EA Sports FC 24 Ultimate Team: Best cheap players for a starter team

Ultimate Team is always most fun right at the beginning. Loading the game up, chucking in your team name and being given a starter squad made up of bronze cards and a couple of non-rare golds - it's enough to make you shiver with excitement.

But the grind isn't always easy. While not as challenging as the early days of Ultimate Team, going from a bronze squad to a team capable of competing with those who might have quite literally put hundreds of real-life pounds into the game is no walk in the park.

At the start, it's all about efficiency. You have to be smart with your dwindling reserve of coins, so investing in the right players capable of making your team competitive online is crucial.

Here are some cheap options for starter teams to help push you to quick-fire glory.

Kevin Schade - Brentford

We all know Ultimate Team is all about pace and that is unlikely to change in EA Sports FC 24.

Kevin Schade was the tenth quickest player in FIFA 23, but will now also have the benefit of a likely rating upgrade and stats boost too. The forward's 94 pace and Premier League and German links makes him a useful asset, although whether he will be a silver or gold card remains to be seen.

Schade was listed as a right-midfielder in FIFA 23 and only had an alternate position of right wing, but given how much he has featured as a striker for Brentford, that could well change this year.

Arnaut Danjuma - Everton

Arnaut Danjuma's Player Moments card was borderline unplayable at the beginning of FIFA 23. The then Villarreal winger could be converted to a striker and boasted 88 pace on his base card alone.

If you're looking for someone to partner Schade, then look no further than the Everton forward. A difficult season has seen a minus one downgrade, but with an overall of 81 he is still a top pick from the off.

Fran Garcia - Real Madrid

If you're looking for a speedy La Liga defender then Real Madrid's Fran Garcia is your man.

The young left-back re-joined Los Blancos from Real Valladolid this summer and has been given a 78-rated card for EA Sports FC 24 this year - an upgrade of three from his FIFA 23 card.

The Spaniard had 89 pace last year and could be useful for dealing with those devilishly quick right-wingers.

Renato Sanches - Roma

Despite receiving a downgrade of two overall points - now sitting at just 78 - Renato Sanches will likely still be overpowered this year.

In FIFA 23, the central midfielder represented Paris Saint-Germain and was one of the best budget options on the game. His mix of pace, strength and attacking attributes made him an incredible asset despite being just 80-rated.

The midfielder also has 4* weak foot and 4* skill moves, making him a perfect all-rounder in the centre of the park. A must have for Serie A squads.

Geoffrey Kondogbia - Marseille

Kondogbia was one of the strongest midfielders in FIFA 23 with a physical stat of 88. Although he is now only 81 overall, the Marseille midfielder offers a cheap and defensively solid option from Ligue 1.

His pace may not be superb, but whack a shadow on him and you're laughing.

Benjamin Sesko - RB Leipzig

The Slovenian forward was only a common silver on FIFA 23, but his stellar season with RB Salzburg and subsequent move to RB Leipzig means he is in line for a mammoth upgrade.

The colossus centre-forward is quick, physical and a great finisher, all attributes that are important to possess on Ultimate Team. While he won't offer many good national team links, he should be a good Bundesliga option for players.

Joe Gomez - Liverpool

Another player to have received a downgrade on EA Sports FC 24 is Liverpool defender Joe Gomez. The English centre-back was a great inexpensive option on FIFA 23, something which is likely to be the case once again this year despite his 81-rated card dropping to 79 overall.

Pacy centre-backs are hard to come by, but Gomez also possesses great physicality, good passing and great chemistry links with Premier League, England and Liverpool players.

Alphonse Areola - West Ham

Areola was one of the best budget goalkeeping options on FIFA 23, offering great reflexes, good positioning and key links to French players.

The shot-stopper was a fabulous starting option in FIFA 23 and should be again this year. Save your coins on your goalkeeper and spend in them attack.

Kaoru Mitoma - Brighton

Kaoru Mitoma has been given an 80-rated gold card after a wonderful season with Brighton and could find himself in a number of Ultimate Teams come early October.

The Japan international has 84 pace and 85 dribbling, making him a great cheap threat on the left flank. He is likely to have at least 4* skill moves as well, potentially making him a must-have in the early weeks of the game.

Rasheedat Ajibade - Atletico Madrid

Of course, female players are now in Ultimate Team for the first time as well, meaning there are even more options to choose from.

A good La Liga option is Rasheedat Ajibade for Atletico Madrid. Her 83-rated card boasts 88 pace, 83 shooting and 84 dribbling, making her a triple threat up top.

Manuela Vanegas - Real Sociedad

Another La Liga option is Manuela Vanegas of Real Sociedad, a player who shone at the World Cup in the summer. The 82-rated centre-back has 77 pace, 82 defending and good physical stats too, making her a tough opponent to get past.

The Colombian should be a useful defensive option for those on a tight budget.

Mayra Ramirez - Levante

Another impressive Colombian who plays in the Spanish top-flight is Mayra Ramirez, whose blend of 89 pace, 86 physical and 83 shooting makes her an incredibly strong forward asset.

The striker could serve as a budget alternative to the likes of Sam Kerr and Alex Morgan.

READ MORE NEWS AND RATINGS AHEAD OF THE RELEASE OF EA SPORTS FC 24