FIFA 19: Top Free Kick Takers

Free-kicks were nigh on impossible on FIFA 18, however they look as though they will play a significant part in FIFA 19 if executed properly. Every team needs a player to make the most of a free-kick opportunity whether it is a direct shot at goal or a dangerous cross into the penalty area. We look at all the best free-kick takers available on FIFA 19.

Lionel Messi (FKA 94)

Age: 31Position: CFClub: BarcelonaCountry: ArgentinaFree Kick Stats: 94 FK Accuracy, 93 Curve, 85 Shot PowerCost: £199.3m (release clause)Wage: £497,000

Arguably the best player to have ever lived, Lionel Messi has a wand of a left foot. The little Argentine glides past players and is renowned for his mesmerising dribbling skills, however Messi also has a penchant for a curling free-kick. Messi currently holds the record for most free-kicks scored in La Liga with 24.

With a phenomenal 94 FK accuracy Messi will be lethal from free-kicks around the penalty area. Every club would want the Barcelona maestro in their side for his all-round game but the forward will not come cheap with massive £497,000 wages and a release clause near £200 million to pry him away from Barcelona.

Hakan Calhanoglu (FKA 93)

Age: 24Position: LWClub: MilanCountry: TurkeyFree Kick Stats: 93 FK Accuracy, 92 Curve, 86 Shot PowerCost: £30.5m (release clause)Wage: £84,000

Turkish winger Hakan Calhanoglu has built a reputation for himself for scoring free-kicks. His second goal ever in the Bundesliga was direct from a set-piece and he shot to prominence after his spectacular 41-yard effort against Dortmund. Six goals in his first season for Milan did not set the world alight and he will be hoping for a better return this season.

Any Career Mode manager looking for a set-piece specialist should look no further than the Turkish international with his 93 FK accuracy. 88 long shots and 83 short passing make Calhanoglu a versatile attacking option from either out wide or in midfield. Although his 80 OVR suggests he may not be quite ready for the top level, he is young and has potential to reach 84 OVR.

Sebastian Giovinco (FKA 93)

Age: 31Position: CFClub: Toronto FCCountry: ItalyFree Kick Stats: 93 FK Accuracy, 90 Curve, 80 Shot PowerCost: £26.4m (release clause)Wage: £13,000

71 MLS goals for Toronto since his switch from Juventus have propelled Sebastian Giovinco’s stock to new heights. For many top players in Europe, moving to America is a signal your career is coming to an end, however the diminutive Italian moved at 28 years old and has made a name for himself with some spectacular goals and performances.

Giovinco still has the attributes to be a top performer in Europe and any Career Mode manager should definitely check him out. An 86 dribbling stat as well as agility and balance stats in the 90s make him a threat with the ball at his feet, as well as his excellent 93 FK accuracy which make him lethal from set-piece situations.

Miralem Pjanic (FKA 92)

Age: 28Position: CMClub: BarcelonaCountry: ArgentinaFree Kick Stats: 92 FK Accuracy, 86 Curve, 78 Shot PowerCost: £63.9m (release clause)Wage: £172,000

Miralem Pjanic has established himself as one of Europe’s top midfielders since joining Juventus in 2016. Bosnian midfielder Pjanic has cemented himself in Juventus’ midfield and contributed five goals and eight assists last season. The 28-year-old scored two penalties against Valencia in their opening Champions League match showcasing his strength from dead ball situations.

Pjanic is a classy all-round central midfield player capable of playing in most of Europe’s top teams. He boasts an 86 passing stat and has an eye for goal with an 82 long shot attribute, however the playmaker’s best attribute is his 92 FK accuracy make him one of the best set-piece specialists on FIFA 19.

Enis Bardhi (FKA 91)

Age: 23Position: CMClub: LevanteCountry: FYR MacedoniaFree Kick Stats: 91 FK Accuracy, 88 Curve, 85 Shot PowerCost: £29.3m (release clause)Wage: £21,000

A relatively unknown quantity until last season, Enis Bardhi has burst onto the scene with nine goals from midfield in his debut season in La Liga. The Macedonian international only provided one assist in that season and will want to improve that side of his game, he already has one in La Liga in 2018/19.

