Kudus 84 might be the best budget card right now

Mohammed Kudus' 84 Cornerstones card is one of the most underrated wingers in FC 26. With 91 pace (93 acceleration, 90 sprint speed), 88 dribbling, and an insane 94 balance, this Ghanaian winger offers elite-level agility that rivals cards twice his price. His Controlled AcceleRATE type combined with 88 agility makes him one of the smoothest wingers in the game for quick direction changes and tight dribbling. At 5'10" with 80 strength, he's not getting bullied off the ball easily either. Whether you run him at RW, RM, ST, or even LW, Kudus brings meta-level performance without the meta price tag.

In-game feel & playstyle

Kudus feels exceptionally smooth on the ball thanks to his 94 balance and 90 dribbling stat - this combination creates a glide-like movement that makes defenders look silly. The Controlled AcceleRATE type is perfect for wingers who need that explosive first step without sacrificing agility. His 93 acceleration gets him past defenders instantly, while 88 agility means he can weave through tight spaces in the box. The 4-star skill moves give you enough versatility for effective skill cancels and ball rolls, though you'll miss that 5th star for elasticos. His dribbling animations feel responsive and snappy - there's no delay between inputs. At 80 finishing with 85 shot power, his shooting is reliable inside the box, though don't expect him to bang in finesse shots from outside consistently. The 83 composure keeps him calm in clutch moments, and 80 reactions mean he's always ready to pounce on loose balls. His left foot is his strong foot, and the 3-star weak foot is noticeable but manageable if you're smart with positioning.

Strengths

• 94 Balance + 88 Agility = Elite Dribbling - This stat combination puts Kudus in the top tier of dribblers. The 94 balance is higher than most Icons, and combined with 90 dribbling and 85 ball control, he feels glued to your controller. Perfect for tight dribbling in the box and skill move chains.
• Controlled AcceleRATE + 93 Acceleration - The best AcceleRATE type for wingers. That 93 acceleration means he hits top speed almost instantly, leaving defenders in the dust. Whether you're bursting past fullbacks or cutting inside, that first step is lethal.
• 4-Star Skills + Smooth Animations - Ball rolls, fake shots, and skill cancels all feel crispy. His body type gives him unique dribbling animations that make him unpredictable. Not as flashy as 5-star skillers, but more than enough for Weekend League meta.
• 80 Strength + 177cm Height - Perfect balance of physicality and agility. At 80 strength, he can hold off defenders surprisingly well for a winger. Not getting pushed off the ball by every tackle like 60-strength wingers do.
• Incredible Versatility (RW/RM/ST/LW) - Play him anywhere in attack. He's effective cutting inside from the right, running down the touchline, or even as a second striker in 2-ST formations. This flexibility is huge for squad building and in-game tactics.
• Premier League Links - Easy to link with Spurs, Premier League, or Ghanaian players. Slots perfectly into meta Premier League squads without chemistry headaches. Perfect green link to Son if you're running Spurs past and present.
• Budget-Friendly META Performance - Performs like a 150K+ winger but as a Cornerstones card, he's accessible early in the game cycle. One of the best value picks in FC 26 for players who want elite dribbling without breaking the bank.

Weaknesses

• 3-Star Weak Foot Limits Finishing Options - The 3-star weak foot is noticeable, especially when you're forced onto his right foot in the box. You'll miss some clear chances if you're not positioning for left-footed shots. Cuts down your unpredictability.
• 77 Stamina Runs Out in Extra Time - By minute 90, you'll notice he's not making the same runs. In Weekend League where games go to extra time frequently, you might need to sub him off or manage his stamina with conservative tactics.
• 79 Long Shots + 72 Curve = Inconsistent Finesse - Don't expect to score those meta finesse shots from outside the box. His shooting is solid inside the penalty area, but anything beyond 20 yards is a gamble. Not a weakness if you play direct, but limits creativity.
• 65 Defending Makes Him a Liability Tracking Back - If you're playing 4-3-3 with attacking wingers, expect your fullback to get exposed. His 65 defending and 51 sliding tackle mean he's not helping defensively. You'll need to manually track back or switch tactics.
• 68 Penalties = Avoid Taking Spot Kicks - One of the lowest penalty stats for an 84-rated attacker. If it goes to penalties, pick someone else. Not a dealbreaker but annoying in clutch moments.

Best position, chemistry style & squads

Position: Best at RW or RM in formations like 4-3-3(4), 4-2-3-1, or 4-4-2. His natural position lets him cut inside onto his strong left foot for finesse shots or driven finishes. Can also play LW if you want him dribbling down the line and crossing, or even ST in 4-4-2 as a second striker with Get In Behind instructions. Avoid CAM - his 77 passing and 80 vision aren't good enough for creative midfield play.

Chemistry Style: Hunter is the best option to boost his 80 shooting and 91 pace to elite levels. This maxes out his acceleration, sprint speed, positioning, and finishing. Alternative is Marksman if you want to improve his weak foot slightly and add more shot power, but Hunter is the meta choice for pure goal-scoring threat.

Squad Fits: Perfect for Premier League squads with strong links to Spurs players (Son, Romero, Vicario) and Ghanaian links (Partey, Ayew). Works well in hybrid squads thanks to Premier League's strong nation diversity. Pair him with a dominant striker like Haaland or Isak for best results. If you're running a past and present Spurs squad or a Premier League/Ghanaian hybrid, he's an automatic inclusion.

Community opinion & what FUT players are saying

The Weekend League community has been raving about Kudus as one of the best value picks in FC 26. Players consistently mention his "glitchy" dribbling and how he feels way better than his stats suggest - the 94 balance is the key. Many compare him favorably to much more expensive wingers like Saka or Salah, noting that the gap in performance doesn't justify the price difference. The main criticisms are the 3-star weak foot and stamina issues in extra time, but most agree these are minor trade-offs for a budget card. Several top-tier players have used him in Elite Division with success, praising his ability to create space in tight defensive setups. The consensus: if you need a Premier League winger and don't have 200K+ for a top-tier option, Kudus is the obvious choice. Some players even keep him in their squads long-term because his dribbling is that good.

Final verdict & ratings

Mohammed Kudus is one of the smartest pickups in FC 26 if you're running a Premier League squad or need a meta winger on a budget.

Who should buy:

• Players looking for elite dribbling and agility without spending 200K+ on premium wingers
• Premier League squad builders who need a right-sided attacker with easy chemistry links
• Skill move enthusiasts who prioritize responsive dribbling and quick direction changes
• Anyone who values versatility - this card works at RW, RM, LW, or ST depending on your formation

Who should skip:

• Players who rely heavily on 5-star skills for their attacking play
• If you need a winger who can score from anywhere - his weak foot and long shots are limiting
• Teams that need wingers to track back defensively - he's a pure attacker
• If you've already got elite wingers like Salah or Son, Kudus won't be an upgrade

Our ratings:

• Meta rating: 15.5/20 - Excellent dribbling and pace make him competitive in Weekend League, but 3-star weak foot and stamina hold him back from elite tier
• Fun rating: 17.0/20 - Incredibly fun to dribble with thanks to 94 balance and smooth animations. 4-star skills provide enough creativity without being overwhelming
• Value for coins: 18.5/20 - Outstanding value as a Cornerstones card. Performance rivals wingers costing 5-10x more. One of the best budget picks in FC 26

Conclusion