Let’s be real for a second. If you just look at the 77 overall rating on the base Joao Pedro FC 25 card, you’re probably going to keep scrolling. On paper, it looks like just another "discard" gold card destined for an SBC folder. But if you’ve actually played this game for more than a week, you know that ratings in EA Sports FC are often a big fat lie.
He's one of those "jammy" players. You know the type. The kind that somehow bounces through three tackles despite having average strength.
The Stealth Meta of Joao Pedro FC 25
Most people see 78 pace and think "too slow for a winger, too clunky for a striker." Honestly? They’re wrong. Because of his Rapid playstyle and the way his 6'2" frame moves in-game, he feels surprisingly snaky. He doesn't just run; he glides. It's weird.
His base stats are basically a lie.
- Pace: 77 (but feels like 82 with a Hunter).
- Shooting: 77 (with 85 penalties, which is basically a cheat code for early-game objectives).
- Dribbling: 79 (83 dribbling and 81 ball control make him feel way more responsive than most 77s).
- Physicality: 73 (but 84 jumping means he actually wins headers).
He transitioned to Chelsea in the 2025/26 season IRL, and that move has given him some serious hype in the community. People are finally waking up to the fact that he's a versatile beast. He can play ST, LM, and CAM. That versatility is huge when you’re trying to squeeze chemistry out of a hybrid squad.
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Why Playstyles Change Everything
In FC 25, playstyles are the new king. A player with 85 shooting and no playstyles is often worse than a player with 77 shooting and the right traits. Joao Pedro comes packed with Finesse Shot, Power Shot, and Technical.
He’s a nightmare in the box.
If you use the Ratings Reload version or his Futties evolution, he becomes a genuine endgame card. We’re talking 90+ across the board. But even the base card has that "it" factor. He has Press Proven, which is massively underrated this year. It helps him keep the ball when those aggressive center-backs like Van Dijk try to bully him off it.
The Evolution Trap
Everyone is obsessed with putting every Brazilian striker into an Evolution. Should you do it with Joao Pedro? Maybe. If you can get him into the Evolutions II or the newer Time Warp tracks, he jumps from a mid-tier starter to a Premier League monster.
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But don't just dump coins into him because of the name.
Check your team's needs. If you need a False 9 who can link play, he’s your guy. If you’re looking for a pure "get in behind" speedster who never touches the ball except to shoot, you might be better off with someone like Jackson or a boosted Delap.
Joao Pedro is for the players who actually like to dribble.
The Chelsea vs. Brighton Factor
His club change is a bit of a headache for some. If you’re still rocking a Brighton-themed past and present, you’re looking for his earlier cards. But the Chelsea links are objectively better for most meta teams. Linking him to Enzo Fernandez or Christopher Nkunku makes squad building a breeze.
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Plus, being Brazilian in the Prem is basically the gold standard for chemistry.
How to Actually Use Him
Don’t put him on the wing. Just don't. He’s wasted there. His 78 pace is enough to beat a slow defender in the middle, but he’ll get caught by any decent fullback.
Play him as a Center Forward or a CAM.
- Chemistry Style: Hunter is the only way to go. You need that pace boost.
- Player Instructions: Set him to "Stay Central" and "False 9."
- The Secret Move: Use his Technical playstyle. Hold R1 (or RB) while dribbling into the box. He has a specific animation that makes him very hard to tackle.
Is he the best player in the game? No. Of course not. But for his price point and his potential in Evolutions, he’s one of the most interesting cards you can own.
Actionable Insights for Your Squad
Stop ignoring the low-rated golds with good playstyles. Joao Pedro FC 25 is the perfect example of a card that outplays its face value because of his height and "Rapid" trait. If you’re starting a new account or looking for a cheap super-sub who can play three different positions, buy him now. Keep an eye on the Evolution Lab every Wednesday. He is frequently eligible for upgrades that turn him into a 85+ OVR beast within a few matches.
Check your club for his base card before you go buying one on the market. He's a common pull, and you might already have a future club legend sitting in your "Gold - Low to High" filter.