With just 11 days to go until the official release of FIFA 16, our younger crowd of drinkers in the Football Transfer Tavern are incredibly excited about what the new game will hold.
One of the most deliberated upon features of the game are the player ratings that denote each’s players kudos in the overall FIFA 16 landscape and with developing body EA Sports having already spoon-fed a few of these to avid football fans in the lead up to the release, tongues are wagging!
Designed in order to mirror the real-world performance levels of the professionals themselves, expect Mario Balotelli’s rating to have dropped down a little while for the likes of Harry Kane, he’ll surely be an 80+ kind of player nowadays.
Depending on what game modes you enjoy using in the hugely popular FIFA series, one that everybody takes extreme pleasure from is completing your very own Premier League campaign.
Trying your hand at signing players from title rivals and what have you, if you’re dead set on piecing together and ultimate starting eleven built out of both Chelsea and Manchester United’s players, here’s the best rated combined team you could utilise in the latest instalment of the game.
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Click on the image below to reveal the best Manchester United and Chelsea combined FIFA 16 XI.
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Thibaut Courtois
With both Thibaut Courtois and David De Gea both rated at 86 in FIFA 16, we were faced with a dilemma in selecting just one for our best combined starting eleven.
With Blues fans having been dealt the terrible news today that Courtois could be out with his knee injury until December, they’ll certainly miss their Belgian international who has proved to be truly world class since returning to Stamford Bridge from his elongated loan spell at Atletico Madrid.
We could’ve easily selected David De Gea for the goalkeeper berth with the Spaniard signing a new contract at Old Trafford earlier today but given his mind had recently been clouded by Real Madrid speculation, we’re going with the clear consciousness of Courtois between the sticks.
Although this level of emotional intelligence is of course not yet a feature in FIFA video games (we bet it will one day!), we had to decide on one or the other for at least a single valid reason!
Matteo Darmian
Branislav Ivanovic’s fall from grace in regards to his early form this season has been reflected in FIFA 16 with the long serving Chelsea full back having dropped down from an 82 rating in FIFA 15 to 80 this time around.
Therefore, Matteo Darmian – rated at 81 in FIFA 16 – gets the nod at right full back and in fairness to the Italian, he has looked something of a shrewd acquisition by United this summer with the former Torino man having fitted into life at Old Trafford rather well.
Signed for a far more modest fee than the likes of Anthony Martial to boot, Darmian looks a sound investment so far although there’s plenty more games left this season for the Italian to sustain his good early form in.
Gary Cahill
With FIFA 16 reflecting the fact that neither Chris Smalling or Phil Jones are the finished article with ratings of 79 and 80 respectively, Gary Cahill wins out here with his rating of 83.
Usually an incredibly reliable member of Chelsea’s back four, both Cahill and the rest of his Blues team-mates’ performances haven’t been up to scratch so far this season and Jose Mourinho’s men will be looking to put that right against Everton tomorrow lunchtime.
Having won all there is to win in the domestic game during his time spent with Chelsea so far, Cahill knows what it takes to win and is likely to stay a firm fixture in the starting eleven given the Blues couldn’t get their hands on John Stones from Everton this summer.
John Terry
Despite enduring a terrible start to the season on a personal note, FIFA 16 still places the ageing John Terry with a rating of 85 making him one of the highest ranked defenders in the entire game.
By real world standards, Terry hasn’t looked like an 85 ranked centre back this season having been sent off against West Bromwich Albion and looking a yard off the pace against title rivals Manchester City who spanked them 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
Being the professional he is however, Terry would have thought long and hard about his performances during the international break and the player is likely to come back stronger, starting with the game at Everton tomorrow lunchtime.
Cesar Azpilicueta
Rated at 81 in FIFA 15, Cesar Azpilicueta’s fine 2014/15 campaign has ensured he has improved by one this time around with the Spanish international receiving a rating of 82.
