FIFA 22 Ultimate Team players have been eagerly anticipating the release of the 16th instalment of the Team of the Week, with players from across the globe seeing their stats boosted following stellar displays in their respective leagues.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the standout performers to make the cut for the first week of 2022 as well all the players to have been rewarded with a coveted in-form card.

N'Golo Kante - 92

Mateo Kovacic's goal of the season contender may have grabbed the headlines on the day, but take nothing away from N'Golo Kante's performance in the Chelsea midfield alongside the Croatian in the pulsating 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday.

The Frenchman picked out Christian Pulisic for his side's equaliser and produced a typically assured display in the engine room with three key passes, three successful dribbles, five out of seven ground duels won and an 86% pass accuracy.

Already one of the Premier League's most expensive Ultimate Team cards at a 90 rating, Kante's second in-form of the game sees him stake a claim as a dynamic midfield enforcer with a 92-rated item possessing 89 defending, 86 physical and 85 dribbling.

Phil Foden - 87

Providing the attacking spark that was needed to propel the champions over the line, Phil Foden was on song for Manchester City against Brentford and ensured the Citizens would keep their healthy lead atop the Premier League table with the only goal in a 1-0 win.

With only 16 minutes on the clock, Foden met Kevin De Bruyne's ball and produced a deft finish with his left foot that was not easy to execute, and he also finished the day with a 90% pass accuracy.

Like Kante, Foden has been rewarded with his second TOTW item of FIFA 22 - this time with an 87 rating - as stats of 90 dribbling, 88 pace and 83 shooting make him a highly usable option on the left-hand side.

Gerard Pique - 86

Still a staple of the Barcelona XI at 34 years of age, Gerard Pique put in an eye-catching defensive display to ensure that La Blaugrana would kick 2022 off on the right foot with victory over Real Mallorca.

The Spaniard won all four of his ground duels, seven of his nine aerial battles, made five clearances, four blocks and two interceptions during a monster performance, as well as drawing three very useful fouls.

Pique is certainly not the most sought-after card given his distinct lack of pace, but stats of 87 defending and 81 physical on his 86-rated in-form could still come in handy.

FIFA 22 TEAM OF THE WEEK 16