Player Review
88 - Halloween
First let me say that this card is certainly the best box-to-box midfielder in the Premier League and the best non-icon CM of the game. I played him RCM in 4-1-2-1-2 (2) and as a CDM in 4-2-3-1 with Allan alongside him, both playing cover center and Allan stay back while attacking.
Games played: 48 (Divisional Rivals DIV4 and WL Gold 3)
Goals/Assists: 12/13
Pace 9.2/10: not his real strength or weakness, his pace is already great. I choose to apply the Shadow chem style to boost his runs towards attackers more effectively. 96 acceleration and 90 sprint speed in the midfield with 95 stamina is a perfect combination to last all game.
Shooting 9.0/10: How about a striker playing midfielder? With H/H work rates, he was always at the box to finish the plays. In 4-1-2-1-2 (2) formation, his presence at the area is more notable as i played him right CM with Allan CDM and Pogba as left CM. He outperformed Pogba in every aspect of the game.
Passing 8.3/10: He's no Pirlo, but had decent performances passing the ball. With great dribbling stats, he feels agile and strong to build-up plays. I didn't push him too much in this aspect as i always tried through balls with De Bruyne playing CAM.
Dribbling: 8.8/10: For a box-to-box players, it's hard to get great agility and balance in the same player. His high composure also helped him to finish the plays while VVD and others was sniffing his neck. His lateral movements to find little spaces is something to improve (very similar to MID Seedorf and MID Matthaus). I don't recomend Engine chem style because you need to boost his defense to play him CM/CDM.
Defending 9.0/10: Yes, he can easily play defense. He's no Sissoko or Kante that steals the ball without pressing any buttons, but he has precise tackles when aimed properly. 86 interceptions, 88 defensive awareness and 88 standing tackle with Shadow chem style are the best possible stats for a non-icon CM (no other player combine offense and defense like it).
Physical 8.5/10: 95 stamina is one of his best stats. Pair him with Allan or Kante and you can easily play three games in a row without applying fitness consumables in your midflield. I didn't feel his strength was good enough to defend like Sissoko. However, 80 strength is more than enough to build plays while under pressure.
Rating: 9.2/10 (only gonna take him out of the team for Gullit, Matthaus or Zidane).
Value for coins: 10/10
Game changer: 10/10
Everything
Can't play goalkepper