Player Review

I originally picked up IF Lukaku with the intention of trading with him, but after becoming frustrated with RTTF Muriel's finishing I decided to try him up top. I can safely say that I am shocked by just how good this card is, and he has now become a permanent part of my team.

Full disclosure: I'm a Div 4 rivals player, so pretty average, and I aim for anywhere in Gold during WL. After 20 games at this level, Lukaku has scored 30 goals for me, as well as having 12 assists. Yes, you read that correctly. 1.5 goals a game. I was lucky enough to pack IF Rashford from a TOTW Upgrade SBC, and Lukaku outscores him 8/10 games. How, you ask? Well, let's delve into his stats...

PACE: 82

Lukaku is, quite evidently, not the fastest player on the pitch. Whack a Hunter on him though, as I have in my team (linked in the review), and that stat goes up to 92. Most of the time he doesn't even need to be that fast though, because he just bulldozes through defenders like they're made out of paper. As I've mentioned, I pair him upfront with IF Rashford, and would recommend creating a strike partnership with a more agile and rapid-style player like that, because together they are incredible.

SHOOTING: 85

With Hunter, this card has 98 finishing, 94 shot power, 94 volleys, and 93 att. positioning. His long shots aren't the best, but that's not really part of Lukaku's game. He can charge through defences or be played through by a nice ball, find an opening, and spank it right into the net from anywhere within 18 yards. I'd also like to point out that his heading is extremely good, and at 6-foot-3 he poses a real threat from crosses, almost as if you're playing FIFA 14 again.

PASSING: 78

I find his passing to be surprisingly good, since he is able to hold up play long enough with his big fat stature and then play through a teammate into open space. As I've said, he's picked up more than an assist every two games for me and that's more than you can ask for from a target man.

DRIBBLING: 77

Now, not his finest stat, admittedly. He's clearly not the most agile player in the game, which is why I would recommend pairing him with a player more suited to that style to balance out your attack. However, he does have 88 reactions and 85 composure, which is nothing to be scoffed at, and his ball control is solid.

DEFENDING: 39

Don't play him centre-back.

PHYSICAL: 85

96 strength. MASSIVE. He holds up play better than any other player I've used in this game, and is extremely hard to push off the ball. If you know Lukaku and you know his game, you'll be more than aware that this is a key part of how he plays. He is able to keep hold of the ball until an opportunity opens up to play through another player, and is equally good enough to turn and hold off a defender to open up space to shoot.

All in all, I cannot recommend this card enough. I suppose the most important thing is to recognise IF Lukaku as a key part of your attack, rather than solely relying on him to produce the goods. With pacey wingers and an agile strike partner, he is unstoppable. Especially at the price he's currently at - 37,500 coins on PS4 when I'm writing this. Insane. Pick him up, at least try him out. For that price, what have you got to lose?