FC 26 TOTS Locatelli Review: The Surprisingly Technical CDM That Might Redefine Midfield Control

Team of the Season always brings that familiar mix of hype, experimentation, and hidden gems that quietly end up shaping the meta weeks before anyone fully realizes it. In EA FC 26, one of those early standout SBCs is Manuel Locatelli, a 6'1 CDM/CM hybrid who looks, at first glance, like a standard defensive anchor-but quickly reveals himself to be something far more nuanced. With elite-level passing stats, solid defensive traits, and a surprisingly "techy" dribbling feel, Locatelli is shaping up to be one of the more interesting budget-to-midrange midfield options in this early TOTS cycle.

This isn't a card that screams "meta-breaking." Instead, it whispers efficiency, balance, and subtle versatility-the kind of player that quietly holds everything together while your attackers steal the spotlight.

A CDM Built for Control, Not Chaos

Locatelli's appeal starts with his stat profile. At first glance, it's exactly what you want from a modern holding midfielder:

 Elite short and long passing 

 Strong defensive positioning and tackling 

 High composure and reactions 

 Decent dribbling base for a larger midfielder 

 6'1 frame with controlled body type 

What stands out most, however, is the passing triangle: vision, short pass, and long pass all sit comfortably in the "endgame viable" range. Even without the coveted Pinged Pass playstyle, his distribution feels natural and reliable in buildup.

He also brings 4★ skills and 4★ weak foot, which is respectable but not elite. Many players in the community expected a 5★ weak foot given the timing of TOTS, and that's where some of the early criticism comes in. Still, in-game, his passing rarely feels limited, especially in structured buildup play.

Playstyles That Define His Identity

Locatelli's playstyle combination is where things get interesting. 

Instead of leaning fully into defensive brutality or pure passing control, EA gave him a hybrid toolkit:

 Technical 

 Quick Step 

 Anticipate 

 Block 

 Jockey 

 Long Ball 

 Tiki-Taka 

 Inventive 

 Incisive passing variant 

The standout here is Technical + Quick Step on a 6'1 CDM. That's not a combination you see often, and it's what gives Locatelli his unexpected identity: a midfielder who doesn't just recycle possession but can actually glide through pressure.

Quick Step helps him accelerate out of tight situations, while Technical makes his close control feel smoother than his size suggests. This is where the "surprisingly techy" label comes from-he's not just a destroyer; he's a connector who can carry the ball forward when needed.

The downside? No Pinged Pass and no Bruiser. And in the current FC 26 meta, Bruiser is arguably one of the most oppressive defensive playstyles in midfield duels. Its absence is noticeable in physical battles against top-tier attackers.

In-Game Feel: A Controlled Engine in Midfield

Once you actually get Locatelli on the pitch, the concept becomes clearer: he's a tempo controller.

He doesn't feel explosive like elite box-to-box midfielders, but he also doesn't feel sluggish. Instead, he occupies a very specific middle ground-controlled acceleration, clean turns, and reliable physical presence in duels.

Defensively, he shines in the fundamentals:

 Anticipate makes interceptions feel natural 

 Jockey keeps him composed in 1v1 situations 

 Strong tackling without overcommitting 

 Good aggression for ball recovery 

In simple terms: he wins the ball back consistently without needing gimmicks.

What's more surprising is his ability on the ball. Thanks to Technical and Quick Step, he can actually evade pressure in tight midfield spaces. It's not flashy, but it's effective. You can receive under pressure, pivot, and release a pass without feeling like the ball is glued to a truck.

Passing: The Real Strength of the Card

If there's one reason to consider this SBC, it's passing consistency.

Locatelli's distribution feels clean across multiple styles of play:

 Short triangles in buildup? Reliable 

 Switching play across midfield? Accurate 

 Risky threaded passes? Surprisingly viable thanks to Inventive + Incisive synergy 

 Deep buildup recycling? Elite-level comfort 

Even without Pinged Pass, driven passes feel solid enough for most scenarios. However, high-risk diagonal passes under pressure can occasionally lack the sharpness top-tier meta midfielders provide.

Still, for a CDM at this price range, the passing package is more than enough to anchor a possession-heavy system.Chemistry Style and Role Optimization

Most players testing Locatelli are leaning toward an Anchor chem style. This does three important things:

 Boosts physical presence 

 Improves defensive stats to near-elite levels 

 Enables a more controlled acceleration profile (leaning toward lengthy-type movement) 

With Anchor applied, Locatelli becomes a true deep-lying playmaker/CDM hybrid:

 Sit deep in buildup 

 Distribute play 

 Break up counters 

 Transition into midfield progression 

He's best used as a Deep-Lying Playmaker ++, especially in systems that rely on structured buildup rather than chaotic counterattacks.

Where He Fits in the Meta

This is where the evaluation becomes more interesting.

Locatelli is not a must-complete SBC. Instead, he sits in that "highly usable but situational" tier of midfielders. In the current Team of the Season environment, where cards like Rabiot and McTominay exist with more aggressive playstyle combinations, comparison becomes unavoidable.

For example, players like Adrien Rabiot bring:

 Bruiser playstyle 

 More physical dominance 

 Stronger meta presence in midfield duels 

Compared to that, Locatelli is:

 More technical 

 More controlled in possession 

 Less dominant in physical clashes 

 More suited for structured gameplay systems 

So the decision becomes stylistic rather than purely statistical.

Strengths and Weaknesses Summary

Strengths:

 Excellent passing range and vision 

 Smooth ball control for a taller midfielder 

 Strong interception and defensive positioning 

 Good stamina and aggression 

 Reliable in buildup phases 

 Cheap relative to TOTS standards 

Weaknesses:

 No Bruiser (huge meta loss) 

 No Pinged Pass playstyle 

 Limited finishing ability 

 Not explosive in transition 

 4★/4★ feels average at this stage of the game

Value Verdict: Is the SBC Worth It

At roughly the 200-225k range (depending on fodder market conditions), Locatelli sits in a comfortable "value pickup" category rather than a must-complete SBC.

If your club already has strong midfield options, he is not essential. But if you're looking for:

 A stable CDM 

 A possession-based midfield controller 

 A Juventus-themed squad piece 

 Or a budget-friendly TOTS upgrade 

Then Locatelli is absolutely worth considering.

He especially shines for players who prioritize structure over aggression. If your gameplay revolves around controlled buildup rather than constant pressing and physical duels, he fits naturally.

Final Thoughts

Manuel Locatelli in EA FC 26's Team of the Season is a classic example of a "quietly effective" card. He doesn't dominate highlight reels or redefine the meta, but he does something arguably more valuable-he stabilizes your midfield. Develop him using FC 26 Coins and integrate him into your formation; your midfield will become even better.

He passes cleanly, defends intelligently, and moves the ball forward without unnecessary risk. While he lacks some of the oppressive defensive playstyles that define top-tier CDMs, his technical feel and passing reliability make him a strong option for players who value control and consistency.

MMOexp FC 26 Team