Icons have been one of the most prime attractions of FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT) since they were added in the game back in FIFA 14. The icons are some of the best players who have ever played the beautiful game. Icons provide free chemistry to every player in the game which further helps you to build hybrid teams. Like the previous two years, there will be 4 versions of every icon (Viz base, middle, prime and prime icon moments) released at a certain point of the game cycle. With every new FIFA title, EA Sports introduce new icon cards in the game. In FIFA 21, for the first time ever, there will be 100 icons for you to play with. EA have added 11 new icon cards for their upcoming new FIFA title. In this article, we will discuss some potential key features (strengths and weaknesses) of FUT 21 New Icons.
Disclaimer: The ratings and features mentioned in this article may not be 100% accurate. We are delivering our own thoughts considering the previous versions of FIFA and their real-life characteristics.
Xavi Hernandez
When we hear the name, Xavi, the first thing that comes in mind is a midfield maestro who has ruled over the midfield for both Barcelona and Spanish national squad. The Barça legend had some huge rated cards in past FIFAs and earned his position in the Team of The Year thrice. Considering his past cards we think he will have the following ratings and attributes:
- Base: 90 Middle: 92 Prime: 94 Moments: 96
- Height: 5’7” / 170 cm
- Skill moves: * * *
- Weak foot Rating: * * * *
- Strong foot: Right
- Work rates: Medium/Medium
- Strength: Xavi will have high dribbling and passing stats . Together with his 5’7” height and high dribbling stats he will be able to turn quickly. With new enhanced passing in FIFA 21, Xavi will make 99% of his passes accurate. With a four-star weak foot, you will be able to shoot and pass with both of his feet.
- Weakness: In previous FIFA editions Xavi neither had high pace stats nor high strength. We think those characteristics will carry over to his icon cards which will be a letdown.
Suggestion : Use him as a Box to box midfielder or a secondary CDM . Use either Engine or Anchor Chemistry styles.
Nemanja Vidic
During his time, Vidic was a brick wall in Manchester United ‘s defense and was considered to be one of the bests of his time. The Manchester United and Inter legend was included in the Team of the Year once. According to us, his possible ratings and attributes are:
- Base: 88 Middle: 90 Prime: 92 Moments: 94
- Height: 6’3” / 190 cm
- Skill Moves: * *
- Weak Foot rating: * * *
- Strong Foot: Right
- Work Rates: Low / High
- Strength: With a 6’3” stock he can intercept every ball within his big reach. He will have high defensive and physical stats with high heading accuracy . So he should be able to score headers for you more often.
- Weakness: Nemanja Vidic was definitely not the fastest and agile defender around. Hence his icon cards might also not have high pace and dribbling stats.
Suggestions: You can not hold the ball for too long with him. Win the tackle and pass the ball should be your main play with him. Use Shadow Chemistry style to boost his pace by a large margin.
Davor Suker
Davor Suker was one of the finest strikers of his generation. The Croatian and Madrid legend made his mark for both club and country. Suker is a returning icon in FIFA 21. He had icon cards both 88 rated in FIFA 14 and FIFA 17.
- Base: 86 Middle: 88 Prime: 90 Moments: 92
- Height: 6’0” / 183 cm
- Skill Moves: * * * *
- Weak Foot Rating: * * * *
- Strong Foot: Left
- Work Rates: High / Medium
- Strength: Suker will have decent stats all over his cards. Can be used as both an ST and CAM . Four-star skill moves and weak foot are highly important for a striker.
- Weakness: 6’0” has not been quite suited as a ‘meta’ height in FIFA 20. His height might affect his dribbling a bit.
Suggestions: In FIFA 21 headers are more effective and attacking AI is said to be refined for every player in the game which will make Suker more of a goal scorer. Use Stay Central and Get in Behind tactics. Either Engine or Hunter Chemistry styles will be more effective on Suker.
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Schweinsteiger is one of the best box to box/holding midfielders of all times and achieved many prizes and trophies throughout his career. With Matthaus and Ballack already in the game, Bastian will be the third German and Bayern midfielder to appear in FUT as an icon. He has had a 76 rated CB card in FIFA 20 and will have icon cards in the upcoming FIFA title.
- Base: 88 Middle: 89 Prime: 91 Moments: 92
- Height: 6’0” / 183 cm
- Skill Moves: * * *
- Weak Foot Rating: * * *
- Strong Foot: Right
- Work Rates: High / High
- Strength: High / High work rates are the perfect work rates for a midfielder. With his 6’0” height he will have quite a great interception reach . He will have great passing, dribbling and defending stats.
- Weakness: Schweinsteiger won’t have high pace stats and his height might affect his dribbling a bit.
Suggestions: Use Stay back while attacking tactics and use either Shadow or Engine Chemistry styles depending on your requirement.
Fernando Torres
‘El niño’ Fernando Torres will receive his icon cards in FIFA 21. This Spanish and Liverpool legend has always been a goal-scoring machine for both club and country. This World Cup winner had decent cards in FUT throughout his career.
- Base: 88 Middle: 90 Prime: 91 Moments: 92
- Height: 6’1” / 186 cm
- Skill Moves: * * *
- Weak Foot Rating: * * * *
- Strong Foot: Right
- Work Rates: Medium / Medium
- Strength: Decent pace, shooting, dribbling and physical stat s are Torres’s key stats. High Strength and Heading stats will maximize his chances of scoring headers. High attacking positioning will let you bag more goals with him.
- Weakness: 6’1’’ height might hamper his dribbling with the ball.
