FIFA 19: Leicester Career Mode Guide, Tactics, Formations & Tips

Leicester’s 2015-16 Premier League success was one of the most remarkable triumphs the world of football has ever seen, but where are the Foxes now? Two and a half years on, the Foxes are in the bottom half of the division, and you wonder if their recent title success is going to be a missed opportunity to join the Premier League top six. 

It’s now over to you on FIFA 19’s Career Mode, as you look to propel Leicester up the Premier League table and fight for European football. The board have chosen not to spend big and bring star names to Midlands club, but it’s now your opportunity to build this side you want and fight for European places. 

RealSport gives you all there is to know about taking over Leicester on FIFA 19. 

Team Rating

Leicester receive a four star rating on FIFA 19, made up by an 82 attack, 76 midfield and 79 defence. 

Formation

Leicester’s default formation is a 4-2-3-1 wide, and you shouldn’t stray too far from this, with a 4-3-3 defend or 4-5-1 your only possible alternatives. 

One of the league’s best goalkeepers Kasper Schmeichel (88 GK reflexes) is behind a useful back four of the energetic Ricardo Pereira (88 acceleration), Jonny Evans, hard man Harry Maguire (89 strength) and Ben Chilwell. 

Loanee Youri Tielemans partners the mobile Wilfred Ndidi (92 stamina) in defensive midfield, with James Maddison in the number 10 role. On the flanks you have Marc Albrighton and Demarai Gray with the pacey Jamie Vardy (90 sprint speed) leading the line.

On the bench go for Danny Ward, Wes Morgan, Daniel Amartey, Nampalys Mendy, Rachid Ghezzal, Harvey Barnes and Kelechi Iheanacho. 

Tactics and instructions

Leicester are well set up to counter-attack on FIFA 19, and you still need to keep in mind that title winning side of 2016 and how brilliant they were on the break. Your main asset to this is one of only four players remaining from that side, Jamie Vardy (90 aggression). The former England international’s pace, tenacity and finishing ability will dictate your success this season, but he will need help from new catalyst James Maddison (85 agility) to open up the defence. 

There is a strong defensive platform with the Foxes, built from Kasper Schmeichel (82 GK kicking) in goal and Harry Maguire (87 heading accuracy), and this continues in midfield with the coveted Wilfred Ndidi (90 jumping). The Nigerian will be in charge of winning the ball back in the middle of the park, and spreading the ball to the various attacking options. 

This extends to the full backs with Ricardo Pereira (87 sprint speed) and Ben Chilwell (85 stamina) both known for getting forward. With numbers out wide, this should spread the opposition defence and midfield, which would open up space for Maddison to thrive, and Youri Tielemans (88 shot power) to strike from range. 

Altering the team’s instructions can help your tactics to greater effect. A few have already been set for you at Leicester, with Jamie Vardy’s support runs on ‘get in behind’, James Maddison on ‘free roam’ for positioning freedom, Ricardo Pereira’s attacking runs set to ‘join the attack’ and Ben Chilwell on ‘overlap’ for his run type. 

The only thing you should change is Marc Albrighton’s defensive support to ‘come back on defence’ as right back Ricardo Pereira will be flying forward. 

Training

In your training sessions look to use players with high growth, as denoted by the ‘promising player’ icon. At Leicester, this includes Youri Tielemans, Ben Chilwell, James Maddison, Demarai Gray, Kelechi Iheanacho, Caglar Soyuncu and Daniel Amartey. 

The Transfer Market

Starting transfer budget: £48 million

Starting wage budget: £137,000 a week

Who should go

Leicester have aims of getting back into Europe, so there are a handful of names who won’t help you get there. Danny Simpson has been displaced in the first team by new signing Ricardo Pereira, and is likely to behind Daniel Amartey as well in the pecking order by right back, so you can sell the former Newcastle man. He should collect you around £23 million, saving his wages of £40,000 a week. 

Matty James seems to have been at Leicester for ages, but the central midfielder is only 26. With a long contract to his name, he could fetch you £2 million in the transfer market which will put £36,000 a week back into your wage budget. 

The remainder are young fringe players you won’t make the grade at Leicester, so look to sell Sam Hughes, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Admiral Muskwe for a combined fee of £500,000. This will free up £14,000 a week in your wage budget. 

Loans

Leicester have some promising youngsters on their books, but with a competitive first team squad, it would be more beneficial to send them out on loan. Layton Ndukwu, Callum Wright, Alexandru Pascanu and Khanya Leshabela can all be sent away for the campaign. 

Who to sign

New transfer budget: £51 million

New wage budget: £191,000 a week

Pacey left winger

Demarai Gray has talent, but with a 75 overall he isn’t going to show the consistency to help you push for Europe. With the workmanlike Marc Albrighton on the other flank, bring in a pacey winger who can be found by your attacking midfielder and link up with Vardy in attack. 

Steven Bergwijn should squeeze into your budget, with the Dutch international a real speed merchant. Abilities of 89 sprint speed, 89 balance and 88 acceleration provide him with an 80 overall which can grow to an 86 potential. The 20-year-old PSV man will set you back around £25 million, with wages starting at just £15,000 a week. 

Alternative options

Experienced number 10

James Maddison has been a superb signing for Leicester this season, but with it being his first in the Premier League, he has failed to churn out the performances week-in, week out. With a fantastic potential, you need an experienced head in there for just two seasons. 

Juan Mata would be an exceptional acquisition, with the Spaniard one of the finest creators in the Premier League. By bringing him to Leicester, you can revert him back to his preferred number 10 role and show off those 89 balance, 88 ball control and 87 composure stats. His overall lies at 82, and the Manchester United man will cost you £20 million, with his wages of £136,000 a week likely to decrease. 

Alternative options

Contracts

A fair few players at Leicester have contracts expiring at the end of the season, with a wave of their Premier League winning heroes likely to get the axe. Club captain Wes Morgan may be on the bench, but aged 34, he won’t be for much longer. He along with Danny Simpson, Christian Fuchs and Shinji Okazaki should all be released if you don’t sell them earlier. 

Alexandru Pascanu looks to have promise, so extend his contract, but fellow youngsters Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Admiral Muskwe and Ryan Loft can all be shown the door. 

Managerial objectives

Leicester’s objectives are strange, with none of them marked as a high or critical importance. This may be down to the fact that the Foxes don’t know what they are fighting for, with their Premier League victory such a one-off that even European football or cup success seem farfetched.

For domestic success, you will be asked to finish mid table in the Premier League and also reach the round of 16 in the FA Cup. In the long term, you will need to finish in a Europa League spot (fifth) within the next two seasons.

Financially, you must increase the club worth by 20% within two seasons and for brand exposure you will need to increase season ticket holders to at least 10% of the stadium’s capacity. Maintain a profit, bring in big names and lifting silverware will help achieve both of these. 

Lastly, for youth development you will be expected to sign two players younger than 20 who have a high potential. This must be higher than the average overall of player in the same position in your squad. Not only that, you need to bring in a youth player to the senior team and play them in five matches. 

Attack the top six once again

Those objectives don’t leave a lot to get excited about in your first season at the King Power stadium, but that does mean you have one campaign to build the team in your image. Get a feel for the side, line up some transfer targets, and next season you could be line for a shot at European qualification, especially with some young talent on the cusp of breaking through. 

Leicester may have failed to capitalise on their Premier League success, but this squad is still good enough to strike again. Make sure you finish at least seventh in your first season, and if any of the top six slip up, you must be there to pounce. 

Full Leicester player ratings