EA Sports has dropped a new Ferland Mendy SBC in Ultimate Team, and as expected, it’s generating a lot of discussion. Mendy has always been a popular choice at left-back due to his defensive reliability and strong links to Real Madrid and the French national team. But is this version of Mendy truly worth the hefty price tag?
This card comes with some solid upgrades, including a Quick Step, Block, Whipped Pass, Slide Tackle, Rapid First Touch, and Relentless play styles. While these additions sound promising on paper, the real question is whether this card is meta enough to compete with the best left-backs in the game right now.
How Mendy Performs in-Game
Defensively, Mendy does a solid job thanks to his base mechanics. He has strong animations, good positioning, and his tracking ability is decent. However, one of the biggest letdowns is the lack of key defensive play styles. Unlike other top-tier fullbacks, this Mendy SBC is missing Anticipate, Intercept, Bruiser, and Jockey, which are crucial for defensive consistency in Ultimate Team.
Compared to his rare gold version, this SBC upgrade feels like an improvement, but not a game-changer. On a Shadow chemistry style, his pace and defensive capabilities get a nice boost, making him more effective in tracking wingers and breaking up attacks. However, some players might prefer an Anchor chemistry style to add more physical presence, but since he’s not lengthy, that boost might not be as impactful.
For those who enjoy pushing their fullbacks forward, Mendy’s 5-star weak foot can be useful in attack, but his dribbling is still on the lower side, making him less ideal as an attacking wing-back. His passing is decent, but it’s nothing exceptional compared to other elite fullbacks in the game.
How Mendy Stacks Up Against Meta Fullbacks
To determine Mendy’s true value, we need to compare him to other top-tier left-backs in Ultimate Team. The first name that comes to mind is Theo Hernández, who remains one of the most dominant left-backs in the game.
Theo has several advantages over Mendy, including:
- Lengthy acceleration style on an Anchor
- Anticipate, Intercept, and Bruiser play styles
- Quick Step and Rapid, which make him more agile in both attack and defense
Even a rare gold Theo Hernández still holds up well in the meta, and his Team of the Year version is on another level. The lack of proper defensive play styles on Mendy makes a noticeable difference, and players using Theo will immediately feel the gap in defensive animations and aggression.
Another player to consider is Denzel Dumfries. His recent card has been gaining popularity, and for good reason. Dumfries has all the right meta play styles, including Block, Jockey, Whipped Pass, Bruiser, Quick Step, and Aerial, making him one of the most complete fullbacks in the game. Mendy, on the other hand, lacks many of these crucial attributes, making him feel slightly underwhelming in comparison.
Is Mendy’s SBC Worth the Coins?
At 628K coins, Mendy’s SBC is a tough sell, especially when considering the alternatives available. The main reason why players might choose to complete this SBC is for Real Madrid and French links, which make squad-building easier. If you’re running a La Liga or France-heavy squad, unlocking Mendy might make sense purely for chemistry reasons.
However, if you’re looking for the absolute best left-back from a meta perspective, Theo Hernández still reigns supreme. The difference in play styles is significant, and EA has once again held back an SBC card by not giving it the proper upgrades.
For those who prioritize a well-rounded left-back with the best possible animations and AI, Dumfries or Theo Hernández are the better choices. Mendy will still perform well, but his lack of top-tier defensive play styles makes him slightly underwhelming in a highly competitive meta.
If you want to check out the full gameplay review from Inception FC, you can watch it here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ferland Mendy’s SBC
Is Mendy’s SBC worth completing?
Mendy’s SBC is quite expensive at 628K coins. While he offers great links to Real Madrid and the French national team, his lack of key defensive play styles makes him less meta than players like Theo Hernández. If you need strong chemistry links, he’s a solid option, but if you’re looking for the best left-back in the game, there are better choices.
Which chemistry style is best for Mendy?
A Shadow chemistry style is recommended for Mendy to maximize his pace and defensive stats. However, some players might prefer an Anchor for added physicality, though he won’t be lengthy even with this boost.
How does Mendy compare to Theo Hernández?
Theo Hernández is still the better meta option due to his superior play styles like Anticipate, Intercept, and Bruiser. Mendy lacks these key traits, making Theo a more reliable choice for high-level gameplay.
Does Mendy have good attacking ability?
Mendy has a 5-star weak foot and decent passing, making him usable in attack. However, his dribbling is on the lower side, so he’s best used as a defensive fullback rather than an attacking wing-back.
Why didn’t EA give Mendy better play styles?
EA has been limiting SBC cards this year by not providing them with meta play styles. Mendy is missing crucial defensive traits like Intercept, Anticipate, and Bruiser, which significantly impact his defensive capabilities.
What are the best alternatives to Mendy?
If you’re looking for top-tier left-backs, Theo Hernández and Denzel Dumfries are better choices. Both have the right play styles and better overall meta performance compared to Mendy.
