Headliner Tavernier Review

What a season this man is having at Rangers.  The undefeated season rolls on for Stevie G’s men and Tavernier has played a significant role in their success.  Looking back on the base 75 rated card it is insane to think that Tavernier is one if not the best right back in the game, and it was entirely on performance based cards.  I don’t think it is a question or argument to call Tavernier one of the top 5 right backs currently in FIFA 21 and if it weren’t for the links I think you would be seeing an awful lot of the Englishman.  However, links aside, I still faced a healthy dose of this lad throughout the weekend and it was not fun.  The card is quick, fast, strong & agile… not to mention tall, good passing and capable shooting.  The card is a nailed on starter in most squads and a right back review did not seem necessary.  However, I wanted to put some of these crazy statistics to the test and throw Tavernier into the fire, deploying him as the CDM in my 4-2-3-1 formation.  As suggested in my tactics review I decided to jump into Weekend League in the 4-2-3-1 and in the end really enjoyed the formation despite a devastating 22 win (lost the final match) result.  Tavernier played a massive part in my success and is proving to be one of the most flexible players in the game… Beyond ST and GK I truly think he could play anywhere.  Due to the weekend's defensive duties, I opted for the ANCHOR chemistry style as Gen. Tavernier led my troops into battle all weekend in the following squad:     


Starting Formation:

Overall

Rating: 9.5/10
Pace Rating: 9.5/10
Dribbling Rating: 9/10
Shooting Rating: 8/10
Passing Rating: 9/10
Physical Rating: 10/10
Defending Rating: 10/10

I sat with my finger on the 10/10 trigger for a few minutes while creating this review.  I think the argument gets even stronger if I omit the Shooting rating based on the fact that as a defensive specialist Tavernier doesn’t necessarily need it. However, I still didn’t quite feel he was the perfect 10/10 but he is about as close as you can get.  To start things off the 98 ACCELERATION & 99 SPRINT SPEED felt extremely fast in the center of the pitch.  Tavernier came up against some high quality opposition throughout the weekend and I do not remember any point that I felt he couldn’t keep up with the pace. In fact, it was more often than not the opposite… Tavernier can provide an excellent transition on the ball and push the pace, really getting your squad on the front foot.  The power behind his running is fantastic and once he gets a step it is game over.      

Main Statistic – Defending

Defending Rating: 10/10
Trait: Solid Player

Obviously, if you just want Tavernier as a RB then you are getting a class option out on the flank.  The 95 STANDING TACKLE & 94 SLIDING TACKLE was instrumental to the midfield success Tavernier experienced and would obviously translate well in defense.  You know that moment when you fly into a tackle and somehow your opponent comes out of the battering with the ball?  In the case of Tavernier, this simply did not happen… he wins everything and with conviction as well. Perhaps the 85 INTERCEPTIONS could use a boost as a midfield asset but overall it was a dominant performance this weekend for sure.  

Main Attribute - Height

Physical Rating: 10/10
Dribbling Rating: 9/10
Height: 180cm | 5’11

Alright, I understand that Tavernier is no Colossus on the park crushing opponents and their dreams.  However, he is also not a small option and generally looks massive on the pitch by comparison.  For me it is not his height that is necessarily the selling point… but that fact that he is agile and able to operate at quick speeds at his size certainly is worth an investigation. 90 AGILITY & 88 BALANCE felt responsive and snappy when on the ball and was truly one of the more surprising revelations from the review.  Additionally, this agility translates well when jockeying opponents without the ball making Tavenier feel extremely smooth whenever you control him.  Defensively, his size is also a key factor when reaching for difficult tackles or splitting up passes that could just slip by other players.  Even better is the fact that Tavernier’s 99 STAMINA means he benefits from the Med/High work rates, especially in a midfield, and is capable of doing a job across 90 minutes and beyond.  

Value/Coins & Good vs. Bad 

Value/Coins Rating: 5/5 
Good vs Bad Rating: 5/5

176k is a no brainer.  The card has the potential to play everywhere and almost feels like a “must do” at this point as opposed to a “should do”.  The only reservations I have is honestly about the links and how to fit this card into my squad match after match… and who will play RB?  That is correct… I want to keep playing this card in the CDM or defensive CM moving forward.  The card is fun, dominates, never goes missing, and never felt much different in slower gameplay… The need to move Joe Gomez to RB was problematic however as he was top notch defensively but offensively suspect across 30 matches.  While I need to sort out how I will play him, it seems worth the headache given his fantastic performances over the weekend's 30 matches.  

If I had to draw one complaint out of this review it would be that Tavernier can’t quite do it all.  The Shooting is ultimately always going to let you down a bit with this card… it is not great and despite a few really nice goals I just felt that he missed too many chances overall.  Still, 6 goals in an impressive return for a CDM and closely compares to the 8 assists that were tallied as well.  Obviously, the statistics alone do not scream offensive talent… but it does show his work rates and the fact that he still gets forward in matches.  What the statistics don’t show is how the midfield tackles, ability to get the team moving on the front foot with pace, and key ball into the CAMs feet before the Striker was played through on goal did not add to the weekend's goal contributions… but I sure noticed.

Closing Words

Why Rangers?!? Why!??! The curse of the Headliner was in full effect this weekend for sure.  Rangers looking like they could rattle off 10 in a row at any minute were held to a 1-1 draw, thus resetting the four win boost moving forward.  The wait is now 19 days… but the card certainly doesn’t need any upgrades at this point, but it does feel that both Tavernier and Rangers will at some point extend this card's value with another inform.  I really really enjoyed this review and once I decide on a squad adjustment to get a more suited Right Back I plan on keeping Tavernier for some time… letting him patrol the midfield as he did so tirelessly throughout my 30 matches.  I strongly recommend that if you have not completed this SBC that you do yourself a favor and pull the trigger.  The position flexibility is key and the options are truly endless for utilizing this card in your squads.  Also, as the video suggests, I wouldn’t sleep on his corners either.  Hoping you are safe and well. Cheers for reading.
 

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