Player Review

Hi guys!

This is my first review and I decided to do it for Makélélé’s 87 rated card because he really deserves to be my first one. I’m sorry for my English, it isn’t my main language.

Before I start, I need to say that I played all games in Division Rivals and in the Weekend League. I am normally a gold 1 player.

I really recommend you using an anchor chem style on him, you could go for a shadow card to boost his pace some more but then you’ll miss the physical upgrade that he really needs (otherwise he is very similar to Kanté).

I tried multiple icon as well as non-icon CDM cards for the position I think I lack the most in this game. I have some defensive problems in my game in which Makélélé helped me a lot to solve the most of my problems. CDM card that I tried were Gattusso 85, Blanc 85, Rijkaard 90, Kanté base card and Ballack baby. None of these cards were (imo) as good as Makélélé is.

PACE (8.5/10)

With the anchor chemistry style, he’ll get 83 pace which feels a lot quicker in game (like 85/90 pace). That’s probably because he isn’t the biggest player in the game which isn’t a problem at all. The great part about Makélélé’s pace is that when he fails to tackle the ball, he is quick enough to run back at the opposing player and try again. That’s why I have absolutely no problems with his pace, but I thought a 10/10 was too much because it isn’t 99 pace.

SHOOTING (1/10)

This really is the statistic where he lacks the most. He just can’t shoot. He scored only 4 goals out of 231 games for me which were ( if I remember correctly ) sweaties or some weird corners he randomly scored with his head (and yes, I’m counting the heading statistic for shooting).

PASSING (7.5/10)

His passing play is more than enough for me. He can play high through balls to your wingers and some good through balls to your strikers. But don’t expect him to give De Bruyne like passes every time, he is just a CDM which is fantastic at winning the ball back for your team. But not to steer some sick balls through your opponent’s defense like De Bruyne can. Don’t even try to take free kicks with this guy because he just cannot do that, you’ll have to accept that. But he still has 26 assists for my club so it's OK.

DRIBBLING (7/10)

Because Makélélé is a CDM I really was surprised how much he can do with the ball. Yes, he only has 3-star skill moves (which wasn’t a problem for me) but he can dragback very quickly and his Cruyff turns are also great. He also has a very high composure statistic which really helped me out in some circumstances.

DEFENDING (10/10)

This really is the statistic where Makélélé is so good for me. Since I have some problems in my defensive play, I really could use a nightmare for my opponents kinda player at my CDM position. With the anchor chemistry style, he can slide tackle (94), he can stand tackle (99) and he will make a lot of sick interceptions (93) for you. Because of his 99 marking (when using the anchor chemistry style) he won’t let the opposing player a moment alone unless you move him wrong. He really defends like god would do and like I said before: when he fails to win the ball back, he is quick enough to run back at the opposing player to give it a second try (he never needs 3 try’s).  

DEFENDING (10/10)

This really is the statistic where Makélélé is so good for me. Since I have some problems in my defensive play, I really could use a nightmare for my opponents kinda player at my CDM position. With the anchor chemistry style, he can slide tackle (94), he can stand tackle (99) and he will make a lot of sick interceptions (93) for you. Because of his 99 marking ( when using the anchor chemistry style ) he won’t let the opposing player a moment alone unless you move him wrong. He really defends like god would do and like I said before: when he fails to win the ball back, he is quick enough to run back at the opposing player to give it a second try ( he never needs 3 try’s ).  

PHYSICAL (9/10)

Everything that I have mentioned before really looks like Kanté. But the physicality statistic is why I definitely prefer Makélélé over Kanté. The stat that needs a chemistry style upgrade the most on Makélélé’s card is definitely physicality stat. He’ll get with an anchor chem style 89 jumping, 88 stamina ( cannot be upgraded with anchor ), 89 strength and 96 aggression which is fantastic for me. Because Makélélé is taller than Kanté and he has a way better jumping stat than Kanté he is able to win headers ( Kanté never won headers for me ). Of course, he won’t win from the likes of CR7 or FB Zlatan, but he still wins a lot. With his 89 strength he is also able to push opposing attackers away from the ball. All in all: I really was surprised by Makélélé’s physicality. His stamina was good, he lasts 90 min long but if recommend subbing him off when you going to play extra time.

Claude Makélélé is elsewhere on the pitch collecting balls for you to start an attack. He’s defensive positioning is phenomenal due to his LOW/HIGH workrates. Sometimes he makes weird attacking runs even if I tell him to stay back while attacking. His 3-star skills and his 3-star WF was no problemo for me.