West Ham United fans will be shocked by young hero Declan Rice’s rating on the upcoming FIFA 19 video game and some are already hitting out.
There were raised expectations for West Ham this season.
The appointment of title-winning manager Manuel Pellegrini and a £100 million spend on 10 new players meant the Hammers would surely enjoy a comfortable season.
But four defeats in their opening four Premier League games told a different story.
Pellegrini finally got his first points on the board thanks to a surprise 3-1 victory away at Everton last time out.
Many of West Ham’s players put in performances worthy of the man of the match award at Goodison Park.
At 19, though, Declan Rice perhaps shone that bit brighter than anyone else.
Rice was everywhere and dominated the midfield.
Talent beyond his years… just not on FIFA 19
In fact he dictated the play in a way that belied his tender years.
It was a masterclass in how to run a game from the middle of the park.
Tackling, intercepting, breaking up attacks and setting his own team off on what proved to be deadly counters.
Hammers supporters love the latest graduate from their famous academy.
Many see Rice as the obvious candidate to take over the club captaincy from Mark Noble when the time comes.
So for the West Ham faithful who also enjoy video games there was bemusement when the club’s FIFA 19 player ratings were announced this week.
Less than Sanchez? Really?
Rice was given just 69 by EA Sports in the new game which launches next week (whufc.com).
The young star, who has Ireland and England fighting over his international allegiance, received low marks all round.
Pace 59, Dribbling 54, Shooting 32, Defending 69, Passing 51 and Physical power 70.
His score was eight less than 32-year-old Carlos Sanchez (77), only one better than youth prodigy flop Reece Oxford (68), six less than Robert Snodgrass and 10 less than Javier Hernandez (79) to name but a few.
Some fans made their feelings clear over Rice’s low rating on Twitter and also felt Marko Arnautovic (80) should have been higher.
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