Bardhi’s first La Liga goal came from a free-kick and has seen his FK accuracy stat boosted from 84 to 91 due to his prowess from set-pieces. He is a reasonably priced option on Career Mode with a £29.3m release clause and can grow to an 85 OVR as he is just 23 years old.

Daniel Parejo (FKA 90)

Age: 29Position: CMClub: ValenciaCountry: SpainFree Kick Stats: 90 FK Accuracy, 89 Curve, 79 Shot PowerCost: £78.5m (release clause)Wage: £68,000

Spanish playmaker Daniel Parejo has been a regular feature in midfield for Valencia since 2013 after he endured a rocky start to life at The Mestalla following his transfer from Getafe in 2011. Parejo was finally rewarded for his impressive form with an international call-up in March 2018 for a friendly against Argentina.

With just 47 pace, Parejo is not the most mobile of midfielders however he makes up for his lack of mobility with 88 passing and excellent skill attributes. Along with his 90 short passing, his best stat is his 90 FK accuracy making him the perfect set-piece specialist for Career Mode managers who like to keep the ball.

Marvin Plattenhardt (FKA 89)

Age: 26Position: LBClub: Hertha BerlinCountry: GermanyFree Kick Stats: 89 FK Accuracy, 87 Curve, 79 Shot PowerCost: £15.6m (release clause)Wage: £25,000

All seven of Marvin Plattenhardt’s Bundesliga goals have been from free-kicks, highlighting his expertise from set-pieces. The German international also provided 7 assists for his team-mates last season as Hertha Berlin finished 10th, he also featured for Germany at the World Cup in Russia.

A decent option at left-back for any mid-table club in Europe’s top leagues, Plattenhardt is an affordable choice and can provide a goal threat with his excellent FK accuracy. For £15.6m managers on FIFA 19 Career Mode can purchase a left back who boasts 89 crossing to accompany his solid defensive attributes.

Memphis Depay (FKA 88)

Age: 24Position: STClub: LyonCountry: NetherlandsFree Kick Stats: 88 FK Accuracy, 85 Curve, 87 Shot PowerCost: £60.8m (release clause)Wage: £68,000

Manchester United flop Memphis Depay has resurrected his career since his move to France. 19 goals and 13 assists in 2017/18 represent the most productive season of his short career to date. Depay helped Lyon to qualify for the Champions League this season and provided an assist in their surprise victory over Manchester City.

Depay is an excellent athlete with 88 pace and 80 strength, he is at his most dangerous running with the ball combining his physicality with 85 dribbling and 82 agility. An exciting player for Career Mode fans, Depay is still young and has a potential OVR of 88 and will add his excellence at set-pieces to any squad.

Shunsuke Nakamura (FKA 88)

Age: 40Position: CAMClub: Jubilo IwataCountry: JapanFree Kick Stats: 88 FK Accuracy, 87 Curve, 79 Shot PowerCost: FreeWage: £3,000

Ex-Celtic hero Shunsuke Nakamura enjoyed an excellent spell in Scotland where he arrived amid interest from many clubs around Europe. Joining from Reggina, Nakamura went on to score 29 goals for the Glaswegian club. He is also the only player in history to be awarded J-League MVP more than once.

At 40 years old the Japanese playmaker is unlikely to improve upon his 72 OVR, however he will be available on the cheap as his contract runs until 2021. His best attributes are his 88 FK accuracy, 87 curve and 83 penalties showcasing his strength from dead-ball situations and can provide lower clubs with a creative set-piece specialist.

Paulo Dybala (FKA 88)

Age: 24Position: CAMClub: JuventusCountry: ArgentinaFree Kick Stats: 88 FK Accuracy, 88 Curve, 82 Shot PowerCost: £135.1m (release clause)Wage: £189,000

One of the most promising young players around, 24-year-old Argentinian forward Paulo Dybala scored 22 league goals in 27 games last season. With the addition of Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, the Turin club possesses two of the most exciting forward players in Europe and will give many defences nightmares this season.

It would be unfair to pigeon-hole Dybala as a set-piece specialist as the playmaker boasts an incredible array of attacking stats that make him one of the most coveted players on Career Mode. He also has the potential to reach 94 OVR although his £135.1m release clause will price many clubs out of a move.

All The Best Free Kick Takers on FIFA 19

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