Category Archives: Barcelona

News and views pertaining to Barca.

Adama Traore: Is the Barca prodigy ready for the Premier League?

  By O-Posts Team | August 4, 2024 - 19:35 | , , , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

In the last two days, reports in Spain have suggested that Barcelona starlet Adama Traore is bound for the Premier League with Liverpool being the most likely destination.

Further reports in England have backed up these claims although alternative sources have also linked the right-winger with a move to Stoke City or Aston Villa.

While his final destination still remains unclear, it is almost certain that the player will move due to his limited chances of securing first-team football at the Camp Nou.

So what can Premier League fans expect to see when he finally arrives?

 

A Product of the La Masia academy

Troare is yet another product of the famed Barcelona La Masia academy; but like many recent graduates, he looks set to be sold on for a profit (perhaps with an option to buy back at a later date).

With so many superstars in their team, it is becoming increasingly difficult for players from the youth ranks to establish themselves in the first team. As a result, Traore looks set to follow the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Gerard Deulofeu, Patricio Gabarrón and Carles Planas out of the Blaugrana exit door.

While many players that leave Barca simply do not make the grade, Traore has always been considered one of the brighter prospects to emerge during the last few years.

As a result, his situation has been monitored by many high profile teams including Liverpool and Manchester United in England.

 

Lowdown on Traore

The 19-year-old from Malian descent was born and bred in Catalonia and joined the Barcelona academy at just eight years of age. By the age of 17, he had been selected for the B team where he went on to make more than 60 appearances in the Segunda Division.

During this time he was also selected for the senior squad and made four appearances, scoring one goal. However, he has failed to establish himself as a regular squad member.

His natural position is on the right flank, although he could be classed as more of an attacking wide player than an orthodox right-winger. During his time at youth and B team level, he also featured on the left-hand side of a front three where he looked equally comfortable.

As can be expected from a product of La Masia, he is technically very gifted and is a capable of turning full-backs inside out with his dribbling ability and pace.

In 2013-14, Traore was one of the key players in the Catalan club’s UEFA Youth League triumph.

 

Interested clubs and which club he suits the most

His style of play would be well-suited to Liverpool but with the player desperate for first-team football, a move to Aston Villa or Stoke might actually make more sense.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes has been a long-time admirer of the player and feels that he would slot perfectly into their new system of play. The Potters made their first attempt to lure the player back in January, but will now have to fend off interest from their Premier League rivals in order to secure his signature.

It is expected that his future will be determined in the next seven days with Barcelona hoping to achieve a sale price in the region of €10m.

 

Written by Neil Morris

Follow Neil on Twitter @nmorris01

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Pedro: Can the Barcelona prodigy cut it in the Premier League?

  By O-Posts Team | July 29, 2024 - 14:44 | , , , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

With talk of a mutually-agreed reduction in his release cause and interest from the Premier League, it looks like the former jewel of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy is set to leave the club. The Canary Island-born player is rumoured to be a target of Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal but does he have what it takes to make it in the Premier League?

Pedro’s quality cannot be denied; the player featured regularly during the most successful period in his current club’s history and also helped his national team to unprecedented glory. However, he has never quite established himself as the world class player that former coach Pep Guardiola had hoped he would become.

He has skill, pace, great passing ability and an eye for goal. He is renowned at the club for his discipline, work ethic and commitment to the greater cause of the team, and he has never rocked the boat despite being drafted in and out of the first XI during the last few years.

When he was at his best, there were few players in the world as consistent as the 28-year-old; but the player that cost nothing has somehow become a bit-part player at Barcelona. During the 2009-10 La Liga campaign, the club had just recruited Zlatan Ibrahimovic and still had Thierry Henry on the books, but Pedro managed to force his way into the first-team and made 22 starts.

The following year, the Swede and the Frenchman were both shipped out and Pedro had perhaps the best season of his career, epitomised by his goal in the 3-1 Champions League final victory against Manchester United.

Along with Lionel Messi and David Villa, Pedro formed a deadly triumvirate that at times looked unplayable. However, the young prodigy lacked the marketability of his strike partners and Barcelona always seemed to be looking for a superstar replacement. In 2011, the highly-rated youngster Alexis Sanchez arrived from Udinese but ultimately failed to live up to the hype. Two years later, the enigmatic Neymar joined the Blaugrana from Santos in Brazil and then last summer, controversial Uruguayan Luis Suarez was signed from Liverpool in a bumper deal.

