5 FIFA 21 TOTY nominees to avoid and better voting alternatives
Introduction
While FIFA 21’s Team of the Year celebrates football’s elite, not all nominees deserve equal consideration. Our analysis reveals five players whose inclusion raises eyebrows and suggests better alternatives for your vote.
The TOTY selection process demands careful evaluation – we’ve identified the most overrated nominees and explain why your vote matters elsewhere.
With voting open since January 7, many players face tough choices between established stars and surprise contenders. While we previously highlighted our top 11 picks (excluding Bruno Fernandes in favor of Heung-Min Son), these five candidates represent the opposite end of the spectrum – players who simply don’t belong in TOTY conversations.
Steve Mandanda: Goalkeeper Analysis
Marseille’s veteran keeper demonstrates solid Ligue 1 form with just 16 goals conceded by January 2020, but TOTY requires exceptional rather than competent performances. His 72% save percentage and 1.1 goals prevented rate pale against Alisson Becker’s 78% and 1.8 respectively.
For FUT managers, Mandanda’s 82-rated base card offers limited upside compared to premium alternatives. His 78 diving and 80 reflexes won’t compete with elite TOTY keepers’ anticipated 90+ stats. Consider these superior alternatives:
- Alisson Becker (Liverpool) – Premier League dominance
- Manuel Neuer (Bayern) – Champions League heroics
- Jan Oblak (Atletico) – La Liga’s most consistent
Jordan Amavi: Defensive Considerations
The defender pool features world-class talent like Sergio Ramos and Alphonso Davies, making Amavi’s inclusion puzzling. While he’s established himself at Marseille since 2018, his 1.3 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game don’t justify TOTY status.
FUT players should note his 79-rated base card’s limitations: 78 pace and 77 defending won’t compete with meta fullbacks. These defenders offer better value:
- Alphonso Davies – Ultimate speed and attacking threat
- Trent Alexander-Arnold – Premier League’s creative force
- Jordi Alba – Consistent La Liga performer
Dani Parejo: Midfield Evaluation
Villarreal’s playmaker shows technical quality but his 1 goal and 1 assist in La Liga don’t measure up to TOTY standards. Compared to Kevin De Bruyne’s 15 goal contributions or Joshua Kimmich’s 90% pass accuracy, Parejo’s production falls short.
His 85-rated base card’s 82 passing and 79 dribbling won’t justify inclusion when TOTY midfielders will likely boast 90+ key attributes. Consider these dominant alternatives:
- Kevin De Bruyne – Premier League’s creative king
- Joshua Kimmich – Bayern’s midfield engine
- Bruno Fernandes – Consistent chance creator
Francesco Caputo: Forward Assessment
Sassuolo’s striker shows decent form (6 goals, 4 assists) but pales against elite forwards. Robert Lewandowski’s 22 goals or Erling Haaland’s goal-per-game ratio demonstrate the gulf in class.
His 82-rated base card’s 80 shooting and 78 pace won’t compete with TOTY attackers. These forwards merit consideration instead:
- Robert Lewandowski – World’s most lethal finisher
- Kylian Mbappé – Pace and precision combined
- Erling Haaland – Rising superstar
Joselu: Striker Analysis
Alavés’ striker (2 goals, 1 assist) represents the most baffling nomination. Compared to elite forwards averaging 0.7+ goals per game, his 0.2 ratio demonstrates why he doesn’t belong in TOTY discussions.
His 78-rated base card’s 75 shooting and 72 pace make him unusable in competitive FUT. These alternatives dominate:
- Cristiano Ronaldo – Perennial contender
- Lionel Messi – Creative genius
- Heung-Min Son – Versatile threat
Voting Strategy Guide
Maximize your TOTY vote impact with these professional tips:
- Prioritize positions – Focus on roles where upgrades matter most (fullbacks, CDMs)
- Check performance metrics – Compare goals, assists, clean sheets per position
- Consider FUT meta – Pace and agility often outweigh real-world performance
- Balance your selection – Don’t overload one position at others’ expense
- Watch for dark horses – Some less-hyped players offer better value
Join the conversation @UltimateTeamUK with your TOTY selections and reasoning.
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