Now that EA Sports have released this year's addition to the FIFA franchise - and
picked up a five star review from us in response - it's time to get under the skin of FIFA 13, and cater to those players who will have already began to log some serious hours not only in online play against friends, but also in Career Mode and building their Ultimate Team from the ground up. And that means looking a lot closer at the players in the game, and at EA Sports' ratings decisions. If you're anything like me, you will have logged on to Career Mode and immediately checked out the stars of your former teams' glories - those bargains and "growers" who shaped your destiny last year without costing the world, and who were the talk of the FIFA 12 forums well beyond the winter update that might have wiped out some accidentally awesome players you picked up early in the game. But are those players who owned the world worth investing in this time around in FIFA 13? Are the hidden gems who played huge roles in your team's charge to league and cup glory still as good as they were last year? Read on to find the definitive answer on eight of the players who made big waves in FIFA 12's Career Mode...
1. Lucas Piazon
Chelsea's Hidden GemClub: Chelsea Nation: Brazil Position: LW Overall FIFA 13 Rating: 61 Piazon might not have burst onto the Premier League scene just yet, with his fellow countryman Oscar currently stealing the lime-light in the attacking midfield position, but his affordability and huge potential of 85 for the £8m or so he would cost made him one of the first players on a lot of Managers' must-buy lists. In FIFA 13, Piazon's ratings are a similar story - overall his 61 score isn't anything to write home about, and is in fact down from his 5 rating in FIFA 12, but he still has that 85 potential rating and could make an astute signing for anyone who convinces Chelsea to part with him. A season long loan is most likely, but reaping the benefits of the Brazilian winger's potential isn't likely to come straight away. But when he starts to fire, Piazon looks like he'll be a huge player in FIFA 13, thanks to his impressive stamina and that massive potential growth. And that will also mean a massive return on any transfer fee spent bringing him in.
Worth buying in FIFA 13? Yes.