The 88 Winter Wildcard Icon Essien SBC is a skip for most players right now, unless you are building a Chelsea-themed squad, you love Michael Essien, or you have a clear plan to evolve him later.
That might sound harsh for an Icon, but this card’s design matters more than the badge. Essien can still put in solid shifts in midfield, he can even pop up with the odd goal, but he also carries a few “missing pieces” that you will feel quickly in the current gameplay.
88 Winter Wildcard Icon Essien SBC: Why the card feels awkward
Essien looks like a natural CDM on paper, but the details push him into a strange middle ground.
He has a controlled feel rather than that explosive burst you want when you step in to intercept a through ball or when you surge into space. He also lacks Quick Step, which makes those first few metres less threatening in transition, especially when you try to recover after a turnover.
The bigger issue is how his tools are spread out. He can do a bit of everything, but he does not fully commit to any one elite CDM identity.
CDM roles: good base, but not the top choices
If you run a true holding midfielder, the card at least points you in that direction with Holding+. The problem is that many competitive setups prefer other CDM profiles, especially ones that help you win the ball earlier and start attacks faster.
Essien’s role options and PlayStyle mix make him feel like a player you are meant to “finish” yourself, rather than a plug-and-play monster from day one.
The missing PlayStyle you notice immediately
Essien does not have Intercept. In the current through ball heavy meta, that is a big deal.
Even if you manual defend well, Intercept helps your CDM and centre backs win those scrappy lanes where the ball clips through legs, ricochets, or slides just out of reach. Without it, you can feel exposed, especially against players who spam vertical passes into the channels.
Can you play Essien at centre back?
You can, but it is hard to recommend.
Yes, Essien has the type of defensive qualities that can work in a pinch, and Anticipate helps him when you step in aggressively. But without Intercept, the position can feel “naked” because you rely on perfect timing instead of getting those extra animations that bail you out when the ball travels through traffic.
If you want a centre back, most players will prefer someone who brings Intercept as a baseline and then stacks extra defensive traits on top.
The best way to use him in your squad right now
If you do complete him, Essien’s most effective use is not as a pure sitter. He plays best when you give him a job that lets him arrive late, win second balls, and support attacks without asking him to be your main creator.
Chem style: Shadow makes the most sense
A Shadow chemistry style is the simplest way to get more value out of the card. It pushes his defensive presence into a better range, and it helps his recovery when you get dragged into transitions.
Anchor can make him feel stronger in contact, but Shadow better matches what you actually need from him in high-tempo matches: cover ground, close gaps, and win the ball earlier.
Role choice: Box Crasher is the surprise sweet spot
Essien can genuinely contribute when you use him as a Box Crasher style midfielder.
This is where his shooting profile becomes interesting. His finishing sits on the low side, but his shot power (92) can carry him if he arrives into clear chances and hits the ball cleanly. In simple terms, he will still miss some chances you would want converted, but he can also score goals that you do not expect from a CDM.
If you like midfielders who make those late runs and you do not force play through them, Essien’s movement can feel better than his face stats suggest.
In-game feel: what stands out in matches
Essien is not a flashy card, but a few traits show up quickly once you get him into live gameplay.
Passing: tidy, and the incisive option helps
Essien’s passing can surprise you, mainly because he can play the right ball quickly rather than forcing risky dribbles. Incisive Pass helps him find those through lanes when you switch from defence to attack, especially when your CAM or striker makes a diagonal run.
Do not expect him to be your main playmaker, but he can progress the ball cleanly.
Dribbling under pressure: safer than most midfield destroyers
Essien’s dribbling does not turn him into a winger, but he handles contact better than a typical “brick” CDM. Press Proven helps him protect the ball and take a touch away from pressure, which matters when opponents swarm the midfield.
That said, you still need discipline. If you take the wrong first touch into a defender, the AI will punish you.
Defending: strong in duels, weaker in lanes
When you step up and tackle manually, Essien can feel good. Anticipate supports that proactive style, and he can win clean challenges when you time it well.
What he does not do consistently is erase passing lanes on his own. Without Intercept, he will not vacuum up as many loose balls or “semi-block” passes that other top-tier CDMs collect for free.
Who should complete the 88 Winter Wildcard Icon Essien SBC?
This SBC can still make sense in a few situations:
- Chelsea past and present squads, where Essien’s Icon links and theme value matter as much as the meta
- Icon collectors who want a usable midfield option without chasing the market
- Players who enjoy box-to-box CDMs, and will use him to crash the box rather than sit deep
- Anyone planning evolutions, if you expect to add key traits later and you are comfortable taking that gamble
Who should skip it?
If you care primarily about competitive performance, skipping is the smarter move.
Skip if you need:
- A CDM who dominates passing lanes every match
- A centre back who feels secure against through ball spam
- A midfielder who scores consistently when chances fall to him
- A card that arrives “complete” without relying on future upgrades
FUTFC verdict
Michael Essien still feels like Essien in the good moments: he covers space, he fights in midfield, and he can arrive late to finish chances when the angle is clean.
But as an SBC recommendation, this one lands in an awkward spot. The lack of Intercept hurts him at CDM and centre back, the lack of Quick Step limits his explosiveness, and the low finishing shows up whenever he gets a less-than-perfect chance.
FUTFC rating: 2/5 stars
