FOF PTG Wijnaldum Review

The stage was set… my FoF Player Pick paid out and the Gini Wijnaldum swan song in Liverpool colors was acquired.  The Dutch had an easier path to the final and I could already see the upgrades… The one pace from Total 90 statistics was a trigger but would be upgraded soon.  Then, disaster struck and the Dutch came crashing out to a very impressive looking Czech Republic squad and the dream was over.  However, we still felt it was worth looking at the once upgraded version of the now PSG man and so everything was set to dive into yet another Weekend League grind.  Of course, if you played this past weekend with the rest of the suckers for punishment then you will know that the squad requirements for the player pick objective were 8 French players.  With a lack of coins, I was back using untradeable Mendy and Varane and was expecting some serious hate messages… until I realized that literally every single squad I faced was using the same tandem in defence.  With my conscience, more at ease, it was time to dive into the quagmire and test out the final special Gini Wijnaldum Liverpool card ever.  It was evident that Wijnaldum needed to start in the more attacking CDM role of my 4-2-2-2  formation… using his wide array of statistics to bolster my attacking potency.  The application of the HAWK chemistry style is a welcome addition to some already scary looking statistics and the Weekend League was set.  Gini Wijnaldum was in the engine room all weekend captaining the following squad:  

Starting Formation:

Overall

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

I was really worried about this weekend.  91 Matthäus and TOTS Kimmich have been a superb foundation in the spine of my squads recently and I was not sure about moving forward without the pairing.  Much to my surprise… FoF Wijnaldum is essentially the same card as Kimmich… and really I am not sure there is a better compliment I can pay this card.  In the end, I am not sure why I was so shocked… a quick comparison of the two reveals some eerily similar total statistics and in-game qualities.  Even the height and work rates are not far off and really give you a good starting point for this card if you have tried TOTS Kimmich this FIFA.  In the end, I would say Gini just edges Kimmich going forward… while Kimmich provides that little bit extra defensively.  

Main Statistic - Dribbling

Dribbling Rating: 9.5/10
Pace Rating: 9/10
Skills: ****
Height: 175 cm | 5’9

I have said this a few times this year and it just continues to ring true.. the 5’9 - 5’10 height with an average or lean (which is better) body type is my favorite in the game.  The all-90 statistics in the dribbling category, specifically the 94 AGILITY & 98 BALANCE work brilliantly with this card's low center of gravity.  While the 95 ACCELERATION & 94 SPRINT SPEED felt quick, responsive, and ultimately fast enough to deal with all of the opponents I faced along the way.  If you watch the video you will see a quick montage of Wijnaldum twisting and turning before slotting home goals or adding an assist to an impressive tally for only 15 matches from a CDM position.  However, it was not just scoring goals … the build up play was constantly aided by that burst of controlled speed on the ball to create space in the center of the pitch… all of which was benefited by the close control of Wijnaldum’s impressive dribbling statistics.  

Main Attribute - 90 Gang-ish

Shooting Rating: 9/10
Passing Rating: 9/10
Weak Foot: ****

I normally don’t think much of the videos for these reviews… some good music mixed with a small display of the players' Weekend League contributions.  However, in this case, I think the video speaks to everything that Gini does well on the pitch and just highlights that bit of class that this card can produce.  The venom coming from the 95 FINISHING, 99 SHOT POWER & 98 LONG SHOTS is unmistakable on the goals as the ball rockets into the top bins… most impressively was the power at which Gini belted them from outside the box throughout the weekend. 

Then came the passing which was equally impressive throughout the review and sometimes you just know a player has it right away when it comes to finding attackers in dangerous areas… and I certainly felt every statistic of the 99 SHORT PASSING early on.  While a goal a game is a norm when focusing so closely on one card throughout a review… almost one assist per game certainly is not.  To be honest I didn’t quite realise the goal contribution levels Gini was having until I went to take the screenshot after the review. An offensive weapon from deep to say the least.

Value/Coins & Good vs. Bad 

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

As previously mentioned, the Dutch crashing out of the Euro and the complete all 90 statistic line vanished before our eyes. However, so did the growing price tag for this card.  While Gini matches TOTS Kimmich in almost every way, the one area that they don’t match is in price tag.  The fallout from the Netherlands loss was a giant price cut on this card and at 250k it is an absolute steal.

Yet another review of a card that really doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses.  In fact, I could easily see this card playing in just about every position on the pitch outside of ST.  As a CF or CAM he would certainly contribute to the goals and build up play… as a CM he would be box to box all game long with his 99 STAMINA… and as a CDM he was extremely versatile in defence with an almost perfect 90 statistics… then a SHADOW chemistry style would bring him to 96 in the position if you choose.  Heaven forbid you drop him back deeper… but I don’t think he would be out of place as a CB and would be a menace as a wing back.  All in all, he is a utility player of a special level if you choose to use him that way. 

Closing Words

Easy one here.  If you are needing some EPL or Dutch links then this is the card.  There were a few areas that, given a boost, would have taken Gini to a level that was FUT Birthday Renato Sanches two-month-ago-levels… and this certainly makes the Dutch exit all the more painful for me.  However, even at 95 rated you get exactly what this card advertises and that itself makes him a serious contender for even the most stacked squads.  If you have tried him I would love to know what your thoughts were and how he performed.  Hoping you are safe and well.  Cheers for reading.

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