Ultimate FIFA 21 starter squads: 5 best cheap FUT teams
As with every year, having a solid squad to start in Ultimate Team is key to succeeding FIFA 21, and we’ve put together a few killer 10k, 20k, and 50k squads you can build for cheap to get your started on the right foot straight away in this year’s road to FUT glory.
FIFA 21 is finally here — or at least, the EA Play early access has already begun — and that means FUT fans around the world are hard at work building their first starter squads.
Ultimate Team has always been about putting together the best stars from around Europe and the world’s top leagues. You want the edge of your opponents, but you also want value for your money — who wouldn’t want the best for cheap?
Here’s five teams, ranging from 10k to 50k, that can get you off on the right foot in FIFA 21 Ultimate Team. There’s four-league hybrids, Premier League starters, and a few tips on who the hidden gems are in FUT this year; let’s get underway.
EA SPORTSIt must be noted that, due to the budgetary constraints of each squad, not all of them are 100 chemistry. We have therefore set the minimum bar to 90 so you’ll at least be in decent shape as far as team chem is concerned.
As always, all prices are courtesy of FUTBIN. Keep in mind too, the FUT market is volatile; the listed prices may fluctuate slightly at stages in the opening weeks.
Premier League starter squad: 10k
Screenshot via FUTBINEveryone loves the Premier League — it’s become the global football league in modern times, and is televised to every country around the world. It makes total sense then that, as you find your feet in FIFA 21, you’ll want to start in England’s top league.
This 10k starter team is based around a number of England’s young stars, including Chelsea prospect Tammy Abraham leading the line and Mason Greenwood injecting pace on the right flank. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is a danger on the left as well.
The balanced 4-3-3 formation allows Phil Foden to get forward, while Cheikhou Kouyaté and Youri Tielemans command from the middle. Mohamed Salisu is key to defense with his workrates, as is Andreas Christensen and his 82 defense.
Total Cost
- PS4: 8.9k
- Xbox One: 11.2k
- Origin PC: 9.2k
Serie A starter squad: 10k
Screenshot via FUTBINIf the Premier League isn’t really your thing, then Italy’s Serie A always provides a stack of value for money in Ultimate Team’s early days.
This Serie A squad focuses on play down the middle in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Andrea Belotti and Federico Bernardeschi provide the main playmaking abilities; Bernardeschi commands the midfield with 83 short passing, while Belotti holds up play with his 80 strength.
The central buildup allows Gervinho (90 sprint speed) and Manuel Lazzari (91 acceleration) to get in behind on the wings and break open defenses. Belotti will then be lurking in the box with his 88 finishing and 84 heading, ready to score.
Total Cost
- PS4: 9.9k
- Xbox One: 10.8k
- Origin PC: 9.5k
La Liga starter squad: 20k
Screenshot via FUTBINWith double the cash in our pockets — 20k, up from the cheaper 10k — it’s time to head over to sunny Spain. The La Liga offers good value for money in the early stages of FIFA Ultimate Team, and gives plenty of chances to upgrade too.
The focal point of this 3-5-2 formation is Isco, who is playing as a central forward midfielder (CAM). His 82 passing, built around 83 vision and 84 passing, should give French speedster Kévin Gameiro and his Spanish strike partner Gerard Moreno plenty of chances.
The squad has Tello and Hernani on the wings for speedy width.
The La Liga defense is also solid, with three central defenders — left-footed Torres, as well as Ruben Vezo and Mandi — guarded by defensive powerhouses Kondogbia and Rakitic.
Total Cost
- PS4: 17.2k
- Xbox One: 20.1k
- Origin PC: 15.8k
Four-league FUT hybrid: 50k
Screenshot via FUTBINFinally got your hands on some FUT coins after doing your Division Rivals placements and chipping away at the advanced SBCs? Well, let’s get settled with a hybrid team that will tide you over until at least the first Weekend League in October.
This 50k squad is based around one of the cheaper beasts in FUT so far: Red Bull Leipzig striker Hee Chan Hwang. The little South Korean superstar comes equipped with three-star skills, four-star weak foot, and a blistering 93 overall pace.
The team’s wingers have the same insane pace; Hakimi (94) and Diaby (93) will be a handful for any opponent, especially with Konrad, Laimer, Marcel Sabitzer, and Arturo Vidal supplying them from the center of the park.
- Read more: When does FUT Champs start in FIFA 21?
The defense is where the team is short-changed, but not by much. Bruno Peres and Kieran Tierney provide width in this Premier League/Bundesliga/Serie A/La Liga hybrid, and Brazilian duo David Luiz and Gabriel Paulista run the backline.
Total Cost
- PS4: 50.3k
- Xbox One: 57.4k
- Origin PC: 49.9k
Premier League upgrade squad: 50k
Screenshot via FUTBINThe last squad we’ve put together is probably one you should get used to playing against; everyone loves a solid Premier League squad, and FIFA 21 is set to be no different.
We will add, this team is super inflated on Xbox One at the moment; it clocks in at around 65k, which is a huge 20k more expensive than on PlayStation 4 or Origin PC.
Despite that, it’s a cracking team. Antonio and Calvert-Lewin provide decent pace up top in a 4-4-2 — we just had to bang the English league team in that formation — with Podence and Willian stretching defenders thin with their 92 and 82 pace respectively.
The midfield pair of Rodri and Kovacic is where the team shines. Rodri boasts a strong 82 defense and 80 physical, while Chelsea’s Kovacic can spit passes left and right with his 83 passing, and track back in defense with 75 pace to boot.
Finally, Fredericks makes up for Willian’s 82 pace with his own blistering 92. On the left flank, Davies covers for Podence’s roams with a cracking 78 defense and 75 dribbling.
Total Cost
- PS4: 46.4k
- Xbox One: 65k
- Origin PC: 46.4k
EA SPORTSSo there you have it; five ultimate starter squads to get you off on the right foot (pun very much intended) in FIFA 21 Ultimate Team. Once you’ve grinded these out, have a look at our Weekend League team suggestions — they’ll take your game to the next level.
FIFA 21 is officially released on Friday, Oct. 9. As always, stick with us on Twitter @UltimateTeamUK for all the latest FIFA news, updates, and content.
