10 Premier League Players You Never Knew Owned A Bronze FIFA Card

Earlier this week, Kevin de Bruyne earned himself an upgraded 91-rated Gold card on FIFA 18 after arguably his best season to date for impending Premier League champions Manchester City.

But once upon a time, the Belgian midfielder was a 64-rated, centre forward card.

It got us thinking - was there any other Premier League players who once owned a Bronze FIFA card? From Kevin de Bruyne to Riyad Mahrez, some of the league's biggest talents were given low-rated cards at an early age.

A prime example of rapid improvement in-game is Southampton midfielder Sofiane Boufal, who has gone from a 63-rated bronze card in FIFA 15 to becoming a 80-rated gold in FIFA 17.

The 23-year-old's incredible +17 card boost in the space of two years epitomises his rather special rise to the top.

Here are some other Premier League players who have gone from Bronze to Gold down the years. Special shout-out to Kevin de Bruyne, what a transformation.

Kevin de Bruyne

FIFA 10 (64-rated) > FIFA 17 (89-rated IF)

Pace (+11)
Dribbling (+22)
Shooting (+25)
Defense (+1)
Passing (+31)

Dele Alli

FIFA 14 (54-rated) > FIFA 17 (80-rated)

Pace (+12)
Dribbling (+19)
Shooting (+28)
Defense (+17)
Passing (+19)

Chris Smalling

FIFA 10 (58-rated) > FIFA 17 (84-rated)

Pace (+19)
Dribbling (+38)
Shooting (+23)
Defense (+22)
Passing (+19)

Hector Bellerin

FIFA 14 (56-rated) > FIFA 17 (79-rated)

Pace (+18)
Dribbling (+13)
Shooting (+4)
Defense (+22)
Passing (+15)

Paul Pogba

FIFA 12 (55-rated) > FIFA 17 (88-rated)

Pace (+9)
Dribbling (+49)
Shooting (+46)
Defense (+14)
Passing (+37)

Xherdan Shaqiri

FIFA 10 (61-rated) > FIFA 17 (82-rated)

Pace (+24)
Dribbling (+27)
Shooting (+20)
Defense (-6)
Passing (+17)

Riyad Mahrez

FIFA 13 (58-rated) > FIFA 17 (85-rated)

Pace (+0)
Dribbling (+21)
Shooting (+28)
Defense (+5)
Passing (+22)

Andre Gray

FIFA 15 (56-rated) > FIFA 17 (75-rated)

Pace (+3)
Dribbling (+15)
Shooting (+18)
Defense (-4)
Passing (+27)

Eric Dier

FIFA 12 (61-rated) > FIFA 17 (78-rated)

Pace (-4)
Dribbling (+11)
Shooting (+23)
Defense (+14)
Passing (+27)

What a difference a few years make.

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Topics: gaming news, Football News, GAMING, Football, Kevin de Bruyne, FIFA 18

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_