Player Review
93 - Icon
Firstly, can't believe I am the first to review him.
Straight to the point, I know why you are looking at this review - does that singular composure stat ruin what is essentially an amazing Icon striker card. In short, no, although I can't pretend it wasn't noticed here and there.
Caveats. I'm a very narrow player. Essentially I interchange the CAM and striker to play short 1 2s and play off each other, whereas my wide players don't get as much of the ball. I play centrally, so that may explain the inflated goals and assists figure. For example, if I score 5 goals in a game, chances are out of the 10 goal involvements, 75% of them will be the CAM and striker. This is what made me attracted to Sanchez - all the attributes I would look for in a striker, with the ability to pass and link up with the CAM. previously I have used Martinez, birthday Hazard, Firmino...you get the idea. Games were primarily seasons, with 10 in champions
PACE: Rapid both on and off the ball. With Hawk he has 97/98 which is easily enough to get through defences for through balls. It also makes him surprisingly good at harrying the opposition.
Shooting: The big one. A clinical finisher, up there with the best, although you would expect that from a player that has 99 in everything outside of longshots. Any space he has, it is going to test the keeper. Weak foot was not an issue, lack of traits was not an issue. The one slight caveat to this is the COMPOSURE. He doesn't hit that elite level like Jari Litmanen, Messi, Ronaldo, but is still very good. Put it this way, if you didn't know it was rated 87, you would probably put it down to user error. But because you know he doesn't have the 90+ you would want in an endgame forward, that one chance in 10 that he doesn't put away, and you feel like he should, you notice. Solution? Make space (he is very good at finding it) and then crack a shot out.
Passing: Unexpectedly very good. Short game and crossing was very good (he had a few stints out wide when I bring on Jovic for some more physicality), and he is good both out wide and playing slightly deeper. His long passing is what it is, so long hail Mary's are not going to be effective, but in reality you won't really be using this that aften. As mentioned above, when interchanging with the CAM, it was not a problem.
Dribbling: Outstanding, night on perfect, but lacking in the 4* skills we all crave. First touch, close dribbling, left stick dribbling, all excellent. You won't bemoan it.
Defending: NA, but good at harrying defenders as quicker and stronger then they will realise.
Physicality: With hawk, I was very impressed. His jumping and heading is arguably up there with some of the players I've seen (mainly because of how poor it is this year), but the power header trait is very noticeable. His aggression is very good, he fights for a lot of lost causes. His strength combined with his dribbling ability make him difficult to knock off the ball. One downside, the stamina - he won't run all game, so be prepped that he may tire out nearer the end of the match. Stay forward instructions helped.
In short, I paid just over 1,000,000 for him, and his finishing was well worth the money, as well as his ability to link play. Yes, his composure is slightly noticeable in game, and if you are a stickler for this stat, then this card may not be for you. However, if you can live with it, the goals he will be involved in will be well worth the value.
- Pace to burn
- Close dribbling control, first touch is outstanding
- Finishing - every form, long range, in the box, near, far, finesse, he has it all
- Power header trait - very noticeable, and good jumping
- With hawk, physicality is very impressive for a smaller forward. Battles for the ball, aggression is good.
- Weak foot is still good
- Playmaking, his passing all round is excellent
- Stamina - lasts comfortably for 70% of the game, but don't expect him to run all game
- 3* skills for those that use them
- The composure - NOT a major weakness, but noticeable in certain situations. 9/10 times not a problem