Eight City stars nominated for EA Sports™ Team of the Year

Today, EA SPORTS™ published a list of the best players in the past 12 months out of 100 nominees.

Own Manchester City Ederson, Ruben DiasJoao Cancelo, Rodri, Kevin De BruynePhil FodenBernardo Silva and Erling Haaland are all nominated, and for the second year in a row, City can boast the joint best representation of all sides.

The final XI will be decided by the fans – to cast your #TOTY vote go to: ea.com/toty.

In case you need further convincing, we’ve taken a quick look at each player’s achievements over the past 12 months…

EDERSON

Once again, our Brazilian shooter enters the shortlist after an remaining 12 months.

For the third year in a row, Ederson (along with his Brazilian counterpart Alisson) won the Premier League’s Golden Glove award with an incredible 20 clean sheets, helping City to their fourth domestic title in five years in the process.

As impressive with his feet as with his hands, Ederson is an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s squad and, with seven clean sheets already this season, his form has shown no signs of slowing down.

In FIFA Ultimate Team, Brazilian he holds the Premier League’s highest goalkeeping total and is joint third highest in his position in all of FIFA 23.

FIFA 23 Base Rating = 89

DOWNLOAD THE MAN CITY APP

RUBEN DIAS

The Portuguese defender has gone from strength to strength in 2022, making 29 Premier League appearances during the campaign as he secured 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 an increase in his FIFA 23 rating.

He is now the joint second highest rated centre-back in the game. Can Ruben make 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 at turning defense into attack, the Portugal international epitomizes the modern-day full-back: he completed a league-record 2,951 passes and had a staggering 3,908 touches throughout the campaign – almost 700 more than any other player.

Joao’s performances were rewarded with a +2 rating increase in FIFA 23 – jumping from 86 to 88.

He also received an 89 Team of the Week rating and his versatility has not gone unnoticed by EA, with Joao leading the ‘Out of Position’ campaign, where he received a 90 rating as a central midfielder.

FIFA 23 Base Rating = 88 | Highest rated FIFA 23 card to date = 90

RODRIGO

The anchor of the City team, it has been an incredible 12 months for Rodrigo.

The superb midfielder featured 46 times in all competitions in last season’s title-winning campaign, scoring 7 goals and having the highest pass rate of any midfielder in the Premier League (91.8%).

Rodri has continued his excellent form this season, appearing in all 17 of City’s league games and completing more passes than any other player in the competition.

To the delight of City fans, the Spaniard signed a new contract in the summer that kept him at the club until 2027.

In FIFA Ultimate Team, Rodri has a rating of 87 – making him the fourth highest CDM in the game.

FIFA 23 base rating = 87

BERNARDO SILVA

A tenacious, hard-working midfielder blessed with poise, guile and superb technique, the Portuguese playmaker can be deployed both out wide and as a central midfielder.

His crazy running and tight control earned him the nickname ‘Chewing Gum’, referring to the way the ball seems 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 equaling his best tally of 13.

His consistent displays also saw him pick a third successive Player of the Season at the Etihad, as well as a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and FIFA 22 Team of the Season.

FIFA 23 Base Rating = 88 | Highest rated FIFA 23 card to date = 90

KEVIN DE BRUYNE

The ultimate playmaker, Kevin De Bruyne, has had a brilliant start to the 22/23 season – topping the Premier League assist charts with nine – three more than his nearest competitor.

De Bruyne was also an integral part of the 21/22 title-winning team, playing 30 times and scoring 15 goals from midfield.

His performances did not go unnoticed, as he appeared 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 | Highest rated FIFA 23 card to date = 93

PHIL FODEN

‘Stockport Iniesta’ enjoyed another stellar year, netting 14 times in all competitions in the 21/22 campaign as he collected his fourth Premier League winners’ medal just days before his 22nd birthday.

Phil’s progress has shown no signs of slowing down this season, with the highlight coming in the form of a historic treble in the Manchester derby – which also saw him break Lionel Messi’s stunning record.

At 22 years and 127 days old, Foden surpassed the great Argentinian as he became the youngest player to score 50 goals under Pep Guardiola.

Phil’s performances have been rewarded with a rating boost in FIFA 23, with his OVR now sitting at 85.

He also received an 89 UCL Road to the Knockouts rating and a 90 World Cup Team of the Tournament rating following his impressive performances for England in Qatar.

FIFA 23 Base Rating = 85 | Highest rated FIFA 23 card to date = 90

Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund came with huge excitement and expectations in equal measure – and it’s fair to say he failed to live up to the hype.

The Norwegian played for Sky Blue, scoring twice on his Premier League debut.

He followed that up with three successive trebles at home against Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, becoming the fastest player to score three hat tricks in Premier League history – beating the previous record by 40 matches.

Haaland showed as he won the Premier League Player of the Month award for August, his first month in the competition.

He has gone from strength to strength since then, his game against Leeds in December taking him to 20 league goals in 14 matches – becoming the fastest player to reach the milestone in the competition’s history.

His domestic form was also repeated in Europe, scoring 5 times in 4 Champions League games as City stormed to the top of Group G.

Erling Haaland has a rating of 88 in FIFA Ultimate Team and has received upgraded items with ratings of 89 and 90 for Team of the Week and Ones to Watch.

FIFA 23 Base Rating = 88 | Highest rated FIFA 23 card to date = 90

Remember, you can vote now at ea.com/toty