FIFA 20 winter ratings refresh: Every Bundesliga player to receive an upgrade
After weeks of anticipation, EA Sports have finally released the Winter Refresh for FIFA 20.
Following the close of the big European transfer windows, fans have been looking forward to seeing to seeing FIFA 20 updated to mirror current rosters ahead of the second half of the season.
As well as that, players to have shone in the first half of 2019/20 were set to be rewarded with improved ratings to reflect their performances.
However, this year things appear to be different. Instead of the full database getting a variety of rating changes, from +1 to +6 in some instances in FIFA 19, just the top 50 players from around the world to have made the biggest improvement have been upgraded. These players have all been handed an upgrade of at least +3.
Of the top 50 players, nine ply their trade in the Bundesliga, with German football enjoying one of the most exciting – and tightest – title races in recent years.
Players to have improved by the same amount have been ranked based on their overall rating.
9. Moussa Diaby (+3)
Age: 20
Current club: Bayer Leverkusen
Position: LM
FIFA rating: 74 – 77
Key stat: Moussa Diaby has completed 43 take-ons in the Bundesliga this season.
After joining from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, Moussa Diaby has found his footing at Bayer Leverkusen. The 20-year-old is difficult to stop when he gets going and has been a big part of Leverkusen’s push for a Champions League spot. Full of promise, Diaby’s upgrade of three will not be the only one of his fledgling career.
8. Florian Niederlechner (+3)
Age: 29
Current club: Augsburg
Position: ST
FIFA rating: 74 – 77</p>
Key stat: Florian Niederlechner has been directly involved in 17 Bundesliga goals this season, scoring 11 and adding six assists.
Augsburg may be languishing in mid-table in the Bundesliga but Florian Niederlechner has been flourishing. The 29-year-old has been directly involved in 17 of their 27 league goals and, as a result, has received a well-deserved upgrade on FIFA 20.
7. Amine Harit (+3)
Age: 22
Current club: Schalke
Position: CAM
FIFA rating: 76 – 79
Key stat: Amine Harit has been directly involved in 10 Bundesliga goals this season, scoring six and recording four assists.
Despite some minor blips, Schalke have had a decent season and currently occupy a Europa League spot. Part of the reason for their standing has been the contribution of midfielder Amine Harit who is enjoying his best season to date.
6. Denis Zakaria (+3)
Age: 23
Current club: Borussia Monchengladbach
Position: CDM
FIFA rating: 78 – 81
Key stat: Denis Zakaria has made 46 tackles in the Bundesliga this season.
Borussia Monchengladbach may have fallen off slightly in the title race but they still deserve praise for the season so far with Denis Zakaria one of their stars. The 23-year-old has been a rock in midfield since joining in 2017 and his continued growth has been rewarded with an upgrade of FIFA 20.
5. Achraf Hakimi (+3)
Age: 21
Current club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: RB
FIFA rating: 79 – 82
Key stat: Achraf Hakimi has recorded nine assists in the Bundesliga this season, more than any other defender.
With many focusing on Borussia Dortmund’s star-studded attack this season, not enough love is being given to those further back – including Achraf Hakimi. The 21-year-old is one of the best attacking full-backs in Europe right now and slots perfectly into Dortmund’s side, which makes it even more of a shame that he will likely return to Real Madrid in the summer.
4. Timo Werner (+3)
Age: 23
Current club: RB Leipzig
Position: ST
FIFA rating: 83 – 86
Key stat: No player has been involved in more Bundeslig>a goals this season than Timo Werner (26).
As things stand RB Leipzig are top of the Bundesliga and they have Timo Werner (among other things) to thank. The German striker has been in phenomenal form this season with his goalscoring exploits earning links to the likes of Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Chelsea once again. Werner is just one goal off equaling his best Bundesliga return with 12 games still to go, so there’s no surprise to see him upgraded to a more worthy 86.
3. Laszlo Benes (+5)
Age: 22
Current club: Borussia Monchengladbach
Position: CAM
FIFA rating: 70 – 75
Key stat: Laszlo Benes has averaged 2.31 chances created per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga this season.
Laszlo Benes has found himself out of the Monchengladbach side in recent weeks, but the midfielder has had an impressive campaign thus far. His contribution has mostly come from creating chances, particularly from set pieces, and his improvement has been recognised on FIFA 20.
2. Marcus Thuram (+5)
Age: 22
Current club: Borussia Monchengladbach
Position: ST
FIFA rating: 75 – 80
Key stat: Marcus Thuram has been directly involved in 11 Bundesligan> goals this season, scoring six and adding five assists.
Marcus Thuram has proven himself to be a useful player for Monchengladbach this season, playing across the front line, whether it be on the wings or through the middle. Wherever he has played, the 22-year-old has been impressive, chipping in with goals and assists as Monchengladbach chase a Champions League spot.
1. Erling Braut Haaland (+6)
Age: 19
Current club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: ST
FIFA rating: 73 – 79
Key stat: Erling Braut Haaland has scored 37 goals in 28 games across all competitions for Red Bull Salzurg and Borussia Dortmund this season.
What is there left to say about Erling Braut Haaland? The 19-year-old has been going goal crazy this season first for Red Bull Salzburg before continuing at Borussia Dortmund. For Dortmund alone he has nine goals in six games and has been breaking records along the way. Don’t expect him to remain at 79 when FIFA 21 comes out later in the year.
