This flashback card kind of caught me off guard because I personally never remember Baines doing anything special to warrant a Flashback Card. However, the stats on this card are not bad when you look for the key stats a full back needs. I used him in the weekend league this weekend for 20 games ending 14-6 at Gold 1 and was surprised at how he performed in game. On a shadow chem style Baines is absolutely Rapid. He was able to catch up to most of the fast wingers in this game with easy or out run a player to a lobbed through ball to stop an attack. His passing is surprisingly good. His short passes in a build up play are alway where they need to be and is also able to cap off an attack with a cross into the box for an easy header. With his curve stat being so high, I assumed these crosses to look perfect like most other full backs but the spin on the ball seems very awkward but still ends up in the right position. He feels very composed and agile on the ball and is able to keep it close when needing to build up from the back. He is easily able to intercept the ball in tough positions or be the first one to a 50/50 ball yet doesn't feel strong enough to body off most attackers. He is aggressive enough to poach the ball off the attacker but never seems to stick his body in and work hard for the tackle. His height is a bit lacking but paired with his jumping he is able to win more headers than you would assume. His stamina is also not an issue in games even though he ends with a yellow bar he still produces at a high rate. His shooting is average for a full back so do not expect crazy goals like others who can shoot better than him. Overall, I was genuinely surprised at this card but his price is a little too much for someone who cannot fit him into a team.
Pace- He is very agile on defense as well as attacking. He is able to catch up to fast wingers like Mbappe and Neymar and is able to run up the wing the same way for easy crosses to finish off a play
Passing- He is a phenomenal passer. His short passes are threaded through tight spaces to feet of other players with ease and rarely has that pass that veers way off target. His crossing is also very good to lob them into the back post for a tall striker or a winger making the run into space
Dribbling- Is a very composed player that has exceptional ball control which makes him able to hold the ball close and not have clunky dribbling like other defenders. He is also hard to push off the ball due to his pristine balance.
Defending- He is very good at intercepting the loose passes to stop an attack. He is always in position on defense to keep the back line in tack to not open up any gaps for through balls.
Physical- Has good stamina which leads him to be able to play a full 90 mins and more. Is very aggressive to attack the 50/50 balls and the balls to a target man.
Height- He is a very small player but his jumping makes up for it on some occasions.
Strength- Defensively he does not seem like a player that goes all in pushes the opponent off the ball on a tackle. He merely stabs the ball away.
Price- He is pretty expensive but for his stats, how he feels in game, and his comparison to other LB such as IF Robertson who is more expensive, he seems worth it so far.
Shooting- Obviously will not do anything special besides take penalties so do not expect anything