Adeyemi 86 is the fastest player I've used this year

Karim Adeyemi's 86 Cornerstones card is one of the fastest players in FC 26, and that's not just marketing hype. With 97 acceleration, 97 sprint speed, and the coveted EXPLOSIVE AcceleRATE type, this Bundesliga winger has a first step that defenders simply cannot match. Priced at 314,000 coins across all platforms, Adeyemi offers legitimate game-changing pace combined with 90 agility, 88 dribbling, and 4-star skills. But speed alone doesn't win Weekend League matches, and this card has some glaring weaknesses that prevent it from being truly elite.

In-game feel & playstyle

Adeyemi feels absolutely electric on the ball. That 97 acceleration paired with EXPLOSIVE AcceleRATE means he hits top speed in 2-3 steps, leaving defenders grasping at air. His 90 agility and 85 balance make him incredibly nimble in tight spaces, and the 88 dribbling stat translates to excellent close control when sprinting down the wing. At 180cm with a lean body type, he glides past challenges with ease.

The 85 reactions ensure he's always alert to through balls, and his left-footed shots feel consistent with 83 finishing and 85 shot power. However, his 73 strength is noticeably weak, he gets bodied off the ball by any physical defender. The 81 composure also lets him down in clutch moments, you'll notice him snatching at chances when under pressure. His dribbling animations are smooth but not unique, he doesn't have that glitchy feel of a Vinicius or Mbappe.

The 4-star weak foot is serviceable but not reliable for cutbacks onto his right, and while 4-star skills open up some options, the lack of 5-star skills limits his unpredictability. As a pure get-in-behind winger, though, he's phenomenal. Just don't expect him to hold up play or win physical duels.

Strengths

• Game-breaking pace (97/97 with EXPLOSIVE) - Absolutely unguardable in the first 10 yards. He blows past fullbacks on through balls and creates separation that no defender can close. The EXPLOSIVE AcceleRATE type is arguably the best in the game for wingers, giving him that instant burst that makes him a constant threat.
• Elite agility and dribbling (90/88) - Feels incredibly responsive when changing direction. Perfect for cutting inside or weaving through traffic on the wing. The high agility means he can stop and start on a dime, creating space for crosses or shots.
• Solid finishing package (83/85/79) - 83 finishing and 85 shot power mean he's clinical inside the box. His 79 long shots are surprisingly effective on his left foot, especially with a Finisher chem style boost. Can genuinely score from anywhere inside 20 yards.
• 4-star/4-star combo opens options - While not 5-star, the 4-star skills let you use effective moves like ball roll scoop and elastico. The 4-star weak foot is good enough for most situations, though you'll want to favor his left when possible.
• Excellent stamina (83) - Lasts the full 90 minutes with no drop-off. Perfect for constant runs in behind and pressing in a high-intensity formation. You can genuinely play him stay forward and get in behind without worrying about fitness.
• 95 jumping is a hidden gem - At 180cm with 95 jumping, he wins more headers than you'd expect. Great for attacking crosses and even defensive corners. Combined with 77 heading accuracy, he's surprisingly threatening in the air.
• Perfect Bundesliga links - Strong nation (Germany) and top-tier league. Easy to link with Wirtz, Musiala, Kompany CBs, and other meta Bundesliga players. Borussia Dortmund also provides decent club links.
• Value compared to alternatives - At 314K, he's significantly cheaper than comparable pace merchants like Mbappe (1M+) or premium Icons. For players building Bundesliga squads, this is outstanding value for elite pace.

