So, EA dropped another Squad Building Challenge, this time for a shiny new Kieran Trippier. Your club is already bruised from the last few “value” SBCs, and your fodder is screaming for mercy. The question is simple: should you do it?
Let’s cut the generic fluff. I’m not here to just read you the card stats. We’re going to break down whether this Trippier is genuinely worth the squeeze for your specific club, especially with the Premier League and England links.
The Card: What You’re Actually Getting
First, let’s look at the cold, hard facts. This isn’t your childhood Trippier. This is a 90-rated Right Back with some seriously juiced stats.
Pace: 87. With a Shadow, that’s 97 Acceleration and 92 Sprint Speed. Is he catching up to a 99-paced demigod? No. Is he left in the dust by every winger? Absolutely not. It’s serviceable.
Defending: 90 Defensive Awareness, 89 Standing Tackle. The base stats are solid. With a Shadow, they become elite. His positioning is top-tier.
Passing: This is where the card sings. 94 Vision, 92 Short Passing, 94 Long Passing, and 92 Curve. He’s a midfield conductor playing at right back.
Physical: 87 Stamina is fine, not great. He’ll need subbing around the 80th minute in extra time, but he’ll last most matches.
PlayStyle+: Incisive Pass+ and Whipped Pass+. Let’s be real, this is the entire reason you even consider this card. These are two of the most impactful PlayStyles in the game for a full-back. The crosses are a thing of beauty.
The Cost: What It’ll Truly Set You Back
As of now, this SBC requires a mix of squads, likely including a high-rated squad, possibly an 87 or 88. If you were to buy everything from the market, you’re looking at roughly 130,000 – 160,000 coins.
But the real cost isn’t just the coin value. It’s the opportunity cost. That 87-rated fodder you’re throwing in? That could be the foundation for an end-game midfielder or a future Mbappe SBC. That’s 100-150k of assets you can’t get back, locked into a single position.
The Verdict: Who Should and Shouldn’t Do This SBC
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Here’s the breakdown:
PULL THE TRIGGER IF:
You’re running a Premier League or England hybrid squad. The links are fantastic, and he’s an instant upgrade over most gold alternatives.
Your game plan revolves around build-up play and crossing. If you’re the type of player who uses “Early Cross” spams and loves whipping balls into the box for a Haaland or Kane, this card is literally built for you. The PlayStyle+ is a game-changer.
You’re stacked with untradeable fodder. If you have dupes and high-rated cards gathering dust in your club, this is a fantastic way to put them to use without spending a single coin.
You value unique cards over meta pace. You understand he’s not the quickest, but you trust your manual defending and value what he offers going forward.
HARD PASS IF:
You’re on a tight budget and your club is bare. Sinking all your resources into one full-back this early in FC 26’s cycle is a risky move. A tradeable Walker or Hakimi might offer similar (or better) on-pitch value for a fraction of the cost, and you can sell them later.
You rely on pace-abuse from your full-backs. If your defensive tactic is to simply outrun the opponent’s winger, there are cheaper, faster options.
Your fodder is limited. Ask yourself: is a right-back the position I need to upgrade most? If your strikers are mid or your midfield is a liability, fix those problems first.
The Bottom Line
The Trippier SBC isn’t a “trap,” but it’s also not an automatic complete.
It’s a luxury, not a necessity.
He’s a specialist. For the right player and the right tactics, he will feel incredible and unlock a different dimension of your attack. For everyone else, he’s an expensive asset that doesn’t solve the core problem of pure defensive pace.
For me? If you have the fodder and love a good cross, he’s a resounding yes. If you’re building your club from the ground up and every coin counts, you can probably find better value elsewhere.
Final Thought: Sometimes, the best SBC is the one you don’t do. But if you’ve decided this Trippier is the missing piece for your squad and the cost seems too steep for your current resources, remember there are ways to quickly boost your coin balance. If you’re looking to skip the grind and get the players you want, you can always buy EA FC 26 coins from a trusted source to get it done.