Every real player in DLS exists because the game holds a licence for that player’s name and likeness. Most of the nine players here no longer have a club licence in the game, and many have retired from their national teams. When a player retires from international football, his licence can lapse too, and an unlicensed player gets removed from the game.

Community trackers describe the same pattern for removed clubs. DLS Inside reports that managers who already own a player from a removed team keep the card, while that player vanishes from the transfer market for everyone else. We can’t promise the same outcome for every player on this list, but the risk is real and waiting costs you the chance to buy.

That’s why this list leans toward veterans. If a card is on the market today, you can buy it. If it’s gone after the update, you can’t. Check each price in-game, then buy in the order suggested below.

Quick-Pick Summary Table

Goalkeepers

David de Gea (GK, 78)

A goalkeeper decides close games, and De Gea’s card is built around shot-stopping. His 78 reflexes mean he gives you a fair chance against shots from distance and tight angles. His 71 handling is lower, so expect the occasional rebound on hard shots.
Why buy David de Gea before DLS 27: keepers with a proven name are the first cards to disappear once a licence lapses, and a 78-reflex keeper is hard to replace later.

• Strengths: The 78 reflexes rating is the headline. It gives you a stable base while you build the rest of the team.
• Weakness: Passing (59), dribbling (55) and strength (56) are modest, so he is not a keeper for building play from the back.
• Best fit: Any formation, especially if you prefer to defend deep and clear the ball early.
• Value verdict: A sensible buy if you want a reliable keeper without chasing the highest rating. Compare the in-game price before you commit.

Defenders

Nicolás Otamendi (CB, 79)

Otamendi is the highest-rated defender on this list, and his physical numbers explain why. His 87 strength and 84 tackling make him hard to push off the ball. His 82 stamina also means he keeps working late in matches.

Why buy Nicolás Otamendi before DLS 27: he is the highest-rated defender here, and an international retirement can pull his card from the game for good.

• Strengths: Strength, tackling and stamina combine into a centre-back who wins duels and keeps going.
• Weakness: Speed is only 70, so fast strikers can test him when your defensive line pushes high.
• Best fit: A 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 where you defend in a compact block rather than a high line.
• Value verdict: Strong buy. A defender who wins most duels makes every other signing look better.

Thiago Silva (CB, 77)

Silva offers the best tackling rating among the defenders here at 87, plus useful passing at 79 and dribbling at 77. He can win the ball and then play it out of defence calmly instead of hoofing it away.

Why buy Thiago Silva before DLS 27: he has the best tackling of any defender here (87), and he is one of the veterans most likely to lose his licence first.

• Strengths: Elite tackling, comfortable on the ball, and 84 strength for physical duels.
• Weakness: Speed is 67 and stamina 73, so he is the card most likely to struggle against quick counter-attacks as a game goes on.
• Best fit: A deeper defensive line, ideally paired with a quicker partner or a holding midfielder in front.
• Value verdict: Good buy if you like to build play from the back. Pair him with Otamendi for a strong, if slower, central pairing.

Midfielders

Carlos Casemiro (DM, 78)

Casemiro is the engine room of this squad. His 85 tackling and 84 strength let him break up attacks before they reach your defenders, and 79 passing means he doesn’t waste possession afterward. Add 70 shooting and he is a threat from long range too.

Why buy Carlos Casemiro before DLS 27: defensive midfielders with this mix of tackling and passing are rare, and his card may leave the game once his licence ends.

• Strengths: Tackling, strength and passing in one card. He protects your back line and starts your attacks.
• Weakness: Speed is 65, so he is not a player who covers lots of ground by sprinting.
• Best fit: A 4-2-3-1 double pivot or a 4-3-3 with a single holding midfielder.
• Value verdict: Strong buy. Many new players overlook the defensive midfielder, yet it is often the position that stabilises a whole team.

