The major European football league seasons have been over for months, the 2014 World Cup has concluded, and the next iteration of EA's FIFA franchise is on the way. Clubs have returned to training and started playing preseason matches, which means FIFA 15 will be upon us soon.
Read The Top 5 Premier League Players Deserving Of A Rating Boost In FIFA 15
To set up the season, I'll be taking a look at several things we can expect and hope for in the next title, starting with player ratings and club rosters. A lot changed last year and during this summer as players' stocks have risen and fallen, and the game will need to keep up to reflect reality.
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Here are the five La Liga players who I think are most deserving of a rating upgrade:
Keylor Navas: Current Rating 78, Suggested 83
While Courtois won the Zamora Award for the league's best goalkeeper for doing very well with the winning Atletico side, many thought Navas was the best in the league given what the team in front of him. He made many saves for Levante and produced the same form at the World Cup, in which he impressed greatly for underdog side Costa Rica.
With a weaker team ahead of him again, Navas bailed out his side often with great, consistent saves. It looks like a move to Real Madrid is on the cards after a Bayern deal fell through, and Navas could go on to claim the starting job at the Spanish giant with the decline of Casillas--all of which means he is much better than a 78 rating.
Antoine Griezmann: Current Rating 82, Suggested 84
This one is a bit controversial and depends how you rate the Frenchman, but I think his performances of late warrant a boost. He's a very talented young player, scoring 16 league goals for Sociedad from the wing (for comparison, Benzema scored 17 on Madrid as a striker, though he had many more in other competitions) and impressing for his national team. 82 might represent a good player, but Griezmann had a season that should put him on the level of an Aaron Ramsey or someone similar.
Aymeric Laporte: Current Rating 74, Suggested 79
Though Laporte is just 20 years old, he nailed down a starting role at center back for Bilbao, which finished in an impressive 4th place last season. While I was tempted to push his rating up to 80, he might not be there quite yet--but still has plenty of room left to grow. 74 is clearly under-rating his ability after the impressive season Bilbao put together, however, and a boost to at least 78 is deserved.
Ivan Rakitic: Current Rating 81, Suggested 84
The Croatian midfielder secured a move to Barcelona this summer to fill the Xavi-shaped hole in the center of the pitch, and will likely be up to the task. Sevilla performed well last season, finishing in 5th, and Rakitic's passing and technical ability played a major part in that achievement. He's part of a very good midfield for Croatia's national team, and deserves the rating boost as he enters his prime as a top central midfielder.
Miranda: Current Rating 81, Suggested 83
While it might not be a huge increase (and I would argue the same jump for his partner Godin), Miranda has earned a rating improvement following last year's performances for Atletico. The team won La Liga and made it to the Champions League final with Miranda and Godin playing center back, which means that the 29 year defender is a better player than FIFA 14 currently gives him credit for.
