Summary
EA Sports FC 24’s Ultimate Team transfer market is a tumultuous bazaar of rising and falling commodities that can be difficult to navigate. If you prefer not to dabble in buying expensive players, some of the best cheap players in FC 24 Ultimate Team can perform comparably to million-coin teams.
Let’s define a top-tier ‘budget player,’ as anyone who can perform at a high enough level to win and costs roughly under 50,000 coins. While player prices will vary throughout the year with different promo cards and Teams of the Week, this should still provide a fair budget, and several options will be far cheaper than 50k.
Updated January 2nd, 2024 by Andrew Scariati:The best cheap players FC 24 Ultimate Team has to offer are comprised of some fantastic gold cards. If investing your time and coins in Evolutions isn’t your thing, hidden gems like Rose Lavelle and popular bargains like Ferland Mendy can slot right into your team. If you’re looking for the best players in EA FC 24 Ultimate Team on a budget, these choices are great for starter teams and veterans alike.
14Chloe Kelly
Alternative:Mallory Swanson
While you may not have heard of Chloe Kelly before, you’ll be hearing her name quite often as the goal announcer calls it out time after time. Despite her short stature, Chloe Kelly has something to her AI that gives her that ‘jammy’ feel that many top players like Mbappe have.
While there’s no guarantee or PlayStyle that governs it, Kelly’s uncanny ability to slip and push past defenders is surprising, to say the least. Aside from anecdotal abilities, Kelly’s Pace is incredible and is easily one of her best characteristics.
13Gabriel Jesus
Alternative:Diogo Jota
With an amazing link set, wonderful attribute distribution, and some essential PlayStyles, Gabriel Jesus makes quite a case to occupy your striker position. If you’re concerned by the 83 Pace, then simply try him for yourself, and you’ll notice he seems a lot faster than that number implies.
Access to the Relentless and First Touch PlayStyles enables Gabriel Jesus to make some excellent moves with the ball at his feet, allowing you to weave through defenders. With a Hunter chemistry style, you can boost Jesus' Pace and Shooting to remarkable levels, allowing him to thrive as a goal-scoring threat.
12Jeremie Frimpong
Alternative:Giovanni Di Lorenzo
Frimpong returns to glory in EASFC 24 after making quite a name for himself inFIFA 23with his excellent Team of the Season card that displayed his blistering Pace and remarkable Dribbling abilities. At an 83 overall, Frimpong should surprise you with his ability to create on offense while keeping up with the most rapid defenders.
If you need speed at the back then Frimpong should be a go-to choice as similarly fast options like Kyle Walker, and Alphonso Davies are noticeably more expensive than Frimpong. With Dutch nationality, you can link to players like De Jong or Van Dijk, or lean into a plethora of solid defenders in the Bundesliga.
11Federico Chiesa
Alternative:Memphis Depay
As one of the most expensive budget players mentioned, Federico Chiesa puts his Pace to good use with his access to the Rapid PlayStyle Plus. This PlayStyle gives Chiesa an incredibly quick running speed that allows him to separate himself from defenders with ease.
Chiesa is an excellent winger who can move across the pitch to either the LW or RW in addition to his LM starting position. If you prefer a finesse, high-skill style of play then Chiesa can be used to incredible effect if you take advantage of hisskill moves and dribbling abilities.
10Bremer
Alternative:Kim Min Jae
This Brazilian CB follows in the footsteps of many marvelous defenders to don a Juventus kit asone of the most underrated defenders in EASFC 24. You won’t find many other similarly rated and priced defenders who get the job done at the higher levels.
Bremer’s card not only surpasses his price but even offers an excellent link set that allows him to pair with other top Brazilian defenders like Marquinhos and Eder Militao. His 85 Defending and 83 Physical attributes explain why Bremer feels so difficult to get past, especially if your Strength isn’t anywhere near enough to challenge this defensive wall.
9Fridolina Rolfo
Alternative:Eduardo Camavinga
Fridolina Rolfo has been one of the biggest surprises of EASFC 24 so far, as this Barcelona women’s star touts an all-80-or-above attribute distribution that Ruud Gullit made famous. Despite Swedish nationality, Rolfo’s Barcelona links make her exceptionally useful in your teams, and she displays similar flexibility to Camavinga.
Rolfo can be moved back on defense to play LB or LWB if you prefer, or move up to LW if you’re already set with another option, like Ona Batlle at LB. Her viability saw Rolfo shoot up in price early on, but she is much more affordable now.
8Rose Lavelle
Alternative:Moussa Diaby
Rose Lavelle is undoubtedly one ofthe best attacking players on any budgetand among the best cheap high-rated FC 24 Ultimate Team cards. Rose Lavelle takes notes from Chloe Kelly with her surprising Pace alongside exceptional Dribbling and Passing qualities that make her one of the best CAMs as well.
Her Shooting does leave a little to be desired, but a Hunter chemistry style should help bring it up to a much more reliable level. With that one weakness addressed, Lavelle should pose an immense offensive threat while also setting up her teammates to score.
7Marcos Llorente
Much like Aurelien Tchouameni, Marcos Llorente is a fabulous candidate for the Centurions Box-to-Box Midfielder Evolution, and was arguably the best possible selection available in the entire pool. Ignoring the upgrades (since they technically make the card cost over 50,000 coins), Llorente still performs exceptionally for an exceptionally reasonable price.
Llorente will do a fantastic job as a midfielder or RB where he is most often used by high-tier players. He can also function in an RM or RW role, though he doesn’t have the exceptional pace that you’d like for a winger until you unlock his Evolution. 89 Pace is certainly more than enough for a right back, so try Llorente there first.
6Storylines Manu Kone
Alternative:Frenkie De Jong
There are few better budget options than a free card, like Storylines Manu Kone, one of thefree rewardoptions available forreaching level 40 in EA Sports FC 24’s first season. Kone boasts a fantastic attribute spread, with only his 78 Defending dipping below the 82 threshold.
90 Dribbling and 87 Passing are hallmarks of an excellent ball-carrying defender, which are complemented perfectly by his 85 Physical, which gives Kone plenty of press resistance. Tiki Taka and Slide tackle are great PlayStyles for Kone to help his Defending and elevate his Passing to elite levels.
5Alex Morgan
Alternative:Winter Wildcards Riquelme
If you’re looking for cheap high-rated players, FC 24 has quite a few exceptional gold cards, like Alex Morgan’s, to add to your roster. Whether you’re able to fit her into your starting 11 or need to make her one of yourtop super subs in EASFC 24, Alex Morgan will be a massive boost to your side.
Even as one of the most expensive cards on this list, Alex Morgan provides the skills ofan 89-rated superstarfor a fraction of the price.
HerFinesse Shot PlayStyle Plusallows Alex Morgan to pick out the corners of the net from just about any angle. Combine that with herfive-star weak foot, and you haveone of the most dangerous finesse shot scorers in EASFC 24 at your disposal.