Wingers

Cristiano Ronaldo (RM, 82)

Ronaldo’s card pairs 90 speed with 91 dribbling, and that combination makes defenders uncomfortable. He beats a full-back, runs past him, and still has 77 shooting and 78 passing to finish or cross. His 79 stamina helps him keep running for a full match.

Why buy Cristiano Ronaldo before DLS 27: he is the fastest card on this list (90 speed), and with no club licence and a possible international retirement, he is a likely removal in a future update.

• Strengths: Speed, dribbling and stamina on the right side. He is a threat in both attack and transition.
• Weakness: Defending is just 32, so he won’t help you win the ball back. Plan your midfield around that.
• Best fit: A 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 where he has room to attack the right flank.
• Value verdict: Priority buy if you want pace on the wing. Check the price against Messi and Lewandowski, since all three are rated 82–83.

Strikers

Lionel Messi (SS, 83)

Messi’s dribbling of 95 is the highest of any card here, and his 91 shooting and 90 passing make him a threat as a scorer and a creator. As a second striker, he drops between the lines, draws defenders and sets up your forwards or scores himself.

Why buy Lionel Messi before DLS 27: he has the highest dribbling (95) of any card here, and if his licence lapses, you cannot get that creativity back.

• Strengths: Dribbling, shooting and passing at an elite level. He solves problems in tight spaces.
• Weakness: Strength is 66 and speed 72, so strong defenders can push him off the ball, and he won’t win a pure sprint.
• Best fit: A 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-1-1 where he plays just behind a centre forward.
• Value verdict: Priority buy. He tops the rating list and offers the most creativity of any card here.

Robert Lewandowski (CF, 83)

Lewandowski’s finishing is the best on this list at 92, and his 90 strength lets him hold off defenders with his back to goal. With 87 dribbling, he also keeps the ball better than most target men.

Why buy Robert Lewandowski before DLS 27: his 92 finishing is the best on the list, and a striker like that is hard to replace once the card is removed.

• Strengths: Elite finishing, physical power and surprisingly good ball control for a big striker.
• Weakness: Speed is 74 and defending 46, so he is a finisher rather than a runner or a presser.
• Best fit: A lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, with a winger or Messi creating chances for him.
• Value verdict: Priority buy if goals are your priority. A reliable finisher is the quickest way to turn good play into wins.

Aubameyang (CF, 77)

Aubameyang brings speed, 87 on his card, and 82 shooting. He is the kind of striker who turns one long pass behind the defence into a one-on-one with the keeper. That makes him very effective when you win the ball and counter.

Why buy Aubameyang before DLS 27: he is the cheaper pace option (87 speed), and the fast-striker slot is hard to fill if his card goes.

• Strengths: Pace and finishing together. He punishes teams that push their defence too high.
• Weakness: Strength is 69 and defending 29, so he struggles when the game becomes physical.
• Best fit: Counter-attacking setups, either as a lone striker or next to a more physical partner.
• Value verdict: Good value as a faster alternative to Lewandowski. You can even play both in a two-striker system.

Jamie Vardy (CF, 71)

Vardy is the lowest-rated card on this list, and his numbers (72 speed, 75 shooting, 71 dribbling) are balanced but not outstanding. He is a squad option rather than a headline signing.

Why buy Jamie Vardy before DLS 27: only as a low-cost depth option, since a retirement-related removal would cost you a useful early-game squad player.

• Strengths: A well-rounded profile for an early-game striker, with finishing that is ahead of the rest of his card.
• Weakness: The 71 rating trails every other forward here, so he can’t carry an attack alone.
• Best fit: A rotation option or a second striker in a 4-4-2.
• Value verdict: Worth considering only if the price is low and you need depth.

Budget Picks for Beginners

We didn’t have price data for this guide, so check the in-game market before buying. As a general rule, cards rated in the high 70s tend to cost less than the 82–83 stars. On that basis, these three give the best return early on:

1. Casemiro (78): Fixes your midfield with one signing.
2. Otamendi (79): The biggest defensive upgrade here.
3. Aubameyang (77): Pace and finishing without the top-tier rating.

