EA Sports recently released one of the most popular Squad Building Challenges (SBC) in FIFA Ultimate Team for Allan Saint-Maximin. This highly anticipated card has caused waves in the market, impacting player prices and sparking discussions on investment strategies. With its unique attributes and upgrade potential, the Allan Saint-Maximin SBC has garnered significant attention from FIFA players. In this article, we’ll dive into the card’s stats, how it has affected the FIFA 23 market, and some valuable investment tips for those looking to capitalize on the hype.
Allan Saint-Maximin SBC: Overview of the Card
Allan Saint-Maximin’s card has been a topic of discussion for weeks, with fans eagerly anticipating its release. Now that it’s finally available, let’s break down the card’s key stats and features.
- Price: The SBC is priced at around 120k coins, which is reasonable given the card’s quality.
- Skills and Weak Foot: Saint-Maximin boasts 5-star skills and 4-star weak foot, making him a versatile dribbler capable of performing high-level skill moves.
- Pace: With 90 pace, Saint-Maximin can outrun most defenders, allowing him to be a consistent threat on the wings.
- Shooting: A notable drawback of the card is its relatively low 75 shooting. While this stat might seem underwhelming, players with good positioning and finishing skills can still make the most of his speed and dribbling abilities.
- Dribbling: With 88 dribbling, Saint-Maximin is excellent at maneuvering through defenders, making him a strong option for players who favor quick, agile wingers.
One of the most exciting features of this card is its upgrade potential. Saint-Maximin will receive upgrades based on the performance of his team, Fenerbahçe, in the Europa League. If Fenerbahçe wins three games and scores at least one goal in four games, Saint-Maximin’s card could see significant boosts, making it a strong long-term investment.
For a more detailed breakdown of how performance-based upgrades work, check out this guide.
Market Impact of Allan Saint-Maximin SBC
The release of the Allan Saint-Maximin SBC has had a noticeable impact on the market, especially in terms of fodder prices and replacement player values. Let’s look at how the market has reacted since the SBC dropped.
Fodder Prices
The SBC requires an 84-rated squad with a Team of the Week (TOTW) player and an 87-rated squad. As a result, prices for high-rated fodder cards have increased slightly:
- 88-rated cards: Rose from 14k to 17k but are now holding at around 16k.
- 87-rated cards: Increased from 9.4k to 10.5k.
- Lower-rated fodder: 84s and 85s have seen little movement in the market.
While fodder prices rose initially, the increase was not as significant as expected. This suggests that the demand for Saint-Maximin’s card may not have been as high as predicted, which could present opportunities for those looking to invest in fodder ahead of future SBC releases.
Replacement Players: Neymar and Rashford
Saint-Maximin’s card is often compared to other left-wingers like Neymar and Marcus Rashford, both of whom have similar playstyles focused on pace and dribbling.
- Neymar: Prior to the SBC’s release, Neymar dropped to 115k in anticipation of Saint-Maximin’s card. However, after the release, Neymar rebounded to 125k, showing that the market did not see a significant shift in demand for Neymar.
- Rashford: Another player who was expected to drop in price was Rashford. Before the SBC, Rashford was priced at 21k, and while he dipped to 19k after the release, he quickly rebounded to 20k, suggesting minimal long-term impact.
- Diaby and Diaz: Both Diaby and Diaz saw similar patterns, with small dips in price that quickly recovered after the SBC’s release.
In general, while some expected these players to drop significantly in value, the market proved more resilient than anticipated. This resilience suggests that Allan Saint-Maximin’s SBC, while hyped, did not entirely dominate the demand for alternative left-wingers.
Investment Strategies: Maximizing Profit from Saint-Maximin SBC
For savvy investors, there are several ways to capitalize on the Allan Saint-Maximin SBC and its ripple effect in the market.
1. Invest in Fenerbahçe Players
With Saint-Maximin’s card tied to Fenerbahçe’s performance in the Europa League, investing in Fenerbahçe players can be a smart move. Some players from Fenerbahçe have already seen price increases, such as Fred, who rose from 1.4k to 1.8k after the SBC was released.
A good investment strategy is to focus on Fenerbahçe players with Shadow or Hunter chem styles. Cards with these chem styles are in high demand due to their versatility in enhancing pace and defending, making them likely to increase in value further as Saint-Maximin’s upgrades become more likely.
2. French Managers
Another interesting investment opportunity lies in French managers. With Saint-Maximin’s French nationality, linking him with other players becomes easier with a French manager. Prices for French managers briefly spiked to 3.9k after the SBC release but have since stabilized around 3.2k. Picking up these cards for under 3k and holding them until demand rises again could yield decent returns.
3. Watch for Market Dips with Promo Packs
Market fluctuations are often influenced by promo pack releases. Leakers have suggested that EA might release high-value tradable packs like 125k packs soon, which could temporarily lower the market value of certain cards. If this happens, it could present an excellent buying opportunity for players and fodder.
4. Road to the Knockouts (RTTK) Players
RTTK players are another good investment opportunity. With these cards receiving upgrades based on real-world performances, they can rise in value significantly. Watch out for players like Watkins and DeMarco, who are popular picks for investments due to their strong performances and potential upgrades.
FAQs
1. How much does the Allan Saint-Maximin SBC cost?
The Allan Saint-Maximin SBC costs around 120k coins to complete, making it an affordable option for a high-value card.
2. What upgrades can Allan Saint-Maximin receive?
Saint-Maximin can receive multiple upgrades based on Fenerbahçe’s performance in the Europa League. If they win three games and score at least one goal in four matches, the card will receive boosts to its stats.
3. Is Allan Saint-Maximin SBC worth it?
Yes, the SBC is worth it if you’re looking for a fast, agile winger with excellent dribbling skills. However, his low shooting may be a drawback for some players.
4. How did the Allan Saint-Maximin SBC affect the market?
The SBC caused a slight rise in fodder prices and impacted the value of similar left-wingers like Neymar and Rashford, though these effects were less significant than anticipated.
5. What are the best investments related to the Allan Saint-Maximin SBC?
Investing in Fenerbahçe players, French managers, and watching for promo pack-related market dips are good strategies to maximize profits from the SBC release.
