FIFA 21's release is just around the corner, and with each new iteration comes new gameplay features
that should change how the game feels compared to its predecessor.
These tweaks often favor players with certain attributes,
which can make them significantly more important in some editions than others.
EA has announced several new features for FIFA 21,
from positioning personality to agile dribbling. With these additions in mind,
here are some of the players who could be set to shine in this year's game.
Positioning personality feature will place much more emphasis on a player's intelligence,
whether they're a forward perfectly timing a run to stay onside
or a defender reading the game
and knowing when and where to move to snuff out a threat.
For attacking players, this means their positioning stat could play a significant role in how
effective they are in the final third.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi should become even more deadly,
but they're not the only forwards who stand to gain from the new feature.
Positioning is Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller's best attribute, reflecting his
uncanny ability to find pockets of space in dangerous areas.
His positioning stat is 92 on FIFA 20, putting him amongst the best in the game in that regard.
Coupled with the fact that his overall rating is likely to increase after an outstanding season,
Muller could be a very in-demand player on FIFA 21.
Likewise, Jamie Vardy also has 92 positioning on FIFA 20,
and he, too, had a superb campaign, winning the Premier League Golden Boot.
Unlike Muller, the Leicester City hitman also has pace to burn, which will
add a different dimension to his threat, particularly
when it comes to making runs in behind the defence. Slower strikers like Radamel Falcao
and Eden Dzeko should become more useful, too.
The pair have 88 and 89 positioning on FIFA 20, respectively. On FIFA 21,
this should give them the edge in crossing situations into the box,
as they'll instinctively know where to be to get ahead of defenders,
and they're both good enough in the air to be able to capitalize on that.
Scoring from headers is tough on FIFA 20,
but EA is introducing a new manual headers feature on FIFA 21,
with the intent of making them easier to put away.
If heading does become a viable route to goal again, the likes of Dzeko and Falcao could be much more prominent.
At the other end of the pitch, players with a high defensive awareness stat
should become more adept at tracking runs, cutting off passing lanes
and working as effective defensive units.
It will come as no surprise that stars like Virgil van Dijk
and N’Golo Kante will shine as a result.
The Dutchman has 93 defensive awareness,
while the Frenchman's is 90 on FIFA 20. Away from the usual suspects, Milan defender
Alessio Romagnoli has 88 defensive awareness,
so he's one to watch in FIFA 21, along with Raul Albiol.
The Villarreal stalwart will be 35 by the time FIFA 21 is released on October 9,
and he's pretty slow, even for a centre-back, with 50 acceleration and 46 sprint speed.
However, the veteran's 89 defensive awareness should go some way to making
up for his lack of pace and keep him viable in the game.
FIFA 21's career mode will also feature a new position conversion system,
allowing you to change players' roles on the pitch.
One of the biggest beneficiaries of this new feature could be David Alaba.
The Bayern utility man is already highly versatile,
capable of operating at centre-back and left-back on FIFA 20.
What's more, he's among the best all-rounders in the game, with
only a handful of players boasting a higher
combined total of all of their stats. Aside from his finishing, volleying
and aggression,
all of his stats range from 75 to 85. With his solid attributes across the board,
there won't be many positions he wouldn't be a useful asset.
One of the most significant gameplay additions to FIFA 21 is agile dribbling, EA's new
revamp dribbling system that promises to help players move
and control the ball with more precision, fluidity
and, you guessed it, agility. The four attributes that will dictate how well
players can pull it off are dribbling, agility, ball control
and reactions, so those highly rated in each of these categories
will boast the fanciest footwork.
Unsurprisingly, players like Neymar and Eden Hazard
will have no trouble making full use of the agile dribbling system,
but it won't just be tricky wingers who can wreak havoc with the ball at their feet.
Thiago Alcantara has 85 reactions on FIFA 20
and is 90 or above in the other three categories,
while the likes of Papu Gomez, Marcelo and Gabriel Jesus
are also rated at least 85 in all four stats,
so expect them to be even more valuable when the new game rolls around.
Who do you think will shine with FIFA 21's new gameplay features?
Let us know in the comments below.