Tottenham's complete FIFA 17 ratings: What Spurs ratings are and what they should be
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and AS Monaco FC at Wembley Stadium on September 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Which Tottenham players got underrated by EA Sports this season?
Like it or not, many fans based their opinions about which Tottenham players are good, and which are not, largely on their EA Sports ratings via FIFA 17. It’s a silly way to evaluate talent, but we’re always up for a good natured debate.
As a result, this piece will take you player-by-player through Spurs’ ratings in the game. For the most part, I think EA Sports have done a pretty decent job. It’s certainly a better effort than the franchise has put forth in years past.
With that being said, of course I do have some serious questions about some of the ratings. In particular, I don’t think they give enough credit to the club’s bright Academy prospects. Sure, some of those players aren’t ready for first team football quite yet, but they’re downgraded too much for their lack of experience.
Without further delay, read on to discover how each Tottenham player is rated this season, and what I believe their rating should have been. We’ll start from the bottom and move upwards.
STEVENAGE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 01: George Casey of Stevenage and Connor Ogilvie of Tottenham XI challenge for the ball during a pre-season friendly match between Stevenage and Tottenham XI at the Lamax Stadium on August 1, 2015 in Stevenage, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
Connor Ogilvie
Actual Rating: 58
It’s hard to argue with EA Sports much on this one. Tottenham’s ginger left back probably isn’t going to make much of an impact on the Spurs first team. He played reasonably well out on loan last season, but isn’t viewed as a real prospect by the club.
As a result, I’m satisfied with his 58 rating. Sure, his loan spell at Stevenage last season might have earned him a little bit more respect, but it’s not as if he set England afire with his sparking play.
I’m not going to quibble with this mark one bit. There might be a case to rate him as high as 60, but it’s not as if he’s going to be a hot property on the FIFA transfer market.
My Rating: 58
DERBY, ENGLAND – AUGUST 26: Shayon Harrison of Tottenham during the Premier League 2 match between Derby County and Tottenham Hotspur at Derby County Training Ground on August 26, 2016 in Derby, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
Shayon Harrison
Actual Rating: 60
The young striker has been an afterthought for most of the season, but Harry Kane’s recent injury has changed all that. Now Harrison is a prospect that’s of much more interest to the Spurs faithful.
Unfortunately, he isn’t fit either. Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino told the press that he isn’t fit enough to be in the squad against Gillingham on Wednesday. That would have been a huge opportunity for the young Englishman to make his case for first team football.
I actually think he’s quite underrated by EA Sports. Perhaps it’s wishful thinking on my part, but I believe his preseason play for the club looked reasonably promising. I don’t think he’s particularly ready for Premier League football, but I think he’s much closer than the game gives him credit. I’d argue he should be several notches higher than the 60 he received.
My Rating: 64
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 29: Cameron Carter-Vickers of Tottenham runs with the ball during 2016 International Champions Cup Australia match between Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico de Madrid at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 29, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images)
Cameron Carter-Vickers
Actual Rating: 62
It’s pretty obvious that EA Sports don’t consult Pochettino about their player ratings. If they did, Carter-Vickers would have received much higher marks.
After all, the Spurs boss prefers him to Kevin Wimmer at the moment, who you’ll see later on is rated much higher by the franchise. I may not agree with Pochettino on that point, but the difference between the two players is too great.
The reality is that he’s the third choice centre back for a top four Premier League club at the moment. 62 isn’t close to an adequate rating for a player in that sort of position. His rating should really be much higher.
My Rating: 68
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 29: Filipe Luis of Atletico de Madrid and Harry Winks of Tottenham Hotspur compete for the ball during 2016 International Champions Cup Australia match between Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico de Madrid at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 29, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images for ICC)
Harry Winks
Actual Rating: 64
Winks is another Tottenham player who’s received a new contract as of late, even though he hasn’t made a first team appearance yet this season. Expect that to change on Wednesday against Gillingham.
