What If Mertens Review

What If … I took a leap and started a YouTube channel after some of your encouragement in the comments,  and then you legends broke the views I wanted by the end of FIFA 21 in one video?  I just wanted to start off with a massive thank you if you viewed, commented, liked or subbed my channel with my first video featuring PIM David Beckham.  Also, a massive shout out to FUTBIN who is, for me, the brightest light in the FIFA community and provides me endless support.  If you want to check out the channel that would be amazing: MaeNine … and you can follow on Twitter: @MaeNine_ for future video alerts.
But let's get down to business.  I love live dynamic cards… the volatility of the price, the speculation on potential for upgrades, the focus on the latest Rangers match in anticipation of our new and improved right back.  While I think there were certainly some options left out of the two squads that would have driven hype to unprecedented levels, there was still an influx of new options to throw into the hellfire of the latest Weekend League.  For me, it provided the opportunity to finally try out a personal FUT favorite in Dries Mertens after missing the opportunity during the Halloween Rulebreakers Promo.  Statistics wise I think I made the smart choice in applying the HUNTER chemistry style… before trying Mertens as both the ST and CAM in the 4-2-2-2… then the CAM in a 4-2-3-1.  Mertens was the enigma all weekend in the following squad:    

Starting Formation:

Overall

Rating: 7.5/10
Pace Rating: 8.5/10
Dribbling Rating: 9/10
Shooting Rating: 9/10
Passing Rating: 7/10
Physical Rating: 6/10
Defending Rating: N/A

Unlike the Enigma Machine, I never ever did solve Mertens throughout my review… I tried an ENGINE… I tried DEADEYE… I played him in three different positions of two different formations… nothing worked.  The style of play this weekend was not Mertens friendly in the bogged down slower gameplay, but even in games when players responded quick and smooth the output was not there… but I will tell you for free that the frustration certainly was.  Maybe the biggest let down of a card I have reviewed this year as I was certain that this card would match my playstyle and be a key contributor to the return to Elite.

Main Attribute – Dribbling

Dribbling Rating: 9/10
Skills: ****
Traits: Flair
Height: 169cm | 5’7

This card felt way slower than the 99 ACCELERATION & 94 SPRINT SPEED (HUNTER) on a small player archetype should. The quickness was relatively responsive, but the speed never felt effective as defender after defender reeled Mertens in when I found space.  Thankfully, the dribbling was still responsive as the 89 AGILITY & 87 BALANCE mixed well with the card size and FLAIR trait.  In summary, the card dribbles well, but you never fully get into the spaces you should due to the surprisingly slower overall pace. 

Main Attribute – 4 STAR WEAK FOOT

Shooting Rating: 8.5/10
Weak Foot: ****
Trait: Finesse, Outside Foot Shot

There is no denying that with 18 goals in 20 matches that the output with this card was not great.  However, this was not down to poor finishing and more so a result of other deficiencies in attacking positions.  Yet the 99 FINISHING, 94 SHOT POWER, 90 LONGSHOTS & 96 VOLLEYS mixed with a 4 STAR WEAK FOOT was nowhere near as potent as advertised.  If I was forced to narrow it down I would say that the FINESSE TRAIT is ultimately the most disappointing aspect of Mertens shooting… and alongside a player such as Neymar, it was made more and more obvious that something just isn’t spot on with Mertens shooting.  One upside though is the free kicks, which Mertens hits about as pure as any card I have used… a constant threat in those dangerous set piece opportunities.

Value/Coins & Good vs. Bad 

Value/Coins Rating: 4/5
Good vs Bad Rating: 3.5/5

Only days ago this card was in the 1 million coin price range… of course with the bottom falling out of the market it has moved Mertens into a much more reasonable 800k.  Still, not worth the price tag at this point given my 20 match experience. However, given the affinity for Napoli to score goals and the relatively easy target of needing 3 goals in their next 4 matches… it is almost certain this card is 92 rated before the end of March.  Perhaps then this card is a 800k card, but I am not sold. Here’s why:

The major concerns with this card come in the Physical category where +2/+3 is not solving anything and even with a chemistry style you then take away from other areas where the card needs “help”.  The fact is that 78 STAMINA has a crazy impact on this card even as a ST.. and maybe it is just me but I am not wanting cards for close to 800k that have only 50-60 minutes in their tank.  Next is the 41 STRENGTH where an upgrade boost and chem style are again not doing anything about the issue… at one point this weekend Mertens was running down the wing when a strong gust of wind blew him off the pitch with the ball for a throw-in… he might be the weakest card I have used.  Just being weak is not an issue alone, but then add in the pace issue and Mertens was in the back pocket of defenders all weekend long.  Maybe even worse, the Passing with this card is not exactly great either, 9 assists in a facilitating role surrounded by some top quality strikers are proof that the 86 SHORT PASSING wasn’t exactly hitting either.  Overall there are just too many high-priority areas that a +2 upgrade is probably not going to fix.

Closing Words

I am sure you will see a lot of FUT Managers in the comments suggesting that they have scored and assisted a load of goals with Mertens, and I undoubtedly believe them.  But I can almost 100% guarantee you will not be seeing a lot of this card in quality squads moving forward.  There are simply too many better options (like Moments Dybala if you completed) that FUT Managers will inevitably go for in the future.  It is a hard pass on this one for me.  Hoping all is well with you and yours. Cheers for reading.

Game Stats:
 

Game Highlights: