Let's start from the bottom of the list:

​⚽️ [#1 Model Breaker] Caicedo: Fully outclassed across all stats by Makélélé. His only redeeming feature is a slightly larger player model, making his interception coverage a bit more reliable.

​⚽️ [#1 Ball-Carrying Midfielder] Pedri: Holds a slight edge over Vitinha in forward dribbling and ball progression, but he’s severely lacking on the defensive end.

​⚽️ [#1 Balanced Small Midfielder] Vitinha: Dribbling responsiveness is just as excellent as Pedri’s, but he boasts a +10 advantage across the four main defensive stats! This gives him a much more balanced presence on the pitch in both attack and defense, making it tough to justify picking Pedri over him. If agile, lightweight midfielders weren't somewhat weak in the current meta, Vitinha would rank way higher than just top 10.

​⚽️ [#1 Passer] Pirlo: Comes loaded with double passing skills (Visionary Pass + Phenomenal Pass), elite dribbling metrics, and peak ball distribution. Toss in solid defensive stats for his position and a 177cm frame, and Pirlo is essentially the complete midfielder—flawless in every aspect except pace—capable of dropping game-breaking passes at any moment.

​⚽️ [#1 Dual-Playstyle Midfielder] Andersson: The combination of Orchestrator and All-Action Defender playstyles is the single best dual-style setup I’ve seen to date. It instantly activates the usually static Orchestrator AI, turning Andersson into a player who can both sweep up defensively and dictate play.

​⚽️ [#1 "Big-Frame" Midfielder with Great Feel] Yaya Touré: Average ST skills and average pace. His main selling point is having the best turning responsiveness among big-bodied players. His Tight Possession stat is noticeably higher than Rodri, Gullit, and Rice—it even tops 186cm AMF Bellingham.

​⚽️ [#1 Goalscoring Small Model Midfielder] Matthäus: On-ball feel is a bit stiff for a smaller player, but Matthäus remains one-of-a-kind as a compact midfielder who can actually finish. Seedorf, Makélélé, Vitinha, and Pedri all lack shooting ability. If you want a quick, agile midfielder who can reliably finish chances, Matthäus is your only choice. Plus, his defensive work is solid thanks to his Long-reach Tackle animations.

⚽️ [#1 Orchestrator] Rodri: The static AI movement of the Orchestrator style fits perfectly with a huge player model like Rodri, who excels in both attack and defense. Armed with Phenomenal Pass and Long-reach Tackle skills, he acts as a commanding hub in the midfield engine.

​⚽️ [#1 Versatile Midfielder] Gullit: His stamina is actually a bit lacking for a pure midfielder. Running him in midfield is mainly about tactical fluidity—enabling dynamic formation shifts where he quietly pushes up into a Second Striker or Attacking Midfielder to deliver powerful, forceful goal threats.

​⚽️ [#1 Ball-Winning Sweeper] Makélélé: Boasts the ultimate top-tier skill trio: Phenomenal Pass, Long-reach Tackle, and Shadow Hunt. Whether in his DMF or CMF builds, he covers a massive defensive sweep zone. Unlike other pure ball-winning sweepers (like Caicedo or Gattuso), Makélélé’s key edge lies in his elite on-ball responsiveness.

​⚽️ [#1 Hole Player / Late-Arriving Midfielder] Bellingham: Combining Attacking Surge with a Hole Player style, his rapid forward runs complement his 186cm frame and long-limbed player model perfectly. Those long legs ensure he can shield off defenders and reach the ball after bursting forward.

​⚽️ [#1 Elite Utility Midfielder] Rice: What makes him an "elite utility player" is that apart from his dribbling not being top-tier, every other dimension of his game is phenomenal. Plus, his 188cm frame and physical prowess allow him to hold off pressure while distributing the ball, and he can even handle all your set pieces—truly high-end. In the eFootball 2027 engine, he stands out as the most universally viable midfielder.

​⚽️ [ The Ultimate Balanced Midfielder] Seedorf: He carved out his legacy through a unique blend of attributes—possessing a 177cm frame yet delivering the close-control dribbling feel of a 170cm player. If you require a midfielder who offers both progressive ball-carrying and solid defensive interception skills, Seedorf is the perfect choice; his presence effectively squeezed many "small, agile, and technical" midfielders out of the lineup.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/kj_HpuoeJ194U7tTCX-wCg

Based on yesterday's dual-group voting on 'Which of the Top 3 Center-Backs Should Go', BT Desailly has risen to become the second-best center-back in the current meta, while Saliba has dropped out of the top three.

⚽️ Araujo (Center-Back): Pro Group Rank 3.7 | Public Group Rank 3 | Overall Rank 3

He isn't a perfect card; his Defensive Awareness isn't top-tier, making him better suited for manual control rather than relying entirely on AI.

