Every year, the first few weeks of Ultimate Team are crucial to finding who are this year's "Hidden Gems". Not only to benefit your own squad, but also being able to use that information to help you potentially make some serious coin on the Transfer Market early on. For this exercise, I will focus on players rated 84 or lower. Let's take a peek at 5 players who I think may fit the mold of a hidden gem.
1. Trinity Rodman: USWNT Breakout Star
Sure, she's 84 rated already which is at the top of my threshold, but hear me out. Trinity is rapid as hell (94 pace), has double 4's (Skills and Weak Foot), and has 6 PlayStyle attributes (Trickster, Trivela, Relentless, Rapid, Flair, Finesse Shot) and 1 PlayStyle+ attribute (Quick Step). The face stats on her card speak for themselves. The only issue will be chemistry links with her currently playing in the NWSL and being from the United States. I still believe she'll make an instant impact to your squad and could command a higher price on the Transfer Market from Day 1.
2. Micky van de Ven: That pacey CB you need early
Every year, you need someone rapid on your backline to counter all the early pace abusers. Meet Micky; his base pace stat is a stellar 85, more than enough to handle the quickest of Forwards. He's left footed and has a H/M work rate, which isn't ideal for most CB's, but I'd likely put him at LCB in a 3 at the back formation. Micky is also equipped with the PlayStyle abilities of "Block" and "Slide Tackle". The Premier League and Netherlands links are fantastic as it will be easy to get him at full chemistry. This should be a fairly cheap card for what you're gonna to get back from him on the pitch. A must have for all Starter Squads!
3. Dominik Szoboszlai: The Hungarian Hammer
As one of the newest Liverpool midfielders, Dominik Szoboszlai comes in the game this year as an 82 rated CAM. His card has always performed well for me over the years and I'm especially excited about his card going through EVOLUTIONS for my squad. While I'd prefer he had a H/H workrate (it's M/M), I think he is going to be a ridiculously solid midfielder from Day 1. Dominik's card sports 5 PlayStyles (Power Shot, Whipped Pass, Flair, Technical and Trivela) and 1 PlayStyle+ (Dead Ball). Now that he's playing in the Premier League, he will be much easier to link. Get him in your squad!!
4. Salma Paralluelo: The Women's World Cup's BEST YOUNG PLAYER
Watching Paralluelo during the WWC was absolutely exciting, but how will that translate on the pitch in FC 24? Well, for starters, she's absolutely going to lockdown that left side for you early on while you're figuring out how to build up the rest of your squad. Salma can play LW or LM, has double 4's, 93 Pace, and 3 PlayStyle abilities, "Finesse Shot", "Technical", and "Quick Step". The links are definitely in your favor as she's from Spain and plays for Barcelona in the Liga F. Get her on your squad early so you can focus on building up the rest of the team. Paralluelo will most likely be one of your favorites this season.
5. Luciano "Lucho" Acosta: Mr. Underrated
If you've recently been watching a little more of MLS Soccer because of Messi, then hopefully you've been able to catch a glimpse of this underrated Argentinian star. Lucho is the engine that has orchestrated a dominate FC Cincinnati squad to the top of MLS. Like Dominik Szaboszlai above, Lucho is another phenomenal pick to go through the EVOLUTIONS process, especially if you plan on building a team around Messi later on. Starting off as 77 rated CAM isn't sexy, I know, but Lucho brings 5 star skills and 5 PlayStyle abilities: "Incisive Pass", "First Touch", "Flair", "Technical", and "Trivela". I'm telling you now, get this man on the EVOLUTIONS path from day one and you'll thank me later. In the meantime, go check out some of his highlights on YouTube.
And there you have it folks, my top 5 hidden gems to start off your Ultimate Team experience in EAFC 24! Happy squad building.