If the truth be told, Azpilicueta hasn’t been his usual consistent self this term alongside the likes of Branislav Ivanovic and the Chelsea defender will have to wake up soon if the club have designs on catching up with Manchester City.
Usually however, Azpilicueta is highly dependable and provides attacking and defensive qualities in equal measure down the Blues’ left hand side.
Bastian Schweinsteiger
While most may have expected Nemanja Matic to be taking up this spot in the best combined Chelsea and Manchester United eleven, the Serbian defensive midfielder is only rated at 84 in FIFA 16 so somebody who trumps him in the position is Manchester United’s 86-rated Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Signed from Bayern Munich this summer, the German international will bring experience in abundance to Louis van Gaal’s men although our punters by the bar feel Matic is a better player than the ageing Schweinsteiger.
That said, Schweinsteiger has been a positive influence when utilised so far under van Gaal with the German having physically ordered around his team-mates on where to pass the ball next.
One thing is for sure; Schweinsteiger is a winner!
Cesc Fabregas
Taking up the central midfield slot next to Schweinsteiger is Cesc Fabregas who is still rated at 87 in FIFA 16 despite a subdued finish to last season and a downright lacklustre beginning to this campaign.
Receiving criticism from many Chelsea fans this term, Fabregas has strangely given away the ball more than most meaning that opposition midfielders have been able to pick the Blues off far more often than they’d usually be allowed.
Nevertheless, Fabregas will improve his form given he is a quality player and when he is playing to the peak of his powers, Chelsea boast a player who can thread eye-of-the-needle passes, not to mention getting on the scoresheet every so often to boot.
Juan Mata
Trumping Spanish international team-mate Pedro by one in FIFA 16 with an overall rating of 84, former Chelsea player Juan Mata takes up the right attacking midfield berth in this combined starting eleven.
In fairness to Pedro, he’s started his fledgling Chelsea career like a house on fire bagging a debut goal and assist away at West Bromwich Albion but at the same time, Juan Mata has grew and grew in stature at Old Trafford after a shaky start.
Mata most famously scored three goals in games against Liverpool last season and is now much more of a constant selection in Louis van Gaal’s starting eleven compared to the start of his United career.
Wayne Rooney
Breaking records with England of late, Wayne Rooney will be entering the weekend’s big fixture against old foes Liverpool high on confidence.
In fairness, Rooney has struggled back in the number nine role so far for United this campaign but following Anthony Martial’s arrival, he may revert back into his favoured number 10 berth.
A FIFA ambassador for years now, Rooney is still held in fantastic regard with an overall rating of 86 in FIFA 16 – the same as the rating he had last year.
With Oscar, Willian and Memphis Depay all boasting inferior 80-something ratings in FIFA 16, Rooney earns the place in behind the central striker in this combined starting eleven.
Eden Hazard
The face of the UK edition of FIFA 15 last year, Eden Hazard enjoyed a scintillating 2014/15 campaign in which he was crowned PFA Player of the Year.
Reflecting his glittering season last term, the Belgian international has received a truly world class rating of 89 in FIFA 16, an improvement of one in comparison to FIFA 15, not to mention the fact he’s one of the quickest athletes in the series.
An absolute nightmare to defend against in the real world to boot, Hazard is one of those players who seemingly has the football on a piece of string when dribbling past opposition rearguards.
Diego Costa
Not enjoying a clever start to 2015/16, Diego Costa has strangely received the brunt of Blues supporters’ criticisms this term for not being switched on enough during games.
More intent on starting a riot away at Manchester City, Diego Costa’s red mist flared up again that day while he also flattered to deceive in front of goal.
Getting off the mark at West Bromwich Albion thereafter, we shouldn’t forget that Costa is a lethal marksman on his day and this has been reflected in FIFA 16 with an overall rating of 86 for the Spanish international.
Out of interest, Manchester United new boy and number nine Anthony Martial is rated at 77.
