FIFA 17 Career Mode: Highest Potential Serie A Players

There has always been a great tradition of top talent in Italy. Since the turn of the century there has been two Champions League winners from Italy, with AC Milan getting revenge over Liverpool in 2007, and Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan conquering Bayern Munich in 2010. The likes of Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta, Clarence Seedorf, Kaka and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have come through the ranks in Serie A, and there is no shortage of talent judging by the current crop. RealSport brings you the top 10 Serie A players with the highest potential on FIFA 17.

Paulo Dybala (OVR 85 – POT 92)

The Argentine striker is worryingly good at his age. An overall rating of 85 at just 22 is frightening, and Paulo Dybala has been a revelation ever since making his bow for Palermo back in 2012. Now at Juventus, the striker or centre forward scored 23 goals in 46 games last year, barely giving Alvaro Morata a look in the side. On FIFA 17, the forward has 91 acceleration, 91 agility and 91 ball control. Dybala will set you back a fee north of £70 million with wages of £72,000, but he will score you goals for a decade.

Stefan de Vrij (OVR 82 – POT 88)

Don’t be surprised if Lazio centre back Stefan de Vrij makes a move to the Premier League in the near future, with the Dutchman putting in strong performance after a strong performance in Serie A. The 24-year-old had an injury hit season last campaign, but in 2014/15 he made 30 appearances, making an average of six clearances and over three interceptions a game. On FIFA 17 he has a starting rating of 82 with a seriously high potential of 88, which will cost you around £25 million on Career Mode. The defender has 86 standing tackles, 86 interceptions and 85 marking, with his wages costing £65,000.

Joao Mario (OVR 83 – POT 88)

New Inter Milan man Joao Mario was linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer, and he has had a great 18 months. The central or right midfielder impressed for Sporting Lisbon last season, and took his form into the Euros with Portugal, playing in all seven of their matches on route to lifting the trophy. A real grafter, Mario has 88 stamina, 85 composure and 85 ball control on FIFA 17, making up his 83 overall rating and 88 potential. You won’t be able to sign him straight away in career mode, but as of January he can be bought for around £50 million, with wages of £65,000.

Mattia Perin (OVR 83 – POT 88)

Gianluigi Donnarumma gets all the plaudits for being an outstanding young goalkeeper in Serie A, but it is far more likely that Genoa’s Mattia Perin will be the man to replace the legend that is Gianluigi Buffon in the Italian goal in the near future. Perin has kept six clean sheets so far this season, two more than Juventus’s Buffon. The 23-year-old’s 83 overall rating and 88 potential will cost £37 million on Career Mode, which includes 90 reflexes, 85 handling and 80 diving.

Gabriel Barbosa (OVR 78 – POT 87)

After impressing at the Olympics, there was always going to be some attention around Gabriel Barbosa in the transfer market. The 19-year-old netted two goals during the tournament as Brazil won Olympic gold for the first time, even sweeter with it being on home turf. Reports suggest Gabriel could be on the move again already however, after failing to make an impression in Italy, with Liverpool reportedly interested in the striker or right winger. On FIFA 17, he is rated at 78 with plenty of growth all the way to 87, comprising of 88 acceleration, 88 agility and 86 sprint speed. The youngster will cost around £23 million on career mode, but you will have to wait until January to sign him, where his wages will be £36,000.

Keita Baldé Diao (OVR 79 – POT 87)

With a similar skillset is Lazio’s Keita Baldé Diao, but there is no questioning over his ability. The Senegalese international has already chalked up over 100 appearances for the Rome-based side, and with Manchester United interested in him, he may not spend any longer than the four seasons in Serie A. He just needs to add more goals to his game, to go with his FIFA stats of 92 sprint speed, 90 acceleration, and 86 dribbling. They make up the winger or striker’s 79 overall rating and 87 potential, which will cost £24 million to get hold of, with £36,000 per week wages.

Daniele Rugani (OVR 79 – POT 87)

Being a young centre back at Juventus must be frustrating at times, given the quality of first choice defenders Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini and the on loan Medhi Benatia. But even with all those names, 21-year-old Daniele Rugani has still managed to stand out, clearly learning off his more experienced peers, with the Italian featuring in the FIFA Ultimate Team: Team of the Week back in December. On FIFA, he has 84 rated marking, 84 standing tackles and 84 interceptions, making up his 79 overall and 87 potential. Rugani will cost around £23 million on Career Mode, with his wages at £36,000.

Mohamed Salah (OVR 82 – POT 87)

There has never been a question over whether Mohamed Salah can score goals, and with the Egyptian now at Roma, is at at a side which fits his quality perfectly. The 24-year-old right winger has scored 24 goals in his first 18 months at the Stadio Olimpico, and his 82-overall rating and 87 potential on FIFA 17 is thoroughly deserved. For around £32 million you will receive a player with 92 acceleration, 92 sprint speed and 87 dribbling, with his wages setting you back £65,000.

Mauro Icardi (OVR 82 – POT 87)

In a somewhat troubled season, Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi has been the shining light, rescuing his side time again with his goals. The striker has put away 16 goals in just 23 matches this season, and it’s almost solely down to him that Inter still have a chance of obtaining European football. The 23-year-old Icardi has 90 jumping, 88 finishing and 87 positioning on FIFA 17, some core skills for a forward, which make up his 82-overall rating and 87 potential. The Argentine will cost around £40 million, and you will need £72,000 per week for his wages.

Alex Sandro (OVR 84 – POT 87)

Having Patrice Evra to learn off can be now bad thing for Juventus left back Alex Sandro, who has been superb in Serie A this season. The Brazilian scored a beautiful goal against Atalanta in December, cutting in from his flank, before straightening up to curl a low strike in to the near post. He fits Juve’s wing-backed system perfectly, and it won’t be long before he displaces the masterful Marcelo in the Brazilian national team. The 25-year-old Sandro will cost you close to £35 million for his 84 overall rating and 87 potential on career mode. He has 93 stamina, 89 sprint speed and 86 crossing on the game, with his wages a steep £79,000. 

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