Having a rock-solid defense is crucial for any optimized team in EA FC 24, especially in the highly competitive Ultimate Team and Career modes.
Identifying the best defenders can make a significant difference in fortifying your backline and keeping the opposition at bay. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the top-rated defenders and the most affordable 86-rated players in EA FC 24.
Top-Rated Defenders in EA FC 24 Career Mode
Here are the top 20 defenders in EA FC 24, perfect for Career Mode, based on the EA FC 24 database:
| PLAYER | CLUB | POSITION | RATING | UPGRADE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mapi León | Barcelona | CB | 89 | – |
| Ruben Dias | Man City | CB | 89 | +1 |
| Virgil Van Dijk | Liverpool | CB | 89 | -1 |
| Irene Paredes | Barcelona | CB | 88 | – |
| Wendie Renard | Lyon | CB | 88 | – |
| Fridolina Rolfo | Barcelona | LB | 87 | – |
| Lucy Bronze | Barcelona | RB | 87 | – |
| Marquinhos | PSG | CB | 87 | -1 |
| Selma Bacha | Lyon | LB | 86 | – |
| Matthias De Ligt | Bayern | CB | 86 | +1 |
| Ronald Araujo | Barcelona | CB | 86 | +3 |
| Andrew Robertson | Liverpool | LB | 86 | -1 |
| Sakina Karchaoui | PSG | LB | 86 | – |
| Eder Militao | Real Madrid | CB | 86 | +2 |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool | RB | 86 | -1 |
| Ashley Lawrence | Chelsea | RB | 86 | – |
| Joao Cancelo | Man City | LB | 86 | -2 |
| Marcos Acuña | Sevilla | LB | 85 | – |
| David Alaba | Real Madrid | CB | 85 | -1 |
| Alessandro Bastoni | Inter Milan | CB | 85 | +1 |
| Ona Batlle | Barcelona | RB | 85 | – |
Three Liverpool defenders feature in the top 20 despite an unusually inconsistent season for the Reds. Trent Alexander-Arnold managed to regain his dominant form towards the end of the season, while Ruben Dias shone in the Champions League despite missing some league matches due to injury.
Best Defenders in EA FC 24 Ultimate Team
Here are the top defenders in Ultimate Team, along with their ratings and versions:
| PLAYER | CLUB | RATING | VERSION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool | 97 | TOTS |
| Lena Oberdorf | Wolfsburg | 96 | TOTS |
| Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool | 96 | TOTY |
| Wendie Renard | Olympique Marseille | 95 | TOTY |
| Ruben Dias | Manchester City | 95 | TOTY |
| Millie Bright | Chelsea | 94 | TOTY |
| Paolo Maldini | Italy | 94 | Icon Future Stars |
| Nemanja Vidic | Serbia | 94 | Icon Goalazo |
| Dayot Upamecano | Bayern Munich | 94 | TOTS Moments |
| Jonathan Tah | Bayer Leverkusen | 94 | TOTS |
| William Saliba | Arsenal | 94 | TOTS |
| Alex Greenwood | Manchester City | 94 | TOTS |
| Nico Schlotterbeck | Borussia Dortmund | 93 | TOTS |
| Laia Aleixandri | Manchester City | 93 | TOTS Live |
| Rio Ferdinand | England | 93 | Icon TOTY |
These players are the best choices to bolster your defense in Ultimate Team, ensuring that you have a robust and reliable backline.
Most Affordable 86-Rated Ultimate Team Cards in EA FC 24
For those looking to build a strong team without spending too much, here are some of the cheapest 86-rated cards in Ultimate Team (Prices via FUTBIN):
| NAME | POSITION | TEAM | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wojciech Szczesny | Goalkeeper | Juventus (Serie A) | 8,600 |
| Ilkay Gündogan | Midfielder | FC Barcelona (La Liga) | 8,600 |
| Vivianne Miedebma | Forward | Arsenal (Barclays WSL) | 8,700 |
| Sadio Mane | Center Forward | Al Nassr (Saudi Pro) | 8,700 |
| Marco Verratti | Central Midfield | PSG (Ligue 1) | 8,700 |
| Parejo | Central Midfield | Villarreal CF (La Liga) | 8,700 |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | Right Back | Liverpool (Premier League) | 8,700 |
| Kim Little | Midfielder | Arsenal (Barclays WSL) | 8,800 |
| Lea Schüller | Center Forward | Bayern Munich (GPFBL) | 8,800 |
| Mary Earps | Goalkeeper | Manchester United (Barclays WSL) | 8,800 |
| Riyad Mahrez | Right Midfielder | Al Ahli (Saudi Pro) | 8,800 |
| N’Golo Kante | Defensive Midfield | Al Ittihad (Saudi Pro) | 8,800 |
| Matthijs de Ligt | Center Back | Bayern Munich (Bundesliga) | 8,800 |
| Jill Roord | Attacking Midfield | Manchester City (Barclays WSL) | 8,800 |
| Paulo Dybala | Center Forward | Roma FC (Serie A) | 8,800 |
These cards, all base versions, are sold between 8,500 and 9,000 coins. Prices are subject to market fluctuations, so keep an eye on the market to get the best deals.
Best EA FC 24 Ultimate Team Squads: Economic and Expensive Options
Conclusion
Whether you are building your dream team in Ultimate Team or fortifying your squad in Career Mode, knowing the top-rated and most affordable defenders in EA FC 24 is crucial.
Keep this guide handy to make informed decisions and build a formidable defense. For more tips, check out our guides on the best young wingers and top midfielders in EA Sports FC 24.