With the new Premier League season well underway, it is time to ask the truly important questions – like who will be our highest rated player on FIFA next year?
I am going to attempt to predict each player’s rating and explain my reasoning. Take a look and leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Tim Krul (-1)
First up, Newcastle’s number one – Timothy Michael Krul. On the back of a successful World Cup campaign, many predicted big things for Krul last season, but the Dutchman failed to deliver. He will need to improve dramatically this campaign if he is to retain his position as the first-choice goalkeeper, with Karl Darlow breathing down his neck.
Fabricio Coloccini (-3)
A downgrade for our captain after a poor season last year. His performances were sub-standard and the fans often questioned whether his head and heart were still at the club, or at home in Argentina. He has retained the captaincy and penned a new deal, so better things are expected from Captain Colo this year.
Paul Dummett (+4)
Though Dummett didn’t have the greatest season last year, I still predict a big upgrade for the Welshman. Dummett cemented his spot as first choice left-back under both Alan Pardew and John Carver last season and, even though Sadio Haidara has played both Premier League games this season, I would expect McClaren to turn to Dummett when fit.
Jack Colback (+5)
After making the controversial switch from Sunderland to Newcastle, Colback impressed and immediately won over any Geordies still in doubt about his signing. I predict a big upgrade for Colback this season, who was rewarded for his fine form by receiving his first England call-up. He had to withdraw due to injury, but it’s the thought that counts.
Georginio Wijnaldum (+2)
The first of our new boys on this list. Gini impressed at PSV last season and rightfully earned the accolade of Dutch Player of the Year, ahead of Manchester United new boy Memphis Depay. His 18 goals helped guide PSV to the Eredivisie title and he has already opened his account for the season with a Premier League debut goal at home to Southampton.
Mike Williamson (-74)
Mike Williamson was actually a gold player on FIFA 15. Imagine that!
While I don’t expect Williamson’s rating to actually be 1, I do expect a significant downgrade for the defender. Williamson had a torrid time last season and proved he was not up to the standard of the Premier League. I expect the 32-year-old to depart the club by the end of the window, with Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday reportedly interested in him.
Moussa Sissoko (+2)
An upgrade and a position change for Sissoko, who impressed on a number of occasions last season. Though some fans questioned his passion as Newcastle stared down the barrel of relegation, Sissoko has begun to win them back over with his performances this season. Sissoko performed well against Southampton and was arguably our best player until Janmaat was dismissed against Swansea.
McClaren is looking to build a team around the PSG & Arsenal target and hopes to provide him with the freedom he requires by playing him on the right-hand side of midfield – hence the position change.
Vurnon Anita (+0)
Anita’s best performance in a black and white jersey came on the final day of last season, at home to West Ham. He won the midfield battle and helped guide Newcastle to safety on a day that they needed to win. Despite his top-drawer performance against West Ham, one performance is unlikely to see those at EA give him an upgrade. He has started this season well, so it could all change by September, but for now I predict him remaining as a 74-rated silver.
Papiss Cisse (+2)
I predict an upgrade for Papiss after an impressive season. 11 goals in 22 appearances (11 starts) is a brilliant record and, like Wijnaldum, Cisse has already opened his account for this season with a goal at Southampton. Had Cisse not been suspended and injured for such a lengthy period of time, he may have actually topped 20 goals for the first time since the 2010/11 season at Freiburg.
Siem de Jong (+0)
No change for Siem. I cannot see EA punishing him for being injured. He will need to prove himself this season but, when available last season, he looked classy and should have no trouble meeting the expectations of the Geordie faithful.
Yoan Gouffran (-2)
Gouffran offered very little last season, only scoring twice and assisting once in 31 appearances. He was often criticised by fans for his lackluster performances and laziness. A downgrade is expected for the Frenchman, but nothing too drastic.
