I scored 73 goals in 45 games with Haaland POTM

Three weeks into Weekend League, I kept facing the same card over and over: Haaland POTM. So I bought him expecting the usual tall striker problems—clunky dribbling, poor agility, heavy first touch. What I got instead was 73 goals in 45 Division Rivals and Champions matches. The Norwegian is absolutely ridiculous this year, and here's why.

In-game feel & playstyle

Haaland is a target man done right. That LENGTHY AcceleRATE type is crucial—once he hits top speed with that 94 sprint speed, defenders simply can't catch him. The 81 acceleration looks concerning on paper, but in-game it feels closer to 85 because of how LENGTHY works with through balls. When you trigger a run behind the defense, he glides past center backs like Van Dijk and Rüdiger.

The 195cm height combined with 94 strength makes him a total bully. I've shielded the ball against prime Icons and he barely moves. His 95 reactions and 90 composure mean he's always in the right place—that 97 positioning stat is not a lie. He makes runs you don't even see coming, and suddenly he's 1v1 with the keeper.

Now for the reality check: his 73 agility and 71 balance mean tight dribbling is not happening. Don't try to left-stick dribble in the box against multiple defenders. This isn't Mbappé. But give him space to shoot? Game over. That 96 finishing and 96 shot power combo is genuinely unfair. Near post, far post, finesse, power shot—everything goes in. The 3-star weak foot hurts occasionally, but his positioning is so good that you'll usually get him on his left.

Strengths

• Clinical finishing (96 finishing, 96 shot power) - I genuinely can't remember the last time he missed a clear chance inside the box. Power shots from 18 yards? Top bins. Near post from tight angles? Buried. His shot accuracy is the best I've used this year, better than even some Icon strikers at double the price.
• LENGTHY acceleration is perfect for counter-attacks - Through balls are broken with this card. L1+Triangle behind the defense and he's gone. The combination of 94 sprint speed and LENGTHY means once he's past the defensive line, nobody catches him. Perfect for 4-3-2-1 or 4-4-2 counter-attacking setups.
• Physical dominance (94 strength, 195cm, 93 jumping) - Shielding the ball is effortless. I've held off Maldini, Van Dijk, even Vieira when he drops back. He wins every header—92 volleys and 88 heading accuracy mean crosses are actually viable. Try him with a winger who can cross and watch him score headers for fun.
• Positioning is AI-assisted level good (97 positioning, 95 reactions) - He makes runs I didn't even trigger. The AI positioning this year is insane on high-rated strikers, and Haaland takes full advantage. He finds gaps between center backs, drifts to the back post on crosses, and always shows for the ball when you need an outlet.
• Aerial threat on corners and crosses - With 93 jumping and 88 heading accuracy, corners become actual goal-scoring opportunities. I've scored 11 headers in 45 games, which is wild considering how nerfed headers were in FC 25. Near post corners with Haaland are genuinely overpowered.
• Stamina holds up for full 90 minutes (78 stamina) - He doesn't fade late in games. That 78 stamina is enough for stay forward instructions. I've never had to sub him off, even in extra time during Champions playoffs.
• 92 penalties makes him a reliable spot-kick taker - Perfect penalty record with him. The power and composure combo means you can smash them or place them—both work.
• Manchester City links for hybrid squads - Easy to link with Premier League teams, and having that City connection means you can hybrid with Haaland + De Bruyne or other City specials. Norway links are terrible, but the club links save you.

