It's that time of year again, where the release of the latest FIFA game sees the release of the overall ratings assigned to every player in the game, which rarely go down to well with the pros themselves, just ask David Meyler.
Fans tend to get very upset if they deem their favourite players to be underrated, and we're as guilty as anyone in that regard as we have labelled Seamus Coleman's 81 overall and James McClean's 74 overall unacceptable.
But if you are a career mode player, and there are dozens of them still out there, overall ratings don't mean too much in the grand scheme of things. Potential rating is a much more relevant statistic, as it will tell you how far you can progress a player with a bit of TLC in terms of development and playing time.
While EA Sports do use real scouts as well as local experts to determine their player ratings, it goes without saying that there are no guarantees these lads will go on to be stars, but it's interesting to see how those who make these decisions think Irish football will look like in the future.
Liam Kelly has a potential overall of 82 and at 21 years-of-age is the most promising young Irish player, but Reading will demand a hefty fee for his services so we've had to go deeper.
We've analysed the stats from SoFIFA.com and picked out five League of Ireland players, and five Irish teenagers playing in England, who have potential to grow into strong Premier League calibre players, and all of these guys will be available for next to nothing in career mode if you want to include some Irishmen in your squad as you take over the world (of football).
League Of Ireland Teenagers:
Jonathan Lunney - CM - St.Patrick's Athletic - 19
Pats midfielder Lunney can reach an overall rating of 76, which for comparison to the current squad is the rating given to Harry Arter. His pace and dribbling are the stats that will grow the most, and as he's available for a few hundred thousand euro he's a great option for anyone starting a lower league career.
Shane Blaney - CB - Finn Harps - 18
Shane Blaney of Finn Harps maxes out at 76 overall which is what Ciaran Clark - Ireland's highest rated CB in FIFA 18 - was given. He turns into a pacey and physical defender which are the two most important aspects of defending in the game.
Conor McDermott - RB - Derry City - 19
Derry fullback Conor McDermott is capable of hitting 75 overall and with pace that starts at 72 he turns into a true speed demon, making him an absolute gem in career mode, and a natural successor for Seamus Coleman if you're managing the national team too.
Trevor Clarke - LM - Shamrock Rovers - 19
Trevor Clarke is the first of two Shamrock Rovers youngsters on the list has he can reach 74 overall with his pace making him a dangerous wide player. For current Ireland squad perspective, that's the same rating James McClean was given this year.
Aaron Bolger - CM - Shamrock Rovers - 17
The roughest diamond on this list, Bolger starts at an unusable 49 overall but has by far the biggest range for development as he can reach a 72, with solid pace and passing making him a good squad player in the Premier League if you are in it for the long term.
Irish Teenagers Playing In England:
Conor Ronan - CAM - Wolverhampton Wanderers - 19
A star at underage level, Ronan is a player that you can use right away at any level thanks to his pace, and grows to an excellent 79 overall - the same rating currently given to Marouane Fellaini, although don't hold that against him.
Declan Rice - CDM - West Ham United - 18
Rice was always going to be on this list after making the breakthrough into the Hammers' first team under Slaven Bilic, and while we're all excited about his potenital in real life, in FIFA 18 he is a tremendous career mode signing and turns into a 78 overall with regular playing time.
Josh Barrett - CM - Reading - 19
Reading's Josh Barrett can also hit 78, the rating given to James McCarthy this year, and develops into a really good all-around player who can play anywhere across the midfield.
Jayson Molumby - CM - Brighton & Hove Albion - 17
Having heard good things about his progress at Brighton it's no surprise to see Molumby on this list and he is capable of growing to 75 overall, the rating that Jeff Hendrick was granted this time out.
Graham Kelly - LB - Port Vale - 19
Port Vale's Graham Kelly is also able to reach 75 overall and develops into a fine full-back with good pace and good technical stats to link up with attacking play. Available for next to nothing, the right training routine will see him shoot up in overall rating in no time.
So those are the best young Irish players in FIFA 18, check out the list from 17 and see who managed to make the list for the second year in a row:
