The dust has settled on the January transfer window, and it gives us a chance to reflect on the first half of the season. The Bundesliga has been one of the most exciting leagues in Europe so far, with Borussia Dortmund shocking six-time defending champions Bayern Munich and storming to the top of the table. BVB have lost just once, whilst Bayern have stuttered under new manager Niko Kovac and currently find themselves in third place seven points behind the leaders.
Borussia Monchengladbach have also had a great campaign, lying in second place, and the race for Europe is, as ever, too close to call. Eight sides are in contention for the Europa League spots, with just five points separating fifth and 11th place in the table.
With so much to analyse, who could then be in line for a Ratings Refresh upgrade on FIFA 19’s Ultimate Team? Plenty of players will receive ratings boosts on FUT, and RealSport looks who is in contention from the German top flight.
Marco Reus (OVR 85 → 88)
What a season it has been for Marco Reus. The Borussia Dortmund star is injury free, has been given the captain’s armband and been moved into a more influential attacking midfield position. It has worked a treat with the 29-year-old netting 16 goals and 11 assists in all competitions, firing BVB to the top of the table.
Due to Reus’ performances (which have included two FUT in-form and three Player of the Month awards), Reus must see his Ultimate Team card improve from 85 to 88, and you can expect his position to move from left to attacking midfield too. His current base card is worth 19,000 coins on PS4 and 20,000 on Xbox One, with an 86 Champions League item setting you back 131,000 on PS4 and 130,000 on Xbox One. Reus’ new Headliners CAM card is priced at 620,000 on PS4 and 630,000 on Xbox One.
Axel Witsel (OVR 82 → 85)
Sticking with Borussia Dortmund, Axel Witsel has added some steel to their midfield. The Belgian star has made 27 appearances in all competitions, starting all but four of those games, and has chipped in going forward with five goals. Noted for his aerial ability and physical strength, Witsel has also been calm on the ball with 94% pass accuracy and 1,671 passes both the second-highest in the division.
Witsel’s 82 overall rating looked harsh to begin with, but after dominating the midfield in the first half of the season, this should move to 85. The central midfielder’s base card costs just 900 coins on PS4 and 1,100 on Xbox One, with an 83 Champions League item setting you back 10,500 on PS4 and 12,500 on Xbox One in Ultimate Team. An 84 CDM in-form from TOTW 14 is worth 50,000 on PS4 and 45,000 on Xbox One, with his 84 Ones To Watch setting you back 81,000 on PS4 and 79,000 on Xbox One.
Thorgan Hazard (OVR 81 → 83)
All eyes may have been on Eden Hazard early on in the Premier League season, but his younger brother Thorgan has shown more consistency this season. The 25-year-old has hit 12 goals and nine assists in 21 games this season, meaning he averages one goal involvement to game, in comparison to Eden’s 0.8 this year for Chelsea. ‘Gladbach are riding high in second place in the Bundesliga, and with Hazard in this form, they can put the pressure on frontrunners Dortmund.
Hazard’s 81 overall rating looks likely to be upgraded to 83, with the left midfielder costing 950 coins on PS4 and 1,100 on Xbox One. An 84-rated RW in-form is worth 34,000 on PS4 and 44,000 on Xbox One for the Belgian.
Luka Jovic (OVR 75 → 81)
Luka Jovic has been one of the deadly finishers in the Bundesliga this season, with his 14 goals making him top scorer in the division. He has also added a further five in the Europa League, and after such a brilliant campaign, you wouldn’t be surprised if any of the European giants start sniffing around the 21-year-old Serb.
Jovic’s 75 overall should rise to at least 81 after his goal scoring exploits, with the 21-year-old costing just 500 coins on PS4 and 650 on Xbox One in Ultimate Team. The striker’s 81 in-form card from TOTW 6 is worth 25,000 on PS4 and 31,000 on Xbox One, with an 88-rated Future Stars item requiring 258,000 on PS4 and 222,000 on Xbox One.
Jadon Sancho (OVR 72 → 79)
This top five just had to have Jadon Sancho on it. The 18-year-old has created 12 goals and scored a further seven himself for Borussia Dortmund this season, proving that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. The former Manchester City youngster also made his England debut in October and looks set up to be one of the most dangerous wingers in Europe for the foreseeable future.
Sancho’s 72 silver card should rise to around a 79 gold, and he may change position from left to right midfield. His base rating is worth 1,100 coins on PS4 and 900 on Xbox One, with a 79 RM in-from costing 28,000 on PS4 and 35,000 on Xbox One. A 90-rated Future Stars RW item, requires 834,000 on PS4 and 721,000 on Xbox One.