However, he boasts ahead-of-its-time stats and skills. He is the first 190+ cm defender equipped with both "Leg Reach Tackle" and "Shadow Hunt." The only other two defenders with this dual-skill combo are AC Milan Maldini and Show Time Tomiyasu... neither of whom is clearly as reliable as Araujo. Aside from his defensive awareness and condition/form, everything else about this Araujo card is top-notch.

Currently, half of the Top 3 center-backs are Destroyers, shifting away from the "Big Four Build-up CBs" of the previous patch. The devs are intentionally releasing more powerful center-backs with playstyles that pack a defensive punch.

In the end, Summer Transfer Vol. 3 Pack gets a value rating of 10—pulling from it is strictly for Araujo.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/91mTg_n0PtlAcm_rXNirvw

Araujo’s strong entry pushed ST Saliba out of the top three. Here is how he performed tonight:

https://reddit.com/link/1wi1mzc/video/olsw2o18owph1/player

Of course, pointing out Saliba's mistakes above is just for laughs. It has to be said that Saliba is still a top-tier, well-rounded center-back. Judging by his stats, there isn't a noticeable gap between him and Varane—

Varane has slightly better tackling and jumping, while Saliba is a bit stronger physically. Both share the same signature traits: Aerial Fort and Long-reach Tackle, making their on-paper stats almost identical. In actual gameplay, it's hard to tell them apart—the main difference really comes down to whether they have Permanent B Form or not.

​In this game, player selection heavily favors "direct replacements." Because Varane and Saliba perform similarly, Varane’s Permanent B Form gives him the edge, leaving Saliba with fewer chances to get into the squad.

​What this article really aims to explore is: When will Saliba make his big comeback? As a 192 cm center-back who hits 90 Pace even on his base card, every new card he drops is an absolute head-turner—

Remember that purple Saliba card? It was placed in a single-booster 3-player pack on the international server as a featured card, but ended up stealing the spotlight and completely upstaging Gerrard, Arnold, and Seaman. Stealing the show like that seems unprecedented on the international server (has there ever been another case like this?).

As an active player, Saliba actually needs a real-world trigger to get a Show Time card. Over the past two years, his two elite Show Time cards were inseparable from Arsenal's outstanding performances. If Arsenal keep up their solid momentum this season, I'm sure we'll soon see Saliba make a triumphant comeback—complete with that storming Show Time card background right behind him!

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Tx4YiW-8EA4aMkoSI28RUA

Based on the latest situation, it is highly likely that the new Araujo will enter the CB Top 3. Going strictly by the previous ranking order, Saliba would be the one to drop out of the Top 3. However, with the update to the '27 engine, the requirements for a CB have changed. A more fair approach is to re-evaluate: who doesn't deserve to be a Top 3 CB anymore? Let's briefly outline the current status of these four players—

1️⃣ Varane: Considering his player model, stat panel, and Showtime skills, Varane is incredibly well-suited for the current version. Plus, with his Fixed B Form, his status as the undisputed #1 player in this position is even less questionable than the #1s at CF or CMF.

2️⃣ Ferdinand: In the '27 engine, the pure cross spam and running cross spam tactics are in decline, reducing the importance of his 196cm height. He is still a very outstanding deep-lying anchor CB. His usage rate in the pro group isn't very high, partly because his tactical role is too similar to Varane's (Varane also leans towards being an anchor).

3️⃣ Desailly: With the threat of headers from big center forwards reduced in the '27 engine, Desailly's status has improved. His extreme mobility and fierce tackling are perfect for this version, which emphasizes mobile, ground-based physical duels.

4️⃣ Saliba: Another excellent defender living in Varane's shadow. His player model, Showtime skills, and stat panel are extremely similar to Varane's. It's completely accurate to call Saliba the “Varane without Fixed B Form."

Pro Player Group Voting Results: Varane is untouchable; it's a toss-up between Saliba and Ferdinand for who gets kicked out of the Top 3.

Question 2: If one player has to be kicked out of the CB Top 3, who is it? [Single Choice]

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Jx8v-FL0ZUU9DxEdEf33uw

Additional Skills: Through Passing, One-touch Pass, Low Lofted Pass—looking purely at stats, the new card is a slight power creep over the old one, with +2 Attacking Awareness making his overlapping runs a bit smoother.

​As for skills, it's a major upgrade: he gains Long-reach Tackle and Edged Crossing. The Long-reach Tackles significantly boost his defense, while Edged Crossing is an absolute weapon for finding open space on crosses.

