The Heat is on!

The heat is most certainty on right now. Just several weeks ago it appeared to be Chelsea's title to lose, and to some extent it remains that way, however its a much tighter race now than ever between title hopefuls Chelsea and Arsenal.

Let us not forget the constant threat JM and his men from the red half of Manchester still pose. Although another draw at home dents their own hopes of an unlikely assault at the title themselves, they still hold the key to the title race with big games against both Chelsea and Arsenal still ahead.

First up its at home against Chelsea. Perhaps the moment of the season that awaits us. We have waited so long for SB or JM to win a title in England - is this the moment which propels SB closer than ever before. A loss could be fatal, and would be a 3rd loss in a row for the would be champions, surely giving Arsenal full control in the title race.

SB sure has his critics. A champion in most people's books. Countless titles to his name with Barcelona, including an unforgettable 'Treble' winning season. However, having never won a title outside of Spain - is his legend just a myth? Was he simply blessed with a magnificent line up, or was it his genius and tenacity to bring them together as a group to win those titles. The jury is still out on that one.

There is no doubt JM has always trailed when it comes to the 'Trophy Cabinet', however he can boast winning significant titles with 2 teams from different leagues. A point not lost on many pundits. After winning a league title and 2 cups with Real Madrid in the past, it was JM's Champions League victory with Manchester United last season that was no doubt his greatest ever achievement having come so heartbreakingly close in the past.

The moment of truth is upon SB now, can he live up to his billing. Or will he leave Chelsea trophyless after a handful of seasons in charge. Lets not forget he is still also alive in the Champions League and FA Cup, so his chances of an unlikely 'Treble' still exist for now. Surely a title in at least one of these competitions is a must in order to keep his job in London.

First up, he meets Manchester United in a what promises to be a true classic. We simply cannot wait for this one...strap yourselves in kids!

A tense SB in a press conference following Chelsea's 2nd loss on the trot

Season Update - "It's Chelsea's season to lose now"

How time flies when your having fun as they say - and isn't SB and his merry Chelsea men having some fun this season. Riding a cloud of free flowing, (almost) injury free football all the way to the top of the English football ladder.

With little more than 10 games to still to play, lets be honest anything can happen, however many industry pundits have already declared it Chelsea's season to lose now.

SB deserves the credit thus far, however he'll need to step up his game for the reminder of the season as those lowly ranked teams will now no doubt muscle up in defence while they scrabble in that relegation battle for points.

Costa has been tremendous for Chelsea this season

The main challengers to Chelsea should they slip up (pardon the pun Steven Gerard), comes from the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United. At this stage Arsenal seem the most likely to finish top should Chelsea lose a few games, considering the wretched luck United has had this season by way of injuries.

"It's been a very unlucky season." JM spoke to MUTV yesterday.

"We've lost Zlatan and Pogba to long term injuries, and now Pogba is out again. We lost Martial, Rashford for a period, Eric Bailly...Valencia - its been very difficult to manage.
"But the loss of Zlatan at a time when he was really finding his feet here was the hardest to take."

Some might even say had Ibrahimovic not been out for such a period time the Red Devils may have given this title a serious run.

Zlatan and Pogba have been key to United this season despite long term injuries

In the Champions League things are less certain for Chelsea as they face a must win or draw game in their group in order to progress. Considering their European form this season it is by far from guaranteed.

Defending European Champions Manchester United on the other hand appear safely through as group winners with a game still to play.
"We just hope the next draw will be kind to us."

The season continues....

Chelsea struggle in the group stages, Man U find a way to win

The contrasting fortunes of Chelsea and Manchester United are once again clear to see.

One side dominating their games, having tons of scoring chances, yet somehow conceding late to lose very winnable games. You would say a typical Manchester United performance.

The other side battling, not really playing well, yet staying resilient before finding a way to win. A trait of every SB coached side.

Yet, hang on, the roles now appear reversed. SB and his Chelsea side dominating their opposition in the two opening group games yet conceding late to lose both games - very uncharacteristic and showing signs of a team lacking confidence.

"I don't know how we lost this game." SB spoke after the loss to Napoli.
"I know we'll get through this group stage but clearly these results have been disappointing."

