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Introduction: The TOTY Hype and Koundé's Arrival

The arrival of the Team of the Year (TOTY) promo has brought a surge in player stats, leaving many of us striving to keep up with our meta teams.

With TOTY Defenders now available, including top goalkeepers like Courtois and Endler, the odds of packing one of these elite cards remain slim for most players.

For many, it’s still about grinding through packs, hoping for that rare blue card while mostly finding golds instead.

While high-profile defenders such as Van Dijk and Saliba are virtually impossible to obtain due to their rarity, there are more attainable options worth considering.

One standout is Jules Koundé from Barcelona, whose TOTY card offers a promising alternative at a lower price point.

Although Koundé’s real-life performances this season have been inconsistent, his in-game potential is what matters most for those looking to strengthen their squads in Rivals matches.

First Impressions & Squad Setup

Throughout this week, I consistently opted for formations featuring a four-man defense, with a particular focus on testing Koundé in both central and wide defensive roles.

Initially, I had reservations about his capacity to command the central areas of defense, yet I remained eager to explore how his talents could translate across various positions along the backline.

While most players in the community seem to favor the ANCHOR Chemistry Style for Koundé, I was curious to observe any differences when applying SHADOW as well.

Once my squad was finalized, I jumped into Rivals matches, relying on Koundé to anchor and organize the defensive unit.

Review Methodology & General Performance

This week’s review covered eight matches, primarily due to a mix of rage quits and the desire to thoroughly test Koundé in both right back and center back positions.

Defender reviews often yield fewer highlight moments, but with this TOTY version of Koundé, his stats and PlayStyles typically promise high performance on the pitch.

However, despite being a Team of the Year card, there were certain aspects where Koundé didn’t quite meet expectations.

Considering his price point, there are several more affordable alternatives that deliver similar quality, making his value somewhat questionable for those looking for the best return on investment.

In-Game Stats & PlayStyles Overview

Exceptional speed makes him a standout in fast-paced matches.

His defensive abilities are highly reliable, consistently intercepting and blocking attacks.

Physical strength allows him to compete effectively against strong opponents.

Special playstyles include enhanced jockeying, superior slide tackles, dominance in aerial duels, rapid acceleration, and relentless stamina.

Pace and Defensive Abilities

Koundé’s PlayStyle selection does leave something to be desired, with certain key defensive traits missing—but before diving into those gaps, it’s important to highlight just how well his Pace attributes come together.

When equipped with the SHADOW Chemistry Style, Koundé boasts 96 Acceleration and 96 Sprint Speed, making him extremely difficult for attackers to outrun. The synergy between his high pace stats, the QUICK STEP PlayStyle, and CONTROLLED AcceleRATE allows him to keep up with virtually any opponent, whether he’s deployed as a right back or center back. Even when using the ANCHOR style, there were zero concerns about his speed. Having compared him extensively to Flashback Frimpong, I found no significant difference between the two in terms of raw pace.

Regarding his defensive abilities, the lack of ANTICIPATE and INTERCEPT PlayStyles isn’t as detrimental as one might expect. With either 97 or 99 Standing Tackle (depending on your Chemistry Style), Koundé consistently dispossesses opponents and quickly transitions the ball to his teammates. His 89 Interceptions are reliable—he rarely misses an obvious interception—but he doesn’t offer those standout, game-changing moments you sometimes see from other defenders like Frimpong. Over eight matches, while he was consistently dependable, there weren’t any plays that truly amazed me.

In summary, Koundé is a solid, reliable defender who excels in pace and performs well defensively, even if he lacks some of the flashier moments or special PlayStyles seen in other top-tier cards.

Physicality and Aerial Presence

Koundé's physical attributes are truly remarkable, making him a force in defensive situations.

He excels in shoulder-to-shoulder battles and is adept at shielding the ball, consistently demonstrating strength on the pitch.

His stamina rating of 93 ensures he remains effective throughout the match, especially when pushing forward, which proved beneficial during my review.

Additionally, his aerial abilities stand out; with AERIAL FORTRESS and 94 jumping (boosted to 99 using an ANCHOR), he dominates headers and maintains control in the air, exceeding expectations in areas where I anticipated weaknesses.

Value for Coins & Meta Comparison

• At a price tag of 1.4 million coins, Koundé’s value feels underwhelming, especially considering what players expect from high-end cards at this stage.
• The absence of crucial PlayStyles such as ANTICIPATE or INTERCEPT is a significant drawback—these abilities have become essential in the current Ultimate Team meta, and their omission puts Koundé at a disadvantage.
• While his raw stats are undeniably impressive and can compensate for some shortcomings, there are alternatives with comparable attributes who also benefit from superior PlayStyles.
• Frimpong stands out as a prime example, offering similar quality for just 400k coins and boasting the necessary PlayStyles that make a real impact on the pitch.
• Although Koundé does offer versatility with his ability to play at center-back, there are simply more attractive options available, making it difficult to justify choosing him over other defenders in the same price range.

Good vs Bad: Passing, Agility, and Positioning

• Koundé’s passing ability stands out, making him a reliable option for building play from the back, especially if you choose to use him as a right-back.

The WHIPPED PASS+ and LONG BALL traits make switching the attack seamless, no matter his position on the field.

With a 91 rating in SHORT PASS, he consistently delivers accurate balls down the flank or into the feet of midfielders and forwards.

• His agility is another highlight.

Koundé’s JOCKEY+ trait enhances his defensive movement, while his overall responsiveness ensures he feels quick and sharp when maneuvering the ball.

The TECHNICAL dribbling trait gives him even more flexibility to escape pressure and transition out of risky situations.

• However, using him as a right midfielder isn’t recommended, as he’s far better suited to defensive roles.

Shooting Limitations & Positional Drawbacks

• When considering alternatives for center back or right midfielder, Koundé may not be the obvious first pick.
• While his passing ability is reliable and he can distribute the ball where needed, his range of PlayStyles might leave some players wanting more variety.
• The real drawback appears when using him in attacking scenarios—his shooting capabilities are severely lacking.
• Even though defenders' shooting isn't usually a focus, testing him as a right midfielder highlighted this weakness even further, with attempts on goal often ending in humorous fashion rather than serious threats.

Final Verdict: Is Koundé Worth It?

Koundé’s Team of the Year card stands out visually, but doesn’t deliver the expected performance for a TOTY player.

The absence of crucial PlayStyles is noticeable and impacts gameplay, even though his stats are impressive in other areas.

Players with those missing PlayStyles consistently outperform Koundé, showing abilities he simply doesn’t match.

Given the steep price and limited use at right back, investing in this card feels unjustified compared to available alternatives.

Instead of choosing Koundé, consider Frimpong’s SBC or Joga Bonito Maicon, both of whom offer excellent value and are popular among professional players.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

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