By Jim James
The official FIFA 23 Career mode Database came out today, and *whew*. I don’t know even where to start. +8 Potential Upgrades, legendary CBs at RW, and hot talents getting removed, this database has it all. I can’t wait to look back at this in 5 years when everyone I mention actually warrants these potentials…
Massive upgrades for Alberto Moleiro, Antonio Nusa, and more…
After having 82 potential at the end of FIFA 22, everyone was surprised when Alberto Moleiro got a whopping 90 potential in FIFA 23. Even though he played 35 La Liga 2 games and was a pretty key man for Las Palmas last season, the performances don’t warrant a 90 potential and 75 rating, most of all. Despite being only 18 (maybe 19 when I put this out), 90 potential? You’re joking. If Moleiro has 90 potential, you may ask, shouldn’t prospects like Fati, Musiala, Chiesa, and Gvardiol have 92, 93 potential? No. They all have either equal or lower potential than Moleiro.
It’s the same case with Antonio Nusa, who was on my 2021 top U16 Prospects list. He had a 83 potential for the entirety of his time on FIFA 22, but got a +5 potential upgrade to 88. He only played 1 league game for Club Brugge the whole of last season which makes the decision even more baffling.
Also getting an 88 potential is Nicolo Rovella. It’s only a +1 from his potential last year, but at 20, he’s only getting 49% of minutes for newly promoted Monza, so an 88 potential, level on the likes of Gavi, Nuno Mendes, Gabriel Martinelli, Rodrygo, and Jurrien Timber seems unreasonable.
There’s also Fabio Miretti getting an 87 potential, Alex Scott getting 87, Martin Baturina getting an 86, and I’m sure many others who have got way too high potentials.
Mats Hummels getting RW as a secondary position
In FIFA 22, Mats Hummels had no secondary positions on Career Mode and that was totally fine. No change was necessary, all was fine… Until EA decided it wasn’t. They gave him RB as his secondary position, where he only played once 14 years ago, and even more ridiculously, RW as his third position. In an age where players like Noni Madueke and Kyle Walker have only one position, why is Hummels the beacon of versatility?
Removal of Raul de Tomas, Josip Ilicic, etc
These two removals make no sense. The Raul de Tomas incident is crazy and requires its own post really, but in essence he had a really rough falling out with Espanyol and went to Rayo Vallecano for about 7m, but can’t play until January due to the date of the transfer. Mind you this is after Espanyol rejected bids of around 50 million for him by Arsenal in the last 12 months. Ouch. However he didn’t have to be removed from the game. He’ll probably also return without a face scan or player card face, like a lot of people for some reason. Same with Josip Ilcic when he finds a club. This removal makes no sense at all, as there is literally a Free Agents team in the game. Again, odd decision by EA.
That’s all for this one, FIFA 23 review coming out within the week, have an 11-0-1 FUT record as I write this, which is brilliant. I’m Jim James, until next time.