FIFA 12 | So You Want A… Goalkeeper (Winter Update)


As it does around this time every year, EA has released a transfer update for FIFA 12. This patch updates the squads to include all the winter transfers, but also updates players’ OVR and potential in line with their performances so far this season. That of course means all the tables on this site need to be updated as well. What I have decided to do is keep the old ones in place for anyone who hasn’t (or can’t) downloaded the update yet and make fresh tables for the updated squads. So, first up are goalkeepers.

The first thing you’ll notice on the table below is that there are a lot of new faces, and some familiar names are missing. Gone are Vid Belec (new potential: 77), Thibaut Courtois (too good for these tables now with a new OVR of 76) and, perhaps most surprisingly, Alex Smithies (new potential: 77). However, in their place come some really exciting prospects. For the first time there are some serious talents at good prices – whereas on the previous table the best (affordable) GK was Belec with a potential of 85, now you can get one with a potential of 86 or even 88!

So, here are my recommendations:

  • Nicola Leali
  • Stefanos Kapino
  • Nikolay Zabolotnyy

Bursting on to the scene is Nicola Leali. His previous potential was a strong 79 (with OVR 61), but now he has a stunning potential of 88. He’s only got 2 years left on his Brescia contract, so get him quick or his wages will rise when he signs a new contract.

Stefanos Kapino is another player to receive a big potential boost. His potential is now 86 and he’s going for relative peanuts at £3.4m.

Finally, the bargain of the list is Nikolay Zabolotnyy. £2m is ridiculously cheap for the prospect of getting an 84 rated GK. Move fast to avoid a price hike.

As always, cheaper does not necessarily mean worse; Alphonse Aréola is younger, better and almost £1.5m cheaper than Rémi Pillot, and has a higher potential than him. The best thing to do is to make sure you keep checking these players, as their prices and OVR may fluctuate radically after over time. If you’ve had any experience of this (especially if a player’s price drops), please post it in the comments.

Please bear in mind that these figures may not be exactly the same on your game. These stats are taken from my own personal experiences, but are likely to be very similar to those on your own game.

Now, on to the new and complete list:

[table id=12 /]