POSITION: CB - PACE: 76 - DRIBBLING: 56 - SHOOTING: 50 - DEFENDING: 87 - PASSING: 55 - PHYSICAL: 86 Now we all know that Giorgio Chiellini was on the receiving end of that horrendous bite from Luis Suarez at the World Cup, but surely the fact that he now has a little less flesh on his shoulder has no bearing on his lowered rating from last year's edition of the game? Chiellini is a powerful centre back and that is reflected in the new 'physical' rating on the FUT card, which has replaced the heading score on FIFA 15 Ultimate Team. His fall from an overall 86 can be deemed somewhat harsh given he is still a vital part of the all conquering Juventus side, but ranking in at the 8th best central defender in the world on the game sounds about right.
49. Andrea Pirlo - Juventus (84)
POSITION: CM - PACE: 43 - DRIBBLING: 82 - SHOOTING: 69 - DEFENDING: 55 - PASSING: 92 - PHYSICAL: 59 #PirloIsNotImpressed with his FIFA 15 rating. Though he, like team mate Chiellini, may have slipped two places because he's getting on a bit. The midfield maestro is 35 now, but like a fine wine he's getting better with age in this humble opinion. He's just made a complete U-turn and decided he is coming back to international duty following retirement after the World Cup, and having admitted he's an avid PlayStation player who used to love beating Alessandro Nesta on the console in his book, he will be out to prove that he's not worthy of such a downgrade.
48. Xabi Alonso - Bayern Munich (84)
POSITION: CDM - PACE: 55 - DRIBBLING: 68 - SHOOTING: 71 - DEFENDING: 78 - PASSING: 86 - PHYSICAL: 72 It was something of a surprise to see Real Madrid let Xabi Alonso leave the Bernabeu late in August, and it may end up being a decision they regret - they've lost their natural midfield anchorman. But Real's loss is Bayern Munich's gain. Alonso still has plenty left in the tank and can offer Pep Guardiola yet another calming presence on the ball - though he will become one of many. His slightly lowered rating is telling of the times, being another ageing great.
47. Iker Casillas - Real Madrid (84)
POSITION: GK - DIVING: 87 - REFLEXES: 88 - HANDLING: 79 - SPEED: 65 - KICKING: 67 - POSITIONING: 79 Now this downgrade is justified. A player who was once the great, unflappable and dominant inspiration of the Bernabeu has continued to plummet from his FIFA 13 overall rating of 89. The Spaniard has been a divisive presence in the Madrid dressing room over the last 18 months and his performances have also suffered. He shouldn't be Spain's number one any longer and he's now far past his best.
46. Cesc Fabregas - Chelsea (84)
POSITION: CM - PACE: 68 - DRIBBLING: 81 - SHOOTING: 79 - DEFENDING: 64 - PASSING: 88 - PHYSICAL: 63 You'd imagine that Chelsea's £30 million man Cesc Fabregas will garner a much higher rating next year than the one he's been afforded this time around. He's started the season at Chelsea at a blistering pace and has shown that he's going back to his status as one of the top midfielders in Europe. His rating justifies his class, but after a miserable year at Barcelona it is perhaps deserved. Be assured that there is more to come from Cesc on future editions.
Football writer (predominantly) with work previously published by Mail Online, Manchester Evening News, Daily Mirror, USA Today and Chelsea FC. Regular contributor for Huffington Post, who holds tempestuous relationships with WWE and FIFA 15.
