It’s still FIFA to most people, isn’t it?
You can stick it in a new coat and put lipstick on it, but it’s still the same pig we’ve all complained about for a decade. it’s just called something different now, and has lipstick on.
Set for release on 26 September 2025, the third title of the so-called FC era includes refined PlayStyles and chemistry options that reward athletic full-backs, dominant centre halves, and hard-running wide players. Apparently.
What does that mean for Lincoln City? Well, not a lot, considering they seem to have researched their attributes by playing bingo and just using the numbers left on their card at the end. George Wickens, a 63-rated goalkeeper? et in the bin.
Still, if you are a FIFA fan (sorry, EA Sports FC) then you might find interest in their made-up numbers, as outlined here.
Lincoln City’s Standout Cards
Sonny Bradley (Lincoln City, 67 OVR)
A towering centre back at 6ft 5in, Bradley brings 67 defending and 77 physical with 83 strength and solid heading. Lengthy AcceleRATE, plus Block as a PlayStyle, makes him a set-piece asset and a reliable stopper in crowded boxes. Short pass 60 and long pass 52 are fine for recycling possession.
Use Shadow to sharpen interceptions and recovery, or Anchor for strength and aerial superiority. Pair with a quicker partner and a screening midfielder to cover his 45 pace, and you have a no-nonsense leader.
Reeco Hackett (Lincoln City, 66 OVR)
A left-sided option with size and speed, Hackett offers 80 pace and 65 dribbling with 73 agility. He can play LM, CAM, or even LB, which makes squad building simple. Rapid as a PlayStyle gives him separation on transitions, while a balanced 63 shooting keeps him credible cutting inside.
Engine adds zip and ball carrying, while Deadeye or Finisher pushes his end product if you want him as an inside forward. His height and jumping help on back-post crosses when flipped to the right. I can get behind Reeco having good numbers, as my recent top ten article proved.
Tendayi Darikwa (Lincoln City, 66 OVR)
Darikwa is a modern right back with 77 pace, 61 passing, and 63 dribbling. Four-star weak foot is handy for build-up, and Controlled AcceleRATE feels responsive over the first steps. Defensive numbers are balanced at 62, with 76 physical and 80 aggression for duels and presses.
Shadow is the plug-and-play choice for wider recovery speed and tackling. If you want overlapping threat, Engine lifts crossing and stamina to keep him bombing on in a 4-3-3 or 3-5-2.
James Collins (Lincoln City, 66 OVR)
Collins remains a dependable target forward, with 77 physical and 70 heading accuracy for aerials and knockdowns. Shooting sits at 66 with 68 finishing and 68 shot power, good enough to punish cut-backs. Lengthy AcceleRATE and 6ft 2in frame suit near-post runs and second-phase corners.
Finisher or Hawk boosts clinical edge and movement, while Engine can smooth link play if you want him dropping in. Precision Header as a PlayStyle complements back-post crosses and early whipped deliveries.
Ryley Towler (Lincoln City, 65 OVR)
The flowing locks of Towler offer a left-footed CB profile with 67 pace, 64 defending, and 71 physical. He is tidy on the ball for the tier, with 59 short pass and 58 long pass, and he has enough acceleration to cover the channel. Lengthy AcceleRATE helps him hold the line against direct strikers.
Shadow raises defensive ceiling, Anchor strengthens duels and aerials. Use him as the quicker half of a partnership next to Bradley, and let a DM handle progressive passing.
Lewis Montsma (Lincoln City, 65 OVR)
Lewis might find game time at the Bank limited, but on FIFA (whatever, it’s FIFA) he brings 64 defending and 71 physical, with standout strength at 83. Reactions at 60 and decent heading make him reliable on set pieces at both ends. Passing is serviceable for resets, short 58 and long 54, so keep his distribution simple.
Go Sentinel for pure defending, or Anchor to add pace and dominance in the air. Pair with a more mobile defender if you plan to hold a higher line in Division Rivals.
Tom Hamer (Lincoln City, 65 OVR)
A versatile defender who can play RB or CB, Hamer mixes 70 pace with 82 physical, including 87 stamina and 82 aggression. Long Throw (shock) as a PlayStyle gives you a built-in set-piece routine that creates chaos. Defending at 61 is fine once boosted with chem styles.
Shadow turns him into a rangy ball-winner in wide areas, while Anchor lets him tuck in as a stopper in a back three. Useful for hybrid squads that need English links plus role flexibility.
Tom Bayliss (Lincoln City, 65 OVR)
Bayliss is a balanced CM with 75 pace, 65 passing, and 66 dribbling, comfortable as CM, CDM, or CAM. Technical as a PlayStyle and 66 ball control keep him composed through traffic, while 74 stamina supports a box-to-box brief.
Engine raises mobility and distribution for transitions, Maestro or Deadeye can tilt him toward final-third output if you play him higher. He is the chem-friendly glue for early RTG midfields.
Adam Jackson (Lincoln City, 65 OVR)
After nine players, six are defenders (and with Adam reach not in the squad currently, it might be seven of the top ten) Jacko offers classic no-frills defending with 64 defending and 70 physical. Strength at 80 and heading at 66 make him trustworthy on crosses, and Intercept as a PlayStyle helps with lane reads. Passing is basic, so keep his touches short and safe.
Sentinel amplifies his tackling and marking, Anchor gives him enough pace to track runners. Ideal as the conservative centre back next to a pacier partner.
Dominic Jefferies (Lincoln City, 64 OVR)
Jefferies is a flexible runner who can cover LM, LB, or CM, with 73 pace, 60 passing, and 64 dribbling. Stamina at 75 and balanced physicals allow repeat sprints and recovery work on the flank. Technical and Attacking Wingback archetypes make him useful in several shapes.
Engine improves his carrying and crossing if used wide, Shadow turns him into a tenacious press-and-cover LB in a back four. He is a budget squad’s utility piece who keeps chemistry easy, but I’m not happy we haven’t got ten silver players to choose from this season.
Disclaimer – we did have ten silver players, but I left Ethan Hamilton off the list, as obviously he isn’t with us anymore.