FIFA 23 FUT BALLERS OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN PLAYER REVIEW - COP OR FLOP?

Oh EA…

It was all so predictable and familiar. So much so that I called this being a problem two days ago. The fourth FUT Ballers SBC has taken a winning format and decided that the thing that ain’t broke, needs fixing. 

With only an 84 and an 86 rated player available, and the cost of this squad being the joint second highest, the focus now actually becomes how the card plays. It’s not a simple no brainer when taken in isolation. However, in game, this card shocked me.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been given the FUT Ballers treatment, complete with the insane dribbling every card gets. This is the first non attacker we’ve received and, outside of Ederson, the only one we’ll be getting.

Check out the card! - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 86

Oxlade-Chamberlain FUT Ballers SBC Requirements

#1 - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Premier League Player - Min 1 Squad Rating - 83

Total Cost from scratch ~ 34K

Hmmm. This is comfortably the lowest rated pairing of cards we’ve had in the promo. I was honestly expecting this to end up being and 82 with no in form or with a couple of 83’s. But it has been given the joint highest cost of any FUT Baller so far. For the first time, the cost of this SBC is actually more than the fodder value of the cards we get back and so a lot rides on the ability of the card in game. Fortunately, the in game performance is likely exactly why this SBC is more expensive. 

Oxlade-Chamberlain FUT Baller SBC In Game Analysis

Ok, truth be told, I looked at this card and pretty much had this article written in my head already. The card looks so bang average outside of dribbling, the rating is too low for the fodder to make sense, it just all seemed a bit of a mess. 

I was wrong.

This might be the most unique and eminently usable cards we’ve received in this promo. 

With no chemistry style this card is an 89 rated CAM. With a Powerhouse he turns into a 93 rated CM. Only barred from Gullit gang due to a hilarious 44 heading accuracy, this card is a true all rounder with a skill set that not many possess in the engine room of the midfield. 

This card got 15 goal contributions in 7 games from midfield in FUT Champs qualifying. 12 of those were goals, and a good proportion of those were lengthy strikes. 

I’m going to put my conspiracy hat on. CPU traits have tangible effects on Player controlled players. In this case I’m talking about the long shot taker trait. I have used players with better shooting, in this case it’s 93 shot power and 87 long shots, but Ox just has an extra sauce on his ball striking that makes his shots just feel different. My only explanation is that trait. 

I was fascinated to see how the FUT Ballers dribbling treatment affected a midfield player, and honestly, I think it’s better than the attackers. We’re used to incredibly agile attackers, but in midfield it takes on a whole different form. So many people play with stocky, powerful DM’s, but with Ox, you can just burst past and around them and exploit spaces that you’re usually not even looking to get into. The 95 composure also meant that his relatively average passing and shooting was elevated in tight areas as he was seemingly entirely unfazed by hulking defenders hanging off his back. 

Is he the complete package? Absolutely not. In the air and in true physical duels, he will lose out. His passing isn’t sublime and his defending absolutely needs chemistry style help to be useful. However this card offers a really unique option in the centre of midfield, with High/High work rates he’s a defensive harrier and can add the extra man in attack. 

Before you dismiss this card as fodder, give him a go. I think you’ll be surprised.
 

@futbin_com is 86 FUT BALLERS Alex Oxlade Chamberlain worth it? 👀 #fifa23 #fut #fifaultimateteam #futballers ♬ original sound - FUTBIN

How Does He Compare?

Currently the fodder value of an 84 and an 86 rated player is 25k. No longer do we have the comfort of leaning on the fodder value being an automatic cop. However, it is worth bearing in mind that you have to unlock this card (or a friend does) in order to complete the Play To Style objective set that gives you an 89 Mason Mount and a second objective to get a FUT Birthday player.

Comparing any of these FUT Baller cards to alternatives has been tough because their dribbling is so outrageous. However, I do think we have a solid option to compare to here. 

PTG Bernardo Silva comes in at 530k, he is high/high, 4/4 and a similar height to Ox. This comparison however is made as Silva is the only player who can play at CM in the prem who has higher dribbling face card stats!

Pace is a weird mix, a very even 84/85 split for AOC (not that one) is countered by 92/78 for Silva. Whilst I like good acceleration, I think this goes to Ox as 78 sprint speed is pitiful. Shooting is another area of personal preference. Whilst Silva is a more accomplished finisher, Ox is far more effective from the areas you will tend to shoot with midfielders from. 

Passing and Dribbling however sit firmly in Silva’s camp. With 8 extra short passing, 5 more vision and 9 more curve, the only area Ox is close is long passing. Dribbling is a mighty battle. Whilst the extra 4 reactions for Ox are notable, the extra dribbling, balance and agility make this just Silva’s. 

However, in the defensive part of the card, Ox absolutely dominates. A truly competent defender by comparison and with 18 more strength, it adds a string to the Englishman's bow that is unrivalled. This is an incredibly tight comparison between a half a million coin player and 35k SBC. 

FUT Ballers Oxlade-Chamberlain - Cop or Flop?

This SBC has 47% upvotes. Apparently I went all mystic meg in the Bamford review and called that this would be the SBC that is worst received by you. And I get it, it’s totally understandable when you look at the ratings of what we received earlier. 

For the comment, it’s time to pull out the golf clap for TJLFC1892 for a superbly executed pun…

I genuinely thought when this card came out that it would be a firm flop. And I’m sure for some of you, you won’t bother trying this card and will just complete it to complete the objective, and that’s fine. However, I have used some of the best midfielders in the game, and this card feels just as effective, if not more, in certain areas. He is not perfect, but for 35k, it’s a properly fun card. 

The total number of FUT Baller SBC’s will be 7. Liverpool have now received two of them.
However, some BPL clubs will have received 0. Manchester United for instance.

Cop

SBC Rating: 8/10