The England Premier League is the most popular league in FIFA 21. Many of the squads that players will come up against will have at least a few Premier League players. In seasons and FUT champions, players will see the likes of De Bruyne, Mane, Salah, and Aguero too many times to count. Now that EA has added the team of the season to the game, players will have to face off against upgraded Premier League stars.
People that do not have the coins for big-name players can still take down the high-rated stars of the league.
Updated on September 9, 2021 by Payton Lott: The release of FIFA 22 is just around the corner. Players still have a few weeks of FIFA 21 left. Many people are returning to the game to brush up on their skills before the new title. Others are getting a few more seasons in with their well earned clubs before starting all over again. Both new and returning players will probably need a squad of serviceable cards to play with. Without much time left, they will need to be cheap too. This updated guide will cover five of the best cheap players in FIFA 21. Even better, they are all in the most popular league in the world.
Eric Bailly
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Bailly is a FUT legend that always seems to have an overpowered card. In FIFA 21, the center back from the Ivory Coast has a very good card for a 79 rated player. He still has some of the pace from past games, with 77 sprint speed, which is more than enough. The defender's card also has tackling, strength, and aggression all in the 80s. While the card may not be as impactful as prior years, it is top tier for the price.
Christian Pulisic
The crafty American continues to improve his rating in the game year by year. This time around, Pulisic is an 81 rated left winger. He is rapid and agile enough to out dribble defenders. The card's four star skills and balance make taking him off the ball more challenging than before. Pulisic's passing and dribbling are not great by any means, but they are good enough to distribute short passes to the other attackers. The card is dirt cheap on all platforms.
Reece James
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Reece James is only 77 rated, but he plays like an 80 rated card. Clubs should consider subbing him on as a deep midfield defender to take advantage of the card's balanced stats.
As a CDM, 80 pace is enough, and most of the other key stats are in the mid to high 70s. In a league with few cheap options at the RB position, James can fill a role for a club with little coins. He can even play at center back. Although, with his workrates, the defender may push too far up the pitch.
Wan-Bissaka
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Gamers with a few extra coins can splurge on Wan-Bissaka, an 83 rated RB. If it weren't for the card's shooting stats, players might consider playing him as a winger. Wan-Bissaka has 86 pace, 80 dribbling, 82 defending, and 74 physical.
Few fullbacks in the league have such an assortment of stats. This card even has 4 star skill moves, which is absurd. Clubs should be able to pick him up for under 5k coins, which is a steal.
Wilfried Zaha
For many, Zaha brings back nightmares from the FUTs of the past. This rapid attacker is a perennially one of the best cheap players in FIFA. A move to LM makes the card less impactful in most matches, but Zaha's stats are almost exactly the same as in 2020.
The reason why Zaha frustrates defenses is a combination of speed, dribbling, skills, and strength. It could just be a myth, but Zaha's cards seem to perform even better than the base stats indicate. Clubs will have to try the card and see for themselves.
Richarlison
Richarlison is a well-rounded striker with three base stats in the 80s and a five star weak foot. Having the ability to cut in either direction makes the Brazilian star tough to defend. He may take a second or so to speed up, but Richarlison has a max sprint speed of 86, which is more than enough for a striker.
The card has great positioning and shooting near the box, but poor shooting from distance. Richarlison has viable strength and aggression as well. Players should use the card as a lone striker in a formation with three at the front to utilize his strength and physical prowess. Despite having slow acceleration, Richarlison is one of the best 81 rated number nines in the game.
Tanguy Ndombele
The French midfielder has yet another great card this year. EA decided to give him a questionable pace downgrade, but many of Ndombele's stats remain the same. The notable traits of the card are 87 dribbling, 80 passing, and 74 physical.
The combination of agility and strength make Ndombele a perfect possession midfielder. The card can defend as well with 73 standing tackle and 72 interceptions. The only issue with the player is shooting. Aside from good shot power, Ndombele will miss almost every shot.
Moussa Sissoko
For a 79 rated player, Sissoko has some impressive stats. The French center midfielder has 84 sprint speed, 90 strength, and 81 standing tackle. While he may not be the quickest player in terms of acceleration and agility, Sissoko is a force to be reckoned with in the center of the field.
The only downside to the card is shooting. He has 85 shot power, but an abysmal 54 finishing. Similar to Ndombele, Sissoko is a roaming midfielder that can wall off defenders and create chances for the attackers upfront.
