For many players, the release of FIFA 23 will be tinged with sadness. Soccer's international governing body is set to break away from its partnership with EA Sports due to creative differences, with the latter teasing a brand new IP named EA Sports FC to rival its former partner. FIFA, meanwhile, has vowed to keep the FIFA franchise alive with a new developer, though who exactly will take on the daunting task remains unclear.
A recent FIFA 23 trailer has offered a deep dive into the latest, and last, EA Sports-made FIFA game, but not all of the game's details are currently available. In particular, most player ratings remain a mystery, meaning that players can only speculate as to who has enjoyed a numerical boost and who will suffer the ignominy of a painful reduction. For those who have excelled in the last nine or so months, their likely reward will be a healthy stat boost and an increase in that precious overall rating.
Current player ratings are taken from the latest FIFA 22 online update.
10 Vinícius Júnior: Current Rating: 84 – Predicted Rating: 87
Brazilian Vinícius Júnior always had the potential to be a superstar, but now he’s finally cashing in on his phenomenal talent. It’s taken a while for the rapid attacker to find his feet at Real Madrid, but at times last season, he was virtually unplayable.
It hasn’t hurt that Vinícius is now a Champions League winner thanks to Real’s triumph in the competition earlier this year. With the Brazilian a vital part of that success, there’s no doubt he’s due a sizable upgrade when FIFA 23 releases in a few months' time.
9 Julián Álvarez: Current Rating: 78 – Predicted Rating: 82
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Having officially signed for Manchester City for the start of the 2022-2023 season, Julián Álvarez could be another player hoping for a stat boost following his move to one of the world’s biggest clubs.
Until now, Álvarez had been tearing it up in the Argentinian domestic league for River Plate, but it’s true that most players don’t start pushing into the really high numbers until they’re playing in Europe. 78 isn’t bad and Álvarez will expect better now that he’s playing with the world’s elite, but things could very much depend on how much game time he enjoys.
8 Phil Foden: Current Rating: 84 – Predicted Rating: 87
Phil Foden’s development continues at a serious pace. Foden’s FIFA ratings have always been pretty high even when the Englishman was just a reserve or squad player for Man City, but his emergence as a fully-formed technical force will mean that the ratings now will only go up and up.
The sky’s the limit for how high Foden could one day see his FIFA rating go, but right now the chances are that players will see a few points added to a very healthy 84. Give it a few years and Foden could easily be pushing 90 if he continues on his current trajectory.
7 Tammy Abraham: Current Rating: 79 - Predicted Rating: 82
Tammy Abraham’s development under Jose Mourinho has been almost unbelievable, and he’s showing absolutely no signs of slowing down. The English powerhouse has been transformed and is now as fast and elusive as he is strong and imposing. Abraham has always had talent, but Mourinho has found a way to truly unlock it.
A rating of 79 doesn’t do justice to Abraham’s recent exploits. The tenacious striker managed 17 goals and four assists in 37 matches last season, helping a resurgent Roma to a solid 6th-placed finish and a win in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League. There’s little doubt that the Englishman will be breaking through the 80 barrier with such sparkling form.
6 Pedri: Current Rating: 82 - Predicted Rating: 85
During the 2020-2021 season, Pedri played an astonishing 72 consecutive games for club and country, overtaking the previous record set by Bruno Fernandes. At just 18 years old, the young Spaniard has already become a regular starter for Barcelona and the Spanish National Team.
Not only is the midfield dynamo unbelievably durable, but he’s also phenomenally talented. Pedri is probably the best young player in his position right now, and it’s about time FIFA really started to reflect that fact. 82 just isn’t enough anymore.
5 Conor Gallagher: Current Rating: 77 – Predicted Rating: 80
Much like Tyrick Mitchell, Conor Gallagher was an absolute revelation at Crystal Palace last season, with the young Englishman ending up as The Eagles’ best player in a very respectable campaign for Patrick Vieira’s side. Upon its conclusion, Gallagher returned to Chelsea where he'll be hoping to push for a spot in the first team.
With his reputation immeasurably enhanced by a successful loan spell combined with the fact that the midfielder could now be operating in a much more prestigious side, Gallagher could end up sneaking into the 80s for FIFA 23. If not, one suspects it will happen through one of the game's many online rating updates.
4 Tariq Lamptey: Current Rating: 74 – Predicted Rating: 78
It seems very unusual that former Chelsea starlet Tariq Lamptey should be stuck on a very modest 74 rating. The Brighton and Hove full-back has been one of the club’s star players since joining in 2020, making around fifty appearances and nailing down a starting spot since the age of 20.
Why Lamptey has such an average overall score does seem bizarre, as even live updates have failed to acknowledge the Ghanian-Englishman’s recent contributions. An entirely new game might finally see Lamptey get the big boost he deserves.
3 David Raum: Current Rating: 77 – Predicted Rating: 81
Hoffenheim’s stalwart utility man David Raum enjoyed his best stint in a blue and white shirt last season, continuing his excellent club form with a very respectable handful of showings in the German national team.
Players don't get to play for Die Mannschaft without possessing some serious quality. Links to RB Leipzig certainly won’t hurt Raum’s case for an upgrade either, but players shouldn't be too surprised if he enjoys a serious boost even if no such move materializes.
2 Anthony Gordon: Current Rating: 72 – Predicted Rating: 76
If there’s a player who is guaranteed some serious boosts to his stats, it’s mercurial winger Anthony Gordon. The Everton man was a shining light in and among a dismal campaign for the Toffees, often looking like the only man in a blue shirt capable of causing any real problems for the opposition, especially when he came up against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby in April.
Gordon’s current rating of 72 is pretty laughable. Players often find huge ratings jumps after they’ve had a proper breakout season, so players should expect the young Englishman to be rewarded with a hefty boost in FIFA 23.
1 Tyrick Mitchell: Current Rating: 74 – Predicted Rating: 78
Another England youngster who has enjoyed a breakout season all of his own, Tyrick Mitchell has slotted straight into life as a Premier League star with South London club Crystal Palace. He's earned a lot of praise from his manager and is fast becoming a fan favorite down at Selhurst Park.
Pretty much unheard of last year (hence his pretty mediocre rating in FIFA 22), Mitchell is already an established defender playing at the top level of English football. As such, the talented full-back can expect a boost of four or five more points.
FIFA 23 releases on September 30 for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.