• Pace
• Physicality
• Shooting Prowess
• Playmaking Abilities
• Aerial Attributes
• Dribbling Attribute
• Roles and Playstyle
• Cons
• Conclusion

Stéphane El Shaarawy’s Flashback SBC card in EA FC 25 offers a nostalgic return to one of the most electrifying wingers in European football. Known for his speed, dribbling, and ability to beat defenders, this card presents a highly exciting option for players seeking a dynamic wide attacker. His 91 acceleration and 90 sprint speed are exceptional, making him one of the fastest players on the pitch, perfect for counterattacks and breaking away from defenders. Additionally, with his 5-star skill moves and Trickster playstyle, El Shaarawy is a joy to control in tight spaces, able to pull off tricks and flicks to get past opposition players. 

However, despite these strengths, El Shaarawy’s Flashback SBC card is not without its flaws. His price, sitting at 52,900 coins, feels somewhat steep given the limitations in some areas of his gameplay. While his dribbling and pace are undoubtedly impressive, his physicality, weak foot, and heading ability leave a lot to be desired. For the price, there are more well-rounded and cost-effective alternatives available. This discrepancy between his strengths and weaknesses can lead to mixed experiences depending on the type of gameplay you prefer.

El Shaarawy - Futbin

Pace 

Pace is where El Shaarawy truly shines. With 91 acceleration and 90 sprint speed, he’s able to burst past defenders with ease. Whether deployed as a left midfielder or left winger, he’s a constant threat on the break, using his speed to create space and get into attacking positions quickly. His acceleration means that he can explode from a standstill, leaving slower defenders in his dust before they even have a chance to react. In a fast-paced game, El Shaarawy's pace is a key weapon that allows you to exploit wide spaces and make dangerous runs down the flanks.

However, while his sprint speed is great for outrunning defenders, his pace may sometimes be neutralized by his lack of physicality. If he is caught up by a stronger defender or pressured in tight spaces, his lack of strength could cause him to lose possession more easily. This means that while his pace is fantastic when he has room to run, he might struggle when confronted with physically dominant players or when he needs to use his speed in more congested areas.

Physicality 

El Shaarawy’s physicality is where this card shows its limitations. With a physicality rating of 73 and strength also at 73, he’s not particularly tough in challenges. In situations where he’s required to hold off a defender or fight for the ball in physical duels, he tends to be overpowered. While his balance and agility help him maintain control in tight spaces, he’s still vulnerable to being outmuscled by stronger defenders, especially in one-on-one situations or when battling for possession in midfield.

His jumping (87) and heading accuracy (75) are slightly more promising, though still not exceptional. While he can get his head on the ball from time to time, he’s not going to win many aerial duels, particularly against taller or more physical players. As a winger, El Shaarawy is more reliant on his pace and dribbling than his ability to compete in aerial battles, meaning you’ll need to adapt your playstyle around his physical limitations.

Basic info

Shooting Prowess 

El Shaarawy’s shooting ability is solid, with an 84 overall rating in this category. His shot power (85) and long shots (87) are his standout features, meaning he can score from distance with a fair degree of consistency. Whether it’s a powerful strike from outside the box or a more delicate placement shot, he’s capable of finding the back of the net when given the chance. His attacking positioning (85) ensures that he’s often in the right place at the right time to capitalize on crosses or passes into the box, adding to his potential as a goal-scorer.

However, one area that holds him back is his 3-star weak foot. While this allows him to still use his weaker foot, it significantly limits his ability to finish with the same reliability as on his stronger foot. This means that in situations where he’s forced to shoot with his non-dominant foot, his accuracy and power may drop, and his finishing becomes more predictable. As a result, his shooting effectiveness can be inconsistent, particularly when he's under pressure to take a quick shot with his weak foot.

Playmaking Abilities 

El Shaarawy excels in playmaking with an 86 passing rating, which makes him a very capable provider on the pitch. His ability to deliver dangerous crosses (85) and play incisive through balls means he’s an excellent option for creating goal-scoring opportunities for teammates. His passing, combined with his 5-star skill moves and the Trickster playstyle, allows him to unlock defenses with a combination of creative flair and technical precision. Whether playing as a wide playmaker or winger, he can use his vision to deliver accurate passes or cutbacks to his teammates in the box.

Additionally, his high reactions (87) help him stay alert and quickly respond to changes in play, making him an effective link-up player. El Shaarawy can make quick decisions in tight spaces, ensuring that he keeps attacks flowing. However, his passing is not perfect, and players looking for elite-level through balls or intricate passing might find him slightly less reliable than other top-tier playmakers. Nonetheless, he remains a strong creative presence in the final third.