The young Englishman is in the midst of an interesting positional switch. He started his career with Spurs playing as an attacking midfielder, but has been slowly transitioned into the double-pivot. He may not have the ideal body type for that spot on the pitch, but he’s showed a lot of competitive spirit which has endeared him to Pochettino.
Unfortunately for Winks, Tottenham are stocked with a lot of accomplished players in the defensive midfield. That’s making it much tougher for him to crack the senior squad. Once he does, he’ll likely be in line for a better player rating. Until then, EA Sports got this one right.
My Rating: 64
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 27: Joshua Onomah of Tottenaham Hotspur in action during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at White Hart Lane on August 27, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Josh Onomah
Actual Rating: 70
Regular readers of my work know that I believe Onomah has a huge future at Tottenham. He has the natural ability to become a world-class attacking midfielder. All he needs is more time and practice to become a hugely important figure at the club.
With all that being said, he isn’t ready for the primetime as of yet. He hasn’t been able to really make any concrete contributions on the pitch this season. His inability to do so, in part, led the club to spend significant cash to bring in Moussa Sissoko and Georges-Kevin N’Koudou on Deadline Day.
In other words, I’m a huge fan of Onomah’s potential, but I’m a realist about where he is currently. The folks at EA Sports have given him a little more credit than he deserves.
My Rating: 68
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 29: Tom Carroll of Tottenham Hotspur controls the ball during 2016 International Champions Cup Australia match between Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico de Madrid at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 29, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Tom Carroll
Actual Rating: 72
Carroll is another Tottenham midfielder who’s signed a new contract in the last two weeks. Unlike most of his peers, I believe Spurs inked him to a new deal to make sure they could maximize his value in a future transfer.
The slight midfielder is a cult hero to some around White Hart Lane, but I don’t get all the fuss. He lacks the physicality to play in the midfield, and he isn’t quick enough to thrive as an attacker. There are Premier League clubs that can use a player like Tom Carroll, but Tottenham aren’t one of them.
As such, I think he’s overrated. 72 is a score that should go to a player who is consistently a part of his club’s matchday squad. Carroll will struggle to make Pochettino’s top 18 for much of the season.
My Rating: 67
ENFIELD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 08: Pau Lopez of Tottenham during the Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur training centre on September 8, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
Pau Lopez
Actual Rating: 73
In all honesty, I was rather surprised to see Lopez receive such a high rating. He showcased real ability for Espanyol, but there’s a reason he’s come to Spurs to be their third choice keeper. He didn’t enjoy his best form last season.
On the other hand, he is a player who has shown the capability to be a La LIga starter. That isn’t something to be ignored. It’s also telling that Pochettino, his former manager, went out on a limb to bring him to White Hart Lane. Clearly the gaffer sees real ability in the young keeper.
Even though the manager admires him, he may not play a minute for Spurs this season. His acquisition was all about prospecting for the future. He’s probably a decent keeper at the moment, but it’s hard to believe he’s anything more than that.
My Rating: 70
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 29: Kieran Trippier of Tottenham Hotspur and Thomas Partey of Atletico de Madrid compete for the ball during 2016 International Champions Cup Australia match between Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico de Madrid at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 29, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Kieran Trippier
Actual Rating: 77
I can’t lie to my readers. When I saw that Trippier was rated as a 77 I was pretty shocked. He’s a nice Premier League backup, but I don’t think he’s fit to start at a club like Spurs.
He just isn’t athletic enough to really thrive under Pochettino. I suppose most players look slow when you’re comparing them to Kyle Walker, but Trippier just doesn’t show that same drive up the pitch.
On the plus side for Trippier, he is an excellent crosser of the ball. During matches when Spurs dominate possession, he can be a real weapon. I can only assume that’s why he scored the rating he did. Needless to say, I thought it was optimistic.
My Rating: 74
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Vincent Janssen of Tottenham Hotspur is pulled down inside the box by Jemerson of AS Monaco during the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and AS Monaco FC at Wembley Stadium on September 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Vincent Janssen
Actual Rating: 78
Any doubt over whether or not Vincent Janssen is capable of performing as a Premier League striker will be cleared up over the next eight weeks. He’s set to get a lot of playing time in the absence of Harry Kane.
