EA FC 25 Defensive Minded Evolution guide: Best players to use, all upgrades, requirements, and more

EA Sports released the first set of EVOs in the brand-new Winter Wildcards promo, including the EA FC 25 Defensive Minded Evolution. This EVO does not cost any FC Points or coins to be unlocked and will allow gamers to upgrade their defenders on the virtual pitch.

The Winter Wildcards promo is off to an amazing start in Ultimate Team, with plenty of overpowered players in packs, exceptional SBCs, and brand-new EVOs like the EA FC 25 Defensive Minded Evolution. Not only is the EVO free to complete, but it also offers great upgrades and has a high rating threshold.

---

All requirements of the EA FC 25 Defensive Minded Evolution

A player must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the EA FC 25 Defensive Minded Evolution:

• Overall: Max 86
• Shooting: Max 78
• PlayStyles: Max 8
• PlayStyles+: Max one

These stipulations will allow plenty of meta players to be eligible for this EVO.

---

Best players to use in the EA FC 25 Defensive Minded Evolution

Van de Ven can be upgraded (Image via EA Sports)

These are some of the best choices for this EVO:

• Gianluca Zambrotta: 86
• Micky van de Ven: 86
• Joan Capdevila: 86
• Ashley Cole: 86
• Roy Keane: 86
• Ramires: 86
• Blaise Matuidi: 86

With the boosts on offer, these players will become elite-tier in the game's current meta under the FC IQ system.

---

All upgrades and challenges of the EA FC 25 Defensive Minded Evolution

The EVO has two levels (Image via EA Sports)

Similar to the recently released Incisive Deep Lying Playmaker 2 EVO, the EA FC 25 Defensive Minded Evolution has only two levels. These are the upgrades each level offers:

Level 1 upgrades

• Defensive Awareness +4 (Max 87)
• Standing tackle +5 (Max 88)
• Strength +4 (Max 87)
• Aggression +4 (Max 90)

Level 2 upgrades

• Defensive awareness +4 (Max 87)
• Standing tackle +5 (Max 88)
• Strength +4 (Max 87)
• Aggression +4 (Max 90)
• PlayStyle Block
• PlayStyle+ Bruiser

---

Below are the challenges gamers will have to complete in Rush, Rivals, Champions, or Squad Battles to obtain the boosts on offer:

Level 1 challenges

• Win one match in Rush, Rivals, Champions, or Squad Battles on minimum Semi Pro difficulty using your active EVO player.
• Play two matches in Rush, Rivals, Champions, or Squad Battles on minimum Semi Pro difficulty using your active EVO player.

Level 2 challenges

• Win one match in Rush, Rivals, Champions, or Squad Battles on minimum Semi Pro difficulty using your active EVO player.
• Play two matches in Rush, Rivals, Champions, or Squad Battles on minimum Semi Pro difficulty using your active EVO player.
• Achieve one clean sheet in Rush, Rivals, Champions, or Squad Battles on minimum Semi Pro difficulty using your active EVO player.

Overall, the EVO is worth completing.