FC26 TOTY Midfielders Review: Olise SBC and Elite Deep-Dive

With the TOTY (Team of the Year) hype reaching its peak in FC26, the midfield maestros have officially entered the card pool. Alongside the legendary icons, a highly-anticipated SBC for Michael Olise has been released. This review breaks down the competitive viability and on-pitch performance of today's top midfield releases.

The Rising Star: Michael Olise SBC

The Olise SBC is currently priced at approximately 530,000 FUT coins, which offers solid value for a 90-rated card capable of playing RM, RW, and CAM. He features a premium "Finesse Shot" and "Technical" (TK) dual PlayStyle+ combination. While he retains 4-star skill moves and a 4-star weak foot, his 184cm height and lean body type provide a unique balance of physical presence and responsive dribbling.

Compared to his previous special cards, this TOTY version sees a massive +7 boost in Stamina and +4 in Composure. Interestingly, EA has swapped his "Rapid" silver playstyle for "Quick Step" (Rocket), which may slightly alter his feel for players used to his "burst" on the wing. The recommended "Hunter" chemistry style nearly maxes out his pace and brings his finishing to 94, making him a lethal inverted winger.

The Defensive Anchor: Declan Rice

TOTY Declan Rice is the definition of a "stay-back" CDM. Standing at 188cm with a High & Average build, he possesses a massive defensive radius. Notably, EA has assigned him the "Dead Ball" PlayStyle+ following his iconic set-piece performance against Real Madrid. Beyond free kicks, he excels with Intercept, Bruiser, and Relentless playstyles.

Statistically, Rice is surprisingly elite on the ball with 90+ ratings in passing and dribbling. Using an "Anchor" or "Shadow" chemistry style pushes his pace to 91+ and perfects his tackling. While he might feel slightly heavy in high-latency gameplay, his ability to dominate the midfield physically makes him an essential protector for any backline.

The Metronome: Vitinha

Vitinha has received a monumental upgrade to a 5-star skill move and 5-star weak foot configuration. At 172cm with a lean frame, his agility is top-tier. His playstyles are heavily geared toward playmaking, featuring Incisive Pass, Technical, and Tiki Taka.

While he isn't a physical powerhouse, his 96+ passing and dribbling stats allow him to dictate the tempo of the game effortlessly. He is best utilized as an attacking Deep-Lying Playmaker. Applying a "Hawk" chemistry style boosts his long-distance shooting and adds a necessary touch of physical strength, while "Anchor" can transform him into a highly mobile B2B (Box-to-Box) option.

The Version Prodigy: Pedri

Pedri remains a "meta" favorite, boasting the coveted "Incisive Pass" and "Technical" PlayStyle+ combo. Despite his 174cm frame, he carries a surprising 95 Finishing rating. His dribbling and ball control are near-perfect at 96 and 98 respectively.

The standout feature of this card is the defensive versatility; even without defensive playstyles, his raw stats (93+ Interceptions and Stand Tackle) are incredible. With an "Anchor" style, he reaches 93 Pace and nearly 99 in defensive awareness. He is arguably the most fluid transition player in the game, moving seamlessly from defense to attack.

The Bara Femeni Trio: Putellas, Bonmati, and Mariona

The Barcelona Femení stars represent the pinnacle of technical attributes in FC26.

• Mariona: A true B2B engine with "Intercept" and "Incisive Pass". While she lacks a gold shooting playstyle, her 90+ defensive and physical stats make her an elite midfield disruptor.
• Alexia Putellas: The former TOTY cover star remains elite with her 5-star/5-star setup. New to this version is the "Low Drive" (Power Shot) capability. Although her 90 Stamina is slightly lower than some peers, her clinical finishing makes her the premier CAM choice.
• Aitana Bonmati: The reigning Ballon d'Or winner has been gifted dual pace playstyles ("Quick Step" and "Technical"). With 5-star/5-star attributes and a 163cm frame, she is virtually impossible to dispossess. Her high defensive work rate and raw stats allow her to play as a "harrying" playmaker who wins the ball back high up the pitch.

These midfielders cover every tactical niche from pure enforcers to creative geniuses.