Player Review

I was really struggling with being clinical in games, and I was in the middle of trying to adapt my gameplay to start trying two striker formation. Fortunately, I had enough coins to purchase this card (my first icon), and the results are ongoing and very good.

In a 4-2-2-2 formation, I needed a clinical striker who also was trust worthy at using short passes to help my other striker (Werner 85 base) get through on goal more often - something that I had lacked. I know what you're thinking... A striker icon and he's talking about his passing. Trust me, the ability to hold up and play short and effective passes especially to play people through on goal is crucial for me. As of right now, out of 20 weekend league games, he has 15 assists. This is a quality I have really liked about him, as it has meant other players in my team have gotten more goals, and I have created many more chances than just the typical low cross spamming I used to use. Not sure if he would be as effective as a loan striker.

His pace feels weird. I use him with a hunter chemistry style, and despite having nearly maxed out pace with it, in terms of raw acceleration, he isn't the best. Even against average pacey centre-backs in weekend league, he doesn't seem to bomb through the spaces in behind like a Werner - even when I have have him on get in behind. However, is quick enough in a long sprint to compete with most defenders, so its a weird balance I still have to find out.

For what you came for, when talking about finishing he is an animal. His 4* weak foot feels like 5*, and his ability to be clinical and accurate is a different level. His main quality is his shot power - I haven't used anyone who strikes the ball so clean and hard, and when I have momentum in games he doesn't stop scoring. His movement in and around the area is pretty solid, always seems to move around and find just enough space to receive the ball or take a shot. Even without a finesse shot trait, from around the edge of the box, his finesses are nasty on either foot. He has scored 25 in 20 weekend league games for me, against some pretty broken defenders (Maldini/VVD/Varane/Gomez/Walker).

He feels competent in terms of normal dribbling. 3* skills doesn't help though, as even though there are effective 3* skills, nothing beats a 4 or a 5. He generally retains the ball well, especially when I use skilled dribbling, so the ball often bobbles back to him which is great. His main quality in his dribbling is agility. On paper mid 80's agility isn't the best, but it isn't a bad stat. His 5'9 height though means that his agility feels perfect, and his ability to use skilled dribbling can create enough space to open up passing spaces and opportunities to shoot. is incredibly useful in sweaty matches.

He does come with weak points, but that you can adapt to. He has very poor stamina, and even with minimum running he tires out 60 minutes into games, losing his physical sharpness which isn't great. However, you can still play around him and at worse, there is a lot of pacey cheap players you can use as super subs if you do go to extra time, or need runners in behind late in games. Not idea for a pricey striker though to not be on point all game.

Overall though, this guy has transferred me from being a Gold 2/3 player, to currently with 10 games to play be chasing Elite in Champs. He is so clutch and so useful as a poacher, and his hold up play and above average in game pace provides many options for you. Worth the buy for sure.