Following the release of FC 27 player ratings, many players have already begun planning their starter squads based on core attributes like Pace, Dribbling, and Defending. However, as EA fills in the details regarding player PlayStyles, many choices that initially seemed like solid picks for the early game may need to be re-evaluated.
Even though FIFA 27 has nerfed certain PlayStyles, they still significantly impact a player’s actual performance on the pitch, as well as the market price of Gold Cards and how players allocate their coins during the initial phase of the game.
During the early game, the gap in overall stats isn’t massive yet; a lower-rated card with the right PlayStyles can often feel much better to play with than a player who simply boasts more impressive stats on paper.
IGGM.com believes that building a reliable early-game squad requires looking beyond just Rating and Pace; factors such as position, Chemistry, PlayStyles, and the potential for future Evolutions must also be considered.
Why PlayStyles Matter?
In FUT 27, some early-game cards look great on paper but don’t feel right in-game – PlayStyles are often the reason for this discrepancy.
For players with similar Pace and Dribbling stats, having PlayStyles like Quick Step, Technical, or First Touch usually results in smoother ball handling and acceleration. Meanwhile, midfield PlayStyles such as Tiki Taka, Incisive Pass, and Press Proven directly influence passing and receiving.
Different positions prioritize different PlayStyles. CAMs and CMs benefit most from Tiki Taka, Technical, First Touch, or Incisive Pass, whereas CDMs and CBs rely more on Intercept, Jockey, Block, and Relentless. For forwards and wingers, offensive PlayStyles like Finesse, Quick Step, and Technical are key.
Starter Squad Hidden Gems
Kika Nazareth’s 83 OVR card is already a great choice for the early game, and her six Base PlayStyles make her even more valuable. PlayStyles like Game Changer, Incisive Pass, Tiki Taka, and Technical make her an excellent fit for CAM position.
Warren Zaïre-Emery possesses Tiki Taka, Jockey, First Touch, Press Proven, Quick Step, and Relentless. With PlayStyles covering ball handling, passing, defense, and stamina, he is perfectly suited for a box-to-box role.
Kaishu Sano is another player who may garner more attention thanks to his PlayStyles. This Japanese Bundesliga CDM boasts stats of 81 Pace, 81 Dribbling, 83 Defending, and 76 Physical, alongside PlayStyles such as Intercept+, Anticipate, Relentless, and Aerial Fortress.
According to IGGM.com’s observations of the early market, cards of this type tend to command a premium – even before the in-game effectiveness of Intercept+ is confirmed post-launch – meaning players might need to spend more FUT coins to acquire them early on.
Nabil Fekir has an OVR of 79 but comes equipped with Finesse, Power Shot, Dead Ball, Technical, and First Touch. His lower rating makes it easier to meet early Evolution requirements, making him a player with promising future EVO potential.
Ángel Di María currently possesses seven Base PlayStyles; combined with 85 Passing and Dribbling, he fits perfectly into technical attacking systems. Provided you can sort out Chemistry, this card offers great value for building your starter squad.
If you want to assemble these starter squad players quickly after launch, you can buy FC 27 coins and prioritize spending them on cards that truly suit your current lineup and PlayStyles.
Bruiser Nerf
Bruiser PlayStyle was incredibly powerful in FC 26, allowing many center-backs to win the ball directly from behind using a Shoulder Challenge. FUT 27 has nerfed this mechanic, as EA intends for Shoulder Challenge to reflect genuine shoulder-to-shoulder duels.
Consequently, Bruiser shouldn’t be your top priority when selecting a CB. IGGM.com recommends prioritizing PlayStyles like Intercept, Block, Jockey, and Anticipate instead.
Ibáñez features Intercept, Block, Jockey, Long Ball Pass, and Aerial Fortress – a set of traits capable of handling most common defensive situations.
If FC 27 continues to emphasize manual defending, the value of Jockey PlayStyle could prove higher than initially anticipated.
Lengthy Changes
AcceleRATE system also influences starter squad selection. In FC 26, many players actively sought out Lengthy players.
In FUT 27, the performance gap between the three acceleration types has narrowed: Explosive excels at short-distance bursts, Controlled sits in the middle, and Lengthy requires more distance to demonstrate its advantage.
For Wingers and CAMs, there is no need to sacrifice superior Dribbling or PlayStyles just to achieve Lengthy archetype. The same applies to CBs and midfielders; while Lengthy is a bonus, it no longer warrants being prioritized above other attributes.
The height requirements for female players to qualify as Lengthy have also changed; some players who qualified in FC 26 may no longer meet the criteria in FUT 27.
Players to Avoid
Donyell Malen’s base stats, along with his 4-Star Skill Moves and 4-Star Weak Foot, make him a solid choice for an early-game squad. However, he currently only possesses Quick Step, Technical, and Chip Shot, lacking shooting-oriented PlayStyles like Finesse. If a more well-rounded attacker is available at a similar price point, his priority drops.
Mattia Zaccagni boasts decent overall stats and a 4-Star Skills and 4-Star Weak Foot combo, but his PlayStyles are primarily focused on Inventive and Technical. He lacks a clear advantage when compared to wingers who possess superior shooting and acceleration capabilities.
Manuel Akanji features 84 Defending and 81 Physical stats but currently only has Long Ball Pass, lacking defensive PlayStyles such as Intercept, Jockey, Block, or Anticipate. While his raw stats look impressive, his PlayStyle set is noticeably incomplete.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo also currently lacks Base PlayStyles in the database. If this remains the case upon the official launch, his appeal for a Serie A starter squad will diminish significantly.
You don’t necessarily need to chase the highest ratings when building your first squad in FC 27. Players like Kika Nazareth, Zaïre-Emery, Sano, and Fekir demonstrate how PlayStyles impact a player’s value for early-game squads, whereas Malen, Zaccagni, and Akanji require further comparison.
For IGGM.com, the key to early-game squad building isn’t chasing the highest ratings, but finding players whose attributes, Chemistry, and PlayStyles truly complement each other as soon as possible.
