Should you complete the 96 Van Nistelrooy SBC in FC 25? ⇒ FUTFC

EA Sports has released one of the most surprising Shapeshifters Icon SBCs yet in FC 25 Ultimate Team. A 96-rated Ruud van Nistelrooy card reimagined as a center back. Known throughout FIFA history for his goal-scoring, this new version trades goals for tackles and headers. It comes with a unique blend of playstyles and stats.

At around 190,000 coins, many FUT players are asking the same thing: is this SBC worth it? Here’s everything you need to know.

Van Nistelrooy’s playstyles and positions

This Shapeshifters version of van Nistelrooy comes with:

Pinged Pass+ Jockey+ Intercept+ Aerial+

All four are highly relevant for defensive players, especially the combination of Jockey+ and Intercept+ which helps massively with responsiveness and challenge consistency. Pinged Pass+ is also excellent for launching quick counterattacks or clearing the ball under pressure. Aerial+ adds value during corners and defensive headers.

Should you complete the 96 Van Nistelrooy SBC in FC 25? - EA FC 25 - FUTFC — Image: FUT.gg

He also has Power Header as a standard playstyle and can be positioned as a CB, RB, or CDM. The flexibility is a huge bonus for squad building.

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Is he reliable at center back?

At CB, van Nistelrooy performs surprisingly well for a converted attacker. His physical strength, rapid jockeying movement and defensive playstyles all combine to give him presence on the pitch. He wins most duels and feels smooth when tracking runs.

The key here is Intercept+ and Jockey+ working together, giving him elite-tier auto-blocks and responsiveness in tight situations. His tackling feels solid and his transition speed is better than expected for a player of his body type.

He does not have Anticipate+, which is still one of the most important traits for a top-level CB. While he has strong recovery animations and solid AI positioning, elite attackers might find gaps in situations where other icons with Anticipate+ would succeed.

Still, for the price, he’s well above average and more than usable at center back.

Why right back might be his best role

Right back is where van Nistelrooy could really shine. All of his playstyles are useful in that position, especially Pinged Pass+ for distribution, Aerial+ for winning headers against wide through balls and Jockey+ for keeping pace with tricky wingers.

Despite being a taller defender, he has smooth running animations and handles defensive pressure out wide very well. His physical engagement in shoulder-to-shoulder battles is excellent and his defensive reactions hold up against the current meta.

You may notice occasional stiffness in tight dribbling situations, but for most defensive moments, he’s composed and reliable. If you don’t already have a premium fullback, van Nistelrooy offers a unique and effective option.

CDM role is possible but not ideal

While he can play as a holding CDM, van Nistelrooy lacks the agility and technical dribbling you typically want in a midfielder. He has the defensive presence and passing range to do the job, but any quick transitions or fast build-up play will expose his limitations.

If you run a two-CDM system and want one to sit deep and strictly defend, you could make it work. But right back and center back remain his better fits.

Should you complete the SBC?

For 190,000 coins, this SBC offers very good value. He’s versatile, has elite defensive playstyles and brings a unique blend of strength and distribution to multiple positions.

Use him at:

Right back if you need someone physical with excellent passing and aerial strength
Center back if you’re not overly reliant on Anticipate+ and want solid tackling with smooth jockeying
CDM only if you play a low-risk defensive setup

EA has now delivered two quality SBCs in a row following the well-received Esa card. With FUTTIES just around the corner, this SBC adds more depth for players looking to build competitive squads without spending a fortune.