Weaknesses

• 73 strength kills him in physical duels - Gets absolutely bullied by anyone with 80+ strength. Varane, Van Dijk, even aggressive fullbacks like Theo Hernandez will push him off the ball effortlessly. You cannot hold up play with this card.
• 81 composure is a problem in big moments - Noticeably inconsistent in clutch situations. He'll snatch at 1v1s in Weekend League when you need him most. The low composure also affects his dribbling tightness when under pressure.
• Defending stats are genuinely terrible (42 face defending) - With 37 interceptions, 30 defensive awareness, and 40 standing tackle, he's a complete liability defensively. If you play him at RM in a formation that requires wing tracking back, you're asking for trouble.
• Only 4-star skills limits creativity - In a game where 5-star skills dominate the meta, 4-star feels limiting. No elastico chop, no McGeady spin, no advanced rainbow. Good players will know your move options are limited.
• No unique animations or glitchiness - He feels good but not special. Players like Vinicius, Mbappe, and even cheaper options like Salah have that different feel with unique body types and animations. Adeyemi is just fast, not meta-breaking.
• Left-footed only with 4-star weak foot - The weak foot is serviceable but you'll notice the difference when cutting back onto his right. In elite play, defenders will overload his left and force him right, making him predictable.
• Links limit him to Bundesliga/German squads - While Bundesliga has good players, it's not as strong as Premier League or La Liga for hybrid building. You're somewhat locked into a specific squad structure if you want him on full chemistry.

Best position, chemistry style & squads

Position: Best as a right winger in 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, or right striker in 4-4-2. His alternative positions include CAM, RW, and LW, but he's wasted centrally where he can't use his pace in space. Play him as a pure get-in-behind winger with stay forward and get in behind instructions. In 4-4-2, he works as a striker paired with a target man, but he's not a lone striker option.

Chemistry Style: Finisher is the best option. It boosts his 83 finishing to 93, shot power to 92, and positioning to 92, while adding +5 strength (to 78) which helps slightly with physicality. His pace is already maxed, so Engine is overkill. Hawk is tempting for the all-around boost, but the finishing upgrades from Finisher are more impactful. Marksman is another option if you want the extra strength (to 80) and better composure.

Squad Fits: Bundesliga hybrids are the way to go. Pair him with Wirtz at CAM, Musiala at CM, Kimmich for links, and a Bundesliga defense. Germany links open up opportunities for Icons or other top German players. Dortmund club links to Bellingham (if you have him), Brandt, or Fullkrug. He's easy to fit into meta squads if you're running Bundesliga as your base league.

Community opinion & what FUT players are saying

The FUT community is split on Adeyemi. Weekend League grinders love his pace and value, calling him a budget Mbappe who can single-handedly change games with through balls. Many players report he's their top goal contributor from the wing, consistently finding space behind defensive lines. His finishing is praised as surprisingly clinical for an 86-rated card.

However, competitive players note his limitations against elite opposition. The low strength and composure become glaring issues in higher divisions and Weekend League ranks 3-1. Skilled defenders learn to body him off the ball or force him onto his weaker foot. Some players complain about his lack of custom animations, saying he feels generic compared to premium options. The 4-star skills are also cited as a weakness in the current 5-star skill move meta.

The consensus seems to be that he's excellent for Divisions 4-2 and casual players, but struggles at the highest level against top-tier defenders and experienced opponents. Most agree he's outstanding value at 314K, especially for Bundesliga squads that need pace on the wings.

Final verdict & ratings

Who should buy:

• Bundesliga squad builders who need elite pace on the wings
• Players in Divisions 5-2 looking for a game-changing winger under 350K
• Anyone who plays counter-attacking football with through balls
• Casual players who want a fun, rapid card that scores goals

Who should skip:

• Elite division and Weekend League rank 1-2 players who need meta-defining cards
• Players who need wingers to track back and defend
• Anyone expecting unique animations or 5-star skills
• Squads not built around Bundesliga or Germany links

Our ratings:

• Meta rating: 14.5/20 - Excellent pace and value, but lacks the physicality, composure, and animations to compete at the highest level. Very good for most players, but not elite-tier.
• Fun rating: 17.0/20 - Incredibly fun to use. The EXPLOSIVE pace makes every through ball a potential goal, and skinning defenders never gets old. Great for casual and Divisions play.
• Value for coins: 16.5/20 - Outstanding value at 314K. You're getting genuine game-changing pace for a fraction of the cost of Mbappe or premium Icons. Best budget speed option in Bundesliga.

Conclusion