Today, EA SPORTS™ released the 100-strong nominee list of the best players from the past 12 months.
Manchester City’s own Ederson, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland have all been nominated, with City boasting the joint-best representation of any side for the second year running.
The final XI will be decided by the fans - to cast your #TOTY vote, head to: ea.com/toty.
In case you need any more convincing though, we have had a quick look back at each player’s achievements over the past 12 months…
EDERSON
Once again, our Brazilian shot stopper makes the shortlist after an outstanding 12 months.
For the third successive year, Ederson (alongside his Brazilian counterpart Alisson) claimed the Premier League Golden Glove award with an incredible 20 clean sheets, helping City to a fourth domestic title in five years in the process.
Equally impressive with his feet as he is with his hands, Ederson is an integral part of Pep Guardiola‘s team and, with seven clean sheets already this season, his form has showed no signs of slowing down.
In FIFA Ultimate Team, the Brazilian holds the joint highest overall among Premier League goalkeepers and is the joint third highest in his position across the entirety of FIFA 23.
FIFA 23 Base Rating = 89
RUBEN DIAS
The Portuguese defender went from strength to strength in 2022, making 29 Premier League appearances across the campaign while securing his second title in as many years.
Considered one of the best defenders in the world, Dias is known for his defensive prowess, leadership, and aerial ability.
He has made quite an impact in Manchester since his arrival in 2020, and his impressive performances have been rewarded with a rating upgrade in FIFA 23.
He is now the joint second highest rated centre back in the game. Can Ruben make it a second successive appearance in the final Team of the Year XI?
FIFA 23 Base Rating = 88
JOAO CANCELO
Cancelo made 36 appearances in City’s 21/22 title winning campaign – the most of any outfield player in the squad.
An expert in turning defence into attack, the Portuguese international epitomises the modern-day fullback: he completed a league high 2,951 passes and had an incredible 3,908 touches across the campaign – almost 700 more than any other player.
Joao’s performances have been rewarded with a +2 rating increase in FIFA 23 – jumping from 86 to 88.
He has also received an 89 rated Team of the Week item, and his versatility has not gone unnoticed by EA, with Joao spearheading the ‘Out of Position’ campaign, where he received a 90 rated item as a central midfielder.
FIFA 23 Base Rating = 88 | FIFA 23 Highest Rated Card to date = 90
RODRIgo
The anchor of the City team, it has been an incredible 12 months for Rodri.
The towering midfielder featured 46 times in all competitions in last season’s title winning campaign, scoring 7 goals and having the highest pass completion rate of any midfielder in the Premier League (91.8%).
Rodri has continued his excellent form into this season, featuring in all 17 of City’s league games and completing more passes than any other player in the competition.
To the delight of the City fans, the Spaniard put pen to paper and signed a new deal in the summer, keeping him at the club until 2027.
In FIFA Ultimate Team, Rodri is rated 87 – making him the fourth highest CDM in the game.
FIFA 23 Base Rating = 87
BERNARDO SILVA
A tenacious, hard-working midfielder blessed with balance, guile and great technique, the Portuguese playmaker can be deployed both out wide and as a central midfielder.
His mazy runs and close control have earned him the nickname ‘Bubblegum’, referencing the manner in which the ball appears to stick to his feet.
The 21/22 campaign proved to be another magnificent season for the popular midfielder, playing 50 times in all competitions and equalling his best goals tally of 13.
His consistent displays also saw him win his third successive Etihad Player of the Season, as well as a place in both the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and the FIFA 22 Team of the Season.
FIFA 23 Base Rating = 88 | FIFA 23 Highest Rated Card to date = 90
KEVIN DE BRUYNE
The ultimate playmaker, Kevin De Bruyne has made a blistering start to the 22/23 season – topping the Premier League assist chart with nine - three more than his nearest competitor.
De Bruyne was also an integral part of the 21/22 title winning side, playing 30 times and netting 15 goals from midfield.
His performances did not go unnoticed, as he featured in both the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and the FIFA 22 Team of the Season.
In FIFA Ultimate Team, he is the highest rated player in the Premier League and the joint highest rated player in the entire game.
FIFA 23 Base Rating = 91 | FIFA 23 Highest Rated Card to date = 93
PHIL FODEN
The ‘Stockport Iniesta’ enjoyed yet another stellar year, netting 14 times in all competitions in the 21/22 campaign, as he bagged his fourth Premier League winners’ medal just days before his 22nd birthday.
Phil’s progress has showed no signs of slowing down this season, the highlight coming in the form of a historic treble in the Manchester derby – which also saw him beat a stunning record set by Lionel Messi.
At the age of 22 years and 127 days, Foden surpassed the great Argentine as he became the youngest player to score 50 goals under the management of Pep Guardiola.
Phil’s performances have been rewarded with a rating upgrade in FIFA 23, his OVR now sitting at 85.
He has also received an 89 rated UCL Road to the Knockouts item, and a 90 rated World Cup Team of the Tournament item following his impressive displays for England in Qatar.
FIFA 23 Base Rating = 85 | FIFA 23 Highest Rated Card to date = 90
ERLING HAALAND
Erling Haaland’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund came with enormous excitement and expectation in equal measure – and it’s fair to say that he has not failed to live up to the hype.
The Norwegian hit the ground running in Sky Blue, netting twice on his Premier League debut.
He followed this up with three successive home trebles against Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, becoming the quickest player to score three hat tricks in Premier League history – beating the previous record by 40 matches.
Haaland’s displays saw him pick up the Premier League Player of the Month award for August, his first month in the competition.
Since then he has gone from strength to strength, his brace against Leeds in December taking him to 20 league goals in 14 matches – becoming the fastest player to reach this landmark in the competition’s history.
His domestic form has also been replicated in Europe, netting 5 times in 4 Champions League games as City stormed to the top of Group G.
Erling Haaland is rated 88 in FIFA Ultimate Team, and has received 89 & 90 rated upgraded items for Team of the Week & Ones to Watch respectively.
FIFA 23 Base Rating = 88 | FIFA 23 Highest Rated Card to date = 90
Remember, you can cast your vote now at ea.com/toty
