If FIFA 17’s ratings are to believed, England’s starting XI should feature three Liverpool players, one Everton player and just one Tottenham player.
Wayne Rooney has seen his position change and rating fall on FIFA 17
Popular EA Sports video game FIFA has released it’s player rating’s for the 2017 edition of the game, and there are one or two surprises. England now lack an outstanding player, as their highest rated player from FIFA 16, Wayne Rooney, has seen his rating fall from 86 to 84.
That change, along with others, means England now have seven players who share the title of ‘highest rated England player’, all 84 rated. It also means there isn’t a single English player among the top 50 players on the game.
We have taken FIFA’s ratings of English players and created an England lineup according to FIFA, made up of a starting XI and 12 substitutes. The starting XI features players from 8 different clubs, whilst the subs add players from another 5 different teams.
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart – 84
England’s Joe Hart now plays for Torino
England number one Joe Hart is currently on-loan from Manchester City at Torino, having not been a part of Pep Guardiola’s plans at the Etihad Stadium. He’s still England’s highest rated ‘keeper on FIFA though, rated 84, one higher than his rating last year.
Right-Back: Nathaniel Clyne – 81
Liverpool full back Nathaniel Clyne is England’s joint highest rated right back along with Tottenham’s Kyle Walker. The former Crystal Palace and Southampton man has impressive stats, including 86 pace and 79 defending.
Centre-Back: Chris Smalling – 84
One of England’s two highest rated centre-backs, Chris Smalling has been given a huge upgrade on his 79 rating last season. Smalling now has 84 defending, 84 physical and 77 pace stats.
Centre-Back: John Terry – 84
No English player has a higher rating than 35-year-old Chelsea defender John Terry on FIFA 17. Despite retiring from international football four years ago, he would make England’s best XI according to the game.
Left-Back: Leighton Baines – 83
Everton’s Leighton Baines alongside John Stones
Tottenham full back Danny Rose appears to be England’s first choice left back in real life, but FIFA still ranks Leighton Baines to be the better player, and by some distance. Baines’ rating of 83 puts him comfortably ahead of Danny Rose, Kieran Gibbs and Luke Shaw, who are all 80 rated.
Right Wing: Raheem Sterling – 82
England would have to play something of a midfield diamond to suit FIFA 17’s ratings, and Raheem Sterling would play on the right of it. The Manchester City man has 93 paces and 86 dribbling, although some of his other stats let him down. A January upgrade could be in store if he maintains his early season form under Pep Guardiola.
Central Midfield: Jack Wilshere – 82
Jack Wilshere is currently on-loan at Bournemouth
He may not have been deemed good enough to stay at Arsenal this season, but Jack Wilshere is England’s best central midfielder according to FIFA. The Bournemouth loanee has a higher rating than Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Dele Alli or Jordan Henderson.
CAM: Wayne Rooney – 84
Still England’s (joint) best player on FIFA 17, Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney has been converted from a striker to a midfielder for the first time in this seasons edition of the game. Rooney’s pace (71) and passing stats (81) aren’t great, but he still has shooting stats of 84, higher than that of Neymar, Diego Costa and Alexandre Lacazette.
Left Wing: Adam Lallana – 82
One of Sam Allardyce’s first names on the team sheet currently, Adam Lallana also makes FIFA’s best England XI. The Liverpool midfielder has a good overall rating but his individual stats aren’t particularly impressive. Stamina of 83 seems harsh for the tireless former Saints man.
Striker: Harry Kane – 84
Having won the Premier League’s Golden Boot last season, and finishing as the runner-up the season before, Tottenham fans may feel a rating of just 84 is a little harsh for Harry Kane. The Spurs striker had a terrible Euros and a slow start to the season, his shooting stats are level with Rooney’s on 84.
Striker: Daniel Sturridge – 84
Sturridge celebrates scoring for England at the Euros
Liverpool’s injury-prone forward Daniel Sturridge has the same rating as the Tottenham man, with slightly worse shooting (83) but much higher pace (89). The Reds striker may have a high overall rating but his dribbling stats (81) and just 3* skill moves seem a little harsh.
Subs
Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (82), Ben Foster (80)
Defenders: Gary Cahill (83), Phil Jagielka (82), Kyle Walker (81), Ryan Shawcross (81)
Midfielders: Ross Barkley (81), Theo Walcott (81), James Milner (81), Steven Gerrard (81)
Strikers: Jamie Vardy (82), Danny Welbeck (80)
How close is FIFA 17’s England best XI to the actual England best XI?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
