Two massive player of the month SBCs are expected to drop today in FC 26, and both have the community buzzing for totally different reasons. Jamie Vardy’s Serie A POTM brings a wave of nostalgia because his past POTM items were some of the most dominant, fun cards ever created.
Michel Olise winning the Bundesliga POTM raises big questions about what kind of upgrade EA will choose to give him.
Jamie Vardy POTM in FC 26 could bring back a classic FUT meta
Vardy was only added to FC 26 last week, entering the database with a very modest base card featuring chip shot, a four star weak foot, three star skills and just 71 pace. On paper he looked unusable. But the leaked Serie A POTM has players hoping EA repeats history.
The community immediately remembered the iconic FIFA 20 Vardy POTM. That 87-rated SBC cost around 30k, played far above its stats, and crushed early game defenders with 93 pace and surprisingly smooth dribbling. It remains one of the most up voted cards in FUT history because it was cheap, fast, effective and simply fun.
If EA carries even part of that DNA into the FC 26 version, we could get a striker with high 80s pace, strong shooting upgrades and more responsive dribbling.
A four-star upgrade would make the card even better, and a playstyle upgrade such as rapid or quick step plus could turn POTM Vardy into an early game star.
The key question now is cost. If EA prices him under 100k, he becomes an easy craft for most Ultimate Team players and a nostalgic must-complete card for long-time FUT fans. Even with one or two small stat errors left in a database leak, the direction of the SBC looks very promising.
Michel Olise POTM: a strong card but a surprising winner
Olise winning the Bundesliga POTM is genuinely unexpected. In November he produced two goals and three assists, which is impressive, but many expected Deniz Undav to win after scoring six goals that month.
Because fan voting plays a big part, the community believes the popularity of Bayern players helped push Olise over the line.
Now the focus shifts to the upgrade. Olise already has two special cards this year:
• Jogo Bonito Olise – finesse plus and five star skills
• Ratings Reload Olise – technical plus
• Base 86 – no playstyle plus
Neither upgraded item is performance based, which gives EA freedom to choose any direction for POTM Olise. Some expectations:
• Rating likely 87 or 88
• Weak foot might improve if EA wants to distinguish the card
• Many players prefer finesse plus over technical plus for shooting reliability
This POTM is almost certain to be the more expensive SBC today, potentially anywhere between 150k and 220k depending on the rating and playstyle plus. If EA gives him finesse plus again, his Jogo Bonito card might drop in price. If EA gives him technical or something completely different, the Jogo Bonito version may maintain value because of its five star skills and finesse plus combo.
Vardy vs Olise: two POTMs with very different Ultimate Team impacts
Vardy is the nostalgia pick, and if priced correctly, he becomes a popular early game striker for millions of players. He is the fun SBC. Olise is the competitive pick. If EA gives him the right playstyle plus, he becomes a top tier winger or CAM in Bundesliga teams. But because his existing special cards already offer premium playstyles, the POTM must be meaningfully different to justify a high SBC price.
Both SBCs arriving on the same day will reshape the market, especially for fodder and Bundesliga attackers. Many players will wait to see the official stats before commiting their clubs to either card.
FAQ about FC 26 vardy and olise potm
Will the Vardy POTM be cheap?
Expected to be under 100k.
Could Vardy get a playstyle plus?
Rapid or quick step are both possible.
How expensive will POTM Olise be?
Likely between 150k and 220k.
Will Olise get finesse plus again?
Possible, but not confirmed.
