FIFA 18: Newcastle United player ratings and reaction

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: Newcastle defender Florian Lejeune in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park on August 13, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: Newcastle defender Florian Lejeune in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St. James Park on August 13, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
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Ahead of EA Sports’ FIFA 18 release towards the end of the month, the Newcastle United player ratings are out.

The moment every soccer fan and video game junkie eagerly awaits is coming up soon. EA Sports’ FIFA 18 will be released on September 29th. This year’s must have game has Cristiano Ronaldo as the cover athlete and is available for Xbox, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch. I was lucky enough to be a part of the Beta demo for this game last month and I am very excited for the full release.

Still a few weeks out, Chronicle Live has unveiled the official ratings of every Newcastle United player. The game’s creators did not do the Magpies any favors, as no player makes it into the 80’s for their overall. Newcastle will likely be among the worst rated clubs in the virtual Premier League, despite their back to back wins in real life league play. The highest rated part of the club would surely be Rafa Benitez, but there is no rating available for the manager. You can see all the player ratings below, from best to worst.

We take a look at a couple of players that were overrated and ones that got the short end of the stick. When the game is officially released, you can look forward to more in depth breakdowns and analysis of the virtual Toons here at NT.

Newcastle United

79: Florian Lejeune

77: Tim Krul, Henri Saivet, Jonjo Shelvey

76: Ciaran Clark, Jesus Gamez, Javier Manquillo, Chancel Mbemba

75: Christian Atsu, Dwight Gayle, Joselu, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Matt Ritchie

74: Mikel Merino

73: Jack Colback, Mohamed Diame, Jamaal Lascelles, DeAndre Yedlin

72: Rolando Aarons

71: Paul Dummett Isaac Hayden

70: Karl Darlow, Massadio Haidara

69: Rob Elliot

68: Jacob Murphy

62: Freddie Woodman

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – JANUARY 16: Henri Saivet of Newcastle United and Mark Noble of West Ham United compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and West Ham United at St. James’ Park on January 16, 2016 in Newcastle, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – JANUARY 16: Henri Saivet of Newcastle United and Mark Noble of West Ham United compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and West Ham United at St. James’ Park on January 16, 2016 in Newcastle, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /

Overrated

More from Newcastle Toons

Henri Saivet: This was the first rating that caught my attention and it wasn’t a good thing. While he is not as far exiled as he has been in the past, Saivet cannot earn a squad position at Newcastle United. He’s been a major flop since joining the club and somehow has the same rating as Jonjo Shelvey.

Tim Krul: Sent on loan to Brighton, Krul has not been a top level keeper in a couple years. He was poor on two loan stints last year and didn’t earn a spot in Rafa’s squad this season. His contract at Newcastle United runs through next summer and it’s unlikely he rejoins the Magpies.

Jesus Gamez: The fullback’s rating seems to be tied to his performance and stature years ago, because he has not been able to get much time on the pitch for Newcastle United over this season and last. He was a stalwart in La Liga for Malaga and Atletico Madrid before signing Tyneside. He may earn more time after performing well against Swansea, but he hasn’t merited his 76 rating.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – JANUARY 12: Robert Elliot of Newcastle United reacts during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James’ Park on January 12, 2016 at Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – JANUARY 12: Robert Elliot of Newcastle United reacts during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James’ Park on January 12, 2016 at Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /

Underrated

Rob Elliot: Newcastle United’s first choice keeper is rated below his backup and Krul, who was loaned out. He’s been quality in goal this season and didn’t even break the 70 overall threshold.

Matt Ritchie: One of Newcastle United’s most consistent performers last season and this season, he should be closer to 80 than he is. Ritchie is a well rounded player and has had success in the Premier League and the Championship.

Jonjo Shelvey: Arguably the best player at Newcastle United, Shelvey is not the highest rated player on the club. He also receives the same rating as Henri Saivet.