It’s important to have a rough idea of what kind of players you will need over the next few seasons on FIFA 18’s Career Mode. Keep an eye on player contract expiry dates, as you can start to work out when the opportune moment is to make a move for a star player. If you have the patience, you can try and wait until a player is in the final six months of his contract to snap up them up on a contract expiry deal.
READ: FIFA 19: Contract expiry signings ending in 2020 (Second Season)
Eden Hazard (OVR 90 – POT 91)
Age: 26
Positions: LW
Club: Chelsea
Country: Belgium
Work rate: High/Medium
Best stats: 93 dribbling, 93 acceleration, 91 balance
Wage: £260,000
Current price: £153.3 million
July 2019 price: £90 million
One of the most exciting players in world football, the 26-year-old has hinted at making a move to PSG or Real Madrid over recent transfer windows. However, rumours of a new contract looks like he'll cement his future at Stamford Bridge.
The Belgian international would set you back a whopping £153.3 million at the start of Career Mode, so your best bet is to wait until January 2020 and try to poach him on a contract expiry signing. With stats of 93 dribbling, 93 acceleration and 91 balance making up his 90 overall, Hazard would be a fantastic signing. To get the man with 91 potential, you'll have to fork out a massive £260,000 a week on his wages.
Sergio Ramos (OVR 90 – POT 90)
Age: 31
Positions: CB
Club: Real Madrid
Country: Spain
Work rate: High/Medium
Best stats: 93 jumping, 91 heading accuracy, 91 sliding tackle
Wage: £273,000
Current price: £93.8 million
July 2019 price: £45 million
It seems unlikely that Sergio Ramos would ever leave Real Madrid, with the former Sevilla man on the cusp of receiving club legend status at the Bernabeu. With three seasons to run on his contract, you will need to patient to sign Ramos, with him setting you back around £45 million in July 2019.
The 31-year-old has 93 jumping, 91 heading accuracy and 91 sliding tackle help make up his 90 overall rating on the game. The centre back’s wages of £273,000 are hefty, so will you make a move for the Spanish international?
Sergio Aguero (OVR 89 – POT 89)
Age: 29
Positions: ST
Club: Manchester City
Country: Argentina
Work rate: High/Medium
Best stats: 91 positioning, 91 balance, 90 finishing
Wage: £286,000
Current price: £108.3 million
July 2019 price: £50 million
With Gabriel Jesus (OVR 81) landing at The Etihad last season, Sergio Aguero’s days at Manchester City could be numbered. You get the impression that once Pep Guardiola feels Jesus can lead the line against top opposition, Aguero will be out the club.
In July 2019 you could get Aguero for £50 million, with the possibility of grabbing him for free at the end of that campaign. For his 89 overall rating that would be a serious coup, especially with his 91 positioning, 91 balance and 90 finishing. However, the 29-year-old’s £286,000 weekly wages could turn you away.
Luka Modric (OVR 89 – POT 89)
Age: 31
Positions: CM, CDM
Club: Real Madrid
Country: Croatia
Work rate: High/Medium
Best stats: 94 balance, 93 agility, 92 ball control
Wage: £299,000
Current price: £102.8 million
July 2019 price: £38 million
Now 31, you have to wonder how long Luka Modric has left at Real Madrid. Could the central or defensive midfielder return to Spurs? With three years to run on his deal, he is unlikely to sign a new one, so you could grab the Croatian on Career Mode.
In July 2019, he will set you back a reasonable £38 million, and with 94 balance, 93 agility and 92 ball control, he will be a great man to sign for a couple of seasons. The 89 rated man’s wages are currently £299,000 a week, but by that stage of his career you should be able to get them reduced.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (OVR 88 – POT 88)
Age: 28
Positions: ST
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Country: Gabon
Work rate: Medium/Low
Best stats: 96 sprint speed, 95 acceleration, 89 positioning
Wage: £145,000
Current price: £91.3 million
July 2019 price: £55 million
One of the most exciting players in Europe, could Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang be tempted away from Borussia Dortmund? He is just a touch too expensive to sign straight away on Career Mode, but a July 2019 price of £55 million could tempt you to make a move.
With 96 sprint speed, 95 acceleration and 89 positioning you almost can’t afford to miss out on striker Aubameyang with the Gabon international rated at 88 on the game. His weekly wages of £145,000 are not outrageous, so make sure he is on your shortlist.
