The Team of the Year (TOTY) promo is in full swing in FC 26, and EA has dropped a tempting Squad Building Challenge (SBC) for Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise. This TOTY Honorable Mention card boasts a 90 overall rating and looks to be a premium option for Bundesliga and French squads. With a price tag hovering around 546,000 coins, the community is debating whether this winger is a must-complete or a pass. We took him into the Weekend League to see if he lives up to the hype.
The Profile: A Technical Winger
Michael Olise arrives with a stat line that screams “creative playmaker.” His primary position is Right Midfielder (RM), but he can also deploy at RW and CAM, making him versatile for different formations.
- Pace (90): Splits are solid, though he relies more on acceleration than pure sprint speed.
- Shooting (88): High enough to be dangerous inside the box.
- Passing (91): His standout stat, ensuring crisp distribution.
- Dribbling (91): Elite ball control on paper.
- Skills/Weak Foot: 4-Star Skill Moves and 4-Star Weak Foot.
While the stats are impressive, the community often looks for that 5-star upgrade during TOTY, which is absent here. However, the real story lies in his PlayStyles.
PlayStyles: The Meta Configuration
Olise is equipped with a specific set of PlayStyles that define how he operates in the current FC 26 meta.
The Plus (+) PlayStyles
- Finesse Shot+: This is the headline feature. Olise excels at cutting inside from the right and curling the ball into the far corner. It is a “meta” trait that allows you to score from low-probability angles.
- Tiki Taka+: In wide positions, this is underrated. It allows for quick, snappy interplay with your central midfielders and fullbacks, facilitating a possession-based style that frustrates opponents.
Notable Base PlayStyles
He also possesses Whipped Pass, Technical, Press Proven, and Quick Step. The Press Proven PlayStyle is particularly impactful, making his left-stick dribbling feel incredibly responsive when shielded from defenders.
In-Game Performance: The “Drag Touch” Dilemma
On the pitch, Olise feels distinct. His Press Proven ability allows him to turn tightly in the midfield, making him excellent for building up play under pressure. His passing is top-tier; bounce passes and through balls find their targets with scary accuracy, thanks to that high passing stat and 
Tiki Taka+.
However, there is one glaring omission: First Touch. Previous versions of Olise (like his Player of the Month) often featured the First Touch PlayStyle, which mitigated the game’s inherent “drag touch” animation—where a player takes a slightly heavy touch before settling the ball. Without it, this 90-rated card can occasionally feel sluggish when receiving a driven pass, allowing defenders a split second to close him down.
Despite this, once he has the ball, he is a menace. If you play him as an Inside Forward (specifically in a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3), his AI movement is intelligent. He naturally drifts into pockets of space where you can trigger that lethal 
Finesse Shot+. While his sprint speed isn’t game-breaking, his Quick Step helps him burst away from fullbacks just enough to create a shooting angle.
Verdict: Is He Worth It?
At roughly 546k coins, Michael Olise is not cheap. He sits in a price bracket where you expect near-perfection.
The lack of 5-star skills or a 5-star weak foot does hurt his value slightly, especially when compared to other elite wingers who offer those unpredictability factors. Furthermore, the absence of the First Touch PlayStyle is a noticeable downgrade in fluidity compared to what this card could have been.
However, if you run a Bundesliga team or need a French link, Olise is still a “meta beast” in specific areas. He meets the criteria for elite buildup play and possesses one of the most consistent scoring methods in the game with his Finesse Shot+. He isn’t a “must-do” for everyone, but for those who enjoy technical dribbling and cutting inside, he is a joy to use.
FUTFC Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 Stars)
