Every year, Fifa Ultimate Team players have to face off against Fifa point squads that cost more than the game itself. Casual gamers have to fight an uphill battle to compete with players that spend money to get the highest-rated players. With more and more upgraded cards in packs each week, blue-collar gamers need to find a way to keep up with premium pack fiends.

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Fortunately, FUT gamers can field a dominant team without spending money on packs. The quality of a player card in Fifa 21 is based primarily on stats, skill moves, and weak foot rating. Likewise, player ratings correlate with the price of a player in the market because higher-rated players are packed less. FUT is teeming with low-rated players that have the stats of higher-rated cards. Ultimate Team players can field a team under 20,000 coins that can compete with the best squads in the game. This list includes the best cheap players in Fifa 21. All of the players listed are either in a top league or have a common nationality.

Updated on September 9, 2021 by Payton Lott: With just a month left before the release of Fifa 22, FUT teams are more stacked than they will be all year. Clubs have in forms, TOTS cards, TOTY cards, and the list goes on. New and returning players will feel like they have no chance against these goliath clubs. However, with just a few thousand coins, gamers can pick up an entire squad of cards that compete with the best. This is the time of year when the player count rises again just before the release of the next game in the series. Use the following best cheap players in FUT 21 to surprise the competition with substance over status.

15 Vinicius Jr

Vinicius JR

The Brazilian attacker plays in the Spanish league and costs only a couple thousand coins. He boasts a pace of 95 with 86 dribbling to boot. With the right chemistry card, 71 passing will be enough to make short crosses and through balls to the middle.

Vinicius Jr is just a pacey card with excellent dribbling and 4* skills. These are the main things people look for in the best cheap Fifa 21 players. Although, the left winger will not be winning Mr. Olympia or claiming a Golden Boot anytime soon. Clubs should use his skills and pace to create for the other members of the squad.

14 Marcos Llorente

Marcos Llorente

As an 82 rated player, Llorente has an astounding 2,221 total in game stats. Llorente can play almost any position on the field with 88 sprint speed and dribbling/physical in the 80s. Many clubs still use this card in their starting lineup 11 months after the game was released.

Put on a chemistry card and Llorente will be everywhere on the pitch. For those that can afford a first or second in form, Llorente has a total of five upgraded cards. Clubs should try this one out while they can, he will be higher rated next year.

13 Federico Valverde

Federico Valverde

Valverde is quite similar to Llorente. Both have three key stats in the 80s and 84+ pace. However, Valverde is even faster with 82 acceleration and 89 sprint speed. The Uruguay product can knock in shots too with 80+ long shots and shot power.

Players will want him to be somewhere in the midfield to track back and make runs when needed. The midfielder's high/high work rates can sometimes be annoying, but that is what instructions are for. Have the card stay back when at CDM or push up when placed at CAM.

12 Donny Van De Beek

Donny Van De Beek

While Van De Beek is 83 rated, a lot of people overlook the card because it only has 70 pace. As a midfielder, 70 pace is more than enough, especially with three 80+ base stats. Much like the other two CMs above, this card can do it all. He can shoot, pass, defend, and shield the ball in the midfield.

Clubs will probably have more success if they play him as a CM/CDM anchoring the center of the pitch. Despite the high card ranking, Van De Beek is one of the best cheap players in Fifa 21 on all platforms. Another important reason why people will want this card is links to both the Premier League and Holland.

11 Konrad Laimer

Konrad Laimer

Laimer is essentially a third or fourth center back. The card has medium/high work rates, meaning that he will always be near the back line. Bundesliga squads will instantly get better if this card is in the lineup. He has 85 pace, 80 defending, and serviceable passing for a defender. Anyone that is conceding too many goals will want this versatile card in their club.

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Pair this card with Sabitzer for an unstoppable force in the middle of the pitch. The only thing players need to be aware of is his shooting. Laimer is incapable of knocking in a shot from 5 meters away.

10 Alphonso Davies

Alphonso Davies Fifa

Davies is one of the fastest left backs in the entire game. He has 96 pace with 85 agility and can get down the field in a flash. His defending stats are good as well with 82 balance, 76 physical, and 76 defending. These are the stats of an 85 rated player, but Davies costs under 5k coins on Xbox and PS.

