There we are, unfortunately (for the writer, at least). That time of the year that all FIFA fans know well has come: the TOTYs are here.
Starting from the first or most likely from the second week of January, in fact, the game servers will be populated with the beloved (but also hated) players of the team of the year, who as usual will arrive with their load of incredibly statistics pumped up and difficult to stem in game, to put it in a nutshell.
In a difficult season like the current one, finding the eleven players to be included in this one Top for this FIFA 21 is not simple, but not even impossible: some elements have in fact distinguished themselves in an important way, resulting almost obvious or in any case with a "guaranteed post".
Between confirmations, news and some small surprises, we have decided to draw up the list of our potentials TOTY, obviously divided role by role. Are you curious to find out what our forecasts are? Well, you may have all the reasons! But let's go in order and start, of course, from the goalkeeper.
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer or Alisson Becker
Let's face it, the role of the goalkeeper is always very delicate, especially when it comes to the FIFA ecosystem. It is no mystery, in fact, that the goalkeepers in the Electronic Arts play structure always have a fairly marginal role, due to some programming defects that often make them too "useless" in the middle of the field, thus also going to diminish the difference in height between a high-end goalkeeper and a lower-end one.
With FIFA 21, however, something has changed: who writes to you, after over 500 games played, can confirm the goodness of the "new" goalkeepers, this year much more useful to the cause and, why not, in some cases even able to save a result like never before. For this reason, this year, the choice of the TOTY among the goalposts could make more sense than one might think, although, let's face it, nobody would want to find a keeper in the packs in the TOTY list.
For this 2020 season it is impossible not to put New in the very first line among the candidates. Strengthened by the victory of the Champions and German championship, the Teutonic giant is back in goal after a long series of stops stronger than ever and has shown that he can still be decisive (ask Mbappè and Neymar), especially when the ball is hot. So, knowing EA, it is very likely that the number one candidate is the good Manuel, with Alisson Becker, not exactly in great shape however this year, immediately behind. Who will get it?
Left Back: Alphonso Davies or Theo Hernandez
Okay, we admit it: probably in this specific role there are not many people able to worry the good Alphonsino Davies. After the literally monumental season just passed, the first among the "greats" at Bayern Munich, which culminated with the (star) victory of the Champions League, honestly, we can't imagine anyone else better than him as a left-back for the role of TOTY. of FIFA 21.
Sure, we'd like to imagine that good Theo Hernandez of Milan may somehow bother him in the awarding of the coveted prize, but honestly it is more a "hope" rather than a real conviction.
Right-Back: Trent Alexander-Arnold
As for the defensive left wing, even the right one has very little to say and, honestly, it will hardly surprise us. TOTY's number one (and possibly only) candidate for the role of TD (right back) is undoubtedly the new face of Liverpool, that Alexander-Arnold who has increasingly become the pillar of Klopp's team. Of course, he will never be a torpedo, and therefore always in a bit penalized for the goal, but he remains a player.
Central Defenders: Sergio Ramos and Virgil Van Dijk (plus David Alaba)
For the role of central defender, our choice fell on two “regulars” and an outsider, who could seriously worry the first two. The two main candidates are certainly the Dutch giant of Liverpool, former Ballon d'Or, Virgil Van Dijk and Sergio Ramos who, despite the difficult season of Real Madrid has become the protagonist of a splendid year.
If the first is practically certain of victory, there could be some last-minute surprises on the second, in particular due to the possible outsider, one who, to be clear, comes from a past season at very high levels. Let's talk about David Alaba, reinvented central defender by the new Bayern coach and who has become the protagonist of one of the most solid seasons of his career. Difficult, of course, but we hope to see him on the list, even if with those two in front of us the hopes are very low.
Central Midfielders: Joshua Kimmich and Bruno Fernandez
In midfield, especially in the central area, we have to admit that there is very little choice. We don't want to lie to you: Joshua Kimmich and Bruno Fernandes truly have every right to be the best choice in that role and we are convinced that there will be no surprises in this sense.
Bayern's central defender played a pivotal role in winning the Champions League, becoming together with Neuer and Lewandowsky the pivot of Bavarian society, as well as confirming himself more and more as one of the best interpreters of the role. Very similar speech for Bruno: the former Udinese did not lead the Red Devils to any important milestone, of course, but he is without a doubt the best player, probably in the world at the moment, in his role. Goals, assists, incredible plays, consistency: the Portuguese midfielder is the one that anyone would want in their team and denying it would be an offense to football to sport.
Outside attackers: Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi
Despite the passing seasons and an age that is no longer very young, it is impossible not to mention these two players in the list of eligible candidates TOTY. Cristiano comes from an important season, and also this year he immediately started with a bang, and we think he shouldn't struggle too much to play a role in the ideal line-up of the year. Sure, he'll be moved to the outsider role, but that's not a problem. TO find!
Different speech for Messi: he has not experienced a great season, neither personally nor at the team level, but in the end he will still be included in the team and, as usual, he will be phenomenal in his TOTY version.
Center tips: Kylian Mbappé and Robert Lewandowsky
Two names, for two amazing players both in reality and in the game. The first is not very sure of the place, but we bet that, having the role of "sponsor" of the game this year too, he could end up in a more obvious way in the team of the year. For the rest, Mbappé certainly needs no introduction: in reality it is a phenomenon and in the game even more. We tried to use it for a Weekend League this week: 69 goals and 18 assists in 30 games. We have nothing else to add, don't you think?
Nothing to say, however, about the presence of left: best striker of the year and missed ballon d'Or only because this year he was not awarded.
In short, our forecasts are quite "obvious", but we would also be happy to see some surprises. What do you think of it? Let us know in the comments and… happy 2021 with FIFA 21!
► FIFA 21 is a Sports-type game developed by Electronic Arts and published by EA Sports for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and | , the video game was released on 09/10/2020
Version for PlayStation 5 from 03/12/2020
Version for Xbox Series X from 03/12/2020
