Player Review

Welcome to this Review of Jean-Pierre Papin!

It is always exciting trying out new players in FUT so I was excited to try out this card... and rightfully so. I can't believe he is still only 200k, especially as in this FIFA, Hero cards are better for chemistry than Icons. So let's get into a more in-depth review.

Stats: 12 Games - 18 Goals- 17 Assists

PACE (9/10): I played this card with a Hawk chemistry style and his pace was more than enough. With quite a lot of 80+ pace CBs this year, strikers might have a hard time getting past them on pure speed. Personally, I enjoy that CBs can catch up with STs and wingers. However, in situations where pace is a factor, Papin will not disappoint you. Whenever there was a chance to go through on goal, he was able to do so and finish... but we will get to that.

DRIBBLING (8/10): Papin moves quite swiftly due to his size and agility/balance combination. Although the face card stat seems only average for his rating, he is a great dribbler, even in this year's game. It is also quite difficult for your opponent to get him off the ball as he seems to recover from tackles really well. In front of goal is where he feels different from some other strikers I have tried like Benzema or Nunez. He is very clinical in controlling the ball and has not taken any bad touches when in a goal-scoring position. Overall, I was positively surprised, although, at a second glance at his stats, it seems like he should be good on the ball. I am deducting some points as he only has 3* skills which might restrict you, but it was not a big issue for me.

SHOOTING (10/10): One word... DEADLY. I don't know if the weak foot of all players is better this year or if he just acts like he has 5* weak foot. Anyways, whether it is on his right or his left, he will score it. With reduced auto-blocks this FIFA, taking a shot from play in the box is no longer impossible. And with Papin, it will be a goal. Even in the ever-so-difficult 1-vs-1 against a GK, he has so far been putting them away in nearly all instances. Taking a shot from outside the box is also not a problem. I think 98 Positioning, 99 Finishing, 99 Shot Power, and 98 Longshots with a Hawk paint a good picture of how he feels.

DEFENDING (NA)

PASSING (9/10): 73 does not look like a stat that does magic. However, he has been amazing thus far for me. Linking him up with Haaland at the top is a deadly combination as Papin provides the big Norwegian with some amazing assists. Haaland outscores Papin, not because he is the better finisher (although he is also amazing), but because Papin is surprisingly good at just assisting him. Ultimately, this has led Papin to contribute 17 assists in 12 games for me. I reserve a 10/10 to the midfielders that provide ridiculous passes, which Papin has not been in a position to do thus far so I can't judge.

PHYSICALITY (8/10): It's tough to shine in this stat when you're playing next to Haaland. Papin has shown that he can hold his own though. He is good at shielding the ball and slipping through defenders without stumbling. Additionally, he bounces off defenders when they tackle you but does not fall but recovers to often win the ball back. It is nothing as special as Haaland's physicality, but he shows some strength on the ball, and combined with his relatively small size, he is quite enjoyable when clashing with defenders.

OVERALL (9.5/10): He is exactly what I was looking for:... a clinical finisher that can move and provide for a striker next to him. Can he play as a lone striker? I would say yes as he brings everything you really need in a goal scorer. Personally, I like getting attached to a player early in the game. Papin seems to fit that perfectly for me. He provides amazing stats that translate really well into the game, provides amazing links as a Hero card, is always on full chemistry, and is an exciting player to use. I fully recommend him and can't give him anything less than 5 stars.