Rodrigo
Rodrigo is a top-tier player selling for discard prices. The Leeds product shines up front with 91 pace, 81 dribbling, 80 agility, and 80 finishing. The card has four star skills and great curve for finesse shots as well. Rodrigo is a dominant striker even at this point in the life cycle of FUT. He will be pushed off the ball, however, with sub 70 strength and aggression.
Clubs can have success playing the Spanish attacker at CAM because he has good vision and short passing. Attacking midfielders have the luxury of avoiding many of the challenges that strikers have to take on.
Kieran Tierney
The Arsenal fullback has all the important physical traits for a defender. He is strong, fast, and can get up to crosses in the box. Tierney is one of the top choices for a left back in the EPL for clubs that do not have a ton of coins.
The player is an effective attacker as well, with passing and dribbling stats in the 70s. While there may be a few options for the position that are slightly better, gamers will not be able to find a card with better value for coins. The strong link to Odegaard is nice too.
Adama Traore
As one of the greatest budget players in Fifa 21, Traore has to be mentioned as one of the best in the Premier League. Traore's stats speak for themselves. He has 96 pace, 86 dribbling, and 80 physical. No defender in the game has a chance against Traore, and he will be faster and stronger than almost every player in the game.
Players should keep in mind that he does not have a reliable shot in the box and his passing stats are not great. Despite these downsides, every player needs to try Traore in Ultimate Team.
Daniel James
James is just a hair slower than Adama Traore and has incredible stats for a 77 rated player. The card may not seem great because James only has 76 dribbling, however, this feels a lot better than expected in-game due to his high agility and balance. James is exceptionally fast on the wings and will put defenders in difficult situations in the front third.
Raphinha
Raphinha is the third winger on this list, and he is a more well-rounded option for players. The card may be slightly slower, but Raphina has much better shooting and passing stats than James and Adama. Raphinha is the total package for a winger, he has the pace, dribbling, shooting, and passing to make an impact on any ultimate team.
Sergio Reguilon Rodriguez
Reguilon is an immensely effective player in Ultimate Team. He has 85 pace and 78 defending, coupled with 78 dribbling and a serviceable 73 passing.
There are no better options at the left-back position for the price. Players that are tired of getting left in the dust by pacey strikers should give Reguilon a try. Players can buy the card for only 1,500 coins.
Michail Antonio
Michail Antonio has been a viable player in FIFA for many years, and now that he is a striker, more players will have an opportunity to use him. Players that spend just 1,700 coins will get a striker with 85 pace and 84 physical.
Antonio's subpar shooting and dribbling can be improved with the right chemistry style, and the card feels unstoppable at times. With the addition of four-star skills, Antonio is one of the most underrated strikers in the Premier League.
Allan Saint-Maximin
Saint-Maximin is one of the most enjoyable players to use in the game. His excellent pace, 90 dribbling, and 93 agility make the ball stick to the character's feet. Saint-Maximin also has five-star skills and four-star week foot. He is one of the most impactful players in the game under 2,000 coins.
While Saint-Maximin's shot power is good, players will have trouble finishing off plays in the box. Despite his bad finishing, Saint-Maximin is one of the great budget players in the Premier League.
Nicolas Pepe
Pepe is yet another dynamic player in the Premier League, which is riddled with cheap attackers. The Arsenal right midfielder has 89 pace with excellent dribbling stats. Unlike Saint-Maximin, Pepe has good passing and shooting attributes as well. Players can score some surprising goals with the player, and FUT clubs need to add Pepe to their team.
Nathan Ake
Nathan Ake is a well-rounded and reliable center back in Ultimate team. He has low/high workrates and at 5'11", Ake is tall enough to clear through balls and crosses. Ake also has enough strength to ward off attackers, and 81 defending to win back the ball.
Players low on coins can add Ake to their team and see an immediate improvement. Ake can be found for 2,000 coins in the marketplace, which is a steal for such a consistent player.
Ryan Fredericks
Players can get the blisteringly fast Fredericks for only 1,200 coins. Fredericks has 92 pace, 73 dribbling, and 70 defending at right back. Players should use him in a formation with wing backs, as he is best utilized as a hybrid defender.
While Fredericks' defending and physical stats are not as good as players might like, he makes up for these faults with raw speed.
Fikayo Tomori
As a 76 rated center back, Tomori has 80 pace and 76 defending. Apart from pace, none of Tomori's other stats jump off the page. However, he has defending and physical stats in the 70s, and he is one of the fastest center backs in the Premier League. Tomori is only 1,300 coins on all platforms.