The Dutch international really excels at playing with his back to the goal. He’s an absolute animal i the 18-yard-box and that really creates opportunities for Tottenham’s attacking midfield.
The trouble with his start in England is that he hasn’t found the back of the net as of yet. He had a good finishing record in Eredivisie last season, but it hasn’t translated to the Premier League as of yet.
If he plays to the 78 rating over the next eight weeks, Tottenham fans have every right to be overjoyed. Sadly, I don’t see him living up to that billing.
My Rating: 74
MARSEILLE, FRANCE – APRIL 10: Georges Kévin Nkoudou Mbida from marseille in action during the French League 1 match between Olympique de Marseille and FC Girondins de Bordeaux at Stade Velodrome on April 10, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Pascal Rondeau/Getty Images)
Georges-Kevin N’Koudou
Actual Rating: 78
Evidently EA Sports really rate the competition in Ligue 1. N’Koudou hasn’t played a minute yet for Spurs, but he got a very solid rating in FIFA 17.
Similar to my thoughts about Janssen’s ratings, I’ll be thrilled if he performs up to this level. Right now, he’s struggling to learn enough English to get on the field for Pochettino. That isn’t a great start to his Tottenham career.
On the plus side, he has shown electric pace which could endear him to his new manager. Spurs really don’t have a true speed burner in the squad, and N’Koudou could emerge as an excellent option off the substitute’s bench.
I won’t be a bit surprised if N’Koudou plays to this level next season, but he’s not likely to make a huge impact during the 2016-17 season.
My Rating: 75
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Ben Davies of Tottenham Hotspur during the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and AS Monaco FC at Wembley Stadium on September 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Ben Davies
Actual Rating: 78
Think of Ben Davies as a moderately better version of Kieran Trippier. He’s capable of being a Premier League starter, but not with Tottenham. For Davies, it may have more to do with his style of play than a lack of quality.
He just doesn’t do enough offensively to hold down the starting left back for Pochettino. He’s got great skill on the ball, but is hesitant to really penetrate the opposition’s final third.
I suspect that has a lot to do with his lack of foot speed. He doesn’t have the innate ability to use his pace to recover if he’s caught too far up the pitch. It’s the biggest reason Danny Rose starts over him every week.
Davies deserves a solid FIFA rating, but this one is just a bit too optimistic for me. He lacks the dynamic athleticism necessary to be a star.
My Rating: 76
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Jemerson of AS Monaco and Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur clash during the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and AS Monaco FC at Wembley Stadium on September 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Eric Dier
Actual Rating: 78
This is the first spot on the list where I believe a Tottenham player is significantly underrated. Eric Dier deserves better than this middling player rating.
While I’ve been critical of his slow start to the campaign, he clearly showed he’s an above-average Premier League midfielder last year. He parlayed his excellent season into a prominent role for England. That’s not a minor accomplishment for a player of his youth.
I suppose the criticism around Dier’s game might be his lack of foot speed or true skill on the ball. That isn’t what he’s on the pitch to do. He’s there to break up play and shield the back four. He does those things very well.
Giving Dier the same rating as Ben Davies just rubs me the wrong way. He may not be a world-class midfielder, but he’s headed in that direction.
My Rating: 81
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur (R) controls the ball while under pressure from Jason Denayer of Sunderland (L) during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on September 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Son Heung-Min
Actual Rating: 78
Any Tottenham fans who claims to know exactly what to make of Son Heung-Min at the current point in time is a liar. He struggled for large stretches last season, but has exploded onto the scene with two excellent performances in the last three matches.
It seems that EA Sports have elected to split the difference on the two possibilities with this rating. When he’s on the top of his game, he plays like an attacker who should be rated in the mid-80s. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened consistently during his Spurs career.
Son should also see more opportunities to shine while Kane is sidelined. He may not be a perfect option to play as a striker against every opponent, but don’t be surprised if he sees some playing time as a number nine. After all, Janssen can’t play every second of action for eight weeks straight.