With an attacking force now made up of world class marketable talent and with Arda Turan due to arrive from Atletico Madrid; it seems that Pedro will have no choice, but to leave if he has any desire to be anything other than a bench-warmer.

If Pedro does make his way to the Premier League, there is no doubt that he still has the ability to terrorise defences with his tricky wing play. He knows how to press better than most forward players and ever since he scored his debut goal against Almeria in October 2009; he has never lost his eye for goal.

Pedro is a genuine talent who has unfortunately become the victim of circumstance at a club that in recent times has become pre-occupied with buying superstars rather than developing their own graduates.

Whoever lands his signature, will have one hell of a player on their hands.

 

Written by Neil Morris

Follow Neil on Twitter @nmorris01

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

FIFA 16: The Leaked Barcelona Player Ratings in the latest FIFA edition

  By O-Posts Team | July 23, 2024 - 21:23 | , , ,
Leave a comment

EA Sports’ latest installment of the FIFA series, FIFA 16, is due to hit stores worldwide on September 25 and with all the spare time between now and the release date, the fans are anxious to get some insight to what is coming and what they should expect in the latest FIFA edition.

Luckily, we have a leaked snapshot from the E3 conference which has leaked the player’s ratings of both Barcelona and Real Madrid. Below are reportedly the ratings to expect of Barca’s players in FIFA 16.

The leaked image (Source: http://imgur.com/gs03vbN)

We have always seen player ratings leaked in previous editions of FIFAs, but many of them did not match the actual rating when the game was released. What we are trying to say is, the ratings we saw in E3 may not have been the final ratings that we’ll see when the game is officially released to the public.

Barcelona had an amazing season winning the treble consisting of the Champions League, La Liga, and the Copa Del Rey. We will not be surprised that the ratings of the club’s top players and stars will increase in the upcoming edition of FIFA as the likes of Neymar, Messi and Suarez played a vital part in the team’s success. Let’s find out which Barcelona players had the most impressive jump in their ratings.

The reported FIFA 16 ratings:

Lionel Messi - 94

Neymar Jr – 87

Luis Suarez – 89

Andres Iniesta – 90

Sergio Busquets – 85

Ivan Rakitic – 83

Jordi Alba – 83

Javier Mascherano -83

Gerard Pique – 85

Dani Alves – 83

Claudio Bravo- 83

Pedro – 83

Rafinha– 78

Sergi Roberto- 76

Ratings define how rival counterparts perform in the game meaning that even in the digital level, people will be competing against Barcelona and Real Madrid. It is astonishing how a real life rivalry has sneaked into the gaming world to become one of the most played fixtures within the FIFA online community.

 

Written by Charchit Dahal

Follow Charchit on Twitter @CharchitDahal

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Serie A: The League’s Top 9 Best Young Talents to Watch this Season

  By O-Posts Team | July 22, 2024 - 21:15 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

Paulo Dybala (Juventus)

Juventus signed the Argentine forward for 32 million euros (£23.4 million) from Sicilian outfit Palermo this summer.

Last season, the 21-year-old scored 13 times for Palermo and provided ten assists - very impressive considering it was his first season in Serie A and was with a relegation-battling side.

Dybala is versatile, athletic and agile, with good technique and an ability to fit into different tactical systems in attack.

I don’t like to make player comparisons but I can understand why many have likened him to his international compatriot, Sergio Aguero.

It will be intriguing to see if Paulo can make that step up with the reigning champions.

With Carlos Tevez departing last season’s Champions League runners-up, he will need to be able to provide spark up front as well as goals.

 

Daniele Rugani (Juventus)

Having initially brought him to Turin on loan in 2012, Juventus took full ownership of the 20-year-old in February for 3.5 million euros to terminate the co-ownership deal that had previously been in effect with Empoli.

Rugani spent 12 years with Empoli, joining them at the age of six and progressing through the youth ranks.

He enjoyed similar success with the Italy age group teams along the way and is regarded as the future of Italy’s defence.

Rugani is more Fabio Cannavaro than Giorgio Chiellini in the fact that he’s not very physical. He’s a classy and elegant defender.

He was the only Empoli outfield player to play every minute of the last campaign and he did so without receiving a single yellow card!