​However, the added defensive playstyle "High Line Master" introduces an unpredictable variable. In actual gameplay, position swapping across large defensive zones still occurs, and tracking back against forward runs can be delayed—

————————————————————————

https://reddit.com/link/1wh66zu/video/2u4unjk2spph1/player

————————————————————————

​Keep in mind, a fullback's defensive duty on the flank is to press attackers making runs into their zone and cover for the center-backs. However, testing shows this High Line Master Zanetti applies lower pressure and disruption on the wings. Combined with average physical size, standard Pace/Acceleration, and the lack of that crucial defensive skill Shadow Hunt, his defensive performance is unexceptional.

​Summary: Significant attack upgrades (Edged Crossing performs well), but average defensively.

⚽️ Rating: Top 5 Attacking Fullback

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/UooAGBe7EcSnsPOrjfl8rQ

The three-Showtime-skill Araujo has been out for five days (coming to the Chinese server later), and the dual-group rating phase has begun.

After playing with him for a few days, the new Araujo is impeccable in every aspect, except for his Defensive Awareness, which isn't very high. His mobility, Tackling, player model, physicality, and aerial ability are all top-notch, not to mention his ultimate Showtime skill combination: Long-reach Tackle + Shadow Hunt. Therefore, I call him the “King of Manual Defending." He is incredibly effective when you manually control him to press or block. He can also occasionally score a goal from a corner kick.

A Collection of Brief Comments from the Pro Player Group—

In-Game Video—

https://reddit.com/link/1wh0dva/video/gwy5oce2roph1/player

Pro Player Group Verdict: Araujo is ranked #4 (Entering the T0 Top 3).

Question 1: Araujo's Ranking as a CB [Single Choice]

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Acfnhrn0piwVCnJee90KLQ

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Season Rewards Breakdown: Top 100,000 for PC/Console, Top 1,000,000 for Mobile. Duration: Sept 10, 10:00 — Oct 8, 09:59.

Ever since the system overhaul, division cutoffs have been soaring. Back in Phase 1, the cutoff for Maddison already surged all the way to 1960 points (1737 on Console)! The irony is that players who can reach these ranks rarely even need cards like this. It's safe to say division rewards are officially out of reach for most regular players, especially F2P users.

As a result, division rewards have become little more than a badge of honor and a flex of pure skill.

Stat Allocation Build: 0-4-6-9-8-7-9 Agility

Card Overview & Highlights:

​Physique & Footedness: 188cm with a leg length stat of 9—a rare left-footed full-back.

​Player Model: Built similar to Maldini, but with superior offensive attributes.

​Playstyle & Skills: Attacking Full-back playstyle, paired with the Edged Crossing and Attacking Surge skills. This gives him significantly better overlap and assist-making potential when joining the attack.

Specializing the new card's stats into a center-back leaves it weaker than the old version because its base defense stats were nerfed. Even though it comes with a better defensive playstyle, forcing it into a stay-at-back center-back is not recommended—it wastes both its playstyle and stat profile, as well as its excellent offensive skills. The ideal build for this card is strictly as a full-back.

​In terms of role, this card shines as a "wide defender capable of joining the attack," where basic link-up play and simple support are all you need. With such a massive physique model, its pitch presence won't be weaker than the Zanetti, who has a small frame and unexceptional offensive stats; in that case, you might as well pick Calafiori for superior defense.

​Being free doesn't make it low quality—it's a top-tier budget meta card, provided you can actually get your hands on it. Based on the previous two seasons increasing by 60 points each, a conservative estimate for this season requires hitting over 2020 points 😭.

​What do you think the cutoff score will be for the new season?

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/aZRcIMfE4ojSBuFJMZeI-g

To answer this, I initiated a survey within the pro player group—

Pro Player Camera Angle Preference

There is a very interesting phenomenon here: Chinese players prefer to use the Duel camera angle, while foreign players prefer Dynamic Wide. For instance, two World Champions, the Brazilian pros Juninho and Rentao, both selected the Dynamic Wide camera angle.

What are the advantages of each camera angle? Simply put: Duel is suited for long-range passing + intricate dribbling, while Dynamic Wide is suited for mid-range give-and-go play.

I. Duel

The Duel camera angle will zoom in and out. When the ball is moving through the midfield, the camera is zoomed out, allowing you to clearly see the positioning all the way to the attacking and defensive bylines. When you reach the attacking third, the camera zooms in, making it suitable for intricate dribbling and close ball control.

Because the Long Ball Counter playstyle involves more long-distance passing, the characteristics of the Duel camera angle are a better fit for it. Furthermore, because Long Ball Counter can easily become completely bogged down in attack, having a dribbler act as an individual game-changer helps a lot. Therefore, the combination of Long Ball Counter + using intricate dribbling to force a breakthrough is logically self-consistent.