Suggestions: Use Stay Central and Get in Behind tactics on him. Use Engine Chemistry style to boost his pace and dribbling.
Philipp Lahm
Lahm is arguably the best fullback to have ever played for both Germany and Bayern Munich . He was quite fast, agile and strong which made him one of the finest of all time. Philipp Lahm’s icon card was requested by the community for a long time and now we will be getting it in FIFA 21. This icon has the potential to be one of the best end game fullbacks of FUT 21.
- Base: 89 Middle: 91 Prime: 93 Moments: 95
- Height: 5’7” / 170 cm
- Skill Moves: * * *
- Weak Foot Rating: * * *
- Strong Foot: Right
- Work Rates: High / Medium
- Strength: He will have decent speed , passing, dribbling and defending stats which will make this card incredibly useful. He will feel smooth on the ball due to his low height
- Weakness: He won’t have the best interception reach due to his 5’7” height.
Suggestion: As said earlier Lahm’s icon cards will be brilliant in our opinion. Use Anchor Chemistry style to improve his pace and physical or use Shadow chemistry style to improve his pace and defending drastically.
Samuel Eto’o
Eto’o might prove to be one of the best strikers in FIFA 21. The Cameroonian played for Clubs like Barcelona, Inter, Chelsea and many more and was a top tier striker at his time. Eto’o is one of the most hyped icons in the upcoming FIFA title.
- Base: 89 Middle: 91 Prime: 92 Moments: 94
- Height: 5’11” / 180 cm
- Skill Moves: * * * *
- Weak Foot Rating: * * *
- Strong Foot: Right
- Work Rates: High / Medium
- Strength: With his 5’11” height he will be very responsible on the ball. High / Medium work rates are perfect for a striker.
- Weakness: If he is given a three-star weak foot, it will be a huge letdown.
Suggestions: Use Stay Centra l tactics and Hunter Chemistry style to boost his pace and shooting.
Petr Cech
Cech has always been a brilliant goalkeeper for both Chelsea and the Czech Republic. The FIFA community has a huge favoritism for Yashin’ s prime icon card because of his hat. Now we will also have Petr Cech with a head cap on.
- Base: 88 Middle: 90 Prime: 91 Moments: 93
- Height: 6’5” / 196 cm
- Skill Moves: *
- Weak Foot Rating: * * *
- Strong Foot: Left
- Work Rates: Medium / Medium
- Strength: 6’5” height might prove to be very key for a top-end goalkeeper like Cech. He might be able to reach corner shots from time to time.
- Weakness: Goalkeepers are always quite linear while saving certain shots.
Suggestions: Don’t use any chemistry style on goalkeepers.
Ashley Cole
Cole will be the third Chelsea legend to join the icon club in FIFA 21 alongside Torres and Cech . With the lack of icon Left Backs in the current game, Cole will be a brilliant addition to FUT. This also means that the price of Ashley Cole could be high.
- Base: 87 Middle: 88 Prime: 90 Moments: 91
- Height: 5’9” / 176 cm
- Skill Moves: * * *
- Weak Foot Rating: * *
- Strong Foot: Left
- Work Rates: High / Medium
- Strength: Cole will have decent pace, passing and defending stats which are highly required for a fullback. He will feel pretty agile on the ball his cross will be high as well.
- Weakness: If he gets a two-star weak foot that will definitely be not the best thing about this icon.
Suggestions: Use either Anchor or Shadow Chemistry style depending upon your requirements.
Eric Cantona
‘ The King ‘ is here. Eric Cantona will receive his icon cards in FIFA 21 and is featured in most of the reveal trailers from EA SPORTS FIFA. This means that Eric Cantona might have a very high rated base icon card which in turn make his other versions higher rated.
- Base: 90 Middle: 91 Prime: 93 Moments: 95
- Height: 6’2” / 188 cm
- Skill Moves: * * * * *
- Weak Foot: * * * *
- Strong Foot Rating: Right
- Work Rates: High / Medium
- Strength: Cantona can be played as either a Striker or a CAM due to his great shooting stats as well as aggression . This card will be balanced in all areas and will be a great option for your Ultimate teams.
- Weakness: 6’2” height might affect is dribbling which should be compensated using chemistry styles.
Suggestions: Use Engine Chemistry style for CAM and Sniper / Marksman Chemistry style for ST usages.
Ferenc Puskás
The Hungarian legend Puskás is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He has a whole award by the name of ‘ Puskás Award ‘ given to the player for scoring the best goal in a calendar year. The Real Madrid legend bagged tons of goals throughout his career and will be having icon cards in FIFA 21.
- Base: 91 Middle: 92 Prime: 94 Moments: 96
- Height: 5’8” / 172 cm
- Skill Moves: * * * *
- Weak Foot Rating: * * * *
- Strong Foot: Left
- Work Rates: High / Medium
- Strength: Puskás never had any cards in FIFA ever before hence his strength and weakness in-game are yet to be known. But it can be said that the card will be a beast. With his 5’8” height he will feel very agile on the ball and four-star weak foot is always a plus point.
- Weakness: He might not have high strength stats. Hence he might get bodied by strong defenders.
Suggestions: Use Hawk Chemistry style for extra pace, shooting and physical stats.
Conclusion
With all of the familiar names of football reappearing as icon cards in FIFA, we would obviously love to see some more legends of the beautiful game in the upcoming FIFA titles. Players like Iker Casillas, Danielle De Rossi, Francesco Totti, Cafu are some fan favorites and we will love to see them in the game.
What’s your opinion about FUT 21 new Icons ? Who would you like to have in your team? Let us know in the comment section below.
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