We've now had plenty of time to get to grips with EA Sports FC 24, and of all the burning questions we had going in to the new era of football games, one remains unanswered.
Can you win the Premier League on FC 24 career mode with an all-Irish team?
It seems ludicrous. Fanciful, even. The last time an Irish player was a regular starter in a Premier League-winning team was John O'Shea's elite 2008-09 season at Manchester United, for heaven's sake.
But we choose not to be burdened by the weight of history sitting upon our shoulders. We've taken on this daunting task - we're going to bring the Irish team all the way to the top.
Well, on FC 24 that is.
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Our quest to win the Premier League with Irish players on FC 24
Our first step on this quest is to create the right manager. We've gone with the one, the only Bossman Steo to lead a bright, young Irish squad to Premier League glory.
We'll now need a suitably Irish-esque club team. Green kit, and a clover on their badge? It surely has to be Panathinaikos of Athens, who we'll slot in as one of the 20 Premier League teams.
After a summer of acquiring the best Irish talent in the game, the Premier League season is finally set to get underway. It's a standard looking side for the very first starting lineup of the season:
- Gavin Bazunu; Ryan Manning, John Egan (captain), Dara O'Shea, Nathan Collins, Matt Doherty; Josh Cullen, Will Smallbone, Jason Knight; Chiedozie Ogbene, Evan Ferguson
Our first game sees us take on Brighton and Hove Albion away from home and, poetically, it's their former man Evan Ferguson who sets us on the way for a sensational victory on the road to kick off our Premier League campaign.
It's not all going to be plain sailing, though. That win at Brighton is quickly followed by a crushing 4-0 defeat away to Burnley, and a stoppage time defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is the perfect representation of just how tough this crusade will be.
It's the question on everybody's lips - Can Ireland win the Premier League on EA FC24?🇮🇪
With Bossman Steo at the wheel, it'll be a walk in the park, right?😳@VirginMediaIE | #ItsPlaytime pic.twitter.com/I8HoZYAipS— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) October 26, 2023
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We persevere.
The signs are there that there could be something cooking in this Irish squad, but it won't be easy.
Next up is a home game against West Ham, the first home tie of the season, and we have the chance to get our season back on track. It's going to be a long campaign, so we're going to have to sim some games - this one ends up in a 3-0 defeat.
Feck.
This season is unravelling fast, and we're only just outside of the relegation zone. In desperate need of a result, we can't leave our away clash with Fulham to chance.
Fergie time. Three goals in five games, the youngster is in electric form - and after putting Panathinaikos Ireland 1-0 up, he sets Alan Browne up for the crucial second. 2-1 win and we're back in business.
Well, until the following game, which sees us fall to yet another defeat at the hands of Wolves. Things are getting nervy now, and a trip to Everton is now yet another must-win game for Bossman Steo and the boys.
We can't get it over the line. Another last minute winner is a kick in the teeth after Fergie had gotten us level once again.
The Éire Takeover - Ep. 2
Following a mixed start to the season, Bossman Steo continues on his quest to win the Premier League with Ireland in FC24☘️@VirginMediaIE | #ItsPlaytime pic.twitter.com/sjwNbZInlV— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) October 31, 2023
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Seven games in, our record reads two wins, five defeats. It's not looking good for Bossman Steo and the boys.
Is this squad good enough to go all the way to Premier League glory?
Stay tuned for updates from our FC 24 career mode quest.