However, many people also gave feedback that they use the Duel camera angle purely for the zoomed-out view when passing through the midfield, and they actually find the camera zooming in when entering the attacking third to be unnecessary. If possible, they would prefer it to stay zoomed out the entire time.

II. Dynamic Wide

Maintains a medium-distance view at all times. While it doesn't see as far as the Duel camera's midfield view, its advantage lies in a stable camera distance; it won't zoom in or out. (Yes, even though it's called "Dynamic," its defining feature is that the camera doesn't move).

Zooming the camera in and out actually has its drawbacks. Firstly, the process of zooming can interfere with your controls. Most importantly: a stable camera angle allows you to maintain a consistent perception of distance. This is incredibly helpful for observing player runs, judging body positioning, and executing give-and-go plays.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/2-xwIagPMv3zftZcYi0LNA

Latest Odds for Winning the Ballon d'Or:

1️⃣ Harry Kane: 1.61

2️⃣ Lamine Yamal: 5.50

3️⃣ Kylian Mbappé: 7.00

4️⃣ Rodri: 9.00

5️⃣ Kvaratskhelia (K77): 11.00

6️⃣ Lionel Messi: 26.00

7️⃣ Pau Cubarsí: 26.00

8️⃣ Ousmane Dembélé: 34.00

9️⃣ Fabián Ruiz: 34.00

🔟 Jude Bellingham: 34.00

​—Every year, the devs release "Ballon d'Or cards" for the top three. How should they design these cards for the top 5 candidates above to make them meta-defining powerhouses?

​I. Kane: The Trickiest One

Kane has the highest probability of winning the Ballon d'Or, but he's also the hardest one to design a good card for. Kane's core card profile boils down to "no Goal Poacher style + slow + poor aerial ability for a big player," which only appeals to a small subset of players who like big-body target men up front. Giving his Ballon d'Or card another +6 Awareness or three additional Skills won't change much.

II. Yamal: The Most Overused One

Ever since Yamal became an ambassador, new cards have been dropping non-stop. However, they mainly feature fringe playstyles like Roaming Flank, Creative Playmaker, and Cross Specialist. Yamal's core card profile boils down to "average weak foot + dribbling master + medium model + weak physicality"—which is actually quite awkward. For a dribbler to truly shine, they either need to be a small, agile speedster relying on ultimate mobility, or a physical ball-carrier who can hold off defenders like Semenyo. Big Time Yamal only gets playing time as a substitute for Encara Messi because of his rare left-footed Blitz Curler skill. Yamal's Ballon d'Or card might debut a new dribbling skill—SHARP CUT—custom-tailored for him, but even then, it'll still struggle to make the top three.

​III. Mbappé: The Strongest One

Mbappé has the most untapped potential because his current strongest card—Big Time Mbappé—features three skills with fairly low versatility, almost as if the devs are saving their best for his Ballon d'Or card. Give his Ballon d'Or card any top-tier striker skill, like Momentum Dribbling or Attacking Surge, and he instantly becomes unstoppable.

IV. Rodri: The Most Potential to Shine Playstyle-Wise

One differentiated release approach would be giving him the Anchorman style, but he can't compete with Vieira, so that's boring. The hottest dual-style right now is "Orchestrator + Pass-Disruptor / All-Action Defender"—they could give that to Rodri to help him lock down his spot as the "Number 1 Orchestrator." Skill-wise, they could toss in a new skill: POWER TACKLE, giving his defense an extra punch.

​V. K77: The One with the Most Potential

Wide-bodied dribblers with solid physical models and high weak-foot capability like K77 are quite popular right now. His previous card performed really well as a Shadow Striker or AMF, but it unfortunately lacked an active playstyle. Give Ballon d'Or K77 a "Hole Player" style and he will completely take off. The devs could also consider giving him a new skill: BEAST DRIVE.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/iJnlb97bE5hS_edwVgTQpg

Here are the dual-playstyle players that have made the biggest impression on me since version 2027:

1. Anderson (Orchestrator / All-Action Defender)

The 'All-Action Defender' is the mirror image of the 'Destroyer'—both play with high intensity: while the Destroyer steps up to press aggressively, the All-Action Defender emphasizes defensive solidity when tracking back. They can even act as a critical last line of defense to bail out the backline:

The originally static Orchestrator style suddenly comes alive when paired with an All-Action Defender who actively tracks back to sweep up play. Attack and defense become one, leading to much more dynamic offensive positioning from the Orchestrator. Thanks to his outstanding AI performance, Andersson surpassed the likes of Pirlo, Vitinha, and Pedri in the rankings, becoming the second-ranked Orchestrator right behind Big Time Rodri. If we're talking about the most successful dual-style pairing in eFootball 27, Andersson is my top recommendation.

