FIFA 14: 5 Improved Forwards to Consider for Your Ultimate Team
FIFA 14's Ultimate Team mode is set to deliver a plethora of improved forwards for your consideration. With the recent announcement of Electronic Arts' next football iteration, it's only right we start to consider who is going to lead the line for our selection of stars (via VG247).
What exactly are we looking for when buying a forward?
This article focuses on five players who have improved massively over the past season and are set to feature a points boost when the new game drops later this year. Defining attributes—such as pace, power and finishing—are also vital.
If you aren't aware of Ultimate Team's intricacies, check out these tips before reading.
5. Jackson Martinez, Porto
1 of 5Jackson Martinez has enjoyed quite a season for Porto. The Colombia forward—who is part of a super generation that includes Radamel Falcao, Victor Ibarbo, Luis Muriel and James Rodriquez—has blasted 25 goals in 27 league appearances for the Portuguese club.
He has also shown great quality in the Champions League. Martinez's three goals in Porto's run of eight matches ensures he averages just under one goal per game in all competitions since August 2012. The 26-year-old possesses a decent gold card and an even better in-form variation that outlines his pace, stamina and physical attributes.
EA has been rather strict on the prolific forward's finishing ability. Expect his current rating of 78 to increase significantly when FIFA 14 releases.
FIFA 14 stats prediction: 80
4. Marco Sau, Cagliari
2 of 5Marco Sau will make you fall in love. He represents the best of Ultimate Team's silver cards on FIFA 13 and is an asset to any squad that can fit him in with 100 percent chemistry.
The 25-year-old has 12 goals in 22 starts and five substitute appearances for Cagliari. Despite scoring both goals in the 2-2 draw with Inter Milan, netting late winners in the 2-1 win over Genoa and 1-0 victory against Torino, EA hasn't rewarded the speedy striker with an in-form. He even scored and assisted in the 4-2 win over Roma—but still, nothing.
Sau is effective anywhere across the front on FIFA 13. His card flaunts a number of standout statistics: 93 pace, 93 agility, 91 sprint speed and 81 balance. Alongside this, his dribbling and finishing ability is already rated alongside many gold options.
Although he lacks strength and can be battered off the ball, Sau's potential improvement on FIFA 14 could push him out of the silver league and toward the gold standard.
FIFA 14 stats prediction: 74
3. Michu, Swansea City
3 of 5Michu's excellent season can be defined by how many different cards he has produced on FIFA 13.
Players can pick up any of his normal, in-form, second in-form and upgraded versions for a low price. The Spaniard, who has scored 17 goals in his first Premier League season, is a vastly overlooked addition to many suitable squads.
Perhaps Michu's lack of pace doesn't endear him to the average Ultimate Team player. He is, in many ways, the perfect centre forward for low-budgeted teams. Michu combines height with clinical heading ability, decent finishing and intelligent positioning. He is also rather difficult to knock off the ball and excels when bringing wingers into the game.
FIFA 14 stats prediction: 81
2. Stephan El Shaarawy, Milan
4 of 5Stephan El Shaarawy's breakout season at Milan has propelled him into the international limelight.
His 16 Serie A goals in 32 starts and one substitute appearance has been reinforced by some delightful performances in the Champions League. Two goals in six European starts is decent progress for a 20-year-old who looks set for a glorious future alongside Mario Balotelli.
The youngster comes in ahead of Michu for receiving a mighty upgrade on his original card and an in-form version. El Shaarawy's upgrade already has some ridiculous stats, including 99 stamina, 95 reactions, 90 acceleration, 90 agility, 94 curve, 89 ball control and 88 dribbling.
It will be surprising if EA doesn't improve his overall play in the gear up to FIFA 14's release, making him both a versatile and exciting forward that is likely to be available at a decent price.
FIFA 14 stats prediction: 82
1. Romelu Lukaku, West Bromwich Albion (via Chelsea)
5 of 5One of the most surprising revelations of the season is the emergence of Romelu Lukaku. The unwanted Chelsea striker, who is currently smashing his way through a loan spell at West Brom, has improved massively since FIFA 13 came out.
His 14 goals in 17 starts and 14 substitute appearances is testimony to a 19-year-old who may have many clubs on alert this summer. Lukaku takes the No. 1 spot for pretty much guaranteeing his advancement from a 74-rated silver on FIFA 13 to gold forward on FIFA 14.
The Belgian's in-form card threatened to enter the gold market, much like we recently saw with Christian Benteke's second in-form version. Lukaku's combination of tremendous pace and power makes him extremely effective in most teams. He can also be used to make some impressive hybrid lineups that can include Premier League and Belgian Pro League representatives.
Whether or not his FIFA 14 card will have the Chelsea badge on it will be interesting to see.
FIFA 14 stats prediction: 78
Which improved forwards will you consider for your FIFA 14 Ultimate Team? Let me know in the comments section and be sure to follow me on Twitter right here:
