FC 26: Are They Worth Buying and Using

In every Ultimate Team cycle, promo squads and player items generate enormous debate-not just about raw stats, but about price-to-performance ratios, meta suitability, EVO potential, chemistry links, and longevity. The batch shown here, divided into YES, MAYBE, and NO categories, represents exactly the type of release that forces players to think critically before investing coins or fodder. Understanding whether a card is "worth it" requires examining multiple layers: in-game animations, playstyle effects, meta dominance, cost, opportunity cost, and upgrade potential. This essay provides a deep, examination of each card-Raspadori, Reiten, Fernando Torres, Pacho, Tagliafico, and Gyökeres-and analyzes why each earned its verdict.

SECTION 1 – The "YES" Cards: Raspadori and Reiten

These are the two players considered clear wins, either due to exceptional value or strong meta fit.

1. Raspadori (85 ST/LW) - "YES"

A. Value Proposition

Raspadori comes in at around 20,000 FC 26 coins, which is unusually cheap for a promo attacker with EVO potential. In a market where attackers easily hit 80–150k, this instantly makes him a low-risk pickup.

B. EVO Potential

What truly elevates him is how EVO-friendly he is. He fits these common upgrade pathways:

Agile Attacker EVOs

Finesse Shot or First Touch-based EVOs

Pace-boosting or shooting-boosting EVOs

"Under 85 Rating" entry requirements

Because he starts at 85 and has naturally strong dribbling and agility, EVO upgrades turn him into a meta-relevant forward capable of competing with cards far above his price point.

C. Playstyle Strength

His base playstyles usually include variations of:

Technical

Quick Step

Rapid

Flair

Combined with his small, agile build, he becomes a player who feels incredibly smooth on the ball-something the meta heavily favors.

D. Chemistry and Links

As an Italian Serie A player, he links into two of the most popular early-game squads:

Serie A hybrid squads

Italian player-based squads

Napoli-linked builds

This makes him far easier to incorporate than many low-tier promo attackers.

E. Verdict

Raspadori is a "YES" because he is cheap, upgradable, and fits the current responsiveness-driven attacking meta. Even if he's benched later, his low cost makes him risk-free.

2. Caroline Graham Hansen Reiten (89 LM/CM/CAM) - "YES"

A. Exceptional Value for Stats

Reiten's price-to-performance ratio is incredibly strong. She has:

Elite passing for an LM/CAM

High dribbling and close control

Very strong attacking positioning

Dual role capability (winger or midfielder)

For her price bracket, these stats significantly outperform most options.

B. Versatility

One of the biggest factors in FUT value is role flexibility. Reiten can slide into:

LM in a 4-4-2

RAM/LAM in a 4-2-3-1

CAM in 4-3-2-1

CM in a technical 4-3-3

This flexibility increases squad-building value dramatically.

C. Playstyle Combination

She works extremely well with playstyles like:

First Touch

Technical

Pinged Pass

Incisive Pass

These synergize perfectly with the passing-dominant meta and allow her to operate as a top-tier creator.

D. Animations and Body Type

Reiten benefits from:

A fluid, responsive dribbling animation set

Low clunk factor

Above-average balance and agility

In practice, she feels like a player in the 300k tier, even if her price sits around 60–80k.

E. Verdict

Reiten is an easy "YES" for both usability and value. She's one of the best creators outside the elite price bracket and retains value long-term because of her multi-position eligibility.

SECTION 2 – The "MAYBE" Cards: Fernando Torres and Pacho

These cards are strong but come with caveats related to price, upgrade potential, and specific meta requirements.

3. Fernando Torres (88 ST) - "MAYBE"

A. The Classic Torres Meta Profile

Torres cards tend to be:

Fast in a straight line

Strong shooting inside the box

Good at making runs

Mediocre at physical duels

This card is no different. He is a very good striker, with a top-tier finishing profile and great movement.

B. The Issue: Cost

Torres is expensive, and this is the biggest reason he lands in the "MAYBE" tier. His price is inflated due to:

Name value

Icon/legend nostalgia

Strong brand recognition

Players often overpay for Torres cards, even when performance is only slightly above the standard meta striker.

C. Playstyle Limitations

Torres will perform well if he has:

Power Shot

Finesse Shot

Rapid

Quick Step

But compared to the very top meta strikers (Mbappé, Haaland, top women attackers), his animation set is slightly less responsive.

