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.
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.
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| 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 |
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 |
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 |
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.
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