While EA FC (and predecessor FIFA) have often focused heavily on the money-making Ultimate Team, this year’s game sees Career Mode get some love.
There are a host of new changes coming to Career Mode in EA FC 25, including the ability to manage women’s teams, FC IQ’s tactical improvements and new press conference and morale mechanics. It should provide players with a more immersive and realistic experience.
But the toughest part of Career Mode is always deciding where to start. Do you want to rebuild a fallen giant? Do you want to take a League Two side to Champions League glory? Do you want to overthrow the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City?
Here are a few ideas for your first EA FC 25 save.
This one is pretty obvious, right? Ipswich Town find themselves back in the Premier League for the first time in over two decades after back-to-back promotions over the past two seasons. Kieran McKenna has worked wonders with the Tractor Boys, but you’re the one who can take them to the next level.
Staving off relegation is first on the agenda. Within the riches of the Premier League, Ipswich still find themselves with one of the weakest squads in the division despite significant spending over the summer.
Solidifying them as a Premier League side before moving your way up the table could be a rewarding challenge. Or it might be a little too easy, depending on how good you are at EA FC 25.
Barcelona are the biggest club in women’s football right now and won the quadruple last season at a relative canter. They went the entire Liga F season unbeaten – winning 29 of their 30 games – and boast some of the most exceptional athletes in the women’s game.
So, why not take charge of city rivals Espanyol and usurp them?
Espanyol were promoted form the second tier last season and will be fortunate to survive relegation in 2024/25. However, with you at the helm, they could become a Liga F regular, before challenging and eventually leapfrogging their foes at the top of the table.
Paris FC
As far as many are concerned, there is only one team in Paris. That is, of course, Paris Saint-Germain, who are 12-time Ligue 1 champions and reached the Champions League semi-finals last season. They boast the richest, deepest and most talented squad in France – and it’s not even close.
That’s where Paris FC come into the equation. The Ligue 2 outfit are on the right track, reaching the play-offs last term, but they remain some way off gracing the top flight.
They are a rich club due to investment from Bahrain, giving you plenty of funds to use on improving your squad from the off. After climbing into Ligue 1, the next task is replacing PSG as Paris’ most prominent side.
St Pauli are known for being a popular club in Germany and across Europe, well liked due to their progressive politics and club culture. That they have entered the Bundesliga in 2024/25 – the first time they have played in the top tier since 2010/11 – makes them an exciting choice on EA FC 25.
Once again, retaining their status as a Bundesliga club will be a challenge given the wealth of the clubs around them, while toppling Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund is an unenviable task.
Chelsea Women
Chelsea are one of women’s football’s most dominant sides. While not a particularly difficult challenge on Career Mode, prospective managers get the opportunity to utilise some of the best players in the game and make some exciting signings in the market.
However, there is also the added challenge of replacing Emma Hayes and outperforming the current United States women’s national team coach. Can you guide Chelsea to the Champions League title they failed to win under her watch?
Bromley
2023/24 was a historic season for little old Bromley. The Ravens secured promotion to the English Football League for the first time in their history after winning the National League play-off final, and will now be plying their trade in League Two.
However, they likely have loftier ambitions. Having seen the likes of Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion climb the divisions to become stable Premier League sides, there is no reason Bromley can’t achieve the same – well, in EA FC 25 at least.
As much as we would like to see him terrorising defences long into his 40s, the reality is Lionel Messi’s time in professional football is nearing its end. Who knows how long we have left to enjoy the diminutive Argentine for club or country?
So, it seems wise to take every opportunity we can to manage the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, with Inter Miami his current home. He may retire shortly after you start your career with David Beckham’s franchise – as might teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba – but it’s still worth it.
1860 Munich were one of the founding members of the Bundesliga in the early 1960s, even winning the title during the 1965/66 season. They have won the DFB Pokal twice and reached the European Cup Winners’ Cup final the year before their league triumph. However, they have fallen on hard times.
The German outfit reside in the third tier and have done so for the past seven seasons. They haven’t been in the Bundesliga since 2003/04 and have had to watch their Munich foes Bayern win trophy after trophy (well, until Harry Kane came along).
It’s time for them to get back to where they belong.
Go Ahead Eagles
To be honest, we chose Go Ahead Eagles because they’re called Go Ahead Eagles. Come on, do you really need another reason?
Well, if that didn’t entirely convince you, it’s worth noting that the Dutch side won the first division four times between 1916 and 1933 but have never claimed the title since the Eredivisie was formed in 1956.
In fact, they have never won the KNVB Cup either, meaning they have a trophy cabinet in desperate need of filling.
Sampdoria
Having spent the majority of the last 30 years in Serie A, Sampdoria fell into the second division in 2022/23 after a truly dismal season which saw them finish rock bottom of the table. This is a side who won the top flight in 1990/91 and reached the European Cup final the following season.
A seventh-placed finish means Sampdoria are still stuck in Serie B, with Andrea Pirlo having recently been dismissed as the club’s coach. The likes of Claudio Ranieri, Sven-Goran Eriksson and Luciano Spalletti have taken the job previously. Now it’s your turn.