Thiago Silva (OVR 88 – POT 88)
Age: 32
Positions: CB
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Country: Brazil
Work rate: High/High
Best stats: 93 jumping, 90 marking, 89 interceptions
Wage: £154,000
Current price: £55.4 million
July 2019 price: £24 million
With things beginning to change at PSG, you feel a new defence could be in order, especially with defensive rock Thiago Silva now 32. In July 2019 you should be able to pick the Brazilian up for just £24 million, or for free at the end of that campaign.
With an 88 overall rating consisting of 93 jumping, 90 marking and 89 interceptions, Silva would still be a great signing even in a few years’ time. You should be able to get his £154,000 a week wages reduced.
Christian Eriksen (OVR 87 – POT 91)
Age: 25
Positions: CAM, RM, LM
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Country: Denmark
Work rate: High/Medium
Best stats: 90 vision, 90 stamina, 89 short passing
Wage: £145,000
Current price: £113 million
July 2019 price: £60 million
The playmaker at Spurs Christian Eriksen has been handed a fantastic potential on FIFA 18. The 25-year-old is rated at 87 with the potential to hit 91 on Career Mode, so if you time it right you can pick the Dane up at the peak of his powers.
The attacking or wide midfielder’s deal runs out in 2020, so you should either look to pick up him in July 2019 for around £60 million or wait until January to sign him on a pre-contract agreement. With 90 vision, 90 stamina and 89 short passing, Eriksen clearly has the quality, with his weekly wages of £145,000 not as expensive as others.
Marek Hamsik (OVR 87 – POT 87)
Age: 29
Positions: CM
Club: Napoli
Country: Slovakia
Work rate: High/Medium
Best stats: 88 short passing, 88 positioning, 88 reactions
Wage: £114,000
Current price: £72.6 million
July 2019 price: £40 million
Marek Hamsik is only two goals away from breaking Diego Maradona’s goal-scoring record. After reaching the feat, could the Slovakian superstar move on to pastures new? With a current price of £72.6 million on Career Mode, the 29-year-old is a tempting buy. His wages of £114,000 a week are reasonable, and you know he has an eye for goal.
His 87 overall consists of 88 short passing, 88 positioning and 88 reactions, highlighting his quality. How long can you resist the central midfielder?
Edinson Cavani (OVR 87 – POT 87)
Age: 30
Positions: ST
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Country: Uruguay
Work rate: High/High
Best stats: 92 stamina, 92 positioning, 90 reactions
Wage: £141,000
Current price: £79 million
July 2019 price: £40 million
With Neymar and Kylian Mbappe arriving at PSG, does that now mean the clock is ticking for Edinson Cavani? After a superb season last year, the 30-year-old will not want to be pushed aside, so a move could happen in the next year or two.
In July 2019, you should jump at signing him as he only has a £40 million price tag. The striker’s 87 overall is made up of 92 stamina, 92 positioning and 90 reactions. Goals are guaranteed with the Uruguayan leading the line, so make a move sooner rather than later.
James Rodriguez (OVR 86 – POT 89)
Age: 25
Positions: CAM, CM, RM
Club: Bayern Munich (on loan from Real Madrid)
Country: Colombia
Work rate: Medium/Low
Best stats: 91 long shots, 91 volleys, 88 crossing
Wage: £220,000
Current price: n/a
July 2019 price: £59 million
With James Rodriguez on a two-year loan at Bayern Munich, you can't sign the Colombian until 2019. The attacking, central or right midfielder will then cost around £59 million, which will be a fantastic price if he reaches his potential of 89.
91 long shots, 91 volleys and 88 crossing help make up his 86 overall rating, with his weekly wages of £220,000 the 25 year old’s only issue.
More 2020 contract expiry signings
Player | Age | Pos. | Club | Country | OVR | POT |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alex Sandro | 26 | LB LM | Juventus | Brazil | 86 | 88 |
Toby Alderweireld | 28 | CB | Tottenham | Belgium | 86 | 87 |
Dries Mertens | 30 | CF LW ST | Napoli | Belgium | 86 | 86 |
Bernd Leno | 25 | GK | B. Leverkusen | Germany | 85 | 88 |
Ilkay Gundogan | 26 | CM CDM | Man City | Germany | 85 | 87 |
Cesar Azpilicueta | 27 | CB RB LB | Chelsea | Spain | 85 | 87 |
Henrikh Mkhitaryan | 28 | RM RW CAM LM | Man United | Armenia | 85 | 85 |
Jordi Alba | 28 | LB | Barcelona | Spain | 85 | 85 |
Blaise Matuidi | 30 | CDM CM | Juventus | France | 85 | 85 |
Keylor Navas | 30 | GK | Real Madrid | Costa Rica | 85 | 85 |
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Who have you got your eye on in Career Mode? Let us know in the comments section below.