It’s difficult to see him breaking into Juve’s defence next season with Leonardo Bonucci, Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Martin Caceres ahead of him in the pecking order.

Rugani was brought in to replace Angelo Ogbonna, who moved to West Ham United, as back-up.

I just hope that Juve coach Max Allegri gives him an opportunity to shine.

 

Mateo Kovacic (Inter Milan)

One of the more known players on this list, mainly due to his transfer links away from Inter - with the likes of Liverpool and Barcelona showing an interest in the Croatian.

The likelihood is that the 21-year-old will remain at Inter after his comments to the Italian media.

“I’ll stay here [Inter], I won’t move,” he said. “That’s what I wanted, that’s what my renewal until 2019 shows. There will be a long relationship between Inter and myself.

“I want to show that I deserve Inter. I want to win with this shirt. Inter is like Real Madrid or Barcelona.”

Kovacic is a modern, attacking midfielder. He doesn’t just stand in a ten-yard zone of space and wait for the ball, he often drops deep to collect it.

He moves wide to create overloads and is willing to get back behind the line of the ball in the defensive phase.

He is a wonderfully creative hub and is very calm and confident on the ball.

His distribution and defence-splitting through balls are what make him one of Europe’s hottest prospects.

 

Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo)

Berardi is a forward who is co-owned by Juventus and Sassuolo. He’s been a Sassuolo player since 2012.

He’s now spent two full seasons in Serie A. He netted 14 goals and provided nine assists last season; in 2013-14, he scored 16, with six assists.

Quite an achievement, at 20, to have 30 Serie A goals under your belt in just two seasons.

Berardi is a pacy and versatile forward. It’s been a joy to watch him in the past couple of seasons in Italy and he could prove to be a gem for the Italy national team for many years to come.

A drawback? Probably his disciplinary record. He’s received 23 yellow cards and two red in 60 Serie A appearances.

This is something he must work on and I’m sure he’ll improve with experience.

 

Mattia Perin (Genoa)

Any upcoming young Italian goalkeeper who shows glimpses of promise will probably be hailed as the next “Gigi Buffon”.

Many young keepers find this a huge label and many collapse under this sort of pressure. Thankfully for Italy, this 22-year-old Genoa stopper is not one of them.

I’m not suggesting he is the answer to Italy’s prayers once Buffon eventually retires but there is no doubt Mattia is talented.

He was the third-choice keeper behind Buffon and Salvatore Sirigu in Italy’s disastrous World Cup finals campaign in Brazil last year. He has one senior cap.

Light on his feet and blessed with exceptional reflexes, Perin is a brilliant shot-stopper with a bright future ahead of him.

 

M’Baye Niang (AC Milan)

Niang is a versatile 20-year-old French forward.

He made his debut with Milan in 2012, making 33 league appearances but failing to register any goals.

The following season he was sent out on loan to French side Montpellier and he spent the back end of last term on loan at Genoa, where he impressed with five league goals in 12 games.

Now back at Milan for next season, he’s got a great opportunity to shine under new coach Sinisa Mihajlovic.

Should he get the chance, he must take it because the Rossoneri have signed experienced forwards Carlos Bacca and Luiz Adriano.

 

Andrea Bertolacci (AC Milan)

Milan signed the 24-year-old midfielder from AS Roma this summer for a hefty 20 million euros.

Bertolacci impressed during his loan stint at Genoa last season, scoring seven goals and registering eight assists.

Signing Bertolacci should inject much-needed creativity into Milan’s midfield. He can play from a central or advanced position, a deeper playmaker or No.10.

He is versatile. He can be more withdrawn, more of a veiled threat, and is not afraid to shoot from afar.

 

Geoffrey Kondogbia (Inter Milan)

Kondogbia is up there with the biggest transfers in Europe this summer. The Frenchman signed for Inter from AS Monaco for around 35 million euros.

Arsenal fans may remember his solid performances for Monaco in the Champions league last season, when the French club knocked out the North London team on away goals in the Round of 16.

Kondogbia provides great protection in front of his defenders, looking to hunt down any attackers threatening to get beyond them.

A little further up the pitch, he has a good eye for stepping in and dispossessing any opponents looking to break from midfield.

As well as being strong, Kondogbia is skilful and has fine ball control. He is able to manoeuvre himself out of danger.

