After taking you through the highest potential players in the Premier League, it’s time for La Liga to get in on the act. The likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez and even Gareth Bale have all maxed out their potential, so here’s a look at the next wave of La Liga superstars.
Neymar (OVR 92 - POT 95)
Well, he doesn’t need much introduction, does he? Neymar, the Brazilian third in the dynamic MSN attacking force at Barcelona, and once the levels of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez start to drop; the Brazil captain will come to the fore. However, sadly for you, signing him on Career Mode is pretty much impossible. The left winger’s value is £78.5 million, but with his contract running until 2021, you’ll probably have to bid over £100 million to get your man. Plus his wages of £187,000 a week make him an extortionate buy, so you are only likely to sign him straight off the bat if you are managing one of the Manchester clubs, or Paris Saint-Germain. If you do make the move, you would be rewarded by the 24-year-old’s dribbling (96), ball control (95), acceleration (93), sprint speed (90), agility (96) and positioning (90).
James Rodriguez (OVR 87 - POT 92)
It was a tricky campaign for James Rodriguez last season as Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane turned to a more defensive system. But he still showed flashes of what he can do, and he has started this campaign off beautifully, with a brilliant goal against Espanyol. With him being almost permanently on the bench at the Bernabeu, you will have a great chance of signing the 24-year-old, but you still may need to bid £60 million to sign him. £108,000 wages make the attacking, central or right midfielder a tempting buy even more so when you consider his 91 volleys & long shots.
Antoine Griezmann (OVR 88 - POT 92)
Antoine Griezmann is quickly becoming one of the leading lights in European football after he led Atletico Madrid and national side France to European finals last season. Able to play up front or on either wing, he has positioning, agility and reactions all rated 90 or above. He recently signed a new contract at Atletico, so he could be a tricky signing to land, but a bid of around £70 million should give you more than a chance. With wages of £115,000 a week, there are more demanding players out there, and given his starting overall and potential, he is one of the most lucrative signings on FIFA 17, and still only 25 years' old.
Raphael Varane (OVR 84 - POT 91)
With Pepe in his last season at Real Madrid, Rafael Varane can start racking up the appearances. There is no doubting his potential, but fans around Europe want to see more of him after he missed the Euros through injury. With a wage of just £79,000 a weel, he is definitely someone you should consider if you are looking for a centre-back, especially given his age of just 23. With a value of £25.2 million, you are probably looking at £35 million to sign him, which is perhaps the most you should pay for a centre-half.
Jan Oblak (OVR 87 - POT 91)
A goalkeeper who has crept under the radar for the past few years as many feared Atletico Madrid wouldn’t be able to find a replacement for Chelsea loanee Thibaut Courtois back in 2014. Despite only having 16 appearances under his belt for Benfica, Jan Oblak came in and has never looked back. The big Slovenian only conceded 18 goals last season in the league for Atletico, and his 87 rating on FIFA 17 is well deserved. At just 23 years' old, he still has plenty to give, and with 90-rated diving and positioning at 87, he is a reliable pair of hands between the goal. However, his long contract makes him an expensive keeper, and you are probably looking at a bid of over £45 million to sign him to go with rather pricey wages at £86,000 a week.
Andre Gomes (OVR 84 - POT 90)
After impressing at Euro 2016 for Portugal, Andre Gomes swiftly made his way to Barcelona, and with Andres Iniesta fading, it won’t be long before Gomes is in the starting 11. The 22-year-old can play anywhere in central midfield as well as out on the left, and with his 86 dribbling and 88 short passing, he can dictate the play for your team. He may cost you more than £40 million to sign for your club, and considering his age, it isn’t a bad buy at all. His kind wages of £65,000 sweeten the deal.
Toni Kroos (OVR 88 - POT 90)
I don’t know about you, but Toni Kroos has slightly disappointed me since he moved to Real Madrid. He was playing in a far more advanced role for Bayern Munich, and maybe he is a greater all-round player, he is not the threat that he was. That said, you cannot doubt his ability, and with Zinedine Zidane now playing Casemiro as holding player, Kroos and midfield partner Luka Modric can now have more involvement in attack. He is the kind of player you can build a team around, and with his potential of 90, securing the German is very tempting. For just under £60 million, you can get a central midfielder who has 93 long passing, 89 short passing, 88 vision and 87 shot power. His wages of £122,000 are just about acceptable.
Marco Asensio (OVR 81 - POT 89)
Not a name that many will be familiar of, but Marco Asensio is quickly rising up the ranks at Real Madrid. After featuring 37 times on loan at Espanyol last season, he has quickly come into contention at the Santiago Bernabeu, and attacking midfielder has already scored three goals in six appearances this season. The 20-year-old Asensio can also play on either flank and considering Los Blancos’ other midfield options, you have a great chance of signing him. His top stats include short passing (86), curve and ball control (both 85), and if you offer £35 million, you could sign the Spaniard. Plus, his wages are cheaper than most other talented players at £36,000 a week.
Geronimo Rulli (OVR 82 - POT 89)
An 82-rated goalkeeper at Real Sociedad, what’s the big deal? Aside from his impressive potential, the fact he is on loan from Manchester City will surprise a lot of people. With the whole Joe Hart fiasco taking place over the transfer window, few tracked that City had signed the Argentine Rulli from Uruguayan side Deportivo Maldonado, a team he has never played for. He has spent the last two seasons on loan at Sociedad and returned there one again this year, and if he continues his development, the Citizens will have a smooth transition once Bravo’s level starts to drop. You will have to wait until January to sign Rulli, but if you move quickly you should be able to sign him for around £27 million, with his wages just costing £11,000 a week.
Charly Musonda (OVR 77 – POT 88)
Now if that surprised you, you’ve got another thing coming. Not only is Real Betis man Charly Musonda on loan from Chelsea, but his wages cost just £720 a week. The winger or attacking midfielder has the potential to grow 11 levels, so I thoroughly recommend making a move for him. You have to hope that he doesn’t sign a new deal in the meantime; otherwise, you will miss out on the 19-year-old’s 92 agility, 89 acceleration and 87 sprint speed.