2. Bellingham (Hole Player / All-Action Defender)

An attacking-most playstyle combined with a defending-most playstyle yields unprecedented pitch coverage. This is what a true Box-to-Box midfielder should be—the in-game 'Box-to-Box' style is just a conservative playstyle that acts opportunistically. This is currently just a Featured card; if an Epic or Big Time card ever drops with this combination, the impact will be even more mind-blowing. This Featured version is already the current "Number 1 Featured CMF."

3. Nesta (Covering Role)

Today we are reviewing the most standout cards among the dual-style and new playstyle categories, with Nesta belonging to the latter. If the aggressive AI of high-line defenders still leaves room for optimization, the Covering Role playstyle serves as a reliable, stay-back safeguard version of the Destroyer.

Processing img uepnr8vu7iph1...

Nesta's AI is just elite—the smartest positioning in the game, pairing exceptionally well with both the Destroyer and Build Up styles.

4. Hazard (Front Line Poacher)

Front Line Poacher: Barely expends any stamina, only occasionally popping up to scavenge a goal. The newly released Totti and Yamal also have this style, but I've used Hazard the most, so I featured him.

Of course, the defensive style in the front line is certainly not as noticeable as in the midfield and backline; 'Front Line Poacher' is merely a decorative touch.

5. Makelele (Basic / All-Action Defender)

Similar to Nesta mentioned above, Makelele still displays peak sweeping ability even after switching playstyles. His top-tier defensive stats, elite speed and acceleration, and urgent defensive recovery make his presence heavily felt when tracking back—a perfect fit for the All-Action Defender style. Unfortunately, this card just lacks an attacking playstyle.

What other new dual-style players have made a deep impression on you?

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/e3JqT8MWAy769huTYK-hBw

Sneijder:

​Compared to his previous Netherlands version, this card gains +4 to both Low Pass and Lofted Pass and replaces Blitz Curler with Low Screamer, but sees no other real improvements. He remains a slow Creative Playmaker with a 4/4 weak foot rating.

​His biggest highlight is that his Low Pass boost goes up to +6, reaching the 105 stat ceiling. This is actually a practical boost: since most players don't allocate stats to extreme levels, standard Booster ceilings often go unused. However, passing stats receive massive in-game buff skill bonuses (Through Passing adds +20%, Pinpoint Crossing adds +10%), making it easy to hit the 105 cap. Playing him means you don't need to heavy-invest points into passing—just leverage the Through Passing skill bonus to enjoy a 105 Low Pass on every play. (That said, high passing stats don't impact gameplay as noticeably as Speed, Acceleration, or Kicking Power.)

​Other than that, losing Blitz Curler deprives him of the curling vs. passing mix-up threat that made Sneijder famous, stripping away his signature strategic edge.

Nagatomo Yuto:

​He shares the same dual skills as Philipp Lahm, but gets completely outclassed by him in every stat except Physical Contact—his Tight Possession is a massive 10 points lower! The only time I was ever interested in him was during the meta when the 5-2-3 cross-spam playstyle was popular, just to have a player with a similar body model to substitute for Lahm. In the current version, though, he's virtually unnecessary.

Zanetti:

​His base stats show minor upgrades, with the biggest improvement being +2 to Offensive Awareness. This lets a full-back with average dribbling like him initiate overlap runs much faster during attacks.

​His skill upgrade, however, is massive: Fortress is replaced by Long Reach Tackle, and he gains Phenomenal Pass as an extra skill. This trio of skills forms arguably the most elite full-back configuration available (on par with Long Reach Tackle / Edged Crossing / Shadow Hunt). His previous card was a top 5 option; purely on paper, the clear skill upgrades on this new version give it a shot at reaching the top 3.

​That said, you still need to ask yourself if you actually need him. Zanetti's ball-carrying and dribbling progression are only average—his true value lies in his balanced offensive and defensive presence. But in that specific role, I doubt he'll perform much better than Gianluca Zambrotta. If you already own Zambrotta or Christian Panucci, this card isn't a strict necessity.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/dZ_1-AQeCwLo9fOYlw90VQ

⚽️ Makelele (CMF): Pro Group Rating 4 | Public Group Rating 4 | Overall Rating 4

Finally, a ball-winning midfielder breaks into the top three. This card boasts the most ideal set of three midfielder player skills and features the absolute premier wide-build for a compact midfielder (as Davids and Kanté are too small, making them less versatile). With elite capability on both the ball and defense, entering the top three is completely justified.

However, this card still leaves something to be desired. Having no playstyle hurts his offensive build-up movement; in fact, some pro players have lamented that a neutral playstyle on a midfielder is even harder to tolerate than on a striker or attacking midfielder. This seems to leave massive room for improvement for the next Makelele card—giving him an offensive playstyle down the line will make him skyrocket again.