And while capable of taking on players, he understands the merit of a simple pass to keep his team ticking over.

A player of his type was much needed at Inter. The side conceded 48 league goals last campaign … dreadful.

 

Alessio Romagnoli (AS Roma)

Twenty-year-old Romagnoli had a tremendous campaign last season on loan at Sampdoria.

It’s uncertain where the central defender will play this upcoming season, with Milan submitting a bid of 25 million euros, which was rejected.

Arsenal are reported to be interested. Or he may well stay with Roma. Wherever he plays, watch out for him next season.

 

Worthy mentions:-

Juventus: Alvaro Morata, Paul Pogba, Kingsley Coman

Inter Milan: Mauro Icardi

AC Milan: Jose Mauri

Lazio: Ravel Morrison

Udinese: Simone Scuffet

Torino: Daniele Baselli

 

Written by Serie A Writer

Follow Serie A Writer on Twitter @SerieAWriter

Read more of Serie A Writer’s articles at www.voicingcalcio.com

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Giovani Dos Santos: Former Barca prodigy joins LA Galaxy in the hope of finally becoming a star

  By O-Posts Team | July 20, 2024 - 19:10 | , , , , ,
Leave a comment

“We are committed to assembling the best roster that will compete for championships year in and year out,” were the words of the LA Galaxy president Chris Klein who last week saw Giovanni Dos Santos fill his team’s third designated player slot.

Currently side-lined with an abductor injury suffered whilst away with Mexico in the Gold Cup, Dos Santos is not due to make his debut for the Galaxy until August, but when he does he will join Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard as Klein, together with head coach Bruce Arena, strives towards achieving his aim of repeated success.

“Giovani is a special player,” said Arena. “He has experience and success competing at the highest level and we believe he will only continue to develop. We are happy to add him to our roster and have confidence he can be an integral part of our success going forward.” Dos Santos undoubtedly possesses the talent to gratify Arena’s optimism and the 11 goals and 8 assists he managed in La Liga just two seasons ago suggests he will not look at of place alongside Keane and Gerrard.

Of course, that is if he produces the form he is widely known to be capable of on a regular basis. Too often Dos Santos has been the underwhelming anti-climactic winger who followed up that excellent year for Villarreal with just one goal and three assists from 27 games last season.

From being named the world’s 5th most exciting player by World Soccer Magazine after breaking into the Barcelona senior team in 2007 to make his debut aged 18, now to the MLS via loan spells at Galatasaray and Ipswich Town, Dos Santos has failed to settle in anywhere since switching to Spurs in 2008 and his talent has suffered for it.

Despite enjoying a successful career with Mexico since making his debut 8 years ago, his club career has simply failed to replicate the same success that won him the Gold Cups of 2009 and 2011 with his country, as well as the Olympics with the under 23s in 2012.

He is the holder of 90 caps for El Tri and scorer of the goals that beat USA in the final of the 2011 Gold Cup and threatened to dump Holland out of last year’s World Cup in the last-16 stage. Veteran of two World Cups and runner-up for the Young Player of the Tournament award in South Africa in 2010, Dos Santos’s tales of his time with the national team will be full of fulfilment and content. At club level however the 26 year old just hasn’t managed to find his way since being billed as the “new Ronaldinho.”

Maybe the sizeable task of living up to that name of having the tag of being a graduate from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy is the main factor behind the Mexican’s failure to realise his true potential at club level, or rather it could be the misfortunate timing with his managers.

Frank Rijkaard, who integrated Dos Santos into Barca’s senior team as a teenager in 2007/08, a season that ended with a hat-trick in the 5-3 win over Real Murcia, was that summer replaced by Pep Guardiola who immediately sold the winger to Tottenham.

Juande Ramos was the Spurs coach who brought Dos Santos to White Hart Lane and by that October he was fired and in came Harry Redknapp who the Mexican said stymied his progress in London. “It was very frustrating for me because, like every footballer, I just wanted to play. I’d prepare for a game every three days, then not play.”

Dos Santos started just 11 games for Spurs, mainly in the cups as he failed to make a single start in league competition, and four years later, after unsuccessful loans to Ipswich, Galatasaray and Racing Santander, he signed for Mallorca. Despite relegation he finished top scorer with six goals and racked up seven assists, attracting newly promoted Villarreal.

