EA FC 25: How to Play Career Mode? - Teams and Tactical Presets
EA Sports FC 25 offers players a rich and dynamic Career Mode that is a significant evolution from its predecessors. As the game continues to expand, it introduces a wealth of new features, including the addition of women’s teams and a more detailed managerial experience. Career Mode in FC 25 allows players to take control of various teams, implement tactical strategies, and manage player development to build a successful club. Whether you’re starting with a powerhouse team or EA FC 25 Coins a smaller club, there are numerous paths to success.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of how to play Career Mode, focusing on the key aspects of team selection, tactical presets, and managerial strategies. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the series, these tips will help you maximize your experience in EA Sports FC 25.

How to Choose a Team in Career Mode?
One of the most crucial decisions you’ll make in Career Mode is selecting the right team to manage. FC 25’s Career Mode now features both men’s and women’s teams, providing a greater variety of playstyles and challenges. The rich variety of clubs, ranging from powerhouse teams to smaller clubs looking to rise to prominence, means players can choose from a range of styles and experiences.

Here are five teams worth considering based on their strengths, budgets, and tactical needs:

1. Coventry City
Country: England
League: Championship
Starting Transfer Budget: ￡7.5 million
Coventry City is one of the three newly added Championship clubs in EA FC 25. They offer a unique experience for players who enjoy the challenge of taking a mid-level team to the top of the Premier League. The squad is decent, with a solid foundation, but they’re not the heavy hitters compared to the likes of Manchester City or Liverpool, which means you’ll have the freedom to shape the team and strategy as you see fit.

Why choose Coventry City?

Low Board Expectations: The expectations from the board are low, which gives you the flexibility to experiment and build a competitive team over time.
Transfer Budget: While modest, their transfer budget is competitive for a Championship team, allowing for some smart signings that can help you push for promotion.
Tactical Focus:

As a mid-tier Championship team, Coventry City can benefit from a balanced tactical approach to gain a competitive edge. A more attacking playstyle may be needed to challenge for a playoff spot, while defensive solidity is crucial to survive against better teams.
2. San Diego Wave
Country: United States
League: NWSL (National Women's Soccer League)
Starting Transfer Budget: $6.5 million
San Diego Wave is one of the standout women’s teams in EA FC 25, offering a fresh and exciting experience for players interested in managing women’s football. With an impressive roster that includes players like Kailen Sheridan and Emily van Egmond, San Diego Wave has the potential to dominate the NWSL and compete at the international level.

Why choose San Diego Wave?

Strong Player Pool: The team has a good balance of experienced and youthful talent, including five players rated 80 or above, which makes them competitive from the outset.
Great Jerseys: On top of the excellent gameplay experience, San Diego Wave boasts attractive jerseys, adding to the overall enjoyment of managing the team.
Tactical Focus:

The team excels in quick, wide play. With fast, skillful wingers and a solid midfield, focusing on wing play and quick counter-attacks is a viable tactic. A high press could also work to disrupt opposing teams.
3. Napoli
Country: Italy
League: Serie A
Starting Transfer Budget: €40 million
After a two-year absence, Napoli returns fully licensed in EA FC 25, offering players the chance to take control of one of Italy's most exciting clubs. With star players like Victor Osimhen and the newly signed Romelu Lukaku, Napoli provides a potent attacking force, but they also have room for growth in other areas.

Why choose Napoli?

Competitive Squad: Napoli boasts a talented squad with strong attacking options. With recent signings like Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay, the team has both the depth and quality to challenge for Serie A and potentially Champions League glory.
Championship Ambitions: With a powerful striker like Osimhen leading the line, Napoli is a team ready to compete for titles but needs the right managerial guidance to reclaim Serie A dominance.
Tactical Focus:

Given Napoli’s strong forward line, a counter-attacking or wing play strategy would suit the team well. Utilizing Osimhen's pace and strength in transition will be key to outpacing rivals like Juventus and Inter Milan.
4. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
Country: France
League: Ligue 1
Starting Transfer Budget: €100 million
For those looking for a challenge at the top of the football pyramid, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is an excellent choice. With superstars like Kylian Mbappé, Neymar, and Lionel Messi (in the game’s historical version), PSG has the star power to dominate Ligue 1 and contend in Europe. If you have enough FC 25 Coins, PSG is a great option to quickly win league titles.

Why choose PSG?

Star-Studded Squad: PSG’s roster is filled with world-class talent, making them a formidable opponent in domestic competitions and on the European stage.
Financial Power: With a large transfer budget, PSG allows for tactical flexibility, whether you're improving the team’s defense or making big moves in the transfer market.
Tactical Focus:

A possession-based system works well with PSG’s attacking players. Focus on building a strong, fluid attacking unit with Mbappé and Messi playing pivotal roles. The challenge is balancing the squad, as their defense can sometimes be a weak link against top-tier teams.
5. Bromley
Country: England
League: National League
Starting Transfer Budget: ￡1.5 million
For those looking for a truly challenging and rewarding managerial experience, Bromley offers one of the most unique opportunities. As a National League team with a very limited budget, you’ll have to make every penny count. Bromley has lower expectations from the board, which gives you the chance to implement your vision for the team.

Why choose Bromley?

Development Focus: With a lower budget and fewer resources, Bromley presents a real challenge. However, the team’s low expectations provide the flexibility to build from the ground up and develop young talent.
Long-Term Satisfaction: Successfully guiding Bromley to the Premier League will be a huge accomplishment and a testament to your managerial skills.
Tactical Focus:

Early on, defensive stability is key, with a focus on counter-attacking football. As the squad improves, you can start shifting towards a more attacking style, but the first few seasons will require careful management of limited resources.
Tactical Presets in Career Mode
After selecting your team, the next step is to choose a tactical preset that aligns with your team's strengths and your playing style. EA FC 25 offers seven tactical templates, each focusing on different playstyles. Here’s a quick breakdown of each preset:

Standard: A balanced, flexible template for all-around play. Best for teams that don’t have glaring strengths or weaknesses.
Wing Play: Focuses on exploiting the flanks and crossing into the box. Ideal for teams with fast wingers or a strong aerial presence.
Tiki-Taka: A possession-based style, emphasizing short passing and control. Best for teams with technical, skillful players.
Gegenpressing: High press and direct attacking. Useful for teams that thrive on speed and disrupting opponents.
Park the Bus: A defensive-minded tactic, focusing on compactness and counter-attacking.
Counter Attack: Defend and wait for the opportunity to strike quickly on the counter. Suitable for underdog teams or those with pacey forwards.
Kick and Rush: A physical, direct approach that relies on long balls and aerial duels.
Once you’ve selected a preset, hiring the right coaches is crucial. Coaches in EA FC 25 are rated based on their abilities in different categories such as attacking, defending, and goalkeeping. Match your coach’s expertise with your tactical approach to maximize the effectiveness of your team.

Conclusion
EA FC 25 Career Mode provides a deep, rewarding experience that allows you to shape a club’s destiny. Whether you’re choosing a powerhouse team like PSG or building a club from the ground up like Bromley, there’s a challenge for every type of player. By selecting the right team and implementing a tactical approach that plays to your squad's strengths, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful and memorable footballing legacy.

Remember, the key to success lies not only in selecting the right team and tactics but also in managing player development, balancing finances, and staying adaptable to the cheap FIFA 25Coins challenges ahead. Good luck!