EA Sports has rolled out yet another engaging Squad Building Challenge (SBC) for Ultimate Team fans as part of the Team of the Season (TOTS) promotion. The spotlight now shines on Kaishu Sano, the versatile Japanese midfielder who has earned a TOTS Honourable Mentions card for his consistent performances with 1. FSV Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga.

This SBC is a tribute to Sano's breakout season, where he has become one of the Bundesliga’s unsung heroes. He’s not only helped Mainz in their push for European qualification, but he’s done so with poise and presence in the midfield. The SBC is refreshingly straightforward to complete, and the reward is a 90-rated TOTS Honourable Mentions card that slots beautifully into multiple team styles.

Below, we break down everything you need to know about the Kaishu Sano SBC in EA FC 25 – including requirements, solutions, price analysis, and whether he’s worth the investment.

Who is Kaishu Sano in Real Life?

Kaishu Sano, a Japanese midfielder who joined Mainz from the J.League, has enjoyed a rapid rise in European football. Known for his tenacity, positioning, and distribution, Sano played a key role in shoring up Mainz’s midfield during a season that saw them outperform expectations.

Although not the flashiest name in the Bundesliga, his performances didn’t go unnoticed by EA. Being awarded a TOTS Honourable Mentions card puts him among the top-performing players not just in Germany, but across Europe’s top leagues.

Kaishu Sano TOTS Honourable Mentions SBC Overview

Player: Kaishu Sano (TOTS Honourable Mentions)

Rating: 90

Position: CDM (Central Defensive Midfielder)

Club: 1. FSV Mainz 05

League: Bundesliga

Nation: Japan

Skill Moves: 3★

Weak Foot: 4★

Work Rates: High/High

Foot: Right

Expiry: 7 Days from release

How to Complete the Kaishu Sano SBC

The SBC consists of two segments, both of which are relatively inexpensive compared to other TOTS SBCs.

SBC 1: Bundesliga

Requirements:

Min 1 Bundesliga player

Min Team Rating: 84

Min Team Chemistry: 35

Estimated Cost: ~30,000 – 35,000 coins

Cheapest Solution (Prices may vary based on market fluctuation):

GK: Onana (84)

CB: Ginter (84)

CB: Hummels (83)

CB: Ndicka (82)

LM: Grifo (82)

CM: Sabitzer (84 – Bundesliga)

CM: Zielinski (83)

RM: Bailey (82)

LW: Gosens (82)

ST: Iñaki Williams (84)

RW: Diaby (84)

SBC 2: Top Form

Requirements:

Min 1 TOTW or TOTS player

Min Team Rating: 85

Min Team Chemistry: 30

Estimated Cost: ~45,000 – 55,000 coins

Cheapest Solution:

GK: Sommer (85)

CB: Trippier (85)

CB: de Vrij (84)

CB: Bastoni (85)

CDM: TOTW Elmas (86)

LM: Tadic (84)

CM: Canales (85)

CM: Luis Alberto (84)

RM: Sane (84)

ST: Morata (84)

CAM: Maddison (85)

Total SBC Cost

Estimated Cost: 75,000 – 90,000 EA FC 25 Coins

Estimated Time to Complete: ~15 minutes with fodder

Reward: 90-rated Kaishu Sano TOTS Honourable Mentions card (Untradeable)

Card Analysis: Is Kaishu Sano Worth Completing?

Stats Breakdown

Pace: 84 – Excellent for a defensive midfielder.

Shooting: 70 – Not ideal for long shots or attacking play.

Passing: 88 – Elite short and long passing with vision and curve.

Dribbling: 86 – Agile with 90 Balance and 87 Ball Control.

Defending: 91 – Key strength; includes 93 Interceptions and 90 Defensive Awareness.

Physical: 90 – Strong stamina (94), good strength (88), and 89 aggression.

Best Chemistry Style: SHADOW

Boosts Pace to 92+ and Defending to 97+, turning him into a midfield wall.

Alternatives: Anchor for added strength, Engine for passing/dribbling.

Pros:

High/High work rate ensures he contributes at both ends.

Incredible stamina lets him play the full 90 without fatigue.

Agile for a CDM – transitions quickly and tracks runners well.

Bundesliga and Japanese links allow hybrid building with icons or Endo TOTS.

Cons:

No 5★ skills or weak foot (3★/4★ limits versatility slightly).

Shooting is not reliable – keep him out of box.

Slightly overpriced if you don’t already have high-rated fodder.

Where He Fits in Your Squad

Ideal Formations:

4-2-3-1 (as a CDM with stay back instructions)

4-1-2-1-2 Narrow (as the lone CDM)

3-5-2 (middle CM to control tempo)

Best Pairings:

With a more attacking box-to-box CM like Bellingham, Musiala, or TOTS Palhinha.

Bundesliga Icons or Japan Icons/Heroes (e.g., Nakata, Endo, or Miura in some versions).

How Does He Compare to Other CDMs?

Player Rating Cost Pace Def Phys Links

Kaishu Sano TOTS 90 ~80k 84 91 90 Japan/Bundesliga

Palhinha TOTS 91 ~200k 82 94 94 Portugal/PL

Zakaria TOTS 90 ~110k 85 89 93 Switzerland/Ligue 1

Endo TOTS 91 ~45k (objectives) 83 90 92 Japan/Bundesliga

Verdict: Sano is an excellent budget alternative to top-tier CDMs like Palhinha. He fits especially well if you run a Bundesliga team or are using a Japanese hybrid squad.

Conclusion

The Kaishu Sano TOTS Honourable Mentions SBC is a smart, affordable challenge with a solid reward. His 90-rated card is tailor-made for players who love having a midfield general — someone who wins tackles, breaks up play, and starts attacks with accurate passes.

Given the relatively low cost and solid in-game stats, this SBC is an excellent value — especially for those already invested in Bundesliga or Japanese players. Whether you’re a hardcore FUT player or just love unique cards, Kaishu Sano brings excellent balance, stamina, and tactical intelligence to your Ultimate Team.