Finding a way to win, usually late in the game, well that's usually a SB side. Not at the moment. Manchester United absorbed and defended, and waited for their moment before scoring late in both opening occasions to sit top of their group. This shows how far this United team has come under JM, and just what sort of confidence they took from winning that Champions League crown last season.

"We are defending Champions - and so we must play like one's" JM spoke to the media after the win against CSKA Moscow.

"We have new additions to the team, and no doubt this makes us much better than last year. We now have more confidence we can find a way to win with every chance we create. I am proud of the team today."

Chelsea's Hazard has been a shining light despite their struggles to start the new UCL campaign

New EPL season off and firing

It was an off season full of uncertainty for some, and celebrations and champagne popping for others.
The contrasting off seasons of managers SB and JM couldn't be further apart.

After another solid yet trophyless season, SB was deflecting gun shots from all sides.

From the Chelsea board who questioned whether SB was the man to lead them into a new season despite his record of zero silverware for the cash rich club.
From the fans, who are crying out for the same type of success he regularly brought to Barcelona. And from himself - was a change needed to freshen himself up.

To be fair, he had options. Liverpool and Arsenal seemed the likely contenders if SB was to move on. However, his conviction stood firm and he wasn't about to pull out of a job he feels is desperately unfinished. All sides eventually sticking with SB and Chelsea for another campaign.

JM on the other hand led the celebrations all off season after Manchester United historically claimed the Champions League title on that glorious evening in Milan. It was the title he has chased the most. It was the white whale which had so cunningly eluded him for his entire career. So not many would at all blame him if he spent any extra week or two celebrating the famous victory, however JM wasn't about to let the success follow through and hamper the start of a new campaign.

"We certainly celebrated the win - the party was big". JM said in pre-season.
"But once we celebrated, it was back to business and now I want this confidence to filter through to the new season - we have a title to defend, and I want success in England where to be honest we were not anywhere near good enough last season."

And so with that - and with new additions to their respective squads, both SB and JM have both started the new season well - very well indeed. Currently both sitting a top the EPL ladder undefeated after 3 games. Both sides look well coached this season, and very well prepared. With Man City, Liverpool, and Arsenal also looking strong - we could be set for the most exciting Premier League season on record. 

New signing Zlatan has been huge for United in the opening rounds of the season

The all new FPA 'Trophy Cabinet'

Announcement: You may or may not have heard of the recent decision to scrap the FPA ranking points system, which now seems rather out dated and unnecessary. If we can remember it was brought in at a time during the FIFA leagues fiasco and SB and JM played strictly head to head and were forced to create their own competitions.

For the record though, taking into account recent Champions League results, our rankings officially finished like this;

1. SB (3,200 points)
2. JM (2,850 points)

Well done SB. Finishing number 1 is well deserved.

However we are now happy to introduce a new, more traditional way of keeping track of titles won.
Welcome to the 'Trophy Cabinet'.

We at the FPA have gone through the archives to cross-check all titles won over the course of the past 7 editions of FIFA.

As the Trophy Cabinet will demonstrate, SB has clearly dominated in the league since titles were first recorded back in 2010 (SB having won 4 titles with Barcelona including 3 in a row) (JM winning 1 title with Real Madrid).

SB and JM both have 2 Cup titles to their names (both winning their titles in Spain with Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively).

SB and JM have now both recorded a Champions League title (SB - Barcelona 2011) (JM - Manchester United 2016).

Fifa 16 Player of the year: SB or JM

On the eve of FIFA 17 kick off, we compare the achievements of SB and JM for their FIFA 16 campaigns.

No doubt until recently, SB probably had this award in his back pocket. He locked this up when he won another La Liga in his last spell at Barcelona. It was his 3rd La Liga in a row - an astonishing achievement in itself - but it was also his only trophy for FIFA 16. Since re-joining Chelsea however, although finishing 2nd in the league, and semi finalist in the Champions League, he has once again finished a season without adding a trophy.

It must be noted that despite winning 4 La Liga's titles, 2 Copa Del Rey's, and a Champions League - he has never won anything when not in charge of Barcelona. One must wonder was it the team, perhaps the greatest ensemble of players in history, or the coach, responsible for all the titles.

JM, on the other hand, has had a couple of pretty miserable league campaigns, in Spain and most recently in England. However, JM has now done something SB has never achieved - he's won a title with another team. Not just any title - an elusive Champions League title.

So, considering everything just said, FPA takes great pleasure in announcing its FIFA 16 Player of the Year: JM.

Purely based on the remarkable Champions League victory in taking unfancied Manchester United all the way. Possibly the greatest achievement of anyone in all time FIFA history.



Player of the year JM celebrates his long awaited Champions League win

"Greatest Victory" JM and Man Utd win Champions League

In the wee hours of Saturday Oct 1, 2016 - history happened. After years of trying and countless heart break and disappointment, JM took his Manchester United team to ultimate glory and claim his first ever Champions League title.

It seemed destined to be - perhaps written in the stars that glorious evening. On what was supposed to be the debut of a new FIFA 17 pre-season, suddenly we found ourselves in a run which would ultimately end with a final date at the San Siro.

Earlier that evening, with Manchester City already seemingly having 2 hands on the trophy, the EPL season was simulated . Although Chelsea remained in touch, they never looked realistically a chance.

Likewise the FA Cup was scrapped and simulated as both players agreed time was an issue.
This left us with one piece of business in the current format of FIFA 16, and that was the completion of the Champions League season.

Both Manchester Utd and Chelsea found themselves through to the Round of 16 after fairly convincing group stages. Chelsea in particular breezing through and certainty saw themselves a chance to progress to the later stages of the tournament.

JM and his Man Utd team however struggled in the early stages of the groups, losing their first 2 games before finding their groove and moving through rather convincingly.

No body however saw the Red side of Manchester however doing too much damage in the business end. An average team at best which struggled to even make the top 5 of the EPL this season, would almost certainly be bundled out in quick time before the big teams fought out the title.

However JM didn't read that script. Wins against Shaktar and Napoli put Utd suddenly through to the Semi Final against German big guns Dormund. Suddenly a massive upset started to look possible.

On the other half of the draw, SB and his Chelsea team looked just as comfortable as they made light work of Inter Milan and Juventus. They faced German champions Bayern Munich for a place in the final. Semi finals to dream of. A dream all English final was possible. A SB/JM final - what a thought.

After a stalement first tie, Chelsea certainly had the better of the running at home against Bayern in the return leg. They were rewarded with a 1st half goal and looked like they might just hang on for a finals birth until disaster struck. A bizarre back pass gifted Bayern the easiest of away goals and ultimately ended the Blues season in emotional circumstances. SB would be left to ponder what should and could have been. Unlucky SB, a finals spot would have been well deserved.

In the other semi - Utd and Dormund played a spirited, entertaining 1st tie, with Dormund sneaking a last minute winner at away at Old Trafford.
However the return leg was all Manchester. A truly dominate display - 3 goals within 60 mins sealed United through to their first ever final under JM. It would be his 3rd attempt at a title with his first 2 finals coming under the management of Real Madrid.

Once again he would face off with arch nemesis Bayern Munich.
United would be rewarded for early dominance with a goal from Juan Mata after a brilliant early cross from Ashley Young.
As almost expected, United paid for nerves and copped an equaliser mid way through the 2nd half. This game was destined for a shootout from that moment on.

After misses from Juan Mata and Memphis Depay, it looked like the Fifa gods would once again deny JM a chance at glory until the heroics of one David De Gea. This was his moment. Down to the final kick - De Gea pulls out a giant stop to record a historic win for the ages.

Emotion overtook the coaches technical area. JM almost in tears. "This is my greatest ever victory - greatest ever moment in FIFA".

And few could argue the significance of the win. With this team, average at best, winning a competition which has proved almost impossible since that historic treble winning team of Barcelona in FIFA 11.

Now with the monkey off the back there is no telling how far JM and Manchester United could travel in the future.

"I feel like we just made the impossible feel possible." JM screamed to his fans today.

What a way to finish the FIFA 16 edition and welcome a new era.



Victory never tasted so sweet



The result: United victorious in penalties