FIFA 13 | So You Want A… Left back (Winter update)

Follow @FIFAscouting

Usually EA release a big update with all of the transfers sometime in early February. However, this year they did it slightly differently. Since FIFA 13 came out, every year the EA team have made updated OVRs and potentials available for download based on real life player performances. Usually these are just slight tweaks, but after some breakout performances a player’s potential can change a lot (Raheem Sterling is a good example). This is rare, though.

So please bear in mind that the information below is based on the updated squads from 2nd February. However, there’s no need to panic if you downloaded the update on 8th February (or any other subsequent update), as most players will not change (or if they do, it’ll be by a small amount). In any case, this year potentials are very flexible, so if a player you’re interested has his potential lowered in an update, he can still reach his old potential if he plays well for you.

The ‘Avai?’ column is short for ‘available?’ (there is not enough space for the full word), and it refers to whether or not each player is available to buy in the first transfer window. ‘Y’ means yes, they are available, whilst ‘N’ means that they’re not. The number after the ‘Y’ or ‘N’ is the amount of years left on their contract. So ‘Y/2? means that yes, they are available to buy in the first transfer window and that they have 2 years left on their contract. Similarly, ‘N/5? means they’re not available to buy right away and that they have 5 years left on their contract. The ones to look out for are Y/1, as you should be able to get these players for less than their listed value. Players who are on loan will have a “-” in this column because information on their contracts is not available.

My recommendations this time are below:

• Luke Shaw
• Georgiy Schennikov
• Lorenzo Melgarejo
• Grimaldo

Anyone watching the Premier League this season will have been taking note of Luke Shaw. He’s had a real breakthrough year and has been a revelation at Southampton, and this is reflected on FIFA with his upped potential of 85. He’s got pace and power and is equally good going forward as he is defending. Already good for such a young player, he’s going to become a superb player and is well worth picking up.

My second choice is Georgiy Schennikov. His OVR is as high as you’ll find in any of my articles, but thanks to his 1 year contract he is very affordable. Although defending is his strong point, he works hard in attack and has plenty of pace. His passing is good and with time he may even become decent in the air, unusual for a full back. His combination of high OVR, high potential and low cost should make him a serious contender for your left back spot.

Never has the phrase ‘all-round player’ been more fitting than when it’s applied to Lorenzo Melgarejo. His physical stats are fantastic (although his strength lags behind somewhat), his mental stats are all good and well-balanced, but it’s his technical stats that really shine. Crossing 70, dribbling 75, finishing 74, heading 72, long shots 71, marking 70, shot power 73, and slide and stand tackle both also 73 should give you a good picture of his abilities. He’s so flexible that it’s hard to think of a position where he wouldn’t be useful (well, maybe not as a goalkeeper). He’s a little more pricey, but when you’re getting this kind of quality I don’t think there will be many complaints!

My final choice is Grimaldo. He’s more than just a cheap option, although this is a benefit he brings. If your game plan involves bombarding the opposition box with well-delivered crosses, then Grimaldo could be your man. With a bit of growth he should easily get the ‘crosser’ speciality; his crossing and speed mean he’ll be posing a threat all game, putting in accurate crossers for your forwards to lap up.

Here’s the full list: