EA Sports FC 27 Side Step Evolution: Best Players, Requirements and Upgrades
Welcome to the ultimate guide for the Side Step in EA Sports FC 27 Ultimate Team. This free Evolution targets fullbacks with an OVR max of 80, giving you an incredible chance to upgrade your squad's flank defenders without spending any coins on unlocking fees. Whether you want to shut down opposing attackers or lead the charge forward from the touchline, this upgrade path offers some fantastic boosts.
Side Step Evolution Requirements
To qualify for the Side Step upgrade, your player must meet specific criteria. The card must be an outfield player with a maximum overall rating of 80. Furthermore, the player's primary position must be either LB or RB, while center backs and central midfielders are strictly excluded. Finally, the card can have a maximum of 7 PlayStyles and a pace stat capped at 85.
Requirements
- OVR Max 80
- Position LB OR RB
- Must not be CB OR CM
- # of PlayStyle Max 7
- Pace Max 85
Side Step Evolution Levels and Upgrades
The evolution is split into three levels, each requiring you to play 2 matches in Squad Battles on minimum Semi-Pro difficulty, or via Rush, Rivals, Champions, or Live Events using your active EVO player. Level 1 grants a massive overall boost along with upgrades to sprint speed, long shots, crossing, long passing, defensive awareness, and weak foot. Level 2 introduces the Tiki Taka PlayStyle alongside improvements to finishing, volleys, free kick accuracy, curve, and standing tackle. Level 3 caps off the journey with acceleration boosts, shot power, vision, short passing, interceptions, and sliding tackles.
Level 1
Upgrades
+7Overall Rating⤒81+2★Weak Foot⤒3★+5Sprint Speed⤒83+7Long Shots⤒78+7Crossing⤒81+7Long Pass⤒76+7Def. Aware⤒78
Objectives
Play 2 matches in Squad Battles on min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO Player in game.
0/2
Level 2
Upgrades
Objectives
Play 2 matches in Squad Battles on min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO Player in game.
0/2
Level 3
Upgrades
+5Acceleration⤒83+7Shot Power⤒77+7Vision⤒78+7Short Pass⤒80+7Interceptions⤒78+7Slide Tackle⤒81
Objectives
Play 2 matches in Squad Battles on min. Semi-Pro difficulty (or Rush/Rivals/Champions/Live Events) using your active EVO Player in game.
0/2
Best Players to Evolve in Side Step
Choosing the right player can make a huge difference in your Ultimate Team. Meta Score is FUTMind's own player rating of how well a card plays in game in a given role with its best chemistry style, where higher is better. At the top of the list is Dujon Sterling, a Team of the Week card from Rangers. Starting at 80 OVR with a Meta Score of 82.6 using a Shadow chemistry style, he progresses through levels 1, 2, and 3 to reach an 81 OVR and a stellar Meta Score of 84.5 as a RB - Fullback, costing 13750 on console and 12250 on PC while gaining the Tiki Taka PlayStyle.
Another fantastic option is Phillipp Mwene. This Team of the Week LB from 1. FSV Mainz 05 begins at 80 OVR with an 80.9 Meta Score. He steps up through the levels to achieve an 81 OVR and an 82.7 Meta Score in the RB - Fullback role with a Shadow chemistry style, all for 11250 on console and 11750 on PC.
For budget-conscious managers, Alistair Johnston from Celtic offers immense value. As a 78 OVR common card priced at just 650 on console and 700 on PC, he starts with a 78.7 Meta Score and climbs level by level to finish at 81 OVR with an 82.0 Meta Score using a Shadow chemistry style in the RB - Fullback role.
French fullback Valentin Rosier playing for CA Osasuna is another budget gem. Costing 750 on console and 650 on PC, this 78 OVR common card progresses from a 78.5 Meta Score up to an 81 OVR and an 81.7 Meta Score as a RB - Fullback with a Shadow chemistry style.
United States representative Bryan Reynolds, featuring as an 80 OVR Team of the Week card for Stade Rennais FC, starts with a 79.3 Meta Score. He evolves steadily across the three levels to end at an 81 OVR with an 81.5 Meta Score in the RB - Fullback role using a Shadow chemistry style, priced at 10750 on console and 10500 on PC.
Finally, Carlos Romero rounds out the top options. The Villarreal CF common LB starts at 80 OVR with a 79.8 Meta Score and costs 1200 on console and 850 on PC. He advances through the upgrade paths to reach an 81 OVR and an 81.4 Meta Score as a LB - Fullback with a Shadow chemistry style.
Meta Score: 82.6 → 84.5+1.9
Meta Score: 80.9 → 82.7+1.8
Meta Score: 78.7 → 82+3.3
Meta Score: 78.5 → 81.7+3.2
Meta Score: 79.3 → 81.5+2.2
Meta Score: 79.8 → 81.4+1.6