His first season with the Yellow Submarine on top of his year with Mallorca hinted at a resurgence in form but his second year, spent with his brother Jonathon after he followed suit by moving from Barcelona, duly stamped that. Now, La Galaxy have offered Dos Santos the chance to turn his career around in the Americas.

Galaxy have chased Dos Santos for the past four years but have previously been restricted by the MLS guidelines that limit teams to three designated players. A change in the rules this summer allowed a down payment to be made on the contract of Omar Gonzalez, which then freed up one of the DP spots for Dos Santos.

The Mexican will add pace, flashy technique and the benefit, unlike Keane and Gerrard, of having yet to reach the peak of his talents at 26. It is also hoped that his arrival will gain the team more followers from southern California’s Mexican American community, in which it currently enjoys little presence.

“He has the individual flair that sometimes we lack in the final third of the field,” Arena said. “His running off the ball’s good. He can go by people. He has an excellent first touch. He’s a finisher. He can pass. “He’s got all those great little qualities in and around the penalty area.”

They are qualities apparent to many familiar with Dos Santos since he broke onto the scene with Barcelona. Now he is back in the west, he has a great chance to deliver consistently on the vast billing he has never quite realised.

 

Written by Adam Gray

Follow Adam on Twitter @AdamGray1250

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

FIFA 16: The Top 10 Best Under-25 Players in the latest FIFA edition

  By O-Posts Team | July 19, 2024 - 07:31 | , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

HEADS UP: The list is in ascending order.

Are you looking for a young but powerful player to add to your team? If so, then we have a list of the ten highest rated young players (under the age of 25) for you to choose from.

 

David Alaba – Bayern Munich

Overall Rating: 84

Best attribute: 87 rating in Pace

Alaba is just 23, but has managed to become one of the best in his position in the world. The left back has won almost everything with Bayern Munich. He progressed a lot last year, which is reflected in FIFA 16 as he is rated 84.

 

Christian Eriksen - Tottenham

Overall Rating: 84

Best attribute: 88 rating in Passing

Eriksen is one of the best ball passers in FIFA 16. With 9 assists, he was one of the most influential player in Spurs’ squad last year. The Dane, also aged 23, has a potential of 87, which makes him the best Tottenham player in FIFA 16.

 

Antoine Griezmann - Atlético Madrid

Overall Rating: 84

Best attribute: 87 rating in Pace and Dribbling

Griezmann was one of the finest midfielders in La Liga last season. He scored more than 20 goals and assisted a ton. He has awesome stats in Dribbling and Pace making him suitable for a fast game play.

 

Isco – Real Madrid

Overall Rating: 85

Best attribute: 89 rating in Dribbling

The Real Madrid midfielder was brilliant for the Los Blancos when their top midfielders were out injured. He played an outstanding role to cover up their void that he could possible grab a starting role next season. His performance has also increased his FIFA stats from 83 to 85.

 

Paul Pogba - Juventus

Overall Rating: 86

Best attribute: 89 rating in Physical

Pogba is probably one of few bright midfielders who of which we are sure that they will grow into a great player. His constant improvement each season has seen him become close to among the best in the game. In his FIFA career however, he has almost doubled his stats having started at 47 in FIFA 11.

 

Mario Gotze – Bayern Munich

Overall Rating: 86

Best attribute: 91 rating in Dribbling

Gotze has always been lucky. He scored the last minute World Cup final goal, he moved to Bayern Munich in just the right time to win the treble, and he has an almost constant rating in FIFA series for three years. With 91 rating in Dribbling, the German midfielder is among one of the most expensive in FUT 16.

 

James Rodriguez – Real Madrid

Overall Rating: 87

Best attribute: 86 rating in Passing and Dribbling

After his brilliant World Cup performance, EA sports increased his 85 rating to 88 in FIFA 15. In the latest version he has an 87 rating because he was out injured most of the season. He however has a lot more potential than he had in FIFA 15.

 

Thibaut Courtois – Chelsea

Overall Rating: 87

Best attribute: 90 rating in Reflexes

The Chelsea goal stopper has managed to kick Cech out of the club because of his game changing goalkeeping. He helped his side win the Premier League this season making him one of the best players in the Premier League last season. His FIFA stats has boosted from 84 to 87 with a potential rating of 89.