I believe they’ve got Son’s rating spot on here. No qualms with the 78.
My Rating: 78
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur (L) is put under pressure from Steven Pienaar of Sunderland (R) during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on September 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Victor Wanyama
Actual Rating: 78
The physical Spurs midfielder might be the very definition of good, not great. He isn’t going to wow anyone with his offensive ability, but he almost always makes the right play.
If he was an offensive marvel, Spurs certainly couldn’t have secured him for the relatively modest transfer fee of 11 million pounds. Combining his excellent defensive ability with above-average offensive talent would equal a world-class midfielder.
The key to appreciating Wanyama’s game is to focus on what he does, and not concern yourself with what he can’t do out on the pitch. When you view his game through that sort of lens, you gain a real appreciation for his industry and physicality.
As long as he doesn’t cross the line and start drawing loads of red cards, he’s going to be a regular member of Pochettino’s squad. That earns him a slightly higher rating in my eyes.
My rating: 79
ENFIELD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 13: Kevin Wimmer of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur training centre on September 13, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Kevin Wimmer
Actual Rating: 79
The Austrian centre back performed admirably in Jan Vertonghen’s absence last season. Some Spurs fans even believed he deserved to take the Belgian’s place in the starting XI.
That was last season. This season, Wimmer has fallen behind Cameron Carter-Vickers in the defending pecking order. Pochettino has dispelled notions of anything sinister about his absence. Instead, he claims just to prefer other options.
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I’m not inclined to believe Pochettino on this matter. There simply has to be more to the story. Wimmer looked like a budding star last season, and now he can’t find the pitch at White Hart Lane with a map.
That makes giving him an accurate FIFA rating almost impossible. 79 is a reasonable mark based on the way he played last season, but I think he has to be significantly downgraded due to whatever is going on with his game at the current point in time.
My Rating: 75
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 20: Michel Vorm of Tottenham Hotspur gestures during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane on August 20, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)
Michel Vorm
Actual Rating: 80
Tottenham’s backup keeper gets a lot of respect from EA Sports. Some Spurs fans had real questions about his quality coming into this season, but he silenced the doubters with a few solid efforts in the absence of captain Hugo Lloris.
We really shouldn’t be surprised that Vorm showed so well in his relief role. He was a solid starting keeper for Swansea before he made the switch to Spurs. It’s not as if the trip for Wales caused him to forget how to play football altogether.
Candidly, I believe this will be his last season with the club unless significant silverware is won. He can certainly still perform as a starting keeper for a number of top clubs around Europe. It would make sense for him to want one more sustained run at first-team football before his skills start to decline.
80 is a little ambitious for my liking, but it isn’t too far off. Vorm is a solid backup, but I still hope I never see him have to fill in for Lloris again.
My Rating: 78
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur shoots during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on September 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Dele Alli
Actual Rating: 80
I have a sneaky suspicion that Dele Alli was very disappointed when he learned of his rating. He grew up playing the game and undoubtedly wants other youngsters to enjoy playing with his likeness.
Despite Alli’s likely disappointment, I can’t find too much to argue with here. He is capable of extreme moments of brilliance, but can also drift out of matches for long stretches. If he ever finds consistency at that high level, he may become one of the world’s best attacking midfielders.
Some fans might think that’s an exaggeration, but that’s how much I believe in his natural talent. He just needs to rack up more matches to reach his full potential.
I’d argue Alli deserves a bit more credit from EA Sports, but nothing too drastic.
My Rating: 81
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Moussa Sissoko of Tottenham Hotspur in action during the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and AS Monaco FC at Wembley Stadium on September 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Moussa Sissoko
Actual Rating: 80
The newly acquired midfielder hasn’t really had the opportunity to show Spurs fans his full locker of skills yet. Count on that changing sooner rather than later.
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He’s another member of the squad who could benefit from the void created by Harry Kane’s injury. It’s not that Sissoko is going to play the striker position, but more will be required from the club’s attacking midfield.