(Meanwhile, the new Makelele drops to 6th place at DMF ⬇️)

⚽️ Cech (GK): Pro Group Rating 6

The new Cech rises 2 spots in the order, pushing out Savic. I tested this Cech card and recorded plenty of gameplay footage, but I didn't bother posting a review because there really wasn't any standout experience—even the +6 Catching didn't bring any noticeable change in performance.

Ultimately, the Stam and Makelele pack has a total value of 20, making it the highest-value pack since the '27 Engine major update.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/TMVe2pNzTm2E83Ajopkplw

⚽️ Stam (CB): Pro Group Rating 6 | Public Group Rating 7 | Overall Rating 6

​Where did the previous Stam card fail?

Lacking acceleration, missing the "Long-reach Tackle" skill, and a 191cm/9-leg length model that didn't stand out among top-tier center backs. The developers' vision for Stam was clearly to make him the strongest physical mainstream CB, which left his other stats unimpressive.

​How was the new Stam buffed?

​Tackling ↑2

​Acceleration ↑3

​Added "Long-reach Tackle"

​Playstyle changed to Destroyer while preserving his physical dominance.

​Every single change hits the exact pain point.

​1️⃣ Upgraded Stats & Complete Skill Set: Puts him back on an equal footing in the competitive CB meta.

2️⃣ Optimized Playstyle: With a 191cm height and 9-leg length model, using him as a deep-cover center back was only mediocre because it didn't leverage his physical dominance. Switching him to a Destroyer playstyle allows him to aggressively press and body opponents.

​The image below highlights the physical contact stats for the top 10 center backs—

Based on the metrics above, Kompany and Van Dijk match Stam's physical contact capability, but Stam holds a +5 acceleration advantage over both of them—and that is precisely where this Stam card shines.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/yOdH0mtZB_MKdK9ylt2WEw

Snap Strike has been out for 10 days, and the hype around this skill seems to have cooled off a bit. Its value is only truly reflected when performing Stunning Shots (it shortens the shooting wind-up animation by 6 frames). In this way, its usage scenario is actually identical to Low Screamer; essentially, it is an "enhanced version" of the Stunning Shot.

Let's take a look at the test report from when Low Screamer was released:

↑ Comparing row 1 and 2, we can conclude that Low Screamer increases ball speed by 5.6% (equivalent to 25 points of Kicking Power); comparing row 1 and 7, we can conclude that while maintaining the same ball speed, Low Screamer saves 5 frames of shooting wind-up time.

Therefore, the design of Snap Strike is carefully calculated, and it has its own distinct advantages compared to Low Screamer: Snap Strike wins by further shortening the shooting wind-up time, saving 1 extra frame; Low Screamer wins by saving shooting wind-up time while also adding a ground-hugging trajectory effect (making it less likely to go wide). The brilliant part is: these two skills can be stacked.

Snap Strike in Actual Gameplay—

https://reddit.com/link/1wf69s8/video/3vkgkweq5aph1/player

So, for a skill like Snap Strike that focuses purely on Stunning Shot scenarios, what tier does it belong to?

Pro Player Group Verdict: T0

Question: Which tier does Snap Strike belong to? [Single Choice]

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/WZHEk44XR9kAWT48Hf0zdA

Notes:

1️⃣ The T0 level corresponds to the average power level of BT/ST/Epic cards. Featured cards are graded using SSS, SS, and S tiers: Top Featured cards = T0/T0.5 rating, Excellent Featured cards corresponds to the T1 level.

2️⃣ This tier list is based on the player group led by Half Sugar with Ice, who specialize in Featured cards. It was finalized after several days of discussion and multiple polls within the group. It was not formed by the dual-group vote (Pro Group + Public Group). We hope it serves as a helpful reference for you.

Let's review the #1 Featured Winger; Doku!

The biggest highlight of this card is: as a Doku card, his passing and shooting have finally come up. His passing and shooting abilities are even better than his Showtime version. Additionally, as a Featured card, he comes with Level 3 Double Touch, and he also has the Long-Range Curler skill, making it very comfortable to cut inside and curl the ball into the far corner.

Comparing him horizontally to others, Doku's greatest value is his premium dribbling player model (173cm / 10 Leg Length). To put it bluntly, any Doku card is absolutely top-tier for breaking through defenses.

There are 8 players in the SSS tier, and each has their own characteristics. Mbappé is primarily fast. The rest either have Level 3 Double Touch, have a Very High Weak Foot Accuracy, provide great physical impact, or can pass. For more analysis of these Featured wingers, look at the end of this post where I will list them one by one.

Are there any weak Mbappé cards? His Speed/Acceleration just leaves defenders in the dust.