Buy defence and midfield first. A team that doesn’t concede goals wins more matches than one that scores a lot and concedes more.

Premium Picks Worth Saving Coins For

If you can save, the three highest-rated cards are the ones to aim for:

• Messi (83): The best creator on the list.
• Lewandowski (83): The best pure finisher.
• Ronaldo (82): The best pace-and-dribbling threat.

You don’t need all three at once. Pick the one that matches your style: Messi if you like to pass and build, Lewandowski if you want clinical finishing, Ronaldo if you play on the flanks.

Players to Avoid or Skip (For Now)

• Jamie Vardy as a first striker: At 71, he is the weakest forward here. Skip him if you can afford an alternative.
• Doubling up on attackers: Don’t spend all your coins on forwards and leave your defence and midfield empty. Stats on a striker don’t help if you concede three goals.
• Slower defenders in a high line: Thiago Silva (67 speed) and Otamendi (70 speed) are excellent, but they need a deeper defensive line. Don’t buy them if you want to press high.

Tips for Building a Balanced DLS 27 Squad

Fix your spine first. The goalkeeper, centre-backs, defensive midfielder and striker form the backbone of your team. Strengthen these before the wings.

Match formation to your players. Ronaldo and Aubameyang shine in counter-attacking setups, while Messi and Lewandowski suit possession football. Choose your style, then buy to fit it.

Balance speed and strength. A squad full of slow, strong players gets beaten by pace, and a squad full of quick, light players gets pushed around. Mix them, as with Otamendi’s strength alongside Aubameyang’s speed.

Manage your coins. Don’t spend everything on the first card you like. Compare prices, buy one starter at a time and keep a small reserve for injuries or form changes.

Check for updates. Ratings and prices can change, so recheck the transfer market before every major purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I buy these players before DLS 27? : The game has no club licence for most of them, and many have retired from their national teams. A national-team retirement can end a player’s licence, and unlicensed players are removed from the game, so buy them while the cards are available.

Who is the best striker in DLS 27?
Based on the cards in this guide, Robert Lewandowski has the best finishing at 92 shooting, and Messi (83 rating, 91 shooting) is the best creative forward. Both are rated 83. Choose Lewandowski for goals, Messi for creativity.

Who is the best goalkeeper to buy?
In this guide, David de Gea is the goalkeeper option, with a 78 rating and 78 reflexes. He is a dependable shot-stopper, though his passing is limited. Check the market for other keepers if you want a stronger distributor.

Who are the best defenders in DLS 27?
Of the defenders listed here, Nicolás Otamendi (79) and Thiago Silva (77) are the best. Otamendi is stronger physically, while Silva has the higher tackling (87) and better passing. Together they make a solid pair.

Which players should beginners buy first?
Start with the spine of your team: a centre-back like Otamendi, a defensive midfielder like Casemiro and a reliable striker like Aubameyang. These cards, rated in the high 70s, improve your team without needing the biggest budget.

Is Ronaldo worth buying?
If you play down the flanks, yes. His 90 speed and 91 dribbling make him dangerous, though his 32 defending means he won’t help win the ball back. He suits a counter-attacking style with a strong midfield behind him.

Should I buy Messi or Lewandowski first?
It depends on your style. Messi (95 dribbling, 90 passing) suits attackers who like to create. Lewandowski (92 shooting, 90 strength) suits those who want a finisher. Either works well, so choose the one that fits how you play.

Conclusion

The players you should buy before DLS 27 depend on how you play, but the pattern is clear. Strengthen your spine first with Otamendi, Casemiro and a reliable goalkeeper. Then add your attacking star: Messi for creativity, Lewandowski for finishing, or Ronaldo for pace. Keep Aubameyang in mind as a cheaper, faster option, and treat Vardy as depth only.

Who is on your DLS 27 shopping list? Share your dream squad in the comments.