Best center-backs to buy in FIFA 21 Ultimate Team

Alex Tsiaoussidis
FIFA 21 Ultimate Team Center-Back

Center-backs are the pillars of the team in FIFA 21, so it’s important to add the very best to your FIFA Ultimate Team. To make things a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of the fastest, cheapest, and overall best center-backs in FIFA 21.

FIFA 21 is praised for making strides in gameplay, especially in terms of defending. However, the added realism and authenticity means there is more depth and complexity too. It’s not as simple as holding the contain button anymore.

For that reason, it’s all the more important to master the art of defending. Of course, to make things a little easier in FIFA Ultimate Team, it’s a good idea to slip into a manager’s shoes and find what’s best for you and your team.

But with so many different players, prices, statistics, and other variables on the market, it can be hard to try and narrow it down.

To help you out, here’s a set of lists that go over the fastest, best, and cheapest center backs in FIFA Ultimate Team, courtesy of FUTBIN. Keep in mind these picks are based on a player’s standard cards and prices may vary, so you’ll want to keep track of the charts to make sure you’re getting a good deal.

FIFA 21 Defenders
Top-tier meta defenders can transform an average team.

Best meta center-backs in FIFA 21

If you’re looking to build-up top tier defense and money isn’t an issue, these are the players you need to consider picking up in the center-back position.

There’s no doubt every single one of these players would be an asset to your team so just consider which one would fit best in what you’re trying to build.

Player Name OVR Rating Market Price
Virgil van Dijk 90 125,000 – 130,000
Sergio Ramos 89 85,000 – 90,000
Aymeric Laporte 87 53,000 – 57,000
Pique 86 45,000 – 51,000
Rapheel Varane 86 62,000 – 90,000
Marquinhos 85 20,000 – 25,000
Kalidou Koulibaly 88 66,000 – 75,000
Mats Hummels 86 46,000 – 50,000
Matthijs de Ligt 85 22,000 – 25,000
Thiago Silva 85 22,000 – 25,000
Not everyone has the money to buy top-tier players – so finding budget options is important.

Best budget center-backs in FIFA 21

Not everyone has the spare coins to splash out on a top-tier defense. Luckily, there are plenty of budget center-back options that are cost-effective for any player looking to build a solid team.

Player Name OVR Rating Market Price
Joe Gomez 83 8,000 – 10,000
Nathan Ake 79 2,000 – 3,000
Joel Matip 83 6,000 – 8,000
Kostas Manolas 83 4,000 – 5,000
Lukas Klostermann 80 2,000 – 3,000
Fikayo Tomori 76 1,500 – 2,000
Diego Carlos 83 6,000 – 8,000
Eder Militao 80 1,500 – 2,000
Alessio Romagnoli 83 6,000 – 7,000
Jerome Boateng 82 2,000 – 3,000
FIFA 21 Center backs
Pace is a rare trait in most center-back, but it’s extremely important.

Fastest center-backs in FIFA 21

Speed in the center-back position is hard to come by as most defenders are extremely physical but lack pace and acceleration. Luckily, we’ve put together a list of the fastest center-backs in FIFA 21 so you can create a lightning-fast defense.

Keep in mind, not all of these players are top-tier, but they can keep up with attackers when they make a break.

Player Name OVR Rating Market Price
Ike Opara 75 1,000 – 2,000
Lukas Klostermann 80 2,000 – 3,000
Rapheel Varane 86 62,000 – 90,000
Joe Gomez 83 8,000 – 10,000
Kostas Manolas 83 4,000 – 5,000
Clinton Mata 77 1,000 – 2,000
Georgiy Dzhikiya 77 1,000 – 2,000
Fikayo Tomori 76 1,500 – 2,000
Nacho Fernandez 80 2,500 – 3,000
Bartolomeu Quissanga 77 4,500 – 5,000
FIFA 21 Stadium
A balance of pace and physicality in defense is the perfect combination.

That rounds of our lists of the best center-backs in FIFA 21’s Ultimate Team. Hopefully, this has given you plenty of options to create a top-tier team that consistently wins games.

Keep in mind we have guides for every position, whether it’s best goalkeepers, strikers, or full-backs, we’ve got you covered no matter what you’re looking for.

For more FIFA 21 guides, news, leaks, and more – follow us on Twitter @UltimateTeamUK. 

About The Author

Alex is a former Dexerto writer based in Australia. He finished a law degree but realized it wasn't the career for him and decided to follow his dream of becoming a writer. Since then, he completed a graduate diploma and a master's degree in writing. Now he writes about his other passion; esports and gaming.