a DM and even as an 8 in the Champions League final.
We’ve given him a very well deserved +2 but we wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up higher than our predicted 85.
Ruben Dias - 89 OVR
FIFA 23 Rating – 88
After Manchester City completed the greatest achievement in football, we think it’s only fair that Ruben is the highest rated defender in the game.
If it wasn’t for his quick reflexes to head Lukaku’s rebound wide, Manchester City may have fallen short at the last hurdle and been left with just the Premier League and FA Cup.
The former Benfica man has proved his worth since his move to Manchester and is now undoubtedly the best defender in the world.
Midfielders:
Kalvin Phillips - 79 OVR
FIFA 23 Rating - 81
Unfortunately we can’t see anything but a downgrade for Kalvin Phillips.
The former Leeds man has barely featured this season and even when he did, would end up getting injured.
Hopefully Kalvin can pick up his game next year and find the form he did for England to boost that rating back up throughout the season.
Rodri - 88 OVR
FIFA 23 Rating - 87
Manchester City fans will forever be in debt to Rodri after he scored that goal in Istanbul to take home their first ever Champions League trophy and subsequently the treble.
The former Atletico man played in 56 of Manchester City’s 61 games this season and also went on to lift the UEFA Nations League with Spain.
Mateo Kovacic - 84 OVR
FIFA 23 Rating - 84
Despite the entire Chelsea squad having a poor season, Mateo Kovacic earned himself a move to treble winners Manchester City.
The Croatian wasn’t at his best last season but we’re hoping that his transfer is enough to keep him at 84 for EA Sports FC.
Bernardo Silva - 88 OVR
FIFA 23 Rating - 88
Bernardo Silva might just be the best dribbler in world football at the moment. He ran the show in the home legs against both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid and sent City on their way to the Champions League trophy.
There are plenty of rumours about where he’ll end up next season and so we could see Bernardo in Saudi Arabia, Barcelona or even still in Manchester.
We’ve kept him at an 88 to play it safe but wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a +1 to 89.
Kevin De Bruyne - 91 OVR
FIFA 23 Rating - 91
Kevin De Bruyne is not only the best midfielder in the world but has also put himself in the conversation for the best player in the world.
He battled through countless injuries to get the blues all the way to Istanbul and did all he could before being subbed off in the final.
We’ve kept KDB at a 91 to leave plenty of room for special cards but once again should be the highest rated player on the game.
Attackers:
Julian Alvarez - 82 OVR
FIFA 23 Rating - 78
It was always going to be a tough task being brought in as a striker in the same season Erling Haaland was but that didn’t bother Julian Alvarez one bit.
He scored 17 goals for Manchester City as they won the treble and also contributed 4 goals towards Argentina’s World Cup success.
A huge upgrade is definitely on it’s way for La Arana in EA FC.
Jack Grealish - 86 OVR
FIFA 23 Rating - 84
Jack Grealish really came into his own this season and not just in the way of celebrating.
The former Villa man chipped in with 16 goal contributions throughout the season for the blues and even managed to grab a goal at the World Cup with limited minutes.
Phil Foden - 86 OVR
FIFA 23 Rating - 85
The Stockport Iniesta may only be 23 years old but he’s already completed club football.
Foden has 5 Premier Leagues, 6 domestic cups to his name and finally added the elusive Champions League this season.
He scored 15 and assisted 8 in 2022/23 and we think that will result in a +1 upgrade in EA FC.
Riyad Mahrez - 86 OVR
FIFA 23 Rating - 86
Whether Mahrez will be a Manchester City player by the end of this window (or even week) we’re yet to know. He’s been linked heavily with a move to Saudi Arabia and would be a huge blow if he were to leave.
The Algerian came in with 28 goal contributions for the blues across all competitions including a hat-trick in the FA Cup Semi-Final.
We’ve played it safe here and kept him level with the other wingers but we won’t be surprised if he gets a +1.
Erling Haaland - 91 OVR
FIFA 23 Rating - 88
Erling Haaland is the best player in the world at the moment and his EA FC rating will reflect this (hopefully).
53 games. 52 goals. 9 assists. The Norwegian broke nearly every record possible for Manchester City last season and proved that he is up there with the very best.
It would be criminal if Haaland wasn’t the highest rated player next year after such an amazing season.
What do you think? Will we get all of the treble winners ratings correct?
