EA Sports FC 27 introduces the Dead Ball PlayStyle, designed to enhance players' abilities with free kicks and corner kicks. This guide identifies the top players with this trait, explains its in-game benefits, and offers advice on how to earn and execute set pieces.
Top Dead Ball Players in FC 27
The Dead Ball PlayStyle benefits players who take free kicks and corners. While available across various positions, midfielders and strikers are typically the primary users of this PlayStyle for offensive set pieces. The following table lists top players ranked by their Passing stat, as it directly influences free kick accuracy, crossing, and other set piece sub-stats.
| Name | Team / Position | Age | Passing / Shooting / Overall | Dead Ball + or Normal | Value / Wage | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Alejandro Grimaldo | Atlético de Madrid / LM | 31 | 87 / 77 / 85 | Dead Ball + | £11 million / £92.3K | | Selma Bacha | OL Lyonnes / LB | 25 | 85 / 73 / 86 | Dead Ball + | £1.4 million / £11.5K | | Julián Alvarez | Atlético de Madrid / ST | 26 | 86 / 86 / 82 | Dead Ball + | £75 million / £240.4K | | James Ward-Prowse | West Ham / CM | 31 | 80 / 74 / 74 | Dead Ball + | £2.2 million / £32.5K | | Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United / CAM | 32 | 92 / 85 / 89 | Dead Ball | £28 million / £351.8K | | Trent Alexander-Arnold | Real Madrid / RB | 27 | 89 / 72 / 84 | Dead Ball | £52 million / £320.6K | | Kevin De Bruyne | SSC Napoli / CAM | 35 | 89 / 82 / 85 | Dead Ball | £6.2 million / £213.7K | | Lionel Messi | Inter Miami CF / CAM | 39 | 89 / 87 / 89 | Dead Ball | £900K / £19.5K | | Rúben Neves | Al Hilal / CDM | 29 | 87 / 75 / 85 | Dead Ball | £27 million / £471K | | James Maddison | Spurs / CM | 29 | 86 / 81 / 82 | Dead Ball | £25 million / £199.3K |
Alejandro Grimaldo, Selma Bacha, Julián Alvarez, and James Ward-Prowse stand out as the only players with the enhanced Dead Ball+ variant. While their overall ratings may not be the highest, this unique trait makes them particularly valuable for set-piece specialists.
For players prioritizing attacking prowess, the following list highlights top Dead Ball players based on their Shooting stat:
- Claudia Pina (LW) - SHO: 89 / PAS: 84 / OVR: 89
- Lionel Messi (CAM) - SHO: 87 / PAS: 89 / OVR: 89
- Matheus Cunha (LM) - SHO: 86 / PAS: 79 / OVR: 84
- Bruno Fernandes (CAM) - SHO: 85 / PAS: 92 / OVR: 89
- Klara Bühl (LM) - SHO: 85 / PAS: 85 / OVR: 88
Understanding the Dead Ball PlayStyle
The Dead Ball PlayStyle in FC 27 is activated by players who excel at taking free kicks and corner kicks. It directly improves the maximum speed, curve, and accuracy of these set pieces. Players with this PlayStyle can be identified by checking their profile in-game, where their PlayStyles are listed in the lower right section.
There are two tiers of the Dead Ball PlayStyle: the standard version and a more potent variant marked with a '+'. The Dead Ball+ is considerably rarer, currently found on only four players in the game.
How to Earn and Take Free Kicks
Securing free kicks in FC 27 often depends on opponent actions, such as fouls or offsides. While more direct free kicks are not easily manufactured, simulating an 'Offside Trap' by provoking an opponent into an ill-timed pass can sometimes result in an offside call. Turning on the 'Handballs' setting can also lead to more free kicks, though this mechanic can be awkward to exploit.
Corner kicks and throw-ins are more frequent occurrences, awarded when the ball goes out of play. The Dead Ball PlayStyle is particularly useful for improving corner kick delivery. Upon earning a free kick, players can select the taker, aim the shot, and even call for a teammate to join or take the kick. Mastering these mechanics can significantly improve your team's scoring opportunities from set pieces.
