Games

The Best Players For A Starter Team In EA FC 25 Ultimate Team, Ranked

Published

1 month ago

October 10, 2024

Christoph Rediske

Key Takeaways

Here are affordable players under 5K Coins for a strong starter team in EA Sports FC 25’s Ultimate Team.
Balancing chemistry, budget, and tactics is key to transforming a budget squad into a competitive force.
Each player listed provides unique strengths and weaknesses, making them suitable for various positions and playstyles.

Building the best squad is the name of the game in EA Sports FC 25’s Ultimate Team, so having a strong starter team is essential for laying the foundations for competitive play and setting players up for future rewards. However, squad building can be a bit difficult when players first start, especially if they don’t want to spend any money on FC Points.

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When there’s a balance between managing chemistry, budget, and tactical needs, finding the right player to add to the squad can be difficult. With the right pieces in place though, even a tightly budgeted squad can be transformed into a powerful force capable of taking on even the most challenging of opponents.

Each player on this list is valued below 5K Coins, though most are substantially below that value, thus ensuring that they’re suitable for any aspiring starter team. Additionally, all prices are subject to change as the market continues to update.

15 Guglielmo Vicario

Tottenham Hotspur

Rating: 84
Position: GK
Price: 3K

Considering it’s the most-watched football league in the world, most players tend to gravitate towards building a Premier League-focused Ultimate Team, so having a suitable goalie is a must. Luckily, Vicario is reasonably cheap, and not a player that would need to be upgraded upon any time soon.

Vicario’s highly rated reflexes (87), diving (84), and positioning (84), along with his Footwork PlayStyle, make him an excellent shot-stopper. His distribution is a bit lackluster, which might limit a quick counter-attack from the back, but for players that use different tactics, Vicario could be their main man.

14 Alejandro Balde Martinez

FC Barcelona

Rating: 81
Position: LB/RB/LM
Price: 950

When it comes to the back line, pace is what most players look for, and Alejandro Balde has it in abundance. With 91 sprint speed, and some solid defensive stats to boot, he’ll be able to keep up with most wingers and stand a decent chance at making that vital ball recovery.

Players with a bit of strength about them might give Balde a cause for concern though. His low physicality (64) could see him barged off the ball on occasion, but if players are smart and use the impressive young full-back correctly, they shouldn’t run into too many issues.

13 Joe Gomez

Liverpool FC

Rating: 80
Position: CB/RB/LB
Price: 1.8K

As far as first picks go, Joe Gomez is nothing to scoff at. For a center-back, his pace (82) is exceptional, but that’s only a bonus on top of his great defensive capabilities. With his 82 standing tackles, 80 interceptions, and 81 strength, he’s a tough defender for any striker to get past.

Admittedly, his low agility (64) might hold him back against some of the more tricky attackers, as he’s less suited to making rapid changes in direction. If players stay calm and collected when controlling him though, he’ll be a reliable figure in any backline.

12 Thomas Lemar

Atlético de Madrid

Rating: 80
Position: CM/LM
Price: 700

Lemar is a solid pick for players to use in midfield, with high dribbling (83) and decent pace (81) making him great for those who prefer quick, technical midfielders. However, he excels in wide playmaking roles where he can put his Trivela PlayStyle to good use.

Another reason players might prefer him in wider roles is because of his slightly weak physicality (64) and defending (67) stats, which might hinder him in any physical contests. Keep him to his creative best, and for his cheap price, he’ll shine in the midfield.

11 Xavi Simons

RB Leipzig

Rating: 83
Position: CAM/LW
Price: 1.3K

For fans of technically gifted players, Xavi Simons might be the perfect fit for their team. His incredible ball control (86) and agility (90) make him adept at navigating tight spaces and slipping past defenders. Partner that with his solid passing attributes and players have a cheap playmaker on their hands.

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Whilst he can set up an abundance of goals, the Dutch midfielder isn’t entirely the best at converting big chances himself. His physicality (71) is slightly subpar too, so unless he can stay light on his feet and skip past them, an average center-back could barge him off the ball with relative ease. Play him to his strengths though, and managers will have a great young playmaker in their team.

10 Reinildo Isnard Mandava

Atlético de Madrid

Rating: 80
Position: LB/CB
Price: 650

Reinildo gives players some great depth at the back, and their defensive capabilities are strong despite their overall rating. Their high pace (84) makes them a solid choice at left-back, though there’s an argument to be made that they’re even better as a center-back.

Due to Reinildo’s weaker passing stats and poor shooting, they might struggle as a full-back pushing further up the pitch. Consider instead their high jumping reach (88), and they might be better utilized as a no-nonsense center-back instead. Regardless, with Reinildo in their team, players have some good versatility on their hands.

9 Moises Caicedo

Chelsea FC

Rating: 82
Position: CDM/CM
Price: 1.3K

Unless players are building an all-out-attack team, they’re going to need a strong midfielder to protect the back line, and there aren’t many options greater than Caicedo for such a low price. He boasts a solid mix of defensive and playmaking abilities, allowing players to stop opposition attacks whilst building up their own.