Weaknesses

• 3-star weak foot is noticeable in big moments - When he's forced onto his right foot in a 1v1, you feel the downgrade. I've had at least 6-7 shots that should've been goals sail wide because of the weak foot. It's not a dealbreaker, but against elite keepers like Donnarumma or Courtois, you notice.
• Agility and balance make tight spaces uncomfortable (73 agility, 71 balance) - Don't expect quick turns or skill move chains. In a crowded box against drop-back merchants, he can feel stuck in mud. You need to play him with space, not as a dribbler. If you face constant 8-man defenses, he'll frustrate you.
• 3-star skills limit creativity - No elastico, no McGeady spin, no advanced rainbow. You're limited to ball rolls and fake shots. If you rely on 5-star skill moves to create chances, this card isn't for you. He's a pure finisher, not a dribbler.
• Dribbling (81) and ball control (84) feel below elite tier - The ball bounces off him more than someone like Messi or even Grealish. His first touch is fine but not silky. You won't be doing quick one-twos in tight spaces. He needs 2-3 yards of space to operate.
• Passing stats limit his link-up play (73 passing, 77 vision) - He's not a target man who drops deep and sprays passes. Short passing (80) is okay for layoffs, but don't expect him to thread through balls or switch play. His 61 crossing is awful if you try to use him wide.
• Price (650K) competes with some Icons - At this price range, you're looking at players like Mid Shevchenko, Baby Eto'o, or just saving for Mbappé. He's good, but 650K is steep for a card with 3-star/3-star and limited links.
• Norway nationality kills chemistry flexibility - You're basically forced to use Premier League or Manchester City links. Ødegaard is the only other high-rated Norwegian, and he's not exactly meta. This limits squad building unless you run full Prem.

Best position, chemistry style & squads

Position: Lone striker in 4-3-2-1, 4-3-3 (2), or 4-4-2. He's wasted as a CAM or wide forward. Use him as a pure ST with stay forward and stay central instructions. In 4-4-2, pair him with a quicker striker like Isak or even a false 9 playmaker to compensate for his lack of agility.

Chemistry Style: Engine is the move. It boosts his agility to 78, balance to 76, and dribbling to 86—still not elite, but noticeably better in tight spaces. Some people run Marksman for the extra physical and shooting, but I find the dribbling boost more important. Hunter is overkill since his finishing and pace are already elite with LENGTHY. Avoid Catalyst—his passing doesn't need a boost.

Squad Fits: Premier League squads are obvious. Link him with Salah, De Bruyne, Foden, or any City/Prem player. For hybrids, use strong links with Manchester City players and then branch out to La Liga or Ligue 1. He's tough to fit in Serie A or Bundesliga unless you use Icons. I run him in a 4-3-2-1 with Salah and Foden as the wide forwards, and he gets full chem easily.

Community opinion & what FUT players are saying

The Weekend League community is split on Haaland. Elite Division players love him for counter-attacks and his finishing reliability, but some Rank 1 grinders complain about the lack of agility against ultra-defensive tactics. The consensus is that he's a "playstyle card"—if you play possession-heavy tiki-taka, he'll frustrate you. But if you play direct, fast build-up with through balls, he's top 5 strikers in the game.

Common praise includes his finishing consistency, physical presence, and LENGTHY speed. Most players agree he's the best non-Icon target man available. The main criticisms are the 3-star/3-star combo, awkward dribbling, and high price tag for a card with limited links. Several players also mentioned that if you already have Mbappé or a top Icon, Haaland doesn't offer enough upgrade to justify the 650K.

Final verdict & ratings

Haaland POTM is a monster, but he's not for everyone. This is a card that rewards smart play—through balls, crosses, counter-attacks—not skill spam or left-stick wizardry.

Who should buy:

• Players who use counter-attacking formations (4-4-2, 4-3-2-1, 4-2-3-1)
• Anyone who loves target men with elite finishing and physical presence
• Premier League squad builders who need a clinical finisher
• Players who abuse through balls and LENGTHY mechanics

Who should skip:

• Skill move enthusiasts who need 5-star skills to create chances
• Tiki-taka possession players who need agile dribblers
• Anyone running Serie A, Bundesliga, or Ligue 1 squads (links are awful)
• Budget-conscious players—650K is steep when Isak or Watkins do 80% of the job for 1/10th the price

Our ratings:

• Meta rating: 16.5/20 - Dominant in the right system, but the 3-star/3-star and limited links keep him from being top tier
• Fun rating: 14.0/20 - Scoring with him is satisfying, but the lack of skills and agility means he's not the most exciting card to use
• Value for coins: 13.0/20 - At 650K, he's competing with Icons and Mbappé. Great card, but borderline overpriced for what he offers

Conclusion