Best defenders to buy in EA FC 25 Ultimate Team
DexertoWhile attacking might be the more exciting half of EA FC 25‘s gameplay, it’s defending and making sure that you are buying the best defenders that will help you climb Ultimate Team’s divisions.
The addition of new features in FUT like FC IQ and Player Roles have made team building and finding the best formations harder than ever. Putting together a good defense is no exception, as you’ll need to figure out who the best defenders are to avoid wasting coins and conceding unnecessary goals.
To help you out, we’ve listed the best defenders, but our recommendations value ability over cost, so some of these are going to be expensive. If you are looking for budget options instead, check out the best cheap players to find some bargain deals.
With that said, here are the best defenders in EA FC 25 Ultimate Team, including the meta CBs, RBs, and LBs that you should be using this year.
Best center-backs (CB)
| PLAYER | CLUB | Version | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paolo Maldini | Icon | Icon | 92 |
| Lucio | Serie A | Hero | 89 |
| Virgil Van Dijk | Liverpool | Gold | 89 |
| Antonio Rudiger | Real Madrid | Gold | 88 |
| Jaap Stam | Premier League | Hero | 87 |
| William Saliba | Arsenal | Gold | 87 |
| Raphaël Varane | Como | EOAE | 87 |
| Ronald Araujo | FC Barcelona | UCL RTTK | 87 |
| Ben Godfrey | Bergamo Calcio | UCL RTTK | 85 |
| Micky Van de Ven | Tottenham | TOTW | 84 |
| Fikayo Tomori | Milano FC | Gold | 83 |
| Dayot Upamecano | Bayern Munich | Gold | 82 |
Our recommendations
- Virgil Van Dijk
- Paolo Maldini
- Raphaël Varane
Virgil Van Dijk is the best center-back in EA FC 25, as was the case in last year’s game too. He is an incredible defender who is tall, can tackle anyone, and has a fantastic range of meta PlayStyles, including Aerial+, Anticipate, and Jockey. While expensive, the Liverpool captain will be one of the most impactful players on your team if you can save up and buy him.
If coins aren’t a concern, Paolo Maldini is another excellent option. The Italian legend has always been one of the best defenders in EA Sports FC, but he actually got buffed this year. His new card in FC 25 has gained both Anticipate and Jockey, two of the strongest defensive PlayStyles in the game. Additionally, he has Stopper++ and 95 Defending, locking in his place as a meta CB.
If you have fodder to spare, then End of an Era (EOAE) Raphaël Varane is also a great choice. While pricey, this SBC is incredible, with Varane always being one of the best defenders throughout EA FC’s history. He has Stopper++, Intercept+, Anticipate, and Block, making him a dominant force at the back. He even strong links to Maignan, Hernandez, and POTM Thuram, so it’s not hard to get him in a meta team at all.
Best left backs (LB/LWB)
| PLAYER | CLUB | VERSION | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roberto Carlos | Icon | Icon | 90 |
| Bixente Lizarazu | Bundesliga | Hero | 88 |
| Theo Hernández | Milano FC | TOTW | 88 |
| Federico Dimarco | Lombardia FC | UCL RTTK | 87 |
| Sakina Karchaoui | PSG | Gold | 87 |
| Sonia Bompastor | D1 Arkema | Hero | 86 |
| Fridolina Rolfö | FC Barcelona | Gold | 86 |
| Capdevila | LaLiga EA Sports | Hero | 86 |
| Ferland Mendy | Real Madrid | Gold | 84 |
| Alphonso Davies | Bayern Munich | Gold | 82 |
| Destiny Udogie | Tottenham | Gold | 82 |
| Ferdi Kadıoğlu | Brighton | Gold | 81 |
Our recommendations
- Roberto Carlos
- Ferland Mendy
- Theo Hernandez (TOTW)
Roberto Carlos is the best left-back in EA FC 25, with the Brazilian Icon doing just about everything you could ever want him to. He has the highest total in-game stats of any defender at 2,450, which is a testament to how complete his game is. Also, his card this year has been given Dead Ball+, making him a lethal threat from both corners and free-kicks alike.
While still fairly expensive, Ferland Mendy is a more affordable alternative. The Real Madrid LB has been a staple of both FIFA and EA Sport FC’s meta for years now, and it’s easy to see why. He is blisteringly quick, has a 5* weak foot, and is a bizarrely dominant defender, despite his stats being nothing too special. Furthermore, he strong links to other meta players like Mbappe, Vinícius Junior, and Valverde.
Mendy isn’t the only French left-back who can do it all, as Theo Hernandez is very good too. Those wanting to get the most out of him will want to buy his TOTW, but his regular card is very similar and far less expensive. Regardless of what version you buy, you’ll get a flexible player who can dominate on attack and defense.
Best right-backs (RB/RWB)
| PLAYER | CLUB | VERSION | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cafu | Icon | Icon | 91 |
| Carlos Alberto | Icon | Icon | 91 |
| Lilian Thuram | Icon | Icon | 88 |
| Maicon | Serie A | Hero | 88 |
| Jeremie Frimpong | Bayer Leverkusen | UCL RTTK | 88 |
| Malo Gusto | Chelsea | UECL RTTK | 86 |
| Daniel Carvajal | Real Madrid | Gold | 86 |
| Jules Kounde | FC Barcelona | Gold | 85 |
| Achraf Hakimi | PSG | Gold | 84 |
| Kyle Walker | Man City | Gold | 84 |
| Marcos Llorente | Atletico Madrid | Gold | 83 |
| Pedro Porro | Tottenham | Gold | 83 |
Our recommendations
- Maicon
- Jeremie Frimpong
- Marcos Llorente
Maicon is the best right-back in EA FC 25, with the Serie A Hero being a new addition this year. He is tall, has Player Roles+ for every RB role, and gets access to Whipped Pass+, the most impactful PlayStyle for any wide player. This man is able to make some of the most impressive plays you’ll ever see, while also being an impactful defender, good on the ball, and very fast. This legend of the game truly has it all.
Naturally, Maicon is very expensive, so you may prefer to buy Jeremie Frimpong instead for a fraction of the price. While he isn’t as well rounded, Frimpong’s Gold card is a speed demon with 93 Pace. This makes him unbeatable in a running race, which is very important to keep meta wingers in check. If you have coins to spare, his UCL Road To The Knockout (RTTK) card is an even better option that’s likely to get upgraded.
Marcos Llorente is another option, serving as a more versatile version of Frimpong. The Atletico Madrid player has less pace but doesn’t have a face card stat below 78, making his skillset truly universal. He is so complete that RB is far from his only viable position, with the Spaniard being an equally effective CM and RM.
To make your Ultimate Team as complete as possible, be sure to check out the best goalkeepers, best central midfielders, best wingers, and best strikers in EA FC 25. By using all of our guides you’ll be able to create a side that will dominate everything from Squad Battles to FUT Champs.