Player Review

This verstile fullback was a surprising addition to Goblin's XI after packing an untradeable version in an 81+ x 2 pack; since this moment, my right flank has been dominated by El Tractor.

Just a heads up I'm aware he has multiple positions, and I usually run into him as a CM, but he fits perfectly at right back for the team I'm already running, so this review will be from the perspective of him playing there. I change which full back I have attacking ingame, so both phases, joining the attack and stay back will be covered.

Pace:

His pace is good; he does get exposed slightly by full out and out pace merchants, but almost every full-back does. If he's supporting the attack and you get countered, he simply does not have the pace to recover, but if he's on stay back he'll track and keep up with almost every attacker. I think the workrate's here helps him a lot. In any transition phase, he is guaranteed to already be moving, so that cuts his acceleration down slightly and usually is in a full sprint. I would recommend a shadow for him.

Shooting:

Between the years of 2002 and 2006, Javier Zanetti made over 150+ appearances for Inter Milan without scoring a goal. For Goblin's XI scored one in just shy of 200 apps, and genuinely, I'm surprised he's even got this. This card cannot shoot for love nor money. The fact that this card has power shot playstyle is hilarious. 73 shot power and 50, yes, FIFTY long shots; his shots are abysmal; just don't even try. I know he was never prolific, but that goal against Lazio in 1998, I think these stats should be slightly higher, but regardless, his shooting is atrocious.

Passing:

From here on out, we start to see the quality of Zanetti. His passing, his card says 85; to me, it feels closer to 90. Short passing is consistent and of high quality; the press this year is annoying, as we all know. The little one-two passes Zanetti will consistently pull off help me play out of these presses all the time. Long passing is also great. Cross-field balls? Easy. Outlet passes to the wide men? Easy. Overall, really good passing. I can see why a lot of people play him centrally; however, there remains one stat I've not mentioned that secures Zanetti firmly as my right back, and I think he performs better from a wide position: 92 crossing.

If you remember back to the early 2010's, Zanetti got invited to meet the Pope. Christianity is symbolised by a cross, and it makes sense why Zanetti met the Pope; they both love a cross. High cross, low cross, or driven cross. Delivering from wide? Zanetti can do it all. Not great curve, but they're accurate. German crossing with this guy is almost a cheat code. I have the Centurions Evo Guirassy as a super sub, and these two combining have scored me a lot of late winners. His delivery from wide is a whipped cross playstyle away from being game-breaking; if you cross the ball a lot, Zanetti is the fullback you want supporting you.

Dribbling:

Good dribbling, great composure, and press-proven For me, it's exactly what I want from a full back; his dribbling is viable enough that if you need to use it, you can, but not good enough that you get arrogant and try to dribble out from the back; this is only reinforced with his 2-star skill moves. If you're caught in a tight spot, he can do enough to keep the ball and pass out, but not much more. He does feel a bit stiff, but he controls the ball well and is able to run into space, but not as smoothly as IF Grimaldo, Karchaoui, or Rolfö.

Defending:

Simply put, Javier Zanetti's defending is incredible. Jockey, intercept, and anticipate are the tools Zanetti uses to consistently win the ball for me.

Firstly, his jockey. We all know that in champs, people play for cutbacks. Having this man on my right flank with this just jockying in front of the opponent has helped me stop a fair few cutbacks; if they happen, it's usually on the opposite flank with my left back not being able to match Zanetti's ability. This is only added to by his intercept play style; he might not always trap the ball, but he usually blocks the pass.

His tackling is incredible, be it facing the man or in chase. Facing the man, he can just step in and take the ball away all the time; it's great. Chasing the man; he's got some insane animations. Stepping in front of the man to block them off is something Zanetti does all the time for me. I often find myself chasing the ball carrier, knowing I won't have the pace to get in front of them. If I get close and start to spam the life out of tackle, Zanetti just doesn't give a foul away; it's hilarious. His tackling is great; he is easily one of the best defensive fullbacks this year. He doesn't have the pace of Evo Llorente, but he's got the tools to make him an absolute rock at the back.

Zanetti also holds his own in the air. Standing at 5'10, outside of all the best target men, Lewa, FB Giroud, or that Norwegian freak in Manchester, Zanetti will win most of the stuff in the air and be able to execute a competent headed pass too.

Phyiscal:

Jumping does let him down slightly, but you're not here to hear about that, are you? Relentless+ and 90 stamina. This man will effectively challenge wingers all game. "But Goblin, what about when they sub new wingers on?", I hear you ask. That's fine; it simply means Zanetti has finally completed his warm-up and will be ready for a game of football. Zanetti will and does outrun everyone on the pitch; even going to 120 minutes, he simply does not lose stamina. That High/High work rate too; you really get bang for your buck here, and when he's on join the attack, he's really absolutely relentless. Up and down the right wing for the entire game without fail, he supports every attack and defends everything your opponent can throw down that right flank.

His strength is more than enough to push wingers off the ball and he does well. He can also hold up against a press competently, but there is nothing significant to note.

Aggression is also great. Not insanely high, but high enough to win a lot of the shoulder challenges and helps him in the air.

Overall

Zanetti will reinforce your back line against cutbacks from the right side flank. If you push him up too high, he can be exposed for a lack of pace, but if you get to deliver a cross with him, it's going to rival Amazon Prime. His passing is consistent and helps play out of presses. His defending is one of the best I've used from a full back this year. Zanetti would have 10/10 defending, but he's not as good as as Virgil van Dijk; Zanetti is good but not that good. His stamina just doesn't drop, which is nice against the unrelenting onslaught of wingers you play against. If you wanted to play him on the left side, his 4-star weak foot would likely be able to manage, and I'm sure it helps if you play him centrally.

290k for this card I think it's fair; he's not perfect, but what he does, he does well. Triple Threat Neville might be an alternate option for a lot cheaper if you did her, but she's got a shocking trim, so for me, it's Il Capitano.