Six FIFA high potential players that are Premier League-bound - Takefusa Kubo, Cody Gakpo…
- Oliver Martin
- 30 March 2022
High FIFA potential doesn't always translate from the virtual world to the real world. Nevertheless, Oliver Martin has picked out six players who are highly rated - and highly coveted.
The eagerly anticipated annual release of the FIFA videogame has fans and players alike second-guessing the ratings of the world's best players.
There are no prizes for guessing which two stars have consistently topped them in recent years, but the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are now threatening to unseat Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at the summit.
And behind Haaland and Mbappe there are plenty more young talented stars waiting in the wings. Planet Sport has identified six players with high FIFA potential ratings who could be showcasing their skills in the Premier League next season.
Jonathan David - 86 Potential Rating
One of Canada's many up-and-coming talents, Jonathan David is already inflating his profile at a high level.
After playing football in Canada from the age of six, David made his professional debut for Gent in 2018. A goal in each of his first five games led to a contract extension and Premier League sides were already monitoring the young striker.
Thirty goals in 60 games for the Belgian side earned David a move to Ligue 1, where he helped Lille to their first league title in ten years in his first season. He has continued to bang in the goals, with 17 in 29 appearances in 2021/22 which has brought him on to the radar of Arsenal.
The Gunners are set to lose the out-of-contract Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah in the summer, with the Canadian rumoured to be lined up as a replacement.
The 22-year-old is already valued at £45million, so he won't come cheap. Unsurprisingly, Newcastle's newfound wealth has opened up the possibility of a move to the north-east, while Spurs also said to be interested in the Canadian.
Takefusa Kubo - 88 Potential Rating
Takefusa Kubo has been a hidden gem on FIFA for years, but now may be the time for him to make a move to English football in real life.
Dubbed 'the Japanese Messi', Kubo spent time in his youth career with the Barcelona academy before returning to Japan to begin his professional career.
However, after impressing in his home country, Kubo chose Real Madrid and not Barcelona, joining on a free transfer in 2019.
Almost three years later, the 20-year-old has yet to make a senior appearance for Los Blancos, with loan moves to Villarreal and Getafe proving underwhelming.
🚨 | Takefusa Kubo scored this goal vs Jamaica today.
— Blancos Central (@BlancosCentral) June 12, 2021
He nutmegged FOUR players. 🤯 🇯🇵pic.twitter.com/TnMdvtS2aZ
The tricky winger has shown glimpses at Mallorca, however, where he plied his trade in the 2019/20 season before returning on loan in the summer of 2021. Five goal contributions in 23 games is still nothing to write home about, although Mallorca have struggled to find the net as they battle against relegation.
Despite being continually linked with a move away from La Liga, there is talk that the Spanish giants may retain the tricky winger in their squad for the 2022/23 season. A restriction on non-EU players is currently keeping Kubo away from Madrid, although Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr is hoping to secure Spanish citizenship freeing up a spot for the Japanese star.
Cody Gakpo - 86 Potential Rating
Young Dutch winger Cody Gakpo has shone for PSV this season, playing a part in 21 goals in just 20 games in the Eredivisie. His 13 assists place the 22-year-old second in the Eredivisie, just short of Dusan Tadic on 15.
Born and raised in Eindhoven, Gakpo has spent his entire career at the club, breezing through the ranks of the youth academy. He made an instant impression on his professional debut, scoring in a 4-0 victory over Excelsior in the Dutch Cup.
The winger is known for his explosive pace and his penchant for cutting inside and testing the keeper, leading the most goals plus assists per 90 minutes in this season's Eredivisie.
Gakpo's form has inevitably resulted in interest from Europe's elite, with Premier League title-challengers Liverpool leading the race - several PSV players have already expressed their pride in seeing their team-mate linked with the six-time European champions.
It is thought the Dutch side will demand upwards of £40million for their star man, with Arsenal and Barcelona also monitoring the situation. Fellow academy graduate Steven Bergwijn also made the switch from PSV to the Premier League, and it would make for a fascinating battle if Gakpo was to join the red side of north London instead.
Victor Osimhen - 89 Potential Rating
With a gargantuan potential rating of 89, Victor Osimhen is tipped to morph into one of the best centre-forwards in the world.
It would be unfair to describe Osimhen as a 'future' star, as the Nigerian striker is already at star level. An amid-blowing £70million was shelled out by Napoli to prise the then-21-year-old away from Lille, but Osimhen has handled the pressure and let his talent do the talking.
Eleven league goals have ensured Osimhen has racked up double figures for the fourth consecutive season, while four goals came in just six Europa League appeances.
As one of the quickest strikers in Europe - he has a FIFA rating of 93 for sprint speed - it's no surprise that Manchester United are hoping to bring in the Napoli forward over the summer.
Another trophyless season demands wholesale changes at Old Trafford and Osimhen has been earmarked as the player to help take United to the next level - whoever their new manager may be.
Ronald Araujo - 88 Potential Rating
World-class centre-backs are hard to come by, but Ronald Araujo has certainly shown the potential to be a top talent.
The 6ft 3in centre-back joined Barcelona from Uruguayan side Boston River, and has been at the club for almost four years.
Currently a stalwart in the heart of Barcelona's defence, it could be argued that Araujo is doing just fine where he is - the Uruguayan international was on target in Barca's recent 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid as a case in point.
At just 23, Araujo is one of many young talents, alongside Gavi and Pedri, who are providing the cornerstone of Barca's rebirth following their financial troubles and the loss of Lionel Messi. However, Araujo's contract is set to expire in 2023 and talks are said to have stalled despite Barcelona offering a threefold wage increase.
Chelsea had reportedly made the most progress as clubs look to lure him away but sanctions against Roman Abramovich have halted negotiations. Liverpool are also admirers and are hoping to take advantage of Araujo's contract stand-off with Barcelona in order to secure the defender for a cut price.
Lucas Paqueta - 87 Potential Rating
Twenty-four-year-old Lucas Paqueta looks set to be the next marquee signing of the new era for Newcastle United, with the Magpies said to be lining up a bid for the attacking midfielder.
Paqueta began his career with Flamengo, before a £30million deal took the Brazilian to AC Milan. Just the solitary league goal in two seasons at the San Siro questioned whether Paqueta was truly destined for greatness, and eyebrows were raised at the £18million fee paid by Lyon to bring the midfielder to France.
Paqueta has silenced the doubters, however, proving a revelation at the French side, completely transforming his game and netting 16 times during his season-and-a-half with the club. In fact, Paqueta was in the top 5% of midfielders for non-penalty goals in his first season with Les Gones.
Fellow Brazilian Bruno Guimaraes made the switch from Lyon to Tyneside in January and much could ride on how well he has acclimatised to the north-east. Arsenal are another possible destination and could hold a crucial advantage should they be able to secure Champions League spot come the end of the season.