 

Neymar - Barcelona

Overall Rating: 89

Best attribute: 93 rating in Dribbling

The former Santos’ attacker won the treble with Barcelona this year. He was very influential as he managed to score more than 20 goals. He will be one of the best attackers in FIFA 16 who is going to be sold probably hundreds of thousands of times.

 

Eden Hazard - Chelsea

Overall Rating: 89

Best attribute: 94 rating in Dribbling

Finally, the best young player in FIFA 16 is Eden Hazard. The Chelsea winger was at his absolute best last year for the Blues winning the Premier League and Capital One Cup. His FIFA stats has boosted from 86 to 89 making him one of the best in the game. Because he is young and dynamic, he will likely be the most sold player in FUT 16.

 

Written by Charchit Dahal

Follow Charchit on Twitter @CharchitDahal

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Munir El-Haddadi: The promising Barca prospect linked with Arsenal and Chelsea

  By O-Posts Team | July 16, 2024 - 13:58 | , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

For the second summer in succession, one of Barcelona’s most promising young talents is being linked with a move away from the club. If reports are to be believed, Munir El-Haddadi is a target for many top European clubs including Arsenal and Chelsea with the Gunners supposedly in pole position for his signature.

Many football fans may not be too familiar with the player known simply as Munir; after all, he only made his debut for the Blaugrana B team in March 2014 and has only made ten senior league appearances since then. So what is all the fuss about? Why are so many teams interested in the youngster and would the Catalonians be willing to sell?

Munir was born to parents of Moroccan origin and raised in a small town northwest of the Spanish capital. As a child, his favourite team was Real Madrid. His prolific goal scoring record as a youngster eventually secured him a place in the youth ranks of Atletico Madrid at which point he ditched any previous allegiances. Aged just 15, he was sent on loan to CF Rayo Majadahonda where he bagged an incredible 30 goals in 29 matches in the Tercera División.

His record in the Spanish fourth tier drew attention from his boyhood team across the city, but it was Barcelona who made the only firm approach for his services. After just a year at Atletico, Munir was on the books at the Catalan club and made his debut at youth level.

His style of play and ability to score goals soon attracted lazy comparisons to other top players including Lionel Messi. At UEFA youth league level, Munir averaged a goal a game for Barca and was voted the outstanding player in 2013-14. During a game against Benfica in July 2014, he became a social media hit after scoring from the halfway line.

His performances prompted new coach Luis Enrique to give the youngster first team opportunities during the 2014-15 season. He made an instant impact by scoring on his debut in the 3-0 win against Elche at the Camp Nou and made a further nine appearances in the league. He also featured six times in the Copa del Rey and Champions League campaigns.

With Pedro’s future in doubt, it seems crazy that the Catalan club would sell a player with such talent and potential. Any new players that Luis Enrique recruits this summer will not be able to play until January and as a result, Munir will be a valuable asset to the squad in the coming months. The coach has also expressed his intention to continue developing the player so if he does move, a loan would be most likely.

In the unlikely event that a permanent transfer does occur, Arsenal would be the most likely destination. Arsene Wenger has previously taken Barca youth players Jon Toral and Hector Bellerin to the Emirates and of course Cesc Fabregas made the same move eleven years ago.

The one thing that is certain is that Munir has a big future ahead of him and wherever he ends up; he is set to be a star.

 

Written by Neil Morris

Follow Neil on Twitter @nmorris01

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

FIFA 16: The Top 10 Defenders in the latest FIFA edition

  By O-Posts Team | July 14, 2024 - 16:54 | , , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

FYI: 1 is Lowest, 10 is the highest

Defenders in FIFA 16 or any other video game simulation are very vital to your team’s overall performance in the game.

We have listed a bunch of top defenders in FIFA 16 so that you can improve your team and therefore your performance.

 

1. John Terry

Overall Rating: 83

Best attribute: 84 in Defending

The veteran captain has had very consistent overall ratings in FIFA games. For three years in a row, his rating has been 83.

He is one of the best defenders in England and is very famous among English gamers.

 

2. Nicolás Otamendi

Overall Rating: 83

Best attribute: 87 in Defending

Otamendi was one of the most consistent defenders in La Liga this season. Because of his form, Manchester United and a few other English sides are keeping a close eye on him.

