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MMOexp-EA FC26: Jared Bowen SBC Breakdown – Budget Beast for Premier League Squads

EA Sports FC 26 continues to roll out special Squad Building Challenges, and one of the latest additions to the World Tour SBC lineup is none other than Jared Bowen of West Ham United. For Premier League squads - especially English-themed teams - this is a tempting option, not just because of the low cost but because Bowen offers a surprising mix of versatility, technical ability, and sneaky finishing power FC 26 Coins.

So, how good is this card really? Let's break down his stats, playstyles, strengths, weaknesses, and where he fits in your squad.

SBC Requirements and Cost

The good news first: this SBC is super cheap. You'll only need to submit two squads:

 82-rated squad

 84-rated squad

That's it. No special cards required, no absurd fodder demands. At current market value, this comes out to around 17–18K coins - a steal, especially during a period when fodder is slightly inflated thanks to ongoing Hero SBCs.

For the price, you're getting an 86-rated Premier League attacker who can fit into multiple positions. Even if Bowen doesn't end up being a starter for you, he's an excellent card to stash in your club for chemistry and squad depth.

Key Details

 Overall Rating: 86

 Positions: RW, RM, ST

 Footedness: Left-footed

 Skill Moves: ★★★★

 Weak Foot: ★★★★

 Height: 5'9”

 Accelerate Type: Explosive

 Club: West Ham United

 Nation: England

The combination of four-star skills and weak foot already makes him more flexible than many budget attackers. His explosive accelerate type gives him snappy bursts of speed, perfect for sharp turns and short sprints.

Attribute Breakdown

Let's dig into the stats and see where Bowen shines - and where he falls short.

Pace (86)

On paper, Bowen's pace doesn't look elite compared to the lightning-fast wingers in the game. But thanks to his explosive accelerate type, he feels sharper in short bursts than his stat suggests. Over longer sprints, he can get caught by stronger defenders like Ronald Araújo, but his quick acceleration makes him deadly when cutting inside.

Shooting (83)

This is where Bowen overperforms. His finishing feels clinical, especially inside the box. Despite lacking the finesse shot playstyle, he still managed to bag finesse goals - even one from outside the box during testing. Add in his low-driven shooting ability, and he becomes a serious threat in tight spaces.

With a Hunter chemistry style, Bowen's shooting becomes lethal, maxing out pace and giving him the edge as a striker or inside forward.

Passing (80)

Solid but not standout. He can link up well in the final third, with accurate short passes and through balls. Don't expect Trent Alexander-Arnold–level distribution, but he won't let you down when setting up quick one-twos or slipping in a striker.

Dribbling (86)

One of Bowen's best attributes. His left-stick control is extremely snappy, making him feel smooth on the ball. The Technical playstyle amplifies this further, letting him weave in and out of challenges with ease. His small frame and explosive burst make him tough to defend in one-on-one situations.

Physical (74)

Bowen isn't built like a target man, but he has stamina for days - a rare commodity at this stage of FC 26. He can run up and down the pitch all match without tiring. Strength isn't his game, but he battles hard and doesn't go down as easily as you'd expect.

Playstyles

Bowen comes with some interesting playstyles that give him a unique edge:

 Game Changer: Perfect for low-driven finishes inside the box.

 Precision Header: Situational, but adds variety in attack.

 Technical: Makes his dribbling feel even sharper and more responsive.

The lack of a Finesse Shot playstyle is a downside, but as testing showed, he's still capable of curling one into the top corner - even from distance.

Best Positioning

Where should you play Bowen? That depends on your squad and style of play.

Right Mid / Right Wing

 Natural fit, especially in formations like 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.

 As an inside forward cutting onto his left foot, he's dangerous - though slightly limited when forced wide.

Striker

 Surprisingly effective as a central striker.

 His movement, dribbling, and finishing make him a clinical poacher.

 Works best paired with a faster, more physical forward.

Verdict:

While EA lists him as a winger, Bowen arguably performs better centrally as a striker. His pace limitations matter less in the middle, and his dribbling/finishing become more valuable.In-Game Performance

Across multiple test matches, Bowen proved to be a lively addition to the squad.

 Game One: Playing as a right mid in a 4-2-3-1, Bowen scored a finesse goal cutting inside. Despite lacking raw pace, his explosive acceleration helped him beat defenders in short bursts. His finishing impressed immediately.

 Game Two: Up against tough competition, Bowen's dribbling shone. Quick stops, chops, and shoulder drops left fullbacks scrambling. He grabbed another goal with sharp movement and positioning, proving he can produce even against stronger defenses.

Game Three: As a striker, Bowen's movement in behind and snappy dribbling made him a constant threat. He bagged multiple goals, including an outside-the-box finesse - something you wouldn't expect from a card without that playstyle.

Overall, he consistently found ways to contribute, whether scoring himself or linking up play.

Comparisons

How does Bowen stack up against other Premier League wingers and attackers at this stage of FC 26?

 Bukayo Saka (OTW): Fantastic dribbling and finesse shot, but only 3-star skills hold him back. Bowen edges him on versatility and weak foot.

 Phil Foden: Still the gold standard for silky dribbling in the Premier League. Foden is a touch above Bowen technically, but Bowen offers better finishing.

 Mohamed Salah: In a league of his own at this stage. Bowen isn't competing with Salah directly, but for budget squads, he's one of the best alternatives.

 Cheap Options (Semedo, McManaman): Bowen is more complete than either, especially with his ability to slot in at striker.

For under 20K, Bowen holds up well compared to much pricier options.

Chemistry Styles

To maximize Bowen's potential, here are the best chemistry styles:

 Hunter (Recommended): Boosts pace and shooting, turning him into a lethal striker or inside forward.

 Hawk: Adds physicality, making him more capable in duels while still improving finishing.

 Engine: If you want him strictly as a winger, this maximizes dribbling and passing.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths:

 Affordable SBC (cheap fodder requirements)

 Four-star skills & weak foot

 Versatile (RW, RM, ST)

 Snappy dribbling and left-stick control

 Great finishing, even without finesse playstyle

 High stamina - runs all game

 Game Changer + Technical playstyles enhance end product

Weaknesses:

 Pace isn't elite over long sprints

 Lacks finesse shot playstyle

 Limited physical presence

 Not quite Salah/Foden level if you already own top-tier attackers

Final Verdict

So, is Jared Bowen's World Tour SBC card worth completing?

At around 17–18K coins, the answer is a resounding yes. He may not be the most meta-breaking attacker in FC 26, but for the price, Bowen offers:

 Strong versatility (wing or striker)

 Consistently sharp dribbling

 Reliable finishing inside and outside the box

 A Premier League English link that's extremely useful for squad building

If you've got spare fodder lying around, this is almost a no-brainer SBC to complete. Even if Bowen doesn't end up in your starting XI, he's a quality rotational piece for objectives, English-themed squads, or Premier League hybrids EAFC 26 Coins.

For players still grinding their England collection with cards like Chukwuemeka, Bowen fits right in. And for budget squads, he might even become a reliable starter.

Bottom Line

Jared Bowen's 86-rated World Tour SBC card is a hidden gem in FC 26. He's not the fastest or the flashiest, but he brings a mix of sharp dribbling, strong finishing, and underrated versatility that make him more than worth the low completion cost.

If you're chasing value SBCs, building an English team, or just want a fun, reliable attacker who can play multiple roles, Bowen is absolutely worth doing.

Final Rating: 8.5/10-Excellent value, versatile attacker, and a must-complete for Premier League fans.