FIFA 18 players are unlikely to see any players in Ultimate Team downgraded as part of the Ratings Refresh, according to sources.
Last year hundreds of players were handed lower ratings off the back of sub-par performances.
However, this year under-performing players will get to keep their original Ultimate Team ratings.
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The move comes as a number of players across La Liga, the Premier League and more have had their ratings boosted to reflect their real-life form.
It’s thought EA may be side-stepping the downgrade portion of this year’s campaign to avoid any backlash from players.
There were fears earlier in the season that cover star Cristiano Ronaldo would see his rating downgraded – after the Real Madrid star’s finishing ability was some way off his best.
Luckily, the Portuguese ace has recently rediscovered his ability to find the back of the net – but his 90 pace rating is still considered by some as being too high.
So, who could have been in line for a downgrade? Let’s take a look.
Note: the ‘downgraded’ cards are simply for representative purposes.
Sergio Ramos
Club: Real Madrid
Real Madrid are currently third in La Liga – with boss Zinedine Zidane still under fire.
But Ramos has to take his fair share of responsibility, too. After all, he’s the captain and should be leading from the front.
While he’s still undoubtedly class in possession, there are some question marks over his leadership this season. He needs to get Madrid by the scruff of the neck and pull them through this tough patch. Instead, he’s put in a string of average performances for a Real Madrid back-line that keeps leaking goals.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Club: Manchester United
The Swede came back from injury only to get crocked again – which means we’ve seen precious little of the greatness we know he’s capable of.
Sadly, though, at the age of 36, his powers will almost certainly be on the wane. An overall rating of 88 ranks him amongst the game’s best – but can we still confidently say that’s the case?
Plus, with Alexis Sanchez now in the frame, poor Zlatan may be deemed surplus to requirements.
Yaya Toure
Club: Manchester City
He was once one of the greatest midfielders on the planet. However, with a surplus of younger options, Toure has struggled to make the cut this year.
At the age of 34, we’re almost certain his best days are behind him and sadly, his FIFA 18 rating needs to better reflect that.
Such a shame.
Karim Benzema
Club: Real Madrid
Another Real Madrid star capable of brilliance but drastically under-performing this season.
The 30-year-old has looked sluggish after a promising start to the season and has failed to gel with Ronaldo as well as he usually does.
In La Liga, the Frenchman has netted just two goals from 13 games – and while his Champions League stats fare slightly better, there are signs his best days could well be over.
Real Madrid fans are growing impatient.
Vincent Kompany
Club: Manchester City
Man City’s crocked captain can be incredibly effective when he’s on form – but we’ve hardly seen him action.
A host of horrific injuries have hampered Kompany’s playing time considerably, and there’s a sense his FIFA 18 rating is perhaps a tad too generous.
Add to the mix the proposed signing of Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte and the 31-year-old risks sliding further into the fray.
Mind you – he put in a decent performance against Arsenal the other week.
David Luiz
Club: Chelsea
The Chelsea star was imperious last season and a key man in Chelsea’s league triumph.
But he’s been replaced by Andreas Christensen this season.
At 30-years-old, there’s still some time – but even his biggest fans are starting to lose patience.