eFootball Anticipated Standouts: Best Nominating Contract Picks

eFootball's Anticipated Standouts 26-27 selection is live as a Highlight campaign built around Nominating Contracts rather than a standard Coin-based draw.

That difference matters immediately. Instead of spending Coins and hoping a random pull lands on the right player, this campaign lets players choose from a fixed eight-player pool. The real question is therefore not whether the pack is worth spinning, but which card deserves the contract.

The selection is led by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, with Rayan Cherki, Donnyell Malen, Maxence Lacroix, and Lee Kang In among the main alternatives. The pool also includes Sato Ryunosuke, Eli Junior Kroupi, and Thiago Pitarch.

Anticipated Standouts 26-27 Uses Nominating Contracts

The biggest difference between this campaign and a weekly POTW draw is the acquisition method.

The live selection screen shows 1 Player — Nominating Contract rather than a 100-Coin draw button. That means there is no random pull involved once the correct contract is available. Players can inspect the list and nominate the card they want directly.

That changes the value calculation completely. A random draw is about the strength of the whole pool; a Nominating Contract selection is about fit. If one card fixes a weak position, that player can be worth more than a higher-rated alternative who would sit on the bench.

The supplied screen shows eight available players, so the goal is simply to identify the best use of the contract.

The Full Eight-Player Pool

The latest player list shows:

• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — 83 LWF

• Rayan Cherki — 82 AMF

• Donnyell Malen — 81 CF

• Maxence Lacroix — 81 CB

• Lee Kang In — 81 RWF

• Eli Junior Kroupi — 80 SS

• Thiago Pitarch — 79 CMF

• Sato Ryunosuke — 78 SS

These numbers are the ratings shown on the player cards in the pool list.

The featured campaign screen, however, also presents higher maximum Overall Ratings for several headline players. Kvaratskhelia is shown at a highest possible 96 LWF, Cherki at 94 AMF, and the earlier featured presentation highlights maximum values rather than untouched card ratings.

That distinction is important. Players should not treat the large promotional Overall Rating as the starting card value. Progression and setup affect the final number.

Kvaratskhelia Is the Safest Premium Pick

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is the clearest headline player in the selection.

He appears at 83 LWF in the pool list and is presented at a highest possible 96 Overall in the campaign artwork. Among the eight available players, he is the most obvious option for squads that need a high-level left winger.

His advantage is role clarity. If the team needs a left-sided attacker, Kvaratskhelia is the easiest nomination to justify. He also avoids the positional overlap that can happen when a squad already owns several elite center forwards.

For players who simply want the strongest headline option without a specific defensive or midfield need, Kvaratskhelia is the safest pick.

Cherki Is the Best Creative Alternative

Rayan Cherki is listed at 82 AMF and is shown at a highest possible 94 Overall in the featured presentation.

He is the best alternative for players who do not need another winger.

Cherki is relevant for formations that rely on an AMF to receive between the lines and connect midfield with the front line.

If a squad already has strong wide attackers but lacks a central creator, using the contract on Cherki may solve a bigger problem than choosing the highest-rated headline name. That makes him the most interesting role-based pick in the selection.

Malen Gives You a Direct CF Option

Donnyell Malen is listed at 81 CF.

He gives the campaign a straightforward central attacking option for players who want to strengthen the striker position rather than the wings or midfield.

The value of Malen depends heavily on the current squad. If the account already has several strong CFs, he may be harder to justify than Kvaratskhelia or Cherki. If CF is a weak position, however, he becomes a much more sensible nomination.

Lacroix Is the Defensive Pick

Maxence Lacroix is listed at 81 CB and is the clearest defensive option in the pool.

That alone makes him worth considering because most of the other headline players are attack-oriented.

Players who are already satisfied with their front line may get more practical value from reinforcing center back than adding another attacker.

His exact value should still be judged from the live player details, including defensive attributes, speed, Player Skills, and Playing Style. In squad-building terms, though, he is the clearest back-line choice.

Lee Kang In Is the Right-Side Alternative

Lee Kang In is shown at 81 RWF.

For squads that are already strong on the left but weak on the right, Lee can be more relevant than Kvaratskhelia. A formation built around two wide forwards may benefit from a RWF upgrade more than from another AMF or CF.

Kroupi, Pitarch, and Sato Are More Situational

The remaining three players are:

• Eli Junior Kroupi — 80 SS

• Thiago Pitarch — 79 CMF

• Sato Ryunosuke — 78 SS

These cards are more situational. Kroupi and Sato fit formations that use a second striker, while Pitarch gives the pool a central-midfield option. They are less obvious universal recommendations, but can still make sense for specific squad needs.

Best Picks by Squad Need

The easiest way to evaluate Anticipated Standouts 26-27 is by role.

Best overall premium pick: Kvaratskhelia
Choose him if you need a top left winger or simply want the strongest headline option.

Best creator: Cherki
Choose him if your squad needs an AMF who can operate through the middle.

Best center forward option: Malen
Choose him if CF is the biggest weakness in the team.

Best defensive option: Lacroix
Choose him if you want to strengthen center back instead of adding another attacker.

Best right-wing option: Lee Kang In
Choose him if the left side is already covered and RWF is the bigger need.

Do Not Choose by Overall Rating Alone

The featured campaign screen explicitly notes that the larger displayed Overall Ratings reflect the highest possible ratings of the players.

That means a number like 96 for Kvaratskhelia should not be read as his untouched starting Overall.

Overall Rating alone does not decide whether a card is useful. Position, Playing Style, Player Skills, progression, manager setup, and formation fit all matter more than a small difference in OVR.

A 94 AMF who fills a major squad weakness can be more valuable than a 96 LWF who would compete with an established starter.

Is Anticipated Standouts 26-27 Worth a Contract?

Yes, if one of the eight players clearly improves the squad.

The biggest advantage is control. There is no need to gamble through a random player pool, so the value comes from matching the selection to the account.

Kvaratskhelia is the safest all-round recommendation, Cherki is the strongest creative alternative, and Lacroix gives defensive-minded players a practical option. Before using the contract, check the live Details page and compare the final attributes and skills.

Strengthen Your eFootball Squad on GameMarket.gg

Nominating Contracts can solve one position, but the value of any new card depends on the squad already built around it. Players looking for a stronger starting point can browse verified eFootball accounts, use eFootball hourly services for specific progression goals, or explore eFootball boosting when pushing competitive progress.

GameMarket.gg is a trusted digital marketplace for everything gaming-related. We serve the gaming community by providing secure access that enhances every gaming journey.