FIFA 23 Cody Gakpo POTM SBC Player Review

Ramping back up with another review in this ever interesting instalment of the beautiful game. Apologies for the slight break in our normal schedule, but sometimes life comes at you fast… just not in FIFA 23 gameplay.

The votes were counted and it was clear that many of you were hoping for some clarification on POTM Cody Gakpo and whether or not this card is worth the hard earned fodder.

There is of course the slightly less powerful inform version of Gakpo on the market, but the POTM offers the opportunity to get the towering Dutchman in your squad using untradeables and discard fodder kicking around your club.

With the review target set it was a quick drop in to FUTBIN and the new chemistry generator. If you are on the website it is possible to see how chemistry styles will affect the player type.

With only CONTROLLED for options, I went for the next best thing, the pace and finishing of the HUNTER chemistry style.

With everything sorted Gakpo slotted in perfectly as the right-sided striker of my 4-2-2-2 formation. Everything was set as Gakpo proved to be the powerful targetman all 15 matches in the following squad:

 

Starting Formation

 

In Game Formation

 

 

Overall

Rating: 8/10

Pace Rating: 8/10

Dribbling Rating: 8/10

Shooting Rating: 9/10

Passing Rating: 7/10

Physical Rating: 8/10

Defending Rating: N/A

 

This card is one of the most vanilla cards I have used. Except for one hidden gem to be discussed further down in the article.

Outside of that magic, there is just nothing out of the unexpected with Gakpo and the card performed exactly as I anticipated.

This is not necessarily a bad thing though. While the name of the game should be about card enjoyability… There is something to be said for a card that simply gives you exactly what you envision.

I certainly wouldn’t go to the lengths that some have about this card, but there is real quality there that could be a stepping stone for many FUT Managers.

 

 

Main Statistics – Shooting 

Shooting Rating: 9/10

Weak Foot: ★★★★

Traits: Outside Foot Shot, Finesse Shot 

 

 

Definitely the area where this card shines brightest and if you are finding yourself frustrated with missed chances from your frontman, this card could be the answer. 

The 4 STAR WEAK FOOT performs exactly as you would expect.  The difficult curlers and first time strikes can be found wanting at times… But the tight accurate finishes and anything with the laces is going to cause your opponents issues.

The combination of the FINESSE SHOT and OUTSIDE FOOT SHOT traits was a nice touch and having those weapons was a key contributor to the goal per game result. 

The 93 FINISHING, 93 SHOT POWER & 86 LONG SHOTS are a perfect summary of the card as a whole.  Nothing blows you away, but everything contributes to an overall effectiveness that simply gets the job done.

 

 

 

Value/Coins

Value/Coins Rating: 5/5

 

In this case we are discussing value for fodder, but I would still suggest that Gakpo is worth every submission equalling the 28k price tag.  

Big, powerful, clinical… everything that you want in a striker and certainly made more effective by the FIFA 23 gameplay. 

Despite only being slightly superior to his inform, by only a few in-game statistics, I like the idea of this card being in my club long term.  There are real opportunities for super sub appearances given his consistency overall.

 

 

Good vs. Bad

Good vs Bad Rating: 4/5

 

14 goals in 15 matches is a great return for WL qualifiers and Div 4 gameplay. However, the 2 assists is far from ideal and certainly a talking point in this section.

+ 189cm | 6’2 with 82 STRENGTH is a shielding dream. There is a power about this card on the ball that is crazy effective.

+ The 97 SPRINT SPEED in open spaces can keep the gaps between defenders wide enough to generate quality scoring opportunities.

+ Here is the surprise!… somewhere in the makeup of this card lies a formula for unbelievable free kicks. I went from 0 free kick goals to 3 in the span of 15 matches. 81 FREE KICK ACCURACY and 83 CURVE does not scratch the surface of what I experienced.

But even with the masterful free kicks, there were issues to discuss…

- Given the size of this card and 80 JUMPING I was expecting an animal in the air. The 64 HEADING ACCURACY along with a general lack of quality in the air made for some frustrating missed chances.

- The 96 ACCELERATION is quite poor and slow to start. Like a train, it takes Gakpo ages to get his engine going… but once he is on the tracks, look out.

- The 84 VISION, 81 SHORT PASSING & 73 LONG PASSING led to many frustrating moments, generating only 2 assists across the review.

 

 

Closing Words

If you simply want to look at value, this card is a no brainer. The positives outweigh the negatives and the price tag couldn’t be better.

I anticipate the “get the inform” argument, but I view this card as a fantastic opportunity to get value from your untradeables and duplicates. You can stick Gakpo on the bench and expect results when you unleash him later on in matches.

But if you like what you see in the video and want to start scoring free kicks for fun… the rumored release of Eredivisie Squad Foundations could provide opportunities to better integrate Gakpo in your starting squad.

 

Thanks for reading, and be sure to follow @FUTBIN on socials and keep an eye out for our polls to vote on which players you want to see reviewed next!