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FC 27 is set to significantly improve Icons with higher minimum ratings, stronger PlayStyles, and meaningful stat upgrades. These changes aim to make even lower-tier Icons more competitive and valuable, restoring the excitement and prestige of packing an Icon in Ultimate Team, while giving players more reasons to buy FC 27 Coins as they build stronger squads around these upgraded legends.
New Icons Coming to FC 27
FC 27 will introduce several new Icons, expanding an already impressive pool of legendary players. Some of the reported additions include:
· Christine Sinclair
· Sergio Agüero
· Tobin Heath
· Ellen White
· Rapinoe
· Varane
· Nagasato
· Other new legendary players
However, the most important changes are not necessarily the new names. EA is also significantly reworking existing Icons through rating adjustments and improved PlayStyles.
Why Icons Lost Their Value
Icons were once among the most desirable cards in Ultimate Team. Packing players such as Eusébio, Pelé, Ronaldo, Gullit, Zidane, or Maradona could completely transform a squad.
That feeling gradually disappeared as Ultimate Team's power curve accelerated. With numerous promotions and increasingly powerful special cards, many Icons became difficult to justify.
Even when players completed an Icon SBC or Player Pick, there was a substantial chance of receiving a card that was either inferior to their current team or only offered a minor upgrade.
FC 27 appears to be addressing this problem directly.
A Slower Power Curve Could Help Icons
EA has emphasized a slower power curve for FC 27. The plan reportedly involves fewer promotions, fewer cards within each promotion, and fewer extremely powerful endgame items.
That creates more room for Icons to remain relevant.
EA is also giving Icons significantly stronger PlayStyle selections. Rather than relying purely on overall ratings, these cards can stand out through combinations that complement their attributes and positions.
The minimum Icon rating has also reportedly increased from 86 to 88, immediately raising the quality floor.
Eusébio Shows the New Direction
Eusébio is an excellent example of what EA is trying to accomplish.
His FC 27 version receives Low Driven+, replacing Rapid+. He also gains several base PlayStyles, including:
· First Touch
· Rapid
· Game Changer
· Pinged Pass
With six base PlayStyles alongside a PlayStyle+, Eusébio could be an exceptional early-game striker.
The important point is that EA is not simply increasing his overall rating. The developers are giving Icons tools that can make their cards feel distinct and powerful.
Major Upgrades for Previously Weak Icons
Some of the biggest changes involve Icons that were rarely considered usable.
Roy Keane
Roy Keane receives a major boost, including a reported +3 overall increase. His pace rises significantly, while his shooting, dribbling, defending, and physical attributes also improve.
Combined with PlayStyles such as Intercept, First Touch, Press Proven, Slide Tackle, and Relentless, Keane could become a genuinely useful midfielder rather than an SBC disappointment.
Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes is another fascinating example. His pace reportedly increases by five, while his dribbling rises by ten and defending by six.
That produces a much more balanced midfielder with approximately:
· 79 pace
· 85 shooting
· 90 passing
· 88 dribbling
· 80 physical
Suddenly, Scholes looks like a card worth testing instead of immediately recycling into another SBC.
Rooney, Müller, and Gullit Also Benefit
Wayne Rooney receives a particularly interesting PlayStyle change, gaining Low Driven+ instead of Power Shot+. He also receives improvements to his overall rating, pace, shooting, passing, dribbling, defending, and physical attributes.
Thomas Müller gets Finesse Shot+, alongside Low Driven, Press Proven, and Quick Step. With strong shooting and four-star skills and weak foot, this could make him much more appealing during the opening stages.
Meanwhile, Ruud Gullit gains Quick Step+, as well as Enforcer, Pinged Pass, and Long Ball. Small statistical improvements combined with those PlayStyles could make Gullit a highly desirable early-game Icon once again.
Defensive Icons Are Getting Attention Too
Players such as Sol Campbell and Paolo Maldini are also receiving meaningful improvements.
Campbell gains Bruiser+ and Anticipate, alongside increases to dribbling, defending, and physical attributes. That could address one of the major problems with his older versions.
Maldini receives improvements to passing, dribbling, and physical attributes while gaining Intercept+. Given his already elite defensive reputation, the extra dribbling and stronger PlayStyle could make him a dominant center-back.
Other notable changes include R9 gaining Low Driven+, Pelé receiving Finesse Shot+, and Johan Cruyff gaining Tiki Taka+.
Icons Could Finally Feel Like Icons Again
The biggest change in FC 27 may therefore be psychological as much as statistical.
If EA successfully slows the power curve while making Icons stronger and more distinctive, packing an Icon could once again feel like a major Ultimate Team moment. For players looking to strengthen their squads and take advantage of these upgraded legends, cheap FC 27 Coins can also help provide additional resources for building a competitive team.
The goal should not be for every Icon to automatically be the best card in the game. Instead, even lower-tier Icons should feel valuable enough to earn a place in competitive squads.
That is the experience many longtime Ultimate Team players remember. Packing an Icon used to mean something. With FC 27's new approach to ratings and PlayStyles, EA may finally be bringing that excitement back.
