Player Review

I got Mertens to fit him into my Serie A Squad because I wanted to try out his dribbling and shooting before buying Dybala. I used him with a Hunter chemistry style in a 41212 narrow. Anyway this is my straight forward review.

PACE - 6 (Hmm But he's small and agile?)

He doesn't have the best stats for speed and I was quite disappointed with his speed in general. With a Hunter chemistry style he goes up to 99 acc and 95 sprint speed. He didn't feel like this at all either this was down to the actual card or the game mechanics. Every time I went past a defender I was caught every time, he felt like 85 pace and with that low strength he was easily bullied of the ball.

SHOOTING - 7 (Finesse City)

The only thing you really need to know about Mertens shooting is that to just finesse, that's all because he is damn good at those. I wouldn't advise taking a power shot because for some reason they are not power shots they're weak shots, just doesn't have the power for it so just finesse every time. His finishing inside the box got worse the closer he got to the keeper I will admit which is a shame he just didn't feel like he was clinical.

PASSING - 8 (He's good at that...)

There's really not much to put into passing, I feel his passing is better than the average striker so if you like quick passing Mertens is a + for you.

DRIBBLING - 8 (In out in out shake it all about...oh wait I feel sloppy now)

Let me say Mertens dribbling is superb at full fitness he can turn fluidly, get into tight spaces and keep the ball close to his feet, almost Messi like but as the match starts to play the longer he's on the pitch the harder it is to turn him, it's like his batteries are dying and is becoming unresponsive. Around the 60th minute because he also hasn't got the best stamina or strength he can become useless because he becomes harder to do the things I want him to do and everyone just bodies me out the way because I can't turn as fast as i need too.

DEFENDING - 2 (Have a better time throwing rocks at the ball)

Obviously he can't defend, he's not meant to defend so be prepared to lose every 50/50 battle but because he's short and agile he can react quick to attack the defender/midfielder.

PHYSICALITY - 3 (practically a leaf)

Mertens is weak okay, he gets bullied off the ball so easily it's not even fair also with that low aggression it makes him feel even weaker so just don't try and hold up or out body anyone with him. He also can not jump and with being so small he may aswell be stuck on the ground it does take away that dimension of another way to attack because don't even bother crossing the ball in to him even with the OP corner technique he can only use his small feet. Stamina is not the best but manageable by the end of the game he is on his back legs though so expect a massive decrease in stats to make him feel like an even worse player.

there's not much to say about Mertens, Maybe he's just not my kind of striker to use but this year the meta has changed and it's no longer the way tp go.As a CAM this guy would probably be really good, but I wouldn't use him as a striker especially a lone striker. I wouldn't say completely stay away but give hi a try because he might suit your style of play.