His pace might seem slightly average when compared to some other players, but this year pace in the midfield is nowhere near as vital as it has been in the past. Caicedo is brought into a team to recover the ball and send a team into transition; play him to those strengths and he’ll excel on the pitch.

8 Jonathan David

LOSC Lille

Rating: 81
Position: ST
Price: 650

Sometimes players don’t need versatility, and instead just need to be good at one thing. If it’s a serious goal threat players need, then look no further than Jonathan David. He’s a serious threat in front of goal, and pair his impressive pace (84), exceptional finishing (87), and solid shot power (83) with his Power Shot and Quick Step PlayStyles, and the goals will just come naturally.

Don’t expect much more from him though, as his build-up play is underwhelming, and defensive contributions are almost non-existent. Just stick him in front of the goal, put the ball at his feet, and watch him score for fun.

7 Ferdi Kadioǧlu

Brighton FC

Rating: 81
Position: LB/RB
Price: 2.6K

Capable of playing both sides of the defense, Kadioglu is a strong pick for the left-back position. His exceptional pace (88) makes it incredibly difficult for speedy wingers to get past him, and his fantastic dribbling (85) allows him to get up the pitch and assist in the attacks. Add his high stamina (91), and he shouldn’t need to be subbed off any time soon either.

Whilst he can contribute to offensive play, he probably won’t be the one scoring the goals though. Have him whip in some crosses instead, and leave the rest to the attackers. Compile all of his strengths, and he’s a dynamic full-back that any starter team would be lucky to have.

6 Jean-Clair Todibo

West Ham United

Rating: 80
Position: CB
Price: 1.2K

Todibo’s combined defensive strength (80) and rapid pace (81) make him an excellent center-back for a starter team. Almost all of his defensive abilities are highly rated, making him a generally great addition to any starting back line.

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His one notable weakness as a center-back is his lack of agility (54) and balance (55), meaning an attacker could make a great attempt at dribbling past him should he miss-time his tackle. Assuming the player controls him well though, he should bring a tonne of value to the team.

5 Nahuel Molina

Atlético de Madrid

Rating: 82
Position: RB
Price: 650

For his price, Molina is a steal and a worthy addition at right-back. Across the board, he’s largely reliable going forward or putting in the defensive work. With his pace (85) he’ll easily keep up with most fast wingers and be able to break up the play thanks to his strong defensive (78) stats.

He is slightly weak on the ball though, and his dribbling (71) isn’t his greatest attribute that’s for sure. However, if players work around that, and primarily focus on passing the ball forward to the more technical players in the team, he’ll do more than just fine.

4 Tijjani Reijnders

AC Milano

Rating: 82
Position: CM/CDM/CAM
Price: 900

Though he can play anywhere in the center of the park, Reijnders’ best position is in central midfield. His balanced stats allow him to make impactful runs to help aid the offense, whilst also allowing him to make a last-ditch tackle to stop the opposition.

His attributes definitely suggest he’d be more useful further up the pitch though, with his defensive stats not being the strongest of the lot. However, for 900 coins, there aren’t many more balanced midfielders for a starter team than Reijnders.

3 Joško Gvardiol

Manchester City FC

Rating: 83
Position: LB/CB
Price: 1.5K

As far as budget-friendly defenders go, Gvardiol is a steal for the quality he brings to a team. His strengths are in his defensive stats, and although he’s capable of playing as both a left-back and center-back, his defending (83) paired with his physicality (83) make him a force to be reckoned with no matter where he plays.

That being said, he might be better suited in the center of the backline, since the pacy wingers might get the better of him on occasion. Partner his tackling with his great passing for a defender, and there’s a perfect ball-playing center-back for under 2K coins.

2 Mohammed Kudus

West Ham United

Rating: 82
Position: RM/LM/CAM/RW
Price: 1.5K

Kudus can play practically anywhere in the final third of the pitch, though he’s best suited to an attacking role on the wing. With his lightning-quick pace (90) and superb dribbling (89), he’s great at taking on his man and bursting into the box.

He doesn’t just hold up the ball well either, as he’s got a decent shot on him too. It’s nothing to write home about, but more technically gifted players are bound to make good use of his 4-star skill moves, and for his measly price, it’s a no-brainer to get him in any starter team.

1 Inaki Williams Arthuer

Athletic Club

Rating: 82
Position: RM/RW/ST
Price: 2.3K

There aren’t many cheap attackers available in the market as good as Williams is. His pace (94) is blistering, his shooting (81) is quality and his dribbling (80) is solid. He can even contribute to playmaking with his reasonable passing, but most players will see him as a primary goal threat, and for good reason too.

There aren’t many flaws to his game either, though his 3-star weak foot and low balance (62) will require players to be aware of when to best take a shot at goal. But if he’s used correctly, in his best position, he’s easily one of the best early-game wingers on the market.