1 Manchester City Player Whose FIFA 16 Stats Underestimate Him

FIFA 16, EA Sports’ latest football simulation game, was released last month after weeks of anticipation from fans. Every year, FIFA seems to get more realistic, and it is now a huge-selling game that leads the way in terms of recreating the football on a console.

It has more teams than ever before, with online and offline modes that offer players a more realistic experience than previously available, and this year sees the addition of women’s teams.

The ratings system FIFA uses to determine how good players are is widely debated, with the release of the top 50 list of players on the game often causing fierce discussion across the Internet.

This year, Manchester City have five players in the list of the Premier League’s top 20. David Silva is the most highly rated, closely followed by Sergio Aguero, with Kevin De Bruyne, Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany also making the top 20.

On the whole, the ratings are fair reflection of reality. Kelechi Iheanacho is perhaps underrated, but given he is a largely unknown quantity it is to be expected.

Perhaps the one established senior City player whose rating is somewhat lower than it should be is Fernandinho, whose start to the season has been superb and a reminder that, when fit and in form, there are few central midfielders in English football who can match his ability and effectiveness.

The Brazilian ranks lower than Jesus Navas, Wilfried Bony and Samir Nasri in the squad, which, given his influence, seems to undervalue his role.

It’s been a wonderful few weeks for Fernandinho, a player who suffered last season after being part of the Brazil side beaten 7-1 by Germany in the World Cup semi-final.

CLAUDIO REYES/Getty Images

It was a chastening experience for all the Brazil players, but the City midfielder appeared to take the brunt of the criticism. Substituted at half-time, he, perhaps more than anyone, became a symbol of Brazil’s spectacular failure. Brazil were 5-0 down inside the first 30 minutes—the lowest point in their rich history. 

Having been imperious for much of his debut season, he returned from the World Cup a shadow of the player who had added so much to City in their title-winning 2013/14 season. He admitted in the summer his performance level had to improve, telling Chris McKenna of the Daily Star a frank conversation with his manager, Manuel Pellegrini, was a turning point.

“In the last month we have had a small meeting to talk about my performance last season, which wasn’t the same as it was in my first season here," he said. “I am trying to be at my best.

"When you score a goal, people always think you have recovered, that it is your best performance, but for me the most important thing is to recover the ball in the middle, to control the ball and help my team create chances.”

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ICYMI: CityTV's in-depth interview with one of our stars of the early season, @fernandinho: http://t.co/njoCsiSrHd pic.twitter.com/B4DydgaRqV

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) October 9, 2015"

His start to this season suggests his malaise is over. He’s arguably been City’s best player so far this term—winning the ball and recycling possession with the same regularity and quality he did in his first season at the club.

The Fernandinho-Yaya Toure midfield axis was a key element of City winning the Premier League and League Cup two seasons ago. Their understanding is back and they’re both looking fitter and fresher than they did at any stage last season.

It's been a large part of why City have looked slicker and stronger. 

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.