FC 25 Declan Rice SBC Review: The Best Value CDM You Can Get
Declan Rice, the midfield engine for Arsenal and England, has officially arrived as a Squad Building Challenge (SBC) in EA FC 25 Ultimate Team. And let me tell you, this card is causing a stir-not just because of Rice's reputation as a rock-solid midfielder, but because EA has surprised everyone by pricing this SBC at two squads of 89-rated teams.
Yes, you read that right: two squads. When many other SBCs require you to cough up 14, 16, or even more teams, this feels like an absolute bargain. But is this card worth your FC 25 coins? And more importantly, can Declan Rice compete with the top-tier midfielders in the game? Let's break it down.
Declan Rice Player Overview
The SBC requirements are simple:
2 squads of 89-rated teams.
1 or 2 special cards needed (depending on the squad).
Given that this card costs under 100,000 coins, Rice might be one of the best value CDMs available right now.
Key Attributes and Stats:
4-Star Skill Moves, 5-Star Weak Foot.
6'1 height with a strong and controlled build.
PlayStyles+: Incisive Pass, Anticipate, Press Proven.
PlayStyles: Long Ball Pass, Dead Ball, Power Shot, Jockey, First Touch.
One noticeable omission is the Bruiser playstyle, which could help with certain aggressive defensive challenges. He also lacks Quick Step and Rapid, meaning he won't feel lightning-fast on the ball. Still, the combination of Anticipate Gold and Press Proven makes him a defensive wall.
Positioning and Role
Declan Rice is a natural fit for:
CDM in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-2-2.
Box-to-box CM in a formation like 4-1-2-1-2(2), thanks to his passing and playmaking ability.
Rice thrives as a deep-lying playmaker-winning tackles, intercepting passes, and distributing the ball to attacking players. While his dribbling feels a little heavy and “stocky,” his physical presence and passing ability more than make up for it.
Best Chemistry Styles for Declan Rice
1. Anchor-Boosts Pace, Defending, and Physicality, while giving him a Control Lengthy feel. This makes him more powerful when striding forward.
2. Shadow-Focuses purely on Pace and Defending, ideal if you want him to feel quicker when chasing attackers.
3. Engine-Improves Agility, Balance, and Dribbling to smooth out his movement, but at the cost of some defensive power.
In-Game Performance: First Impressions
Declan Rice's card feels like a classic enforcer CDM-strong, composed, and smart in positioning. During my Elite Rivals matches, he immediately stood out for:
Defensive positioning: Rice consistently anticipated passes and broke up counter-attacks. His Press Proven playstyle allowed him to recover possession under pressure.
Physicality: Even the likes of Ruud Gullit struggled to outmuscle him. He shields the ball effortlessly.
Passing: His Incisive Pass+ playstyle allows him to send pinpoint through balls, setting up counter-attacks.
Shooting: Surprisingly, his long shots are lethal, especially from set-pieces. Those iconic Real Madrid-style strikes? They're in the game.
Concerns: Is He Too Slow?
The biggest downside is his lack of Quick Step and Rapid. Rice won't burst away from opponents, and his left-stick dribbling feels sluggish. Against agile midfielders like Pedri or Renato Sanches, he can feel a step behind.
However, his Control Lengthy acceleration type (with the right chem style) compensates slightly. Once he starts moving, he's hard to stop.
Gameplay Highlights
1.Defensive Wall: Rice dominated the midfield, using his size and strength to bully attackers. One moment that stood out was a clean tackle on Mbappé, where he shielded the ball and launched a perfect counter-attack with a through ball to my striker.
2.Offensive Threat: Rice's Power Shot is deadly when you find space around the box. In one match, I hit a chip shot from distance that sailed over the keeper-pure magic.
3.Passing Maestro: Whether it's long balls or quick one-twos, Rice's passing range feels elite. He even picked up a couple of assists during testing.
Comparison to Other Midfielders
How does Declan Rice stack up against other popular CDMs in EA FC 25?
Versus Yaya Touré (Hero): Touré is more explosive and dynamic going forward, but Rice is cheaper and matches him defensively.
Versus Lucio (Shapeshifter): Lucio feels slightly smoother on the ball, but Rice offers better passing and is significantly cheaper.
Versus Vieira (Icon): Vieira still reigns supreme due to his sheer defensive dominance, but Rice offers 80% of the performance at a fraction of the cost.
If you already have a stacked midfield, Rice might not replace your elite CDMs. But if you're building on a budget or looking for a Premier League anchor, Rice is a must-have.SBC Value: Under 100K Is a Steal
Let's talk about value. At under 100,000 coins, this Declan Rice SBC is shockingly cheap. With how inflated SBC requirements have been this season, this feels like EA is giving players a gift.
Why you should complete this SBC:
You can craft the squads with untradeable fodder.
He's Premier League and English, meaning easy chemistry links.
Even if he doesn't make your starting XI, he's an excellent super-sub CDM or fodder upgrade later.
Final Verdict: Is Declan Rice Worth It?
Declan Rice's EA FC 25 SBC is easily one of the best value cards we've seen this year. While he isn't the flashiest midfielder and lacks top-tier dribbling, his defensive ability, passing range, and physical presence make him a must-complete SBC for almost every squad.
Pros:
Incredible defensive positioning and interceptions.
Excellent passing with Incisive+ and Long Ball Pass.
Strong physical presence; hard to bully off the ball.
Deadly power shots and free kicks.
Insanely cheap SBC requirements.
Cons:
Feels heavy on the ball.
Missing Quick Step and Rapid playstyles.
Not as versatile as some high-end midfielders.
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
For the price, Declan Rice is a no-brainer. Whether you're a Premier League fan, an Arsenal supporter, or just need a reliable CDM to clean up your midfield, Rice will get the job done.
Final Thoughts
EA rarely drops SBCs this generous, and with the under-100K price tag, Declan Rice feels like a must-try card. He's not going to dance around players like Neymar, but he'll win you games with his defensive solidity, passing, and ability to strike from range.
MMOexp FC 25 Team