Fansided

5 teams to play as in FIFA 19 career mode

By Benjamin Barkworth

Atletico Madrid's Spanish forward Diego Costa (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League first round football match between AS Monaco and Atletico Madrid at the Stade Louis II, in Monaco, on September 18, 2018. (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP) (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid's Spanish forward Diego Costa (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League first round football match between AS Monaco and Atletico Madrid at the Stade Louis II, in Monaco, on September 18, 2018. (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP) (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images) /
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THESSALONIKI, GREECE – SEPTEMBER 20: Willian (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal for Chelsea during the UEFA Europa League Group L match between PAOK and Chelsea at Toumba Stadium on September 20, 2018 in Thessaloniki, Greece. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
THESSALONIKI, GREECE – SEPTEMBER 20: Willian (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal for Chelsea during the UEFA Europa League Group L match between PAOK and Chelsea at Toumba Stadium on September 20, 2018 in Thessaloniki, Greece. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images) /

Chelsea

The Blues are in a brave new era. They have finally brought in a manager with a proactive style of play who can rejuvenate the club. In Sarri, they have one of the most visionary managers in world soccer. He implemented an entertaining style during his time at Napoli that was effective at getting results without spending large amounts in the transfer market.

His transition at Chelsea has gone smoothly so far. The Blues have 16 points in six league games, even though they have had to adapt to a highly demanding technical and tactical style. Sarri deserves a lot of credit for his coaching ability. He prioritizes having options around the ball at times, which allows them to utilize quick, vertical passages of play while also having plenty of players around the ball to counter-press when they lose possession. Eden Hazard is a huge beneficiary from this shift as it finally unleashes his full potential as an attacking force.

FIFA 19’s new tactics feature allows this style to be replicated successfully in-game, so they’ll be an appealing team to use. Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and Kepa Arrizabalaga have all joined the club this summer in order to ensure they had players in key positions capable of enacting the manager’s instructions. Jorginho is a pass-master while Kovacic links up well with others for interplay and breaks the opposition lines with his dribbling. Kepa ensures they have an 11th passing option, so they can build up effectively and navigate around a high press if needed.

Unfortunately, Chelsea aren’t in the Champions League, but this means resources can be prioritized toward the league because the Europa League shouldn’t be too hard of a competition until the latter stages. Dethroning Manchester City as well as competing with Liverpool will be a tough ask, but it certainly provides a thrilling test.

Chelsea’s youth academy means that they could be an intriguing multi-season playthrough because players such as Tammy Abraham, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount are likely to develop significantly if given game-time. Utilizing the academy graduates and loanees rather than bringing in new signings could be a potential challenge.

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