FIFA 17 Career Mode: Highest Potential Ligue 1 Players

Through the wealth of Paris Saint-Germain, French football is certainly back on the map, with many greats of the game coming from the French Ligue 1 over the years. All of Thierry Henry, Zinedine Zidane, Patrick Vieira, Didier Deschamps and the Belgian Eden Hazard all made their names in the French top flight, before coming the world’s best. France’s task now is to keep more of their star talent in the division, and according to FIFA 17, there is plenty coming through.

Marco Verratti (OVR 85 – POT 90)

After starring for PSG for five seasons, Marco Verratti is amongst the best central midfielders in the world, but he may not be in France for much longer. After making 180 appearances for the French champions, the Italian has been linked with a move away from the Parc des Princes, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Juventus all interested. On FIFA 17, the 23-year-old has 94 balance, 90 short passing and 89 composure, making up his overall rating of 85, with a massive potential of 90. The little central or defensive midfielder will cost you as much as £70 million, with his wages a little more affordable at £79,000.

Bernardo Silva (OVR 82 – POT 89)

Monaco man Bernardo Silva will be miffed that he wasn’t selected for Portugal as they won Euro 2016, but that has clear motivated the 21-year-old this season. The right, attacking or central midfielder has four assists and four goals so far this season, and scored in Portugal’s first match post-Euro 2016. The former Benfica is rated at 82 on FIFA 17, with a potential of 89, consisting of 85 dribbling, 85 ball control and 85 agility. Silva will cost you close to £50 million on career mode, with his wages coming in at £50,000.

Alban Lafont (OVR 76 – POT 88)

Alphonse Areola has burst onto the scene with PSG over the past year, but Toulouse’s Alban Lafont is the goalkeeper now turning heads in Ligue 1. Despite being just 17 years old, Lafont has kept five clean sheets this season for the mid-table side, making 44 saves. Born in Burkina Faso, the youngster has already played for France at U16, U17 and U18 level, and is the youngest goalkeeper to have ever played in Ligue 1. He has 79 reflexes on FIFA 17, with diving, handling and positioning all rated 76, contributing to his 76 overall and a potential of 88. Lafont will set you back upwards of £25 million on career mode, with his wages just £720 per week.

Thomas Lemar (OVR 80 – POT 88)

Monaco are second in the Ligue 1 table, currently getting the better of defending champions and favourites PSG, with 20-year-old Thomas Lemar one of their shining lights. The left, attacking or right midfielder has eight goals and four assists so far this season, and earned his first cap for France in November. Lemar is rated at 80 with a potential of 88 on FIFA 17, with his best stats his 84-rated acceleration, 84 balances and 83 dribbling. He will go for just beyond £30 million on career mode, with wages of £36,000.

Fabinho (OVR 80 – POT 88)

Another key Monaco man, in the form of midfielder and defender Fabinho. The Brazilian has switched right back for defensive midfield this season, and it has worked brilliantly, with the 22-year-old scoring 5 Ligue 1 goals in 18 appearances. His performances haven’t gone unnoticed by Brazil manager Tite, with Fabinho man likely to replace Dani Alves in the side once the Juventus man retires. An 80 rating for a player who has only just moved into midfield is a fantastic achievement, which perhaps explains his 88 potential. He has 87 penalties, 85 stamina and 82 standing tackles on FIFA 17, just showing how versatile he is. Fabinho will cost around £30 million on career mode, with £36,000 needed for his weekly wages.

Alexandre Lacazette (OVR 85 – POT 88)

With Lyon 10 points behind Ligue 1 leaders Nice, it is beginning to look more and more likely that striker Alexandre Lacazette could move on to pastures new at the end of the season. The French international has 13 goals in 15 games this season, second only to PSG’s Edinson Cavani. The 25-year-old now has 61 Ligue 1 goals over the past two and half seasons, giving him that 85 overall rating on FIFA 17 with an 88 potential. The forward has 87 sprint speed, 87 agility and 86 finishing on the game, and will cost around £55 million on career mode, with his wages setting you back £79,000.

Kylian Mbappe Lottin (OVR 69 – POT 87)

Yet another Monaco player, but Kylian Mbappe Lottin is part of the next generation coming through. Just 17 years old, Mbappe has six goals and five assists in just 15 appearances this season, with more than half of those coming from the bench. The striker has worked his way up to the France U19 side, skipping the U18s, and he will surely make the step up to the U21s in 2017. He has 87 sprint speed, 85 acceleration and 78 dribbling on FIFA 17, making up his 69 overall, but with the potential to grow 18 overall points to 87. He will cost you just £12 million on carer mode, with his wages on £3,000.

Adam Ounas (OVR 72 – POT 87)

Adam Ounas may not have set the league alight for Bordeaux this season, but the fact that he has been trusted to play over 40 games for the club at the age of just 19 speaks volumes. The left midfielder scored six goals last season, and was the one positive from an average season in which they finished 11^th in the table. The Algerian international is fairly rated at 72 on FIFA 17, but it is his potential of 87 that is the crucial figure. He has 81 agility, 81 balance and 80 acceleration to his game, meaning he will cost over £15 million on career mode, with wages of just £720.

Corentin Tolisso (OVR 79 – POT 87)

Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso has over 100 Ligue 1 appearance to his name at the age of just 21. Despite being a central or defensive midfielder, the French U21 captain has scored six goals already this season, matching last year’s tally. Tolisso is rated at 79 on FIFA 17, with a big potential of 87. His best attributes include 89 jumping, 83 stamina and 82 heading accuracy, making him cost around £25 million with £36,000 wages on career mode.

Adrien Rabiot (OVR 80 – POT 87)

Despite being the sixth-choice central midfielder at Paris Saint-Germain, Adrien Rabiot has still turned heads all over Europe. The 21-year-old has been linked with a move away for some time now as he grows frustrated with his lack of game time, but there is a sense that it will either be him or Marco Verratti that leaves the club in the not so distant future. Rabiot made his debut for France in November, and judging by his overall rating of 80 and a potential of 87 on FIFA 17, it’s about time. On the title, he has 83 short passing, 81 ball control and 81 vision, making him cost around £30 million on career mode with £36,000 wages.

Related articles:

FIFA 17 Career Mode: Bargain Buy XI
FIFA 17 Career Mode: Best Bargain Defenders
FIFA 17 Career Mode: Best Free agents
FIFA 17 Best contract expiry signings
FIFA 17: Top 10 Free-kick takers
Fifa 17 Best Young Goalkeepers
Fifa 17 Best Young Wingers
Fifa 17 Best Young Defenders
Fifa 17 Best Young Strikers
Fifa 17 Best Young Midfielders
Fifa 17 Best Young Left Backs
Fifa 17 Best Young Right Backs