Rice 89 CDM Review: ELITE Meta Pick at 322K? FC 26

Declan Rice's 89-rated Star Performer card is a Premier League defensive anchor that brings elite ball-winning ability, tireless stamina, and exceptional passing range to your midfield. At 322,000 coins, this card features 89 interceptions, 89 standing tackle, 90 short passing, and an absurd 95 stamina that lets him dominate the center of the park for all 90+ minutes. With Controlled AcceleRATE and 185cm height, Rice offers the physical presence and positioning intelligence that top-tier CDMs need - but his 67 agility and 3-star skills mean you'll need to play him as a pure destroyer, not a box-to-box dynamo.

In-game feel & playstyle

Rice feels like a defensive wall in-game thanks to his combination of 89 defensive awareness, 88 reactions, and 89 composure. The Controlled AcceleRATE type makes him feel responsive over the first few yards when intercepting passes or closing down attackers, though he won't catch up to Lengthy strikers on through balls. His 185cm frame combined with 82 strength makes him win physical duels consistently, especially when combined with his 88 aggression that triggers automatic tackles.

What sets Rice apart from cheaper CDMs is his passing ability - 90 short passing, 89 long passing, and 92 crossing mean he can ping balls across the pitch with confidence. His 84 vision helps him spot runs, making him excellent for starting counter-attacks. However, his 67 agility and 69 balance make him feel clunky when trying to turn quickly or dribble out of pressure. You'll want to keep his touches simple: win the ball, pass it forward, repeat. The 3-star skill moves limit creativity, so forget about ball rolls or La Croqueta turns - this is a no-frills destroyer.

The 95 stamina is genuinely game-changing. Rice can press aggressively from minute 1 to 120 without losing effectiveness, which is crucial in Weekend League where one tired midfielder can cost you a game. His 82 pace (82 acceleration, 82 sprint speed) is adequate for a CDM but won't bail you out against rapid wingers cutting inside.

Strengths

• Elite ball-winning stats (89 interceptions, 89 standing tackle, 88 sliding tackle) - Rice reads passing lanes like few other CDMs in the game. His interceptions are automatic when you position him correctly, and his tackling consistency is top-tier. You can trust him to clean up defensively without committing silly fouls.
• Exceptional stamina (95) and work rates - This card will run all game without dropping below 75% energy. Perfect for aggressive pressing tactics or Drop Between Defenders instructions where your CDM covers tons of ground.
• Premier League links for meta squads - Strong links to Arsenal players and perfect links to Saka, Saliba, and other meta Premier League cards. Easy to fit into hybrid squads with English players like Bellingham, Kane, or Walker.
• Outstanding passing range (90 short, 89 long, 92 crossing) - Unlike most destroyers, Rice can actually play progressive passes. His 84 vision and 90 curve let him switch play or find strikers with through balls. Feels more like a deep-lying playmaker than a pure CDM.
• Physical presence (185cm, 82 strength, 88 aggression) - Wins headers from goal kicks and corners thanks to 77 heading accuracy and 83 jumping. His aggression triggers auto-blocks and tackles that intercept attacks before they develop.
• 4-star weak foot for consistent passing - You can pass with either foot without worrying about mishit balls. Crucial when receiving the ball under pressure and needing to distribute quickly.
• Controlled AcceleRATE for responsive defending - Feels sharp over 5-10 yards when stepping to intercept or close down space. Better than Lengthy CDMs for reactive defending in tight areas.
• 89 composure and 88 reactions for clutch moments - Doesn't panic under pressure. His reactions help him win 50-50 balls and block passing lanes automatically, even when you're controlling other players.

Weaknesses

• Low agility (67) and balance (69) make him clunky on the ball - Turning with Rice feels like steering a truck. Elite dribblers like Salah or Mbappé can easily shift past him with a body feint. You need to position him correctly because he won't recover if beaten.
• 3-star skill moves limit creativity - Can't perform ball rolls, La Croqueta, or any meta skill moves. You're locked into basic passes and simple dribbles, which better opponents will read easily.
• Mediocre finishing (66) and volleys (52) - Don't expect goals from Rice. Even his 89 shot power doesn't save him when he's 1v1 with the keeper. His positioning (79) means he won't make attacking runs anyway.
• 82 pace is just adequate, not elite - Fast enough for a CDM but won't catch Lengthy strikers like Haaland or Gyökeres on through balls. You'll need to rely on positioning rather than recovery speed.
• Price (322K) puts him in competition with Icons - At this price point, you're close to base Makelele, Keane, or other Icons who offer better links and similar stats. Rice is excellent but not clearly better than 100K cheaper alternatives like Enzo Fernández or Rodri.
• Controlled AcceleRATE means he won't benefit from Lengthy meta - If you're running a full Lengthy backline, Rice won't keep pace on recovery runs. He'll be a step behind when chasing through balls.
• No unique body type or animations - Feels like a standard tall midfielder. Doesn't have the glitchy defending or special animations that make certain cards feel broken (like Vieira or Gullit).

