Player Review
87 - Icon
I'll start with saying that I was largely underwhelmed with the selection in Icon Swaps 2 so had the attitude that you couldn't really make the wrong choice. I needed a CAM so it was between Socrates and ADP. I took the former because he was available sooner, allowed me to get another Icon and is a very unique player on the game.
The short of it is, he isn't the Meta CAM that most people are looking for. He can be clunky especially in bad game play and his work rates are undesirable; he's probably not as effective as other options out there. BUT MY GOD IS HE FUN.
I used a Sniper on him to give the bigger boost to his Agility than Engine provides, it maxes out his Dribbling, Ball Control and Composure which turns him into a classy SOAB. It maxes out most of his shooting, his finishing is up there with the best I've used, and his shooting from outside the box is also very good. His positioning is exceptional despite his work rates with most of his goals coming from being found making a late run the edge of the box.His Passing is also top tier, which in my opinion when combined with his great Ball Control and Composure, makes up for his low Agility and Balance as his first touch is always solid and he doesn't mess up his passes, so you don't need to dribble around with him. That being said, his 99 Dribbling with Sniper is very good with close control, but he doesn't glide past players.
Socrates is very much a system player, I can't see him fitting any formation or position than central CAM in a 4231. Referring to my title, it is absolutely essential that you have fast, agile players around him who can alleviate the stats that Socrates lacks and make the most of the areas he excels in. I used 89 IF Mane, Mbappe and Neymar around him meaning the their pace, dribbling and positioning allowed for great runs to take the pressure off Socrates and make the most of his great passing. Their ability to play quick 1-2's, get in behind from a Socrates pass and then pull it back to the arriving Socrates makes for a brilliant Meta dynamic.
COMPOSURE COMPOSURE COMPOSURE
Unique, Fun player to use
Dribbling and Ball Control
Shooting of every kind
Passing
5* weak foot
Strong and Aggressive
A combo of Socrates and Zambrotta/Raul/Seedorf/Figo is probably better than just ADP
Agility in bad game play
Balance in all game play
Central CAM's burn stamina so 85 is on the lower end of being usable
Not Meta