The FC 25 TOTS (Team of the Season) campaign is halfway through, and opinions remain split. While the grind is alive and player variety is stronger than ever, ongoing issues with playstyles, lack of standout SBCs, and uncomfortably low player prices have created a tug-of-war between enjoyment and frustration. This post breaks down what’s working in this long-form promo—and what isn’t.

Unlimited Grind, Chemistry, and Player Variety Are Wins

Three areas stand out as genuine positives for TOTS so far: the unlimited upgrade grind, the sheer number of players in packs, and chemistry ease.

The menu grind is the campaign’s strongest element. Thanks to unlimited crafting upgrades, players can keep feeding silver squads into gold upgrade packs with near-endless returns. This helps maintain club depth, especially when executed through the companion app or in-game. The process takes around 15–20 minutes and refills the club quickly.

Beyond that, the volume of players available each week is significant. Between the Premier League, Women’s Super League, and EFL squads, the blue flare in packs appears often. Even if some draws aren’t meta-breaking, they’re still usable and engaging to experiment with. Players like Joe Bellingham, Tielemans, and Elanga are affordable, accessible, and fresh—breaking EA’s long-standing cycle of re-releasing familiar faces.

Chemistry links are also easier than ever. TOTS cards can slot into any squad with minimal fuss. Managers, icons like Gullit or Thuram, and one or two national teammates can get players like Tanaka or Borja Sainz into any team. This flexibility supports a weekly rotation of new cards, encouraging creativity and experimentation in both Rivals and Objectives.

Playstyle and SBC Misfires Limit the Hype (FC 25 TOTS Review)

Despite these wins, there are three core areas that have generated criticism: playstyles, SBC quality, and market pricing.

Playstyles, particularly PlayStyle+, have become a point of contention. Some of the decisions appear out of sync with player identities. Mohamed Salah, for example, received Travella+ and Incisive+—while losing his Team of the Year Trickster+ and Finesse+, which made him feel special. Cole Palmer lost Finesse+, and Haaland’s Foot Birthday card arguably surpasses his TOTS version due to better playstyles. A 95-rated Gravenberch with only six regular playstyles feels incomplete, even if his stats are elite.

SBC content is another letdown. Outside of Gullit, Thuram, and Dwayne, few SBCs feel worth the grind. Vardy’s card failed to inspire confidence. There’s a lack of high-end objectives—no flashback Son, no end-of-an-era De Bruyne, and no iconic chase card to anchor the promo. Past TOTS campaigns featured Christian Eriksen or other legacy players with nostalgic or meta appeal. Right now, FC 25 is missing that driving SBC motivation.

Market Crash Dampens Pack Joy

Perhaps the most demotivating issue is the market. Elite cards are plummeting in price. Bruno Fernandes, one of the best central midfielders in the game, is just 71,000 coins. Bukayo Saka sits at 82K. Even Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mac Allister hover around 90K and 180K respectively. Despite strong stats, their affordability lowers the excitement when pulling them from packs.

Cole Palmer is priced at nearly 380K, despite having only minor upgrades over cheaper options. The variance in pricing often doesn’t reflect real gameplay differences. This price drop is likely tied to high pack weight, which some may appreciate, but it also dilutes prestige. Packing a blue card should feel like a major win—not a 70K disappointment.

What EA Should Fix Before FC 25 TOTS Ends

If EA wants to keep interest high through the rest of the TOTS program, two major changes would help:

  1. Drop a Premium Player SBC
    An end-of-an-era KDB or flashback Son would add purpose to fodder use. Even a high-tier icon like Ronaldo or a unique promo SBC could energize the cycle. Past campaigns were defined by big names—FC 25 needs one now.

  2. Revise Future PlayStyle+ Choices
    Upcoming leagues must show more care in PlayStyle+ assignments. Unique cards thrive on personality. Whether it’s a dribbling maestro or a defensive anchor, PlayStyle+ should enhance identity, not remove it.