Best position, chemistry style & squads

Position: CDM in 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 holding, or 4-4-2 holding. Use him as a pure defensive midfielder with Stay Back While Attacking instructions. He's wasted at CM or box-to-box because his agility and finishing limit his attacking contribution. In 4-2-3-1, pair him with a more mobile CDM like Tchouaméni or Camavinga for balance.

Chemistry Style: Shadow is the obvious choice to boost his 82 pace to 87 and max out his already elite defending stats. The pace boost helps him keep up with rapid attackers on the counter. Engine is a viable alternative if you value the agility (+5) and balance (+5) boosts to make him slightly less clunky, though you sacrifice the pace boost. Anchor works if you want a balanced boost to pace, defending, and physicality.

Squad Fits: Rice is perfect for Premier League squads, offering strong links to Arsenal, West Ham, and England players. Build around him with Saka (RW), Saliba (CB), Bukayo Saka (LW), or Ramsdale (GK) for chemistry. He also fits hybrid squads with English Icons like Beckham, Gerrard, or Lampard. For nation links, combine him with Bellingham, Kane, Walker, or Foden. His Premier League status makes him easier to link than Serie A or La Liga CDMs.

Community opinion & what FUT players are saying

The FUT community is split on Rice's value proposition at 322K. Weekend League grinders appreciate his defensive reliability and stamina - many report that he's the most consistent ball-winner they've used outside of top-tier Icons. His passing ability gets frequent praise, with players noting that he starts attacks better than most CDMs in his price range. The 95 stamina is universally loved for allowing aggressive pressing without late-game drop-off.

However, his agility and dribbling are common complaint points. Competitive players note that elite opponents can easily bypass him with skill moves or quick direction changes. His 3-star skills are seen as a dealbreaker for players who like to dribble out of pressure. The price is controversial - many feel 322K is too steep when cards like Rodri (89), Fabinho (88), or Casemiro (89) offer similar defensive output for 100-150K less. Some argue you're paying a premium for Premier League links and Arsenal chemistry.

The consensus seems to be: Rice is elite defensively but one-dimensional. He's worth it if you need Premier League links and value stamina + passing, but he's not a game-changer like Gullit, Vieira, or prime Kanté. For casual players, cheaper alternatives provide 80-90% of his effectiveness at half the price.

Final verdict & ratings

Declan Rice 89 Star Performer is a top-tier defensive midfielder who excels at ball-winning, passing, and tireless coverage - but his limited agility and high price make him a luxury pick rather than a must-buy.

Who should buy:

• Premier League squad builders who need a reliable CDM with elite stamina and passing
• Players who value defensive consistency and don't rely on skill moves from their midfielders
• Weekend League grinders who need a CDM that won't tire in extra time
• Arsenal or England-focused squads looking for strong chemistry links

Who should skip:

• Budget-conscious players - Rodri, Enzo Fernández, or Casemiro offer similar output for less
• Players who like mobile, agile CDMs who can dribble out of pressure
• Skill move enthusiasts - 3-star skills make him predictable against elite opponents
• Anyone expecting attacking contributions - his finishing is poor and positioning keeps him deep

Our ratings:

• Meta rating: 15.5/20 - Elite defensively but lacks the mobility and versatility of top-tier Icons. Perfect for specific playstyles but not universally dominant.
• Fun rating: 12.0/20 - Effective but one-dimensional. You'll appreciate his reliability but won't get highlight-reel moments. His defensive reads are satisfying but his clunky dribbling frustrates.
• Value for coins: 13.5/20 - At 322K, he's fairly priced but not a bargain. Cheaper alternatives exist, and you're paying a premium for Premier League links. Worth it if you need those specific links, questionable otherwise.

Conclusion