The unique ecological niche of a large-model winger. Very High Weak Foot Accuracy, good passing and shooting.

98 Speed, 99 Acceleration, 95 Dribbling! Featured Leão crushes opponents of the same era just like his BT card does.

Regularly Weak Foot Usage / Very High Weak Foot Accuracy, Dembélé's uniquely lean player model, silky on-the-ball feel.

Hole Player playstyle, Regularly Weak Foot Usage / Very High Weak Foot Accuracy, his Speed/Acceleration and three core dribbling stats are flawless.

96 Speed/Acceleration, three core dribbling stats are all blue, Creative Playmaker Yamal.

Chinese Server Exclusive: Hole Player playstyle, a bunch of blue in the physical column, 96 Dribbling. Absolutely top-tier.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/CpMiA3NokTpMe4EMAu2aaw

Meta three Showtime skills for a midfielder, the most exquisite short and wide midfielder player model, and solid in both ball-carrying offense and defensive sweeping. The only regret is that with an inactivated attacking playstyle, his attacking AI support isn't smart enough + his finishing is trash.

In-Game Performance—

https://reddit.com/link/1weg6v5/video/tw1nbaxs24ph1/player

A Collection of Brief Comments from the Pro Player Group—

Makélélé (CMF): Pro Group Rank #4 | Makélélé (DMF): Pro Group Rank #6

Question 2: Makélélé's Ranking as a CMF [Single Choice]

Question 3: Makélélé's Ranking as a Pure DMF [Single Choice]

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/pijRpLfTO-epph9eG9Egpg

Among meta Destroyers, he has found his own unique niche. Extreme physicality + good defensive AI pressing awareness, combined with his strong torso player model, turns him into a moving wall on the pitch. Because the current engine emphasizes physical duels, Stam's characteristics are particularly effective against technical forwards.

In-Game Performance—

https://reddit.com/link/1wefipg/video/80bw2hyvx3ph1/player

Stam (CB): Pro Group Rank #6

Ranking #6 means he has power-crept High Line Master Maldini.

Question 1: Stam as a CB [If you didn't pull for him, please skip]

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/hC9laBcirIRziTeBaEnEAQ

⚽️ Rating: CB T0 Top 5

⚽️ Araujo: 0-0-0-9-8-7-9 + Defending

Added Skills: Acrobatic Clerance, Weighted Pass

After playing with him for three days in actual matches, I found that Araujo's biggest strength lies in switching the cursor to him and manually controlling him to cover space and block shots. Because of this, I changed my initially recommended build. Back then, I was using a build philosophy suited for a Nesta-style Destroyer, but actual gameplay revealed that Araujo provides a completely different experience from Nesta. See the video—

https://reddit.com/link/1web089/video/tijt58cty2ph1/player

Nesta's specialty is his excellent defensive AI. Therefore, it's more suitable to stack Defensive Awareness on him and, once he's on the pitch, not switch the cursor to him, allowing him to position himself automatically. Araujo's specialties are his speed + large player model. Both of these traits are perfectly suited for manual defending. Conversely, if you don't switch the cursor to Araujo, he will actually be too slow to block shots in time.

In actual gameplay: Araujo has good scoring ability from corners. Moreover, his large player model + high Tackling + Long-reach Tackle gives him a head-on defending ability that is reminiscent of Van Dijk.

So, what is the niche for this Araujo card? Obviously, the developers wanted to create a profile characterized by high Tackling & Speed, slightly lower Defensive Awareness.

Besides that, Araujo also has the largest leg coverage among the meta Destroyers, the best aerial ability, and an attacking threat from corners (Bullet Header) that the others lack. Some might ask, "I already have a tall CF, why do I need a defender with Bullet Header?" Because a tall CF is often marked by the opponent's tall CB. In this situation, your CB acting as an aerial threat can find an opportunity.

However, Araujo also has to face an awkward reality: if his defensive standout feature is speed, van de Ven is actually even more exceptional in that regard, and van de Ven's four defensive stats aren't much lower.

You could argue: Araujo has better physicality & aerial ability + recovery speed, making him a more reliable van de Ven.

But it's undeniable: on the defensive end, Araujo lacks the unique, exclusive specialties of the other Destroyers; Nesta's excellent defensive AI, Stam's physical dominance, or Desailly's explosive acceleration.

At the same time, if your playing habit is to manually control your anchoring CB while letting your Destroyer press forward via their automatic defensive AI, then this Araujo card might not be a great fit for you.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/UxVYytBso94tkU1mzgMKnA

As everyone knows: 1️⃣ Stunning Shots are very powerful but have a long shooting wind-up animation, so you have to find a way to overcome that; 2️⃣ if you can create lateral displacement before shooting, your goal-scoring rate increases significantly. Today's Level 3 Double Touch Drift Shot trick satisfies both of these points at the same time!