D. Who Should Buy Him?

He is worth it if:

You need a primary goal scorer

You like classic No. 9 strikers

You run Spanish/LaLiga hybrids

You specifically enjoy Torres cards

He is not worth it if:

You rely heavily on dribbling metas

You want maximum coin efficiency

You prefer dual-threat attackers (pace + strength)

E. Verdict

He's a "MAYBE" simply because of his price. As a card, he is great. As a purchase, he is questionable depending on your budget.

4. Pacho (87 CB) - "MAYBE"

A. Strong Center-Back Stats

Pacho's raw defensive numbers are excellent:

88 Defending

86 Physical

85 Pace

Strong tackle aggression

Great defensive awareness

On paper, he looks like a top-tier CB.

B. The Missing Piece: Intercept Playstyle

This is the key issue. In the current meta, Intercept+ is arguably the most important defensive playstyle for elite CBs. It dramatically improves auto-interceptions and passing lane coverage.

Without Intercept, Pacho:

Misses certain automatic blocks

Reacts a fraction slower to risky passes

Requires more manual control

This doesn't make him bad-just less competitive in top-tier squads.

C. Price vs. Performance

Pacho's cost is pretty high given the missing Intercept playstyle. If he were cheaper, he'd be a clear "YES."

D. Who Should Buy Him?

He's worth it if:

You like aggressive CBs

You defend manually rather than relying on auto-blocks

Your chemistry supports Bundesliga/Ecuador links

He is not worth it if you:

Depend on automatic interceptions

Need the absolute best at the position

E. Verdict

He lands in the "MAYBE" category: strong card, but missing the key playstyle that defines elite FUT center-backs.

SECTION 3 – The "NO" Cards: Tagliafico and Gyökeres

These players suffer from severe price imbalance, poor stats relative to alternatives, or simply do not match the meta's demands.

5. Tagliafico (86 LB) - "NO"

A. Underwhelming Stats

Tagliafico has:

Average pace

Mediocre defensive numbers

Limited physical presence

Unremarkable playstyles

Left-backs in FUT need one of three things:

Elite pace

Elite defensive playstyles (Intercept+, Anticipate+)

Elite attacking contribution

Tagliafico has none of these.

B. The Value Problem

He costs too much considering his ceiling. There are several cheaper LB options, both male and female, that surpass him comfortably.

C. Playstyle Weakness

A modern LB needs playstyles like:

Intercept

Anticipate

Rapid

Whipped Pass

Tagliafico's playstyle profile does not elevate his stats in any meaningful way.

D. Longevity

This is the biggest weakness. Tagliafico is not a long-term card. He will be outclassed by:

Every major promo LB

Most RTTK/RotW/Trailblazer LBs

Upcoming Icon LBs

Most EVO LBs

E. Verdict

A clear "NO." He is not terrible, but he is severely overpriced and outclassed by numerous better options.

6. Viktor Gyökeres (87 ST) - "NO"

A. Overpriced Relative to Output

Gyökeres is simply way too expensive for what he offers. His stats are decent, but not elite, and his price tag places him in competition with:

Meta Icons

RTTK attackers

Early TOTW/TOTGS high-tier strikers

He cannot compete at that level.

B. Clunky Animations

Gyökeres has:

A heavier body type

Slower turning speed

Less responsive first-touch animations

In a meta dominated by agility, body control, and fluid dribbling, this makes him feel outdated from the moment you try him.

C. Playstyle Issues

He lacks:

Quick Step

Technical

Finesse Shot+

Rapid

Without these, he struggles against top defenses.

D. Limited Links

His club and league make chemistry more restrictive compared to top-tier league attackers.

E. Verdict

Gyökeres earns a straightforward "NO." His price, dribbling profile, and lack of meta playstyles make him a low-value purchase.

Final Rankings and Meta Implications

The batch divides cleanly into three categories:

YES

Raspadori: Incredible EVO potential and ultra-cheap.

Reiten: Phenomenal value and highly versatile creator.

MAYBE

Fernando Torres: High-performing striker but too expensive.

Pacho: Great numbers, but missing the crucial Intercept playstyle.

NO

Tagliafico: Mediocre LB with poor value and low longevity.

Gyökeres: Overpriced and does not fit the current agility-centric meta.

MMOexp FC 26 Team