The Frenchman was brought to White Hart Lane to provide strength with the ball. Pochettino wanted someone who could carry the ball into the final third with speed and power. If Sissoko does that consistently, it’s bound to lead to goals for the club.
As for his player rating, 80 seems about right to me. When he’s playing his best football, he’s capable of more, but his inconsistency weighs down the perception of his game.
My Rating: 79
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 27: Danny Rose of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his sides first goal with his Tottenham Hotspur team mates during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at White Hart Lane on August 27, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
Danny Rose
Actual Rating: 80
I sincerely hope this is the season that earns Danny Rose the credit he truly deserves. He is England’s left back at the moment and Spurs miss him desperately when he’s out of the lineup.
As you might expect, I’m not at all satisfied with his 80 rating from EA Sports. It completely ignores his significant improvement under Pochettino. He’s an above-average fullback on both ends of the pitch.
The complete nature of his game, and his top-notch athleticism entitle him to a significantly higher mark. While I’m not surprised he didn’t end up with one of the club’s highest ratings, I am still disappointed.
For me, Rose needs to be in the upper echelon of Premier League players. I believe he’s significantly underrated in the game.
My Rating: 84
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Javier Manquillo of Sunderland (R) attempts to block Kyle Walker of Tottenham Hotspur (L) cross during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on September 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
Kyle Walker
Actual Rating: 81
Walker is another player who has improved greatly during Pochettino’s time with the club. Fortunately for the England right back, he gets a fair amount of credit for his improvement.
Truthfully, he’s been one of Tottenham’s best players to start the year. He hasn’t made any of the costly mental errors that plagued him early in his career, and he’s even gotten better with the ball in the final third.
If he ever really become an excellent crosser of the ball, he’s going to launch himself into the conversation of who is the best right back in all of football. That might be too much to ask of Walker, but it’s nice that he’s come far enough to even see that sort of possibility.
I’ll give EA Sports credit here for giving him his due. I won’t take any issue at all with the 81 they provided him.
My Rating: 81
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Tiemoue Bakayoko of AS Monaco and Erik Lamela of Tottenham Hotspur during the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and AS Monaco FC at Wembley Stadium on September 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Corbis via Getty Images)
Erik Lamela
Actual Rating: 81
The Argentine attacker may still frustrate many Spurs fans, but he’s got an awful lot of quality. His improvement in the last 12 months has been pretty impressive.
Most importantly, he’s become a lot stronger on the ball than he was during his first season with the club. It’s hard to bump him out of possession at this point. He still may lose the ball by trying something too ambitious, but that’s a fault I can live with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKlt_O1F5bk
He endears himself to Pochettino with his intense work rate when Tottenham isn’t in possession of the ball. He’s an absolute best for the opposition and I love every minute of it. I cheer hard for Lamela with every petulant foul he commits.
If he can become more consistent on the offensive end of the pitch, his rating will deserve to increase. For right now, 81 is almost perfect.
My Rating: 82
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Mousa Dembele of Tottenham Hotspur in action during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on September 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
Moussa Dembele
Actual Rating: 82
There may not be a more important member of the Tottenham squad than Moussa Dembele. His teammates suffer greatly from his absence when he can’t be on the pitch.
The only real downside to his game is his proclivity to miss time due to injury. I’m not sure if that factors into his modest rating of 82, but it’s the only rational reason I can conjure.
When Dembele is on the pitch, he’s one of the most dynamic midfielders in the Premier League. His ability to carry the ball through defender is truly a joy to watch. The fact that he can also break up play on the defensive end is just icing on the cake.
82 was a reasonable player rating for Dembele two seasons ago, but not anymore. Now that he’s squarely in his prime, he deserves more respect.
My Rating: 84
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Adnan Januzaj of Sunderland (L) and Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur (R) battle for possession during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on September 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
Jan Vertonghen
Actual Rating: 83
If EA Sports were rating Vertonghen based on his performances at left back, they’d have him about 20 points too high. Fortunately, the Belgian defender is much better when he’s deployed as a central defender.
Together with countryman Toby Alderweireld, he forms one of the most consistent defensive partnerships in England. He may lack the aerial ability that you’d like from a central defender, but he makes up for it with his skill on the ball.
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His ability to play with the ball at his feet is a huge plus for Pochettino’s style of play. He allows the fullbacks to get forward without fear of errors in his distribution.
He isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he’s a solidly above-average Premier League defender. I actually think EA Sports slightly overrate him.
My Rating: 81
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspu celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on September 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Harry Kane
Actual Rating: 84
Tottenham’s top striker didn’t get off to a very good start to this season, but his past contributions show that he’s one of the best forwards in Europe. Fortunately, EA Sports have realized this and given him a reasonable player rating.
He may feel slightly grieved that he isn’t getting full credit for his Golden Boot win, but 84 is nothing to sneeze at. His lack of top-notch athleticism likely make it difficult for him to achieve a really high rating.
Curiously, it’s hard for the game to replicate how Kane scores goals. He uses exceptional movement and positioning to get free of the opposition. That’s not exactly a straight forward quality to assign in a video game.
Kane may want to have a slightly higher rating, but I think EA Sports got this one right on the nose. Hopefully he makes me look foolish when he returns from injury.
My Rating: 84
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur and Andrea Raggi of AS Monaco in action during the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and AS Monaco FC at Wembley Stadium on September 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Christian Eriksen
Actual Rating: 84
The Danish attacker certainly divides opinion among the Tottenham fan base, but it’s hard to say he isn’t a very good player. He might not be perfect, but he still shows a lot of quality when he’s on the pitch.
In particular, he’s come under criticism for his lack of fire and passion as of late. There’s some truth in that, but it’s largely overblown. Just because he doesn’t run all over the pitch with his arms in the air doesn’t mean he isn’t playing really hard.
It’s very possible he’s just a quietly passionate player. Even if he isn’t the toughest midfielder, his skill on the ball makes it very hard to keep him out of the starting XI. He is the club’s best number ten.
His skillful ability to take a devastating free kick should earn him a player rating in the 80s by itself. I think 84 is pretty close, but might be giving him just a shade too much credit.
My Rating: 83
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14:Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur and Bernardo Silva of AS Monaco in action during the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and AS Monaco FC at Wembley Stadium on September 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Toby Alderweireld
Actual Rating: 85
I have to give EA Sports a ton of credit on this one. I’m shocked that they correctly realize that Alderweireld is Tottenham’s best outfield player. He may not be the sexiest choice to give a high rating, but he is the right choice.
Goal scorers get most of the headlines, but Alderweireld has galvanized the Spurs back line with his stellar play. He’s made each of his fellow starters in the back four better players just by his presence on the pitch. It’s not a coincidence that Danny Rose and Kyle Walker have improved greatly after Alderweireld was integrated into the starting XI.
John Stones gets immense credit for his skill on the ball, but I’ll take Alderweireld as the best ball playing centre half in England. His distribution from the back of the formation is flawless. His ability to play inch-perfect long diagonals can unlock opposing defenses like no one else.
Alderweireld got a very good rating, but it wasn’t quite enough for me. I wouldn’t trade him for any centre back in the Premier League. He’s that good.
My Rating: 87
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur warms up during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland at White Hart Lane on September 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Hugo Lloris
Actual Rating: 88
I feel like EA Sports have finally come around to the true genius of Hugo Lloris this year. After years of criminally underrated the French captain, they’ve finally decided to give him the credit he deserves.
Tottenham fans have known about Lloris’ brilliance for years. Even when the club didn’t have the proper talent to surround him, his skill showed up week in and week out. I’m just glad the rest of the squad is starting to catch up with his talent.
Some of the Premier League’s other keepers get more attention than Lloris, but Tottenham wouldn’t trade him for anyone. There’s a reason the club made the unusual choice to make him their captain.
Hugo Lloris deserves every plaudit that comes his way. I’m glad EA Sports finally got on board with understanding just how good he really is.
My Rating: 88
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