The excitement in the Ultimate Team community was palpable when EA Sports dropped the EA FC 25 Premier League and Barclays Women's Super League Team of the Season squads. As a dedicated gamer who has followed the real-world campaigns of Liverpool's dominant Premier League triumph and Chelsea's BWSL title win, seeing their stars receive these prestigious in-game honors felt like a perfect virtual celebration of their achievements. The power creep in these squads is real, with players I already considered end-game material receiving even more monstrous upgrades.
Let's talk about the Premier League TOTS first, because wow, it's absolutely stacked. The headliners are the 97-rated duo of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. I already had their Team of the Year cards, which were phenomenal, but these TOTS versions are on another level. They feel faster, stronger, and more responsive. Van Dijk, in particular, is an immovable object in defense. Then there's the 96-rated trio that would be the crown jewel of any other promo: Erling Haaland, Alexander Isak, and Declan Rice.
Isak's inclusion is a story in itself. The Swedish striker, the league's second-highest scorer, has gone from a promising talent to receiving an elite-tier card. Using him in-game is a joy—his combination of height, agility, and a lethal shot makes him a complete forward. The midfield is anchored by Rice's 96-rated card, which boasts four PlayStyle+ traits, making him the ultimate box-to-box destroyer and playmaker.
The squad depth is incredible. Here’s a quick look at some of the other standout players that have transformed my Ultimate Team:
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Cole Palmer (95): The creative hub. His dribbling and passing are sublime.
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Bukayo Saka (93): A dynamic and relentless force on the right wing.
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Bruno Fernandes (94): The ultimate chance-creator with outrageous long shots.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold (94): Redefines the term 'playmaking full-back'.
It's not just about the big names, though. The squad includes some fantastic 'under-the-radar' gems that are more affordable but incredibly effective. Players like Matz Sels (94) in goal or Antonee Robinson (92) at left-back offer tremendous value. The Highlights cards, like Myles Lewis-Skelly (94), provide unique opportunities to use exciting young talents with boosted stats.
Switching focus to the BWSL TOTS, the quality is just as impressive. It's a squad built on the backbone of Chelsea's title winners, but featuring stars from across the league. Leading the line is the phenomenal Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw with a 97-rated card. She is an absolute powerhouse—strong, clinical, and with four PlayStyle+ traits, she dominates defenses.
She's joined by other elite forwards:
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Alessia Russo (96): The complete striker, brilliant at link-up play and finishing.
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Mariona (96): A magician with the ball at her feet, weaving through defenses with ease.
The midfield and defense are equally formidable. Sjoeke Nusken (95) and Lucy Bronze (95) both bring a rare set of four PlayStyle+ traits to their positions, making them uniquely versatile and dominant. Katie McCabe (94) is the perfect modern full-back—tenacious in defense and a constant threat going forward.
What truly unites both these TOTS squads is the FC IQ system. Every player has been boosted with the specific stats and attributes to excel in their virtual roles. More importantly, every single card has at least three PlayStyle+ traits. This isn't just a stat boost; it's a fundamental enhancement to how these players feel and perform on the pitch. Seeing Salah dance past defenders with his unique dribbling styles or watching Van Dijk effortlessly win every tackle thanks to his Defensive PlayStyle+ traits is what makes this promo so special.
Building my hybrid squad has been the most fun I've had in Ultimate Team this year. I'm currently running a 4-3-3 that looks something like this:
| Position | Premier League TOTS | BWSL TOTS |
|---|---|---|
| ST | Alexander Isak (96) | Khadija Shaw (97) |
| RW | Mohamed Salah (97) | Johanna Kaneryd (91 - Highlights) |
| CM | Declan Rice (96) | Sjoeke Nusken (95) |
| CB | Virgil van Dijk (97) | Maya Le Tissier (95) |
| LB | Katie McCabe (94) |
The chemistry works beautifully, and the mix of playstyles creates a dynamic and unpredictable attack. Shaw's strength complements Isak's finesse, while Rice and Nusken control the midfield with intelligence and grit.
In the end, the EA FC 25 Team of the Season release is a celebration of the footballing year. It rewards the best performers from the English leagues with cards that are not just collectibles, but genuinely game-changing pieces for your Ultimate Team. Whether you're chasing the 97-rated giants or discovering the value in the 92-94 rated players, there's something here for every kind of manager. The grind to try and pack or craft even one of these players has been intense, but the moment you slot them into your starting eleven and feel their upgraded power, it's all worth it. This is the pinnacle of the Ultimate Team cycle, and I'm here for every minute of it.