In FIFA 21 the speed rating of the cards plays an important role. This currently leads to confusing lineups – which annoys many players.
This is the problem: In FIFA 21, players have a whole range of stats that define their abilities. These are summarized in the categories “Speed”, “Dribbling”, “Shooting”, “Passing”, “Defense”, and “Physical”.
These values are also visible on the cards and all have an impact on how a player performs. However, speed takes on a special role here from the perspective of many FIFA players. Slow forwards are quickly regarded as unplayable; creeping defenders are seen as disadvantaged. If you can’t keep up, even the best passing, positioning, or shooting stats are only of limited use. Therefore, primarily fast players belong to the meta players in FIFA 21.
Because many players primarily rely on sprinters in attack, speed is also required in defense. And that creates a problem.
Players annoyed by the “Fullback Meta”
This is currently developing: In the FIFA community, there is a lot of talk about the so-called “Fullback Meta.” Players in the FIFA subreddit have been increasingly reporting in recent weeks about the phenomenon of an increasing number of full-backs being placed in central defense. They may have a worse chemistry value because they technically do not belong there – yet players are opting for this variant.
How does that happen? Full-backs are usually faster than center-backs. However, they often have
- worse physical or defensive stats
- or are shorter, which leads to weaknesses in headers.
Many seem to willingly make this sacrifice if they can take advantage of the high speed ratings – even without a chemistry boost.
An example of this were the End-of-an-Era cards for the Bender twins that were released over the weekend. There was a full-back (or in English: “Fullback”) card for Lars Bender, while there was a center-back card for Sven Bender.
The curious thing: There were comments like “The Lars Bender card looks like a really good center-back.” While there was a similarly strong center-back card for Sven Bender – which however shows 11 points less in speed.
This is what the community says: On reddit, the topic of “full-backs in central defense” is being actively discussed. One user wrote a post that RV-Bender and Klaiber (also a right-back) are currently the best center-backs in the game – which was answered by pointing out that one also should not forget Mbabu’s What-If card. However, he is a full-back himself (via reddit).
In general, there is a lot of criticism that the game mechanics, in which speed plays a special role, force players to place full-backs in central defense. This makes Ultimate Team drift further away from “real football”.
- In a post, one player says: “I just played against someone who substituted [Prime-Icon Rio Ferdinand] for Mbabu in the first minute, what is wrong with this game?” (via reddit)
- “One problem is that the strength in winning duels is not important enough compared to the dribbling stats, and that crosses and headers with the right players are not a consistent way to score a goal,” comments one user (via reddit).
- “Seriously, I’m tired of facing four full-backs in defense,” one user complains (via reddit).
Another user criticized (via reddit), that there is basically no major disadvantage to making this adjustment.
Imagine Manchester City going into a match against Manchester United tomorrow with Zinchenko and Mendy in central defense against Cavani. That’s just ridiculous. There has to be a downside to players abusing speed by simply placing the fastest full-backs they can find in central defense.
Overall, Ultimate Team is more of a fantasy mode than a direct football simulation. After all, you can also create strangely colorful stadiums or assemble crazy teams here. You can find some of the best players here.
What do you think about this topic? Do you think the game mechanics in Ultimate Team should lead to a more realistic play? Or do you see FUT more as a fantasy mode where that isn’t as important? Let us know in the comments!
