FIFA 14 Best Bundesliga Players
Here's a look at some of the best Bundesliga players on FIFA 14 career mode. The league is currently dominated by Bayern Munich, who clinched their 23rd Bundesliga title last season, with seven matches remaining. Bayern had sealed the title by March end, and this performance by Pep Guardiola's men set the record for the earliest the Bundesliga title was won. The Bavarians do face stiff competion from their league rivals Borussia Dortmund, who had clinched consecutive titles in 2011 and 2012. Here's a look at the German league's finest on FIFA 14:
10. Diego (Vfl Wolfsburg)
Diego Ribas da Cunha or commonly known as Diego lit up Bundesliga on his second spell at Vfl Wolfsburg. After failing to initially impress then-manager Steve McLaren, Diego was sent on loan to Atletico Madrid for the 2010-11 season. After his year-long loan spell at Atletico, Diego returned to Wolfsburg only to get embroiled in a war of words with manager Felix Magath. 2014 saw Diego seeking several clubs for a move. On 31 January 2014, Diego moved back to Atletico Madrid only to announce his intention to leave at the season's end. Though almost set for a move to Turkish club Fenerbahce, Diego is still listed as a Wolfsburg player in FIFA 14 with a potential rating of 85.
9. Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich)
Mueller can function in a variety of attacking positions. The 24-year-old is equally adept at functioning as an attacking midfielder, second striker or on either wing. His adaptibility is and added advantage and earns his a potential rating of 88 on FIFA 14. With 26 goals in 51 outings, Muller played a crucial part in Bayern's treble-winning 2013-14 season.
8. Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)
Marco Reus came up through the youth ranks at Borussia Dortmund. The local boy then seeking first-team opportunities left for the U-19 side of Rot Weiss Ahlen in the summer of 2006. After impressing in the first team for Rot Weiss Ahlen, Reus moved to Borussia Monchengladbach in 2009, before eventually returning to his boyhood club Borussia Dortmund in 2012. The €17.1 million move to Dortmund saw Reus developing into a talent much-coveted by clubs across Europe. Able to play on either wings, the German has a potential rating of 88 on FIFA 14.
7. Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund)
Generally in recent years Borussia Dortmund has seen it’s star players leaving for Bayern Munich. But in the case of Mats Hummels, it has been the other way round. A product of Bayern youth academy, Hummels failed to make a mark in the first team at Munich. The centre back was initially loaned out to Borussia Dortmund in 2008 and then agreed a €4 million move to Dortmund in February 2009. Since then the German has established himself as a regular in the Dortmund side and is contracted to them until 2017. His leadership, tackling and playmaking skills see him have a potential rating of 88 on FIFA 14.
6. Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich)
At just 22 years of age, Mario Gotze has established himself as one of the most talented players in the world. After being pursued by Bayern, Gotze left Borussia Dortmund for the Bavarians in April 2013. Bayern shelled out €37 million for the youngster, making him the second-most expensive German player behind Arsenal's Mesut Ozil. Able to operate as a central attacking midfielder or even fill in as a second striker, Gotze has a basic rating of 85 that can go up to a potential rating of 92 on FIFA 14.
5. Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund)
Lewandowski is now a part of Bayern Munich, since signing a five-year contract with the Bavarian giants on 3 January 2014. But FIFA 14 has the Polish striker listed as a Borussia Dortmund player. The 25-year-old is a clinical finisher and had netted 103 goals for Die Borussen in his four seasons at Dortmund. He has a potential rating of 88 in the game.
4. Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich)
Adept at both playing as a full back or as a defensive midfielder, Bayern skipper Philipp Lahm controls the game on the pitch. Whether bringing down opponents with his tough tackles or going ahead in order to set up chances with his long crosses, Lahm is a complete player. The 30-year-old is product of the Bayern Munich academy, and has featured in six Bundesliga title-winning seasons along with the 2013 UEFA Champions League.
3. Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)
The 30-year-old Dutchman is a very crucial player for Bayern Munich. Robben's goalscoring heroics from the right wing has been instrumental in Bayern's recent succeses. His chemistry with wing partner Franck Ribery has transformed the Bavarians into the modern-day juggernauts that they are. Robben netted 21 goals in 2013-14 as Bayern won their 23rd Bundesliga title. But the Dutchman is infamous for going down too easily, and for his selfish approach of not passing when his teammates are in a better position to score.
2. Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)
Bayern's midfield rock and one of Bundesliga's finest Schweinsteiger comes second on this list. The German central midfielder is a perfect example of silky skill mixed with a physical approach. Adept at ball control and dribbling and mixing it with his tough tackles on opponents, the Bayern vice-captain is a great asset for the Bavarians. On FIFA 14, he has a potential rating of 88.
1. Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)
The Bayern winger tops the list of the best Bundesliga players on FIFA 14. The Frenchman has a potential rating of 90, and is known for his dribbling, ball control, agility and passsing skills. In 2013, the 31-year-old was named the UEFA Best Player in Europe. Ribery was also placed third in the race for 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or behind Lionel Messi and eventual winner Cristiano Ronaldo.