FIFA 17: 10 Players Who Will Be Downgraded
5. Nemanja Matic
A year ago, Nemanja Matic was hailed as one of the finest defensive midfielders in the world and the lynchpin of Chelsea’s league and cup success. The deep-lying midfielder was firm in the tackle and provided the perfect contrast to Cesc Fabregas’ ball-playing skills. And then it all fell apart. Last season, the Serbian looked slow, ponderous and clumsy in possession.
Error-strewn under the slightest pressure, he looked completely devoid of the confidence and swagger he had exuded during the club’s surge to the title the year before. With Guus Hiddink having displaced Jose Mourinho midway through the season, Chelsea experienced a slight, if not earth-shattering, upturn of fortunes but Matic stayed the same.
His passes were just as wayward, his tackles remained mistimed and he was facing a losing battle to keep Jon Obi Mikel out of the team. He will hope to still have a future at the club but the signs aren’t good. The summer began with links to Man United before Juventus were accredited with an interest.
The addition of £32 million N’Golo Kante can’t have allayed his fears either.
FIFA 16 Rating: 84