97 Van de Ven SBC Review – Is He the Best Center-Back in EA FC 25 Ultimate Team?
If you're grinding EA FC 25 Ultimate Team this week, one Squad Building Challenge (SBC) stands out: the 97-rated FUTTIES Van de Ven. With top-tier stats and a repeatable SBC structure, this Dutch center-back could be one of the smartest upgrades to your backline.
In this review, we’ll break down his in-game performance, best chemistry styles, tactical fits, and whether he truly is the best CB in EA FC 25.
Stat Breakdown of 97 Van de Ven
| Attribute | Value | What It Means In-Game |
|---|---|---|
| Pace | 99 | Insane recovery speed |
| Defending | 96 | Elite interceptions & positioning |
| Physical | 95 | Aggressive in duels |
| Reactions | 94 | Super responsive on presses |
| Composure | 91 | Handles pressure with ease |
Work Rates: High/Medium
Body Type: Lean (feels fast and agile)
Preferred Foot: Left
Van de Ven's statistics rank him right up there with the best. Unlike some defenders who have physical power but clumsy movement, his card combines elite-level defense with quickness and responsiveness—two attributes that are essential in Weekend League.
In-Game Performance: Weekend League Tested
Van de Ven plays like a mix of VVD’s strength and Alphonso Davies’ speed. He recovers incredibly well even after you mess up a tackle, and his AI positioning is almost perfect.
What stood out the most:
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Chasing down Mbappé? Easy.
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Handling physical strikers like Haaland? No problem.
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Quick switch & tackle? Smooth and clean.
His lean body type makes him feel much lighter than most 97+ CBs. He doesn’t turn like a truck—he glides.
During heated FUT Champs matchups, I found him especially effective against high-pressure tactics like 4-2-2-2 or 4-1-2-1-2 (narrow); his recovery runs and ability to contain through balls made him feel like a defensive cheat code.
Best Chemistry Style for Van de Ven
To max out his potential:
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Anchor: Adds aggression + strength to make him a wall
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Gladiator: If you want to experiment with his ball-playing role (risky)
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Stay Back + Aggressive Interceptions: Works perfectly in custom tactics
Squad Compatibility and Links
Being Dutch makes him super easy to link, especially with cards like:
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97 Šuker (Icon ST)
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96 Van Dijk
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97 Xavi Simons
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Eredivisie + Premier League hybrids
Use him in:
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4-2-3-1: As the fast CB who sweeps
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5-back formations: On the outside to cover overlapping wingbacks
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4-4-2: Balanced line with one slower, more physical CB
Personally, Anchor felt the most consistent in tight games. It provided him a bit more presence in aerial duels and aided out when facing taller target men. Gladiator is entertaining, but it's best suited for casual modes or themed squads.
SBC Value – Is He Worth It?
Cost: ~130,000 coins or untradeable fodder
Value: 10/10 if you have fodder, 8.5/10 if buying from scratch
You could spend double and still not get this kind of performance. Even if you have meta defenders, he can serve as premium fodder when repeatable SBCs drop.
97 Van de Ven Review Summary
If you’re building for Weekend League or Rivals, Van de Ven is an instant upgrade. If you’re just collecting top-tier cards, he’s still a no-brainer. Repeatable SBC status also makes him amazing fodder value if you want to rinse your club efficiently.
Final Rating: 9.5/10
✔️ Pros: Pace, AI defending, SBC cost
❌ Cons: Can feel “too aggressive” at times on auto challenges
Need coins to finish him quickly? Check the best price deals on FUT Coins to unlock him before the SBC expires.
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