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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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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 19 : Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-1 during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on March 19, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 19 : Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-1 during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on March 19, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

10. Cesc Fabregas /// Chelsea /// Predicted FIFA 17 rating: 86 /// FIFA 16 rating: 86

Fabregas wasn’t the first pointed to during Chelsea’s demise last season, Eden Hazard was hit with that as being the reigning PFA Player of the Year and Mourinho caught a lot of it as well, but Fabregas was as disappointing as any other key player on the team. Same with Nemanja Matic.

Once Guus Hiddink took over, Fabregas’ form returned. After scoring 3 goals and assisting an incredulous 18 two years ago, he only scored 5 and assisted 7 this season, a lot of which came after Hiddink was the manager. Fabregas ended up publicly taking blame (the players, not just him personally) for Mourinho’s firing, that they let him down.

Fabregas was an 86 in FIFA 16 and his pedigree will be enough that he’ll keep the status quo despite a substandard season. With new manager Antonio Conte’s more defensive counter-pressing style, Fabregas’ creativity (ditto for Hazard) will be invaluable for the side.

The Spaniard turned 29 at the end of last season and has multiple years at the top of his prime. His game isn’t predicated on pace or agility, rather attributes that age well such as vision and technical ability. His central position helps as well.

Fabregas will be an extremely important player for Chelsea again this season as he hopes to help lead them away from midtable obscurity for an unfathomable second successive season after their shockingly disappointing 2015/16.

Next: 9. Petr Cech

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