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EPL: Predicting the top 15 Prem players in FIFA 17

By Tom Bogert

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: David De Gea of Manchester United and Sergio Aguero of Manchester City in discussion during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 20, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: David De Gea of Manchester United and Sergio Aguero of Manchester City in discussion during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on March 20, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Leicester City’s Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Swansea at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on April 24, 2016. / AFP / BEN STANSALL / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)
Leicester City’s Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Swansea at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on April 24, 2016. / AFP / BEN STANSALL / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) /

15. Riyad Mahrez /// Leicester City /// Predicted FIFA 17 rating: 85 /// FIFA 16 rating: 81

There had to be one Leicester player in here, right? I mean, he won PFA Player of the Year last season, how could he not take this jump?

Mahrez was one of the three most integral parts to Leicester City’s historic title. The winger showed flashes of his brilliance since he joined Leicester, but he did it for the whole term last year. Fantastic form.

The Algerian got a winter update which is the only reason he was lifted to 81 and makes it less believable that FIFA will push him another four points up, but he’d deserve it. With interest following him from London to Manchester to Barcelona, Mahrez has convinced a lot of top clubs that want to sign him that he’s the real deal.

Mahrez had 17 goals and 11 assists in his magical season, consistently leading Leicester on the attack. Between him and Jamie Vardy, their counters were the scariest play in football to defenses. Just ask Manchester United and Chelsea.

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has publicly said that Mahrez told him he wants to stay at the club, which conflicts with prior reports that he wasn’t going to sign a contract extension. It’ll be great for the Premier League and football in general if Mahrez and Vardy were to stay, and they’d only lose N’golo Kante.

Next: 14. Harry Kane

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