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The Highest-Rated Players to Avoid in FIFA 20
Don’t sign any of these players if you’re aiming for silverware this season
Everyone can be wowed by a sublime CV that’s chock full of individual honours and trophies. However, in football, you’re only really as good as your last game and you can’t fight father time. No matter how much you train or how many supplements you take, every player has an end-date. The same is true for footballers in video games.
All of the players on this list were once world-class – and, in some cases, a couple of them could still do a job for you – but if you’re looking to boss FUT or you want to take your club to new heights in career mode, you’re better off not signing any of this lot. Here are 10 of the highest-rated players in FIFA 20 to avoid if you’re looking for silverware this season.
A note here: any one of these players could take us on the football pitch, and they're still mainly first-class players, even now. However, building a legendary team in FIFA is all about planning for the future, and these players aren't good choices for the long haul.
Gianluigi Buffon
Buffon is perhaps the greatest goalie to have played, but is past his prime
© EA
Overall rating: 83
Some would call Gigi Buffon the best to ever put on a pair of gloves and it’s hard to dispute that. He’s won top honours in Italy and France, and he lifted the World Cup trophy aloft in 2006. He is 41, though, and time catches up to us all. His positioning is still top notch, but the rest of his goalkeeping attributes are beginning to fall. On top of that, the popularity of the super quick forward means his Acceleration (37) and Sprint Speed (30) are sure to be taken advantage of every weekend. I’m sure your lack of interest won’t hurt him that much: he’s already preparing for a career outside of football anyway.
Giorgio Chiellini
Giorgio Chiellini was a cracking defender, and can still mark his man
© EA
Overall rating: 89
Buffon’s Piemonte Calcio teammate Giorgio Chiellini was a great centre-half. He’s now, as much as it hurts to say, an overpriced liability at the heart of that Juve defence. He’ll stick to his man like glue, as his 94-rated Marking highlights, but he’ll never win a foot race thanks to his shoddy Acceleration, Stamina and Speed. He’s a burden with the ball at his feet, too, as his passing numbers show. The time’s up for this once defensive giant.
Toby Alderweireld
Alderweireld still has a great footballing mind, but his pace isn't enough
© EA
Overall rating: 87
There was a time when even the utterance of his name – mispronounced as it often was – sent shivers up and down the spines of opposing attackers. Those days are gone. The Belgian’s still world class when it comes to Defensive Awareness (90) and his Interceptions (88) are stellar, but in this ever-quickening game, Toby’s poor Balance, Agility and Acceleration just don’t cut it. If you want someone to be the rock of your defence for years to come, look elsewhere.
César Azpilicueta
Azpilicueta's low acceleration and pace have really hurt his viability
© EA
Overall rating: 84
Azpilicueta was once one of the finest wing-backs in the world; now he’s struggling to keep up with youngsters like Robertson and Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool. His Acceleration (73), Sprint Speed (68) and Agility (72) have really impacted his game as he enters his thirties. He’s still got decent stamina and strong defensive attributes, but his shaky dribbling has definitely affected his ability to drive a counter attack.
Sergio Busquets
As with many on this list, Busquets is a classy player left behind in pace
© EA
Overall rating: 89
With an overall of 89, Busquets is one of the highest-rated players in the entire game. That doesn’t mean you should get out your chequebook, though. Mentally, the Barcelona CDM is exceptional: he’s composed, has great vision and terrific reactions. Physically, it’s a different story. Like some of the other players on this list, Busquets’ legs are starting to fail him as he gets up there in years: he’s just far too slow for the modern game, even while sitting in front of a back four. He started his career at Barcelona and he should finish his career at Barcelona, because he’s not worth the money you’d have to part with.
David Silva
Silva is Man City's golden boy, but it's better to leave him there
© EA
Overall rating: 88
As nice as he is off the pitch, it’s beginning to get nasty looking at where David Silva is in his playing career. There’s no question that at 33 years of age he has absolutely nothing to prove – he’s another that’s won countless honours and is currently club captain at Man City – and he can do that while not at your club. The Man City stalwart has never been defensive-minded, so it would be unfair to look at his stats in that department; his Acceleration (69), Stamina (73), Sprint Speed (61), Long Shots (73) and Finishing (72) aren’t strong enough for a top-tier CAM, though. Don’t shed a tear for The Cityzens; they already replaced him with a new Silva a few seasons back, anyway.
Dušan Tadić
He's a technical superstar but Tadić just doesn't have the physicality
© EA
Overall rating: 84
After four years at Southampton, Dušan Tadić joined Ajax and became an integral part of that glorious side that won the Eredivisie and got to the semi-finals of the Champions League. With that in mind, you may think he’s worth a look; we’re here to tell you that you’re better off appreciating him from afar. Technically, the Serbian is gifted when in control of the ball or dribbling up the pitch, however his Sprint Speed (68), Acceleration (68) and Strength (70) leave him down, physically.
Dries Mertens
Mertens was a superstar that never got what he deserved
© EA
Overall rating: 87
Napoli frontman Dries Mertens hasn’t had the glittering career he probably should’ve had. Now, it doesn’t seem like he will as time is ticking down on the 32-year-old. His Finishing (86), Shot Power (80) and Long Shots (81) obviously show he has something left to give, as long as you never ask him to track back. Basically, he wouldn’t do well in a side that defends and attacks as one. Physically, he’s exceptionally weak, too, and his heading leaves a lot to be desired. There are plenty of better options out there at his price tag.
Edin Džeko
He's still a decent target man, but Džeko can't track back anymore
© EA
Overall rating: 84
Roma’s Bosnian centre forward has averaged around a goal every two games for them, so it’s best to leave well enough alone. At 33 years old, Džeko’s best days are behind him. Granted, he’s fantastic in front of goal with Heading (83), Shot Power (86) and Finishing (88) stats that most strikers would kill for, but he’s past it, physically. His Acceleration (61), Agility (56) and Sprint Speed (60) are dire and he’s inept if ever asked to make a tackle. He’s not worth the money.
Jamie Vardy
Vardy is a Premier League legend, but too old to build a team around
© EA
Overall rating: 82
It’s…….. Jamie Vardy. Want a striker that will bang them in when given a chance? There are fewer better than Leicester City’s number one forward. However, much of Vardy’s game is based on pace over 90 minutes and Jamie’s stamina and agility is going as he gets older. His lack of strength is glaring, as are his poor numbers on Long Shots and Curve. None of us will forget the Premier League win in 2016, but that doesn’t mean you should go rushing out to get his signature – even if Red Bull was a staple in his diet during that famous season.