Gabriel Obertan (+4)
I feel Obertan deserves a significant upgrade to match Yoan Gouffran at 72, though this probably isn’t an opinion shared by many. The Frenchman’s pace and drive caused Southampton problems when on the counter attack, as well as on several occasions last season. Obertan failed to make much of an impact against Swansea but, after going down to 10 men, not many did.
Jamaal Lascelles (+1)
A subtle upgrade for Lascelles, who spent last season on loan to Championship outfit Nottingham Forest. Since returning to Newcastle, Lascelles hasn’t had an opportunity to prove himself, but is likely to start Newcastle’s League Cup tie with Northampton Town alongside Mike Williamson (if he remains at the club). Expect a season in the fringes for Lascelles.
Rolando Aarons (+5)
Remember the name! This will be Aarons’ year. Having burst onto the scene last summer, Aarons impressed when called upon last season, but his debut season was plagued by injury. He will be hoping for more game-time this season under new manager Steve McClaren.
Ayoze Perez (+2)
Ayoze deserves an upgrade after an impressive debut season, scoring 7 times in 36 appearances (25 starts). In order to secure game-time, Perez may have to play out of position so a position change could occur. McClaren is likely to deploy Ayoze on the left (unless injuries occur), with Moussa Sissoko occupying the right-hand side.
I expect the young Spaniard to build upon his excellent start to life in England with another great season, so expect informs throughout the year.
Chancel Mbemba (+2)
Our new defensive arrival from RSC Anderlecht, Chancel Mbemba. The 21-year-old has started both games so far this season but, following Janmaat’s red card against Swansea, is likely to be deployed as a right-back in the near future to fill the void left by the Dutchman. When Janmaat returns, Mbemba will be straight back into the heart of Newcastle’s defence alongside captain Coloccini.
Massadio Haidara (+1)
Sadio wasn’t given much game-time last season due to injury and Pardew & Carver favouring Paul Dummett, but Steve McClaren has put his faith in the left-back so far this season and his decision is seemingly paying off. Although Newcastle looked below par against Swansea, we looked strong against Southampton and caused problems down both flanks – with Janmaat overlapping Sissoko on the right, and Haidara overlapping Obertan on the left.
The 22-year-old still has plenty to learn, but hopefully our new backroom staff provide more coaching than our previous set-up – who had a habit of turning rising stars into flops.
Daryl Janmaat (+4)
Last season’s Player of the Year, Daryl Janmaat. He was simply sublime in his debut season in the Premier League. Janmaat is strong going forward, as well as defensively, and has hardly put a foot wrong since joining the club last summer. As speculation surrounding Coloccini’s future intensified over the summer, many fans were hoping for Janmaat to take the captain’s armband, but Colo’s future is now resolved and he is retaining the captaincy.
Cheick Tiote (+0)
Other than being injured, I can’t remember Tiote doing much else last season, yet (for some reason) I doubt he’ll receive a downgrade. Much like De Jong, I doubt EA will punish Cheick for being injured.
Karl Darlow (+2)
Before arriving on Tyneside this summer, Darlow plied his trade for Nottingham Forest and made a total of 85 league appearances in the last two Championship seasons. Last season, Darlow helped Forest secure twelve clean sheets and picked up two man of the match awards in the process. He will spend the season as Tim Krul’s understudy, only appearing in cup competitions, unless the Dutchman picks up an injury.
Steven Taylor (+0)
Taylor’s performances, when fit, last season were decent, but nothing to shout about. I expect him to remain as a 75-rated gold for the upcoming FIFA.
Emmanuel Riviere (-1)
Manu struggled to make an impact last season – only netting once in 23 appearances – so a downgrade seems inevitable.
Aleksandar Mitrovic (+3)
The Serbian international impressed last season and attracted attention from a number of clubs, including Porto and AS Roma. He bagged a total of 20 league goals last season – an incredible feat for a 20-year-old, albeit in the Belgian Pro League. Mitrovic’s strength and aggression should make his transition to the Premier League a smooth one.
