The long-awaited FIFA 23 is finally here! With a full database revealed, we can reveal five players that have had dramatic pace downgrades in the new game.

Pace is a vital part of any FIFA game. This is why speedsters are often highly desired in Ultimate Team, with players like Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Mohamed Salah and many more always going for a pretty penny.

But as players get older or take on injuries, pace can be lost - which can turn them into a much worse player in a FIFA sense.

With this - let's take a look at 5 players who have had dramatic pace downgrades in FIFA 23.

Read More: FIFA 23: Release date, pre-order, Pro Clubs, Volta, Career Mode, cover and everything we know so far


Axel Witsel

Axel Witsel of Atletico runs with the ball

LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 13: Axel Witsel of Atletico runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League group B match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid at BayArena on September 13, 2022 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

  • FIFA 22 Pace: 61
  • FIFA 23 Pace: 34

Overall downgrade: -27

The Atletico Madrid man may as well have had his legs chopped off. What on earth justifies a -27 pace downgrade?


Jerome Boateng

Jerome Boateng for Lyon
  • FIFA 22 Pace: 72
  • FIFA 23 Pace: 47

Overall downgrade: -25

Another man who has fallen victim to a huge downgrade. Jerome Boateng is all but unusable in FIFA 23.


Charles Aranquiz

Charles Aranquiz of Bayer Leverkusen
  • FIFA 22 Pace: 65
  • FIFA 23 Pace: 46

Overall downgrade: -19

The Chilean CDM is the last of the major pace downgrades on our list. -19 is a hefty blow.


Julian Alvarez

Julian Alvarez of Manchester City in action during the UEFA Champions League group G match

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Julian Alvarez of Manchester City in action during the UEFA Champions League group G match between Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund at Etihad Stadium on September 14, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

  • FIFA 22 Pace: 84
  • FIFA 23 Pace: 76

Overall downgrade: -8

Now this one isn't as drastic as the others, but my word what were EA thinking? A young player that's developing into a top talent and he's hit with a -8 pace downgrade. Very strange this one.


Dejan Kulusevski

Dejan Kulusevski of Tottenham Hotspur in action during the UEFA Champions League group D match

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 07: Dejan Kulusevski of Tottenham Hotspur in action during the UEFA Champions League group D match between Tottenham Hotspur and Olympique Marseille at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 07, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

  • FIFA 22 Pace: 84
  • FIFA 23 Pace: 78

Overall downgrade: -6

Finally, another massive injustice, Dejan Kulusevski has had a -6 pace downgrade in FIFA 23. The Swedish maestro was immense for Tottenham Hotspur last season, and we can't for the life of us work out why EA have decreased his pace stat by this much.


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