A move to the Premier League would make this brilliant defender very popular in FUT 16.

 

3. Mehdi Benatia

Overall Rating: 85

Best attribute: 89 in Defending

The Morocco international was brilliant for Bayern Munich this season making some crucial defending in the back.

The boost in his FIFA stats is going to make him popular this year.

 

4. Vincent Komapny

Overall Rating: 85

Best attribute: 87 in Defending and Physical

Kompany has insane defending and physical stats in FIFA 16 making him one of the powerful player to have in your team.

He is also good with headers, which is why most FUT players would want him in their team as he can prove to be a threat in set-piece situations.

 

5. Jerome Boateng

Overall Rating: 85

Best attribute: 86 rating in Defending

Boateng was one of the most successful defenders in the 2014-15 season. He made some game changing tackles and stops to make a name for himself.

He is going to be famous in the latest version of FIFA as his stats have significantly improved.

 

6. Diego Godin

Overall Rating: 85

Best attribute: 88 in Defending

Degio Godin had a really successful season with Atlético Madrid which has resulted in a boost in his ratings in FIFA 16. He previously had a rating of 83.

 

7. Gerard Pique

Overall Rating: 86

Best attribute: 88 rating in Defending

Pique’s rating in FIFA 16 has declined from FIFA 15, despite an excellent season for Barcelona this year.

With a potential of 88, he is going to be popular among Spanish players.

 

8. Mat Hummels

Overall Rating: 86

Best attribute: 87 rating in Defending

World Cup winner for Germany, Hummels did not quite have a great season with his club. He conceded a lot of goals and made some silly mistakes.

But despite that, he has an 86 rating in FIFA 16.

 

9. Sergio Ramos

Overall Rating: 87

Best attribute: 88 rating in Defending

The Spanish centre back is one of the best defender in La Liga. He had such a good record last year that Manchester United want to sign him.

Ramos is already famous among FIFA gamers, but a move to Manchester United could make him even more popular.

 

10. Thiago Silva

Overall Rating: 88

Best attribute: 90 rating in Defending

Thiago Silva is the best defender in FIFA 16. The PSG defender did not have the best season last term, but he still has all the required attributes to make him the best.

He was the most traded player in FIFA 15 FUT and it would not be a surprise if he is once again.

 

Written by Charchit Dahal

Follow Charchit on Twitter @CharchitDahal

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts

Lee Seung-Woo: Will the Barca prodigy be the next Messi or the next Freddy Adu?

  By O-Posts Team | July 14, 2024 - 15:21 | , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

In early July, Lee Seung-Woo was promoted to Barcelona’s B-side, along with his compatriot Paik Seung-Ho.

Dubbed ‘The Korean Messi’, Lee has the footballing hopes of an entire nation on his shoulders, as they hope that he can grow up to be the world-class creative talent that Korea has so far struggled to produce.

Lee’s transfer to Barcelona in 2011 broke FIFA rules, and was one of the reasons behind Barcelona’s recent transfer embargo. Unfortunately for Lee, it has also meant that he is banned from playing competitively for Barcelona until his eighteenth birthday in January 2016.

He would however be able to play competitively if he were sold to a different club, leading to speculation in the past that he might join Liverpool, Chelsea, or even Barca’s biggest rivals Real Madrid, although a transfer now looks unlikely.

Despite not being able to play competitively for his club, he has been able to play for his country, representing them at various youth levels.

His most impressive performance was at the AFC Under-16 championships in Thailand where he scored five goals, including one where he dribbled the ball half the length of the pitch before scoring against Japan, and won player-of-the-tournament as South Korea reached the final where they lost to North Korea.

He made his debut for the Under-18’s in the Suwon JS Cup in May this year. However, he was unable to have as much of an impact at this level than he has at previous levels, and it was his Barcelona team-mate Paik Seung-Ho who impressed the critics with his passing ability instead.

Lee’s quiet performance suggests that he still has a long way to go before he is ready for the Barcelona first team, and his ban on playing competitively may slow down his progress.

But while some footballing prodigies such as Freddy Adu never quite make it at the highest level, footballing experts generally agree that Lee Seung-Woo has the potential to become a world-class player in the future.

 

Written by Steven Price

Check out more of his work on everything South Korean football at the excellent K-League Footy

Follow his website on Twitter @Kleaguefootball

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts