EA FC 26 is finally here, and as always, one of the most hotly debated aspects of launch season is player ratings. The Premier League is the most-watched league in the world, and Ultimate Team players always want to know which stars got the upgrades they deserved, which names were snubbed, and which ratings are just plain wrong.

The Lone 85: Phil Foden

The ratings list begins with a surprise. Phil Foden is the only 85-rated player to crack the top 25 Premier League cards. That doesn't mean he's the only 85 overall in the database, but he's the only one EA considered worthy of this elite list.

Foden is undeniably talented, but many feel his rating doesn't quite reflect his inconsistency at FC 26 Coins Manchester City. Goldbridge made an interesting comparison: Matheus Cunha of Wolves has been given just an 83 despite strong form last season. If Foden is an 85, Cunha arguably deserves the same treatment.

Other notable players in the low-80s include Rayan Cherki (81) and João Pedro (79), both with potential but still needing to prove themselves in the Premier League spotlight.

The 86-Rated Group: Mixed Opinions

Moving into the 86 bracket, the debates really begin. The players include:

Rúben Dias

Bruno Guimarães

Ibrahima Konaté

Tijjani Reijnders

Sandro Tonali

Goldbridge's main issue here is with Rúben Dias. He sees the Manchester City defender as slightly overrated at 86, arguing that Konaté is the better center-back in both real life and the game.

"Dias has been living off his team-of-the-year reputation," Goldbridge claimed, pointing out that he'd rank Dias closer to 85.

Meanwhile, Bruno Guimarães and Tonali both received fair nods at 86, reflecting Newcastle's strong midfield rebuild. But Goldbridge balked at Reijnders getting the same treatment, especially with names like Ryan Gravenberch left out of the conversation.

The 87s: Strong But With One Snub

The next bracket contains some heavy hitters:

David Raya

Bruno Fernandes

Moisés Caicedo

William Saliba

Cole Palmer

Martin Ødegaard

Alexis Mac Allister

Victor Gyökeres

Declan Rice

Goldbridge praised this group as one of the most balanced in the ratings. Palmer's rise to 87 feels deserved after a breakout season at Chelsea, and Ødegaard, Mac Allister, and Caicedo all look accurate.

The main complaint? Declan Rice. Goldbridge argued Rice belongs in the 88 category alongside the league's very best midfielders. Given his transformative impact at Arsenal and role in England's midfield, many fans agree this rating is a touch low.

The 88s: The Real Difference-Makers

The 88-rated club includes:

Gabriel Magalhães

Bukayo Saka

Alexander Isak

Goldbridge once again circled back to the Rice debate here. If Gabriel can sit at 88, why is Saliba at 87? Statistically and stylistically, many would argue Saliba has surpassed his Arsenal teammate.

That said, Saka absolutely deserves his 88, continuing his upward trajectory as Arsenal's most dangerous attacker. Isak also looks fairly rated after a stellar season leading Newcastle's attack.

The 89s: Controversy Arrives

The 89 group features a fascinating mix:

Alisson Becker

Gianluigi Donnarumma

Florian Wirtz

Alisson is widely accepted as the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, so no debates there. But the inclusion of Donnarumma and Wirtz raised eyebrows.

Neither has played in the Premier League yet, with Donnarumma rated off his Champions League exploits with buy FIFA Coins PSG and Wirtz boosted by a sensational season at Bayer Leverkusen. Their cards look fantastic, but Goldbridge questioned whether it's fair to place them above established Premier League stars like Rice, Saka, or Ødegaard.