Welcome back to FUT in Review #740! Today, Grandpapa Mac (Chris) and John Kirkham (John K) take over the studio to break down the summer FUTTIES grind, honor the passing of legendary Italian defender AC Milan icon Franco Baresi, and run an extensive, lawyer-reviewed cost-benefit analysis on the newly announced EA Sports FC 27 Pre-Order editions. We break down the financial value and gameplay content unfiltered: FIFA’s Shelved Equity Deal: Football fans won! FIFA’s controversial plan to sell off a commercial stake in the World Cup to private equity investors has officially been shelved following universal backlash. The panel breaks down the widening rift between UEFA and FIFA, asking if European football might eventually break off into its own standalone body. The Pink Card Grind: With summer in full swing and Season 8 XP flowing freely, the hosts debate whether anyone on Earth has actually packed the exact 99-rated FUTTIES card they wanted. From grinding the Frenkie de Jong SBC to evolutions of silver icons like Roberto Baggio and Ruud Gullit, we discuss why late-cycle Ultimate Team should be about fun, nostalgia, and past-and-present squad builds. Tribute to Franco Baresi: The crew pauses to pay tribute to the late, great Franco Baresi. We reminisce about Channel 4’s iconic Golaccio 1990s Italian football broadcasts and discuss how EA’s Icon cards help younger generations appreciate the legendary defenders who defined an era of lower-scoring, tactical Serie A perfection. EA Sports FC 27 Pre-Order Breakdown: We crunch the numbers across the three announced editions: Standard, Ultimate, and the limited-time Ultimate Plus (available until October 31st). Evaluating cash-equivalent values for 7-day early access (launching September 18), FC Points, Season Passes (Seasons 1–5), and exclusive Evolution slots, we help casuals, core players, and hard-core grinders decide which edition delivers the highest return on investment. ⏱️ MID-SHOW HYDRATION BREAK 👑 Join our Patreon: Unlock exclusive trading tips, active Discord channels, starter squad guides, and early access to bonus podcast content for the upcoming FC 27 season: patreon.com/futinreview ☕ Support the Crew: 50 consecutive days of World Cup coverage plus summer FUTTIES analysis has our caffeine supply completely dry! Support the team with a coffee lifeline here: buymeacoffee.com/futinreview 📬 The Newsletter is LIVE: Don't get left behind by social media algorithms. Your ultimate shortcut to market updates, leaks, and in-depth gameplay summaries: futinreview.com ⭐ Rate the Show: Take 10 seconds to leave a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to keep the studio alarm bells ringing! 📱 Follow the socials: Instagram: @futinreview | TikTok: @futinreviewpodcast | YouTube: youtube.com/futinreview ⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 - Show Intro: Pink Cards, FC 27 Editions & FIFA Private Equity Rejections 01:34 - The FIFA Equity Backtrack: Why the World Cup Is No Longer for Sale 02:26 - UEFA vs. FIFA: Could European Football Break Away into a Standalone Body? 02:57 - Summer FUTTIES Grind: Pink Flares, XP Bonuses & The Hunt for 99s 05:38 - Remembering Franco Baresi: Channel 4 Nostalgia & The Era of Great Italian Defending 07:18 - Favourite Cards: Silver Icon Baggio Evolutions & Rivelino’s 1970 World Cup Magic 10:39 - Scottish Icons Deficit: Demanding Jinky Johnstone, Graeme Souness & Dennis Law Cards 12:59 - FC 27 Edition Analysis: Evaluating Standard (£70/$70), Ultimate (£100/$110) & Ultimate Plus (£140/$150) 15:53 - Financial Breakdown: Are early access, 10,000 FC Points, and 5 Season Passes worth the price? 19:46 - Evolution Slots & Starter Packs: Why St. Johnstone Silver Cards Are Getting Day-One Upgrades 25:31 - Casuals vs. Hardcore Grinders: Deciding Which FC 27 Package Fits Your Playstyle 27:16 - Header Metas & Set-Piece Coaches: Looking Ahead to FC 27 Gameplay Mechanics 29:22 - Outro: Drop Us a 5-Star Review & Join the Patreon!