Playstyle

Aerial Attributes

While El Shaarawy does have decent jumping (87) and heading accuracy (75), these attributes are not his strongest suit. His physical stature and overall aerial ability do not make him a major threat in high-ball situations. As a winger, his involvement in aerial duels is limited, and he will generally struggle when competing for headers against taller, more physical players. In a typical match, you are unlikely to rely on El Shaarawy for many aerial attacks, and his lack of height and heading proficiency means that crosses into the box are less likely to be converted by him.

Though his jumping is reasonably high, it doesn’t necessarily translate into effective aerial duels, especially in competitive gameplay where height and strength are key factors. His heading accuracy of 75 means that even when he does manage to get on the end of a cross, his chances of converting headers are not as high as more physical or taller forwards. If you want a player to thrive in the air, El Shaarawy might not be the best choice for that role.

Dribbling Attribute

Dribbling is undoubtedly El Shaarawy’s standout attribute, with a rating of 91. His agility (95), ball control (91), and balance (90) make him a nightmare for defenders in one-on-one situations. He can glide past players with ease, using quick turns and skill moves to beat his man and create space for himself or his teammates. His high agility ensures that he can change direction swiftly, while his ball control allows him to keep the ball close and maintain possession even in tight spaces. With 5-star skill moves, he is a player who can deliver dazzling dribbles that leave defenders flat-footed.

These dribbling attributes, combined with his Trickster playstyle, give him a unique edge when it comes to creating chances from the wing. Whether you're cutting inside to shoot or delivering a dangerous pass, El Shaarawy’s dribbling makes him highly effective in the final third. However, his reliance on dribbling can sometimes be a double-edged sword, as players may focus on using his pace and skill moves rather than looking for other methods of attack, limiting his overall versatility in some game scenarios.

Roles

Roles and Playstyle  

El Shaarawy’s versatility is another strong point of his Flashback SBC card. In the LM position, he functions well as a Winger+, stretching the opposition with his pace and crossing ability. He can also play as a Wide Playmaker+, utilizing his dribbling and passing to create chances for teammates. As an LW, he’s equally effective, able to take on defenders in a more direct manner, or cut inside as an Inside Forward+ and take shots with his stronger foot. His 5-star skill moves and Trickster playstyle further amplify his potential in these roles, making him a versatile attacking threat.

The ability to play multiple roles on the pitch means El Shaarawy can adapt to different tactical setups. His high pace and dribbling allow him to thrive in fast counterattacks, while his decent passing can help link up play. His skill moves and flair add an element of unpredictability to his game, allowing him to beat defenders in a variety of ways. However, his weaker foot and physicality issues can sometimes hinder his effectiveness, especially when operating in tight, high-pressure situations.

Key Stats

Cons  

While El Shaarawy has many attributes that can make him a fun player to use, his weaknesses are hard to ignore. His 3-star weak foot is a major drawback, as it limits his ability to use his non-dominant foot with any real effectiveness, whether shooting, passing, or controlling the ball. This makes his playstyle more predictable and easier for opponents to counter. Additionally, his physicality and strength are lacking, meaning that he can be bullied off the ball, especially when facing stronger defenders. 

Furthermore, his heading and aerial abilities are not up to the level of other top-tier wingers, which could leave you at a disadvantage when facing teams that utilize crosses or high balls. His lack of defensive contributions also means that you will need to rely heavily on other players to cover his gaps. These cons combined with his high price make him a riskier investment, particularly for players looking for a well-rounded, consistent performer in their Ultimate Team.

Market Price

Conclusion

El Shaarawy’s Flashback SBC card brings a lot of flair and skill to the table with his incredible pace, dribbling, and passing. He’s a thrilling player to use in attacking scenarios, capable of creating chances and beating defenders with ease. His versatility in different attacking roles allows for tactical flexibility, and his Trickster playstyle adds a unique touch to his gameplay. However, his physical limitations, weak foot, and lack of aerial threat significantly reduce his overall value.

For the price, El Shaarawy’s strengths are not enough to make up for his weaknesses, and you may find better value with other players who offer a more balanced skill set. His dribbling and pace make him fun to play with, but when compared to more well-rounded options available for similar or lower prices, this card falls short. As such, I would rate this SBC card a 6/10. While fun to use, El Shaarawy does not offer enough reliability or all-around quality to justify his cost, especially for players looking for consistent, value-for-money options in EA FC 25 Ultimate Team.

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