Flashback SBC Trent Alexander-Arnold

Three weeks into the ShapeShifter promo and the content just keeps on spilling out, offering endless squad building opportunities with new editions of classic FUT favorites.  Mixed into this madness was of course the Trent Alexander-Arnold Flashback SBC paying homage to his FIFA 20 ShapeShifter.  If I am honest this review caused me a bit of an issue as I have been seriously enjoying TOTS Trent as the right back in my “everyday squad.”  The mixture of pace, agility, defending and size has made it difficult to replace the Liverpool man since bringing him into the squad… Of course, the link to my red Salah hasn’t hurt the permanent placement either.  While I haven’t deployed TOTS Trent in the midfield at all during this time, it is a frequent occurrence to send him bombing down the wing for overlapping runs… The aforementioned qualities in the TOTS version leading to excellent offensive returns.  The hope going into this review was that Flashback Trent would simply harness the same strengths, amplify them, and unleash the results on my opponents throughout the weekend.  Once again rolling with the 4-2-2-2 formation this weekend meant a shift for Trent as the box to box midfielder in my squad, with the application of the ENGINE chemistry style propelling the Scouser into the Weekend League hell fire.  Trent put in the graft all weekend long in the following squad:              

Starting Formation:

Overall

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

If you have used TOTS Trent then you know the feeling of this card.  Add in some slightly improved statistics and really not much else has changed.  While the statistics are drastically different… I didn’t really feel a genuinely noticeable difference in the end.  The 5 STAR SKILLS are certainly a selling point and enough to sway those FUT Managers with the magic thumbs… but for me, the addition of a 5 STAR WEAK FOOT could have really blown the doors off of what this card can do.                

Main Statistics - Shooting

Shooting Rating: 8/10
Weak Foot: ★★★★

I feel like I am sabotaging my own review by using this category first, but for me Shooting it is the “Main Statistic” in this case…  Not because it is so phenomenal that it makes this card a must complete… But because it is precisely the exact opposite.  Okay, maybe that is a little dramatic, but in all seriousness, the Shooting on this card could have been better. There is a serious argument to be made for using the MARKSMAN or FINISHER chemistry styles if you are opting to deploy Trent as your own box to box patrolman.  The potency in the final third fell a little short in the end for me and with only a 4 STAR WEAK FOOT and zero traits to speak of… The card is certainly behind the power curve of what is currently available, and certainly for what will come.    

Main Attribute - 5 STAR SKILLS

Height: 180cm | 5’11
Dribbling Rating: 10/10
Pace Rating: 10/10 
Skills: ★★★★★

While the skillers will rejoice at the 5 STAR SKILLS addition… The rest of us have something to celebrate as well.  The unique body type with this card simply jives with the 93 AGILITY & 98 BALANCE that enhances the movement possible with this card.  The responsiveness and crisp movements when left stick dribbling are fantastic and generally caused my opponents’ issues throughout the weekend.  Bellingham-esque is a great way to describe the feel and general look that Trent has when in full motion through the middle of the pitch… The 97 ACCELERATION & 99 SPRINT SPEED also combine with his size to devastating effect as he rolls through the gears.  The addition of the HIGH DEFENSIVE WORK RATE ensured that Trent’s pace was just as effective tracking back as it was driving my attacks.  

Value/Coins & Good vs. Bad

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

520k worth of fodder is a lot at this point in the game.  Literally every week there is a new and shiny card to eat up your fodder if they suit your squad.  Bale is one of the more recent examples, but there will certainly be more and more enticing options.  For me, this is the hang up with Flashback Trent and why I am struggling to recommend the card despite the obvious qualities.

If you did decide to ultimately dump fodder into this card then you are still in for a treat.  The almost perfect (statistic wise) passing with this card is brilliant in game and was borderline perfect in application.  Some of the quality on display when Trent fizzes in the ball was satisfying to watch in action.  The buildup play and final ball all contributed to a successful weekend overall.  But there is more.  Defensively this card has some serious quality as well and was key to providing transition opportunities that may not have directly led to assists, but was a key part of why this weekend went more smoothly than those previous.  

Closing Words

Here is the difficult part of this review, because it should be clear by now that this card is a special option in the midfield.  However, if I am honest, I still view this card as a logical right back in my squad, which might actually cause me squad building difficulties.  Could I continue using Trent in the midfield?  Of course.  In fact, I used Trent as a holding CDM, box to box CM and even as a CAM throughout this weekend and he was just as effective at all three.  Perhaps this is maybe the biggest “issue” in the end.  The total In-Game Statistics on this card place Trent in the Top 10 overall and with almost zero weaknesses and therefore plenty of options and positions to deploy this card.  The lack of a specific position almost creates a situation where you are stuck on where to ultimately play him.  Even more difficult is the nagging voice in the back of my mind that truly believes TOTS Trent wouldn’t be that far off in quality as a CDM or CM role anyway.  In the end, the card has some crazy statistics and certainly aided the success I had this weekend, and I personally do not regret completing it… but I don’t think everyone will see it the same way, and this is fair warning.  Hoping you are safe and well. Cheers for reading.   

Game Stats:
 

Game Highlights: