The EA FC 25 Team of the Week (TOTW) 25 squad is now available in Ultimate Team packs, bringing with it some exciting inclusions from Europe's top clubs. However, as has been the case in recent weeks, the majority of this squad seems to fall into the category of "fodder"—cards that are more useful for Squad Building Challenges (SBCs) than actual competitive play.

TOTW 25: A Look at the Highlights

Replacing the TOTW 24 squad that was headlined by Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, the TOTW 25 release does boast some notable stars. Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku, Manchester United Women's Melvine Malard, and Bayer Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka lead the squad with 88-rated cards. Other standout names include Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai, PSG's Desire Doue, and Barcelona's Ronald Araujo, all of whom could be viable options for the Evolutions feature in Ultimate Team.

As EA Sports continues to tweak the TOTW formula, they've introduced bigger boosts and two PlayStyle+ attributes for select players in an attempt to keep the promo relevant. However, despite these efforts, TOTW still struggles to compete with the much more appealing special promos running concurrently, such as Fantasy FC Team 2 and the upcoming FUT Birthday event.

Full EA FC 25 TOTW 25 Squad

Here's a full breakdown of the TOTW 25 squad:

• LM: Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea) - 88 OVR (Featured TOTW)

• ST: Melvine Malard (Manchester United Women) - 88 OVR (Featured TOTW)

• CDM: Granit Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen) - 88 OVR

• CAM: Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) - 87 OVR

• CB: Ronald Araujo (Barcelona) - 87 OVR

• LM: Mattia Zaccagini (Lazio) - 87 OVR

• CM: Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain) - 87 OVR

• RM: Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna) - 87 OVR

• ST: Mika Biereth (Monaco) - 87 OVR

• ST: Ivan Toney (Al Ahli) - 87 OVR (Featured TOTW)

• LW: Thorgan Hazard (Anderlecht) - 85 OVR

• ST: Cryzan (Shandong Taishan) - 85 OVR

• LB: Robin Gosens (Fiorentina) - 85 OVR

• CDM: Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis) - 85 OVR

• ST: Tai Baribo (Philadelphia Union) - 85 OVR

• CB: Dan Casey (Motherwell) - 85 OVR

• RB: Mert Muldur (Fenerbahce) - 85 OVR

• GK: Marius Muller (Wolfsburg) - 85 OVR

• CM: Judith Coquet (Montpellier Women) - 85 OVR

• RM: Oliver Antman (Go Ahead Eagles) - 85 OVR

• ST: Adam Daghim (RB Salzburg) - 85 OVR

• RW: Joel Grodowski (Preussen Munster) - 85 OVR

• LM: Issa Soumare (Le Havre) - 85 OVR

Are These Cards Worth Using?

The inclusion of players like Nkunku, Malard, and Xhaka ensures that there are at least a few usable cards in this TOTW drop. Nkunku, in particular, is a highly desirable player, given his dribbling and finishing stats, while Xhaka offers a well-rounded midfield option. Malard, with her 88-rated card, could be a strong option for those using Women's footballers in their squad.

However, beyond the top names, the majority of the squad consists of players rated 85-87 who won't significantly impact the meta. While some of these cards could fit into specific Evolution upgrades or chemistry links, most will end up in SBCs rather than starting lineups. This has been a recurring issue with TOTW releases in EA FC 25—outside of a select few players, most inclusions don't generate much excitement.

TOTW 25 vs. Fantasy FC Team 2

One of the biggest challenges for TOTW is competing against other promotions, and right now, Fantasy FC Team 2 is dominating the Ultimate Team landscape. With live upgrade potential and better base stats, Fantasy FC players are generally far superior to TOTW cards.

Additionally, the upcoming FUT Birthday promo, set to launch on Friday, March 7, is expected to introduce overpowered special cards with unique boosts and skill upgrades. Compared to these promo cards, even the best TOTW options pale in comparison, making it difficult for TOTW to remain relevant beyond SBC fodder.

Should You Open Packs for TOTW 25?

If you're looking to pack a high-rated player for your squad, TOTW 25 isn't the best option to chase. While Nkunku, Malard, and Xhaka are solid, they aren't game-changing cards. Instead, it would be wiser to save packs for the FUT Birthday promo, which promises more valuable special cards.

Alternatively, if you need high-rated players for SBCs, opening packs or buying TOTW cards from the market could be a good move. Players rated 85-87 tend to hold value as SBC requirements rise, making them a useful investment if you plan to complete expensive squad-building challenges.

Final Verdict on EA FC 25 TOTW 25

The latest TOTW release once again delivers a mix of standout players and underwhelming inclusions. While it features some big names from clubs like Chelsea, Liverpool, Barcelona, and PSG, the reality is that the majority of the squad is unlikely to make a lasting impact in Ultimate Team.

If EA Sports truly wants TOTW to compete with major promos, they may need to introduce further upgrades, additional PlayStyle+ options, or even dynamic performance-based boosts. Otherwise, TOTW will continue to be overshadowed by the more exciting promos currently dominating EA FC 25 Ultimate Team.

With FUT Birthday right around the corner, players should look ahead to this fan-favorite event for the next wave of powerful cards. Until then, TOTW 25 remains a solid but unremarkable release in the grand scheme of Ultimate Team.