-
MMOexp-FC 25: Why Giroud’s Footy Zero SBC Is Dividing the FUT Community
Big Ollie is in the building. Yes, you read that right-Olivier Giroud has received a stunning 98-rated Footy Zero SBC card in EA FC 25 Ultimate Team, and he’s making waves for more reasons than just nostalgia. With five-star skill moves, five-star weak foot, 99 shooting, and a towering 6’4″ frame, this version of Giroud is anything but ordinary.
But is he the kind of card that breaks into your starting eleven, or is he more of a “fun but not meta” pick designed for fans of the French striker’s legacy FC 25 Coins? Let’s dive into his stats, gameplay feel, strengths, and shortcomings to figure out if this card is really worth your fodder.
The Stats on Paper
At first glance, Giroud’s Footy Zero SBC looks incredible:
Overall Rating: 98
Shooting: 99 (Low Driven+, Power Shot+, Finesse Shot+)
Dribbling: Surprisingly decent, with control lengthy keeping him smooth in motion.
Pace: Not blistering, but serviceable with the right chemistry style.
Physicality: Outstanding, as expected from Giroud, with aerial dominance and strength.
PlayStyle+ Perks: Aerial+, Power Shot+, Finesse Shot+, Press Proven+.
The PlayStyle Plus abilities elevate him, particularly in shooting. His low driven shots feel automatic, the power shot packs insane venom, and finesse efforts curve with precision. The aerial threat is also a real weapon, and at 6’4″ he is dominant both in the box and in link-up play.
The drawback? He lacks a Quick Step+ or Rapid+ boost, which would have made him genuinely meta-tier. Instead, he comes with Press Proven+-useful, yes, but not game-breaking.
Chemistry Style Choice
The best option here seems to be Catalyst. Why?
It maxes out his pace and passing, two areas that need the most support.
It keeps his controlled lengthy accelerate type, which works perfectly for his playstyle.
Shooting doesn’t need a boost-he’s already maxed at 99 across the board.
With Catalyst, Giroud becomes a surprisingly well-rounded forward. He’s quick enough, smooth enough in link-up, and absolutely deadly in front of goal.
Price Tag & Accessibility
At launch, Giroud’s SBC cost sat around 314,000 coins. That’s not cheap, especially late in the cycle when fodder is abundant. But realistically, this isn’t a huge barrier. With repeatable SBCs like 85×10 upgrades pumping out fodder daily, most players can complete him without breaking the bank.
So the real question isn’t “can you afford him?” but rather “is he worth your fodder?”
On the Pitch: Gameplay Test
First Impressions
Sliding Giroud into an Arsenal Past and Present squad felt like the perfect test. Paired with Thierry Henry and backed by William Saliba, Big Ollie had the stage set. From the opening minutes, his presence was noticeable. His physicality and ability to create pockets of space stood out right away.
A few early chances highlighted both his strengths and quirks. He generated space well, showed surprising burst speed for a 6’4″ striker, and unleashed some dangerous low drivens. But his first touches can feel a bit heavy, and he’s not immune to being clunky in tight areas.
Pace & Movement
Despite not having Quick Step+, Giroud does not feel sluggish. His stride length with controlled lengthy acceleration lets him cover ground quickly once he’s in motion. Against defenders like Virgil van Dijk, he can hold his own-though he isn’t going to burn past rapid fullbacks.
He’s at his best making runs in behind the defense or holding up play to then release teammates. He thrives as a target man with surprising mobility.
Shooting
This is where Giroud shines brightest. 99 shooting feels real.
Low Drivens: Practically guaranteed goals if you get the angle right.
Power Shots: Absolute rockets. They thump into the back of the net with frightening force.
Finesse Shots: Curved beauties, particularly effective from the edge of the box.
Pens: Cool, calm, and clinical-he’s a dream penalty taker.
One standout match had him score a hat trick with ease: a low driven finish, a finesse curler, and a powerful header from a cross. It was classic Giroud, updated for the digital era.
Dribbling & Ball Control
This is the area where expectations matter. Giroud is not Neymar. He doesn’t glide or snap into sharp dribble chains. But compared to earlier iterations of target-man strikers, this card is far smoother.
With controlled lengthy, he can shift directions respectably, and when using left-stick dribbling combined with strength, he holds defenders off while gliding forward. It’s functional, but don’t expect tricks or saucy skill spam.
Physicality & Aerial Threat
This is where he feels unique. Cross the ball into him, and Giroud’s Aerial+ trait makes him nearly unstoppable. Headers are lethal. In addition, his hold-up play is excellent-shielding defenders, chesting balls down, and distributing cleanly.
For players who miss old-school number nines, this is the card for you.Comparisons to Other Forwards
The most obvious comparison is Footies Erling Haaland. Both are tall, powerful, clinical finishers with a lengthy stride.
Giroud feels smoother on the ball than Haaland, making him slightly better in tight areas.
Haaland has the edge in pure pace and explosive acceleration, particularly thanks to Quick Step+.
In terms of finishing, they are neck and neck, with Giroud maybe edging it in finesse and Haaland dominating in raw power.
Another comparison is Thierry Henry’s ICON card. Henry has more flair and raw pace, but Giroud offers superior physical presence.
Strengths
99 Shooting: Truly elite. He scores in every style.
Aerial Threat: Headers, flick-ons, and crosses feel automatic.
Physical Dominance: Hard to push off the ball.
Versatile PlayStyle+ Shooting Perks: Low driven, power, finesse-he does it all.
Great for Link-Up Play: Excellent target man.
5/5 Upgrade: Makes him unpredictable and fun to use.
Weaknesses
No Quick Step+: Limits his burst acceleration and overall meta viability.
Dribbling Under Pressure: Can still feel clunky compared to smaller, more agile strikers.
Price Tag: At over 300k, some might prefer saving fodder for guaranteed packs.
Not Meta-Breaking: He won’t replace R9, Mbappé, or Prime Henry in competitive squads.
Verdict: Is He Worth It?
So, should you complete Giroud’s SBC? The answer depends on your perspective:
If you’re an Arsenal, Chelsea, Milan, or France fan-Absolutely. This card is a must-do for sentimental value and squad-building fun.
If you love target men or enjoyed Haaland’s Footies card-Yes, Giroud will feel like a fresh but similar option.
If you’re looking for the most meta striker-Probably not. He’s great fun, but cards like Mbappé and R9 are still a tier above.
At the end of the day, Giroud is a fun, nostalgic, and surprisingly effective forward, particularly for casual players or those still grinding Ultimate Team deep into the game cycle. With fodder being easy to come by, he’s well worth trying out EA FC 25 Coins for sale.
Final Rating
Shooting: 10/10
Pace: 8/10
Dribbling: 7.5/10
Physicality: 9.5/10
Value for Coins: 8/10
Fun Factor: 10/10
Overall: 8.8/10-Not meta-breaking, but a brilliant, enjoyable card that celebrates Giroud’s unique playstyle.
-
0 Replies
Sorry, there were no replies found.
Log in to reply.