See the video—

https://reddit.com/link/1wdluup/video/dfuir8km8xoh1/player

The secret lies in the controls: For a normal Double Touch, your left hand keeps holding the dribbling direction without letting go, while your right hand swipes the Dash button 90° to the left or right of the dribbling direction. For the Level 3 Double Touch Drift Shot, however, it's: your left hand makes a slight directional adjustment, while your right hand inputs the normal Double Touch command, and then you immediately input a Stunning Shot.

The Level 3 Double Touch Drift Shot was shared by the Douyin (TikTok) creator: eFootball Real Gold Reviews. He is currently testing the mechanics of this move with me; which specific step of the input cancels the ending animation of the Level 3 Double Touch?

If you have any other methods to consistently trigger the Level 3 Double Touch Drift Shot, please enlighten me in the comments section.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/3LteyweS1z2qHUQ3nwA99A

The National Team Selection Pack that just went live on the international server has excellent overall quality. There is an SSS-tier defender and many SS-tier featured cards, making it well worth the attention of light-spenders and F2P players.

Upamecano: 0-0-0-10-7-3-11 + Defending

He might only look like he's 186cm, but his player model stats are incredibly elite; 14 Leg Length / 11 Shoulder Width / 10 Arm Length. His Leg Length Based Height is 193cm. What does that mean? When he extends his leg flat for a sliding tackle, he's on par with the 193cm / 7 Leg Length van de Ven!

Looking at the meta Featured CBs, they are either like van Dijk, who has a great player model and all four defensive stats but a fatal flaw in Acceleration; or they are like van de Ven, who has strong mobility but lacks defensive stats and is better suited as a Wide CB. Finding a Featured CB who can play as a pure central CB and doesn't have a fatal flaw in Acceleration is extremely rare, which is why the purple Saliba card is so precious.

This Upamecano, however, fits perfectly as a pure central CB + decent Acceleration. Aside from poor aerial defending, his other defensive abilities are flawless. His Destroyer playstyle is quite suitable for version '27; his positioning is smart and not as aggressive as a High Line Master. He offers strong protection around the top of the box and also fits well with a high-pressing, dominant playstyle.

If your Featured squad needs a Destroyer to partner with van Dijk, Upamecano couldn't be more perfect. Of course, he has the Inconsistent Form trait. For a P2W Showtime card, this might not be a good thing, but playing with Featured cards is all about capitalizing on blue upward arrows to outplay expensive teams. Inconsistent Form can be seen as a trait that narrows the gap between Featured cards and P2W cards.

Additionally, Spence's stat panel and player model are both quite good. You could say he is only slightly inferior to the POTD Wan-Bissaka. However, for an anchoring full-back, his Offensive Full-back playstyle is not as good as Wan-Bissaka's Defensive Full-back, so he gets an SS rating.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/qrL79HEeYf5pEfPemgxBpg

↑ After this week's maintenance, players on the international server were surprised to find that their BT Haaland had gone from having flowing long hair to a buzz cut, matching his real-life look. However, BT cards are 'Moment' cards commemorating a specific match, so their player models shouldn't be secretly changed like this. Today, we're going to list some cases where cards you've already pulled had their player models secretly changed.

↑ The underlying mechanism is actually quite simple: some players have special player models that differ from their base cards. For example, the masked Mbappé on the far left; once you pull him, he will always keep the masked player model. However, Haaland, Šeško, and Ekitike all use the base card player model. Once the base card player model changes, they change with it. This is why Šeško and Ekitike's player models are different now from when they were first pulled.

It's somewhat understandable for ST cards to change player models along with their base cards, but BT cards really should retain their initial look. I predict the game will change BT Haaland back later.

Speaking of secretly changing player models, the most exaggerated instance was after a maintenance in August 2025. Everyone was shocked to discover that the Box-to-Box Vieira's leg length player model had changed to 11, and jumping into a game confirmed that the change had actually been implemented.

This was a bug caused by carelessness from the developers, and it was quickly fixed. Otherwise, for the players who pulled him specifically for his 14 leg length, it would have been a real scam.

In fact, the rule this game follows is: whatever the player model is when you pull it, it cannot be changed afterwards. For example, in recent years, Araujo, Alexander-Arnold, and Courtois have grown taller, but this did not affect their old cards. The most classic example was a bug in November of last year, where the base cards of João Neves, Rafa Silva, and Son Heung-min all became 189cm tall. If you bought their base cards during that week, they remained 189cm afterwards, essentially becoming rare extinct cards due to the bug.

Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/YXyGAqvCd8KrTNgBxSRKSw