Davies will play well as either a left back or wing back due to his great dribbling and agility. Few players in the game will be able to get past him with 96 sprint speed and 96 acceleration. Players will have to play Davies in a Bundesliga squad or link him to another Bayern player to create a playable Ultimate Team.

9 Adama

Adama Traore

Adama may be the fastest and strongest football player in the world, so it makes sense that he is absolutely unstoppable in Fifa as well. He has 96 pace, 86 dribbling, and 80 physical. Adama also has four-star skill moves, which will help players that like to cut in from the left wing. On the pitch, Adama will outrun and outmuscle nearly every defender in the game.

The downsides to putting Adama on your team are shooting and passing. He can get right up to the goal line and miss easy chances in front of the net. Adding a chemistry style might help, but he is still not a clinical finisher. Adama is better suited to playing a left midfielder behind two strikers and a central midfielder. Despite the downsides, he is a steal at less than 2k coins on both Xbox and PS.

8 Ante Rebic

Rebic

The Croatian striker has unbelievable stats for a 79 rated card. Rebic has 88 pace, 80 shooting, 79 dribbling, and 80 physical. For just 2,400 coins, players can pick up one of the most overpowered cards in the game.

The rapid striker has double four star attributes as well, and can take on even the most elite defenders in the game. For the price, gamers will struggle to find a more impactful player in Ultimate Team.

7 Denis Zakaria

Denis Zakaria

An enforcer in the midfield, Zakaria has been a hidden gem in Fifa for several years. He has 83 pace, 81 defense, and 85 physical as a CDM. He may be the best defender under 2k coins in Fifa 21.

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Zakaria has decent dribbling stats and good enough passing to be a defensive midfielder. Pair him with Davies and the two will frustrate opponents. Zakaria towers over most strikers at 6'3 and will win a majority of headers.

6 Yannick Carrasco

Carrasco

Carrasco has everything players need in a winger. The Belgian has excellent pace, dribbling, and shooting in game. With 90 agility and 90 acceleration, Carrasco can run circles around defenses.

Players that do not have the coins for Mertens or Hazard definitely need to try the card. Clubs can pair the dynamic winger with Williams in a budget Primera Liga side. Carrasco can be purchased for 2,000 coins on all platforms.

5 Marcel Sabitzer

Marcel Sabitzer

The Bundesliga is full of overpowered cheap FUT players. Sabitzer is no exception at under 2k coins on all platforms. He has four stats over 80 and can play any position in the midfield.

With 78 physical, Sabitzer is serviceable as a defensive midfielder and can start the break after a turnover in possession. Sabitzer is one of the best all-around players in the game and can serve as a playmaker.

4 Taison

Taison

The Brazilian speedster has been a FUT hidden gem for several years. His card is just as good in Fifa 21, with 92 pace, 86 dribbling, 83 shot power, and 83 longshots.

Taison does play in the Ukrainian league, however, which will make him slightly more difficult to fit into a squad. Clubs can use his perfect link with Ismaily or create a Brazilian hybrid based around the card. For 1,400 coins, players will be able to purchase an all round attacker that can bang in shots from distance.

3 Allan Saint-Maximin

Allan Saint Maximin

Allan Saint-Maximin boasts the stats of a much higher-rated player. He has 93 pace and 87 dribbling as an 80 rated player. Saint-Maximin is only 5k coins on the Xbox and 6k on PlayStation. He has been a cheap beast for years and this card looks to be just as good as his previous versions.

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With five-star skills and a four-star weak foot, Saint-Maximin will frustrate opponents again and again. The only main downside to this card is finishing, as Saint-Maximin only has 67 in this area,

2 Ander Capa Rodriguez

Ander Capa Rodriguez

At right back, Capa is an incredible anchor. He has 88 physical, which is incredible for a player at right or left back. Capa also has 83 pace, which is sufficient as it is coupled with good defending stats overall.

Capa will push weak defenders off the ball and win headers on the sidelines. A great option for Spanish teams, Capa also has great perfect links with several incredible Bilbao players, including Iñaki Williams.

1 Iñaki Williams

Inaki Williams Celebration

Williams is arguably the most overpowered striker in the game for his price. He has blistering pace and enough strength to hold off defenders near the box. His shot power is great, and with the right chemistry style, Williams will surprise players from outside the box.

Even the best defenders struggle to catch up to Williams, who was moved to the striker position in Fifa 21.

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