Playing for 90
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 16
Next
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 13: Dimitri Payet of West Ham United celebrates as he scores their first goal from a free kick during the Emirates FA Cup sixth round match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on March 13, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 13: Dimitri Payet of West Ham United celebrates as he scores their first goal from a free kick during the Emirates FA Cup sixth round match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on March 13, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

12. Dimitri Payet /// West Ham /// Predicted FIFA 17 rating: 86 /// FIFA 16 rating: 83

“ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?”

West Ham signed Dimitri Payet for £10million just last summer. In modern football where Fabio Borini is worth £14million, Joe Allen £13million and Memphis Depay upwards of £30million, how in the world did a player like Payet go for so low? It’s mind-boggling. It may well be West Ham’s greatest piece of business ever.

As West Ham move into the Olympic Stadium, ownership has shown ambition by saying that Payet isn’t going anywhere, despite showing world-class form at the Euros sparking the interest of bigger clubs. Payet seems to enjoy himself in London anyway, it’s a perfect pairing. The midfielder gets to play with full creative autonomy and freedom, and West Ham are repaid with one of the top players in the division.

The 29-year-old scored nine goals and racked up 12 assists for West Ham in 29 starts. An ankle injury cost him a quarter of the season, and had he been healthy, they may have placed fourth and qualified for the Champions League. Who knows.

With Payet reportedly staying, it’s a big year for the Hammers. They need to take this momentum and continue improving in 2016/17 to prove that last season wasn’t a fluke and can start acquiring better players and staying in the business end of the table.

If Payet isn’t AT LEAST an 85 in FIFA 17, we riot. We should, at least.

Next: 11. Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Home/Premier League