FC 25 90 Numero FUT James Rodriguez Player Review

Enter the NumeroFUT promo, the latest in a list of new promos to be introduced in EAFC25 and truthfully one that has some serious potential.  The idea of boosting players around their numbers and positions is even more possible now with PlayStyles and Roles defining why we use certain cards in certain areas already.  I realize it is early days but I already feel like EA could have leaned into this promo even more (ie. giving all Role++ in that position)... Let’s hope there is more to come.

As for the here and now it was the return of a familiar face to FC25 that made this a relatively easy choice for review, the Columbian talisman James Rodríguez back in business and was always going to be our focus this weekend… Apparently just in time to leave Rayo Vallecano after a rather disappointing return to LaLiga… But real world issues aside, it was nice to see a legend of the game (both touching grass and pixelated) return with such a usable and intriguing looking card.

I really have committed to the 4-5-1(2) as of late and in a way it was nice to see James would fit the RM position and the Inside Forward+ for my specific instructions.  However, something about a promo designed for player’s numbers/positions and then playing that player in a different position all weekend didn’t feel right and so this review will be slightly different.  I returned to the 4-2-1-3 for 5 matches with James as a CAM to honor the promo… then played 2 matches at RM in the 4-5-1(2) just to comment on the differences.  Adding to the challenges further it was hard to determine whether the ENGINE or FINISHER Chemistry Styles would be best and so I tried a bit of both of those as well.  Finally everything was ready for the return of the Columbian King to FUT as James looked to add the creative spark all weekend long in the following squad:

Rating: 8/10

I really wanted this card to be insane and match the levels of nostalgia that I felt seeing James Rodríguez back in the game… Don’t get me wrong there were moments, but simply not enough to contend with the insanity of the current power curve (hoards of free Haalands included).  I honestly feel like EA missed a trick not giving these cards all of the Role++ and PlayStyles for the position associated with their numbers.  James is just lacking those one or two attributes to fully dominate in the CAM position and as a RM was simply too slow to contend with the left backs patrolling those areas.  

Main Statistics – Dribbling

Skills: ★★★★★

Pace Rating: 8/10 

Dribbling Rating: 10/10

PlayStyles: First Touch, Technical, Flair

The one area that James certainly felt like the Numero 10 throughout this review was in the dribbling category.  The LB dribbling with this card is insane and combined with any left stick movement is incredibly effective due to the responsiveness of the card.  The FINISHER did not have much effect on the Shooting but the ENGINE seemed to really unlock the dribbling and so I stayed with it until the end of the review.  The 94 DRIBBLING felt clean as the 85 AGILITY, 89 BALANCE & 81 REACTIONS consistently outperformed their numbers.

More and more I find myself leaning towards players with the FIRST TOUCH PlayStyle and this was key to James being able to quickly transition the ball into attack after receiving driven passes in the gaps.  The TECHNICAL PlayStyle is another weapon and has a similar effect to the likes of Foden as opponents seem to struggle to lock onto any tackles.

Having recently reviewed Mode Mastery Rodrygo I know that it is possible to have Pace without PlayStyles and that was the hope seeing the CONTROLLED EXPLOSIVE AcceleRATE going into this review. Unfortunately it didn't quite work out as planned… There are moments where the 91 ACCELERATION would give that quick step into space, but there were others where it simply did not affect any boost in movement at all.  The one constant came in the 89 SPRINT SPEED, which was consistently poor throughout the review as player after player simply tracked down any attempt to create space while sprinting.

Value/Coins

Value/Coins: 4/5

As James continues to drop in price he becomes better value, which feels like the most obvious “Michael Owen statement” of all time I know… But there is a point that this card starts to be an excellent value for coins (around the 250k mark).  Until that time I feel like upwards of 400k for this card is simply too much for what you get and would urge patience before testing out James. 

Good vs. Bad 

Good vs Bad Rating: 4/5

Makes sense that there were positives in the more attacking statistics with this card and James is certainly capable of delivering goals and assists as the 2.0 contributions per match would suggest.

+ The Passing with this card is fantastic and yet again I wish EA went all out with this category to match the positioning.  The ability to apply a more Shooting orientated PlayStyle might have been the game changer for this review, but the Passing needed to be addressed (along with the Pace and Dribbling of course).  Even the addition of the INCISIVE PASS would really have taken this card up a level.  The 5 assists in 5 matches were still the result of some fantastic statistics as the 92 SHORT PASSING & 91 VISION felt especially on point.

+ The Shooting brought another set of ups and downs as upon first glance I thought James just might light up the CAM position for me this weekend.  The POWER SHOT Plus, FINESSE, & TRIVELA combination eclipses many strikers in the game and produced the 5 goals in 5 matches that resulted from the review… But again small issues created the “what-could-have-been” scenario with James.  Probably most disappointingly was the FINESSE SHOT and the lack of curve James places on the ball allowing most keepers to tip those wide… The 89 FINISHING & 91 SHOT POWER also contributing to some of the “should be goals” turning into corners or rebounds.

Overall there was really only one glaring set of issues with this card that really took a toll on the overall quality of the rating.

- James was never going to be a tank in the CAM position and the 76 STRENGTH made sure that that came true.  I can live with being bodied off the ball, I can live with not winning tackles that are more 70-30 than 50-50 from a defender's poor touch, and I can live with not winning a single header… But the part that really stood out and what I can’t really live with is an attacking CAM that still needs replacing in the 70-80th minute.  I realize that 80 STAMINA is a 25 point improvement from the NIF, but it just isn’t enough, and was made worse with my two match RM experiment.  

Closing Words

2.0 goal contributions per match is a good starting point and again shows that James does have the ability to put a Numero 10 stamp on matches.  Yet in the matches where my opponents were more skilled James became a bit of a passenger and certainly needed replacing nearing the final whistle.  There is quality in the card and it is not grossly overpriced at 400k, but once that starts to come down I would be more inclined to encourage managers to test the Columbian for themselves, even just for nostalgia's sake. 

Hoping you are well. Cheers for reading.