The midfield trio looks to be a well-rounded one
EA FC 24 is just around the corner and with it comes Ultimate Team, arguably the game’s most popular game mode.
This means gamers will have to start thinking about their squads.
Given that it will be the start of the game, many gamers will be lacking coins.
While that means the likes of Kylian Mbappé and most Icons will be out of reach, there are still plenty of players that are cheap and good quality.
A huge pool of players means there is an opportunity to build unique teams and with the new chemistry system, this has never been easier.
And with the addition of female players, there are over 17,000 players to choose from.
But this can cause a dilemma for some, resulting in players sticking to one league.
The most commonly used leagues in Ultimate Team are the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1.
With that said, here are some squads that will be budget-friendly and will help you compete against fellow gamers at the start of the game.
Premier League
When it comes to choosing players for your Ultimate Team, the most common option is visiting the Premier League.
This is because there are many overpowered cards to choose from.
As a result, the players are more expensive than options from other leagues. But if you have a decent amount of coins to spend, here is a budget-friendly team to consider.
The likes of Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie, Mickey van de Ven and Guglielmo Vicario could be good options in defence.
Both Udogie and van de Ven offer pace that is more than adequate at the start of EA FC 24.
The midfield trio looks to be a well-rounded one, with Joelinton offering good pace, defending and physicality for your Premier League starter squad.
Upfront is Michail Antonio and while his pace is not the best, his physicality helps and two quick wingers will ensure that you can get goals.
Other Premier League starter options to consider include Leon Bailey, Arnaut Danjuma, Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Bundesliga/Ligue 1 Hybrid
While the Bundesliga is a popular option to consider, adding Ligue 1 players to your starter squad is something to consider because many are both overpowered and cheap.
The likes of Jonathan Clauss and Jean-Clair Todibo were popular starter options in FIFA 23 so why not use them again in EA FC 24?
It is important to have a well-rounded midfield, especially when using the 4-4-2 formation.
Manu Koné and Felix Nmecha complement each other as one’s weakness is the other’s strength.
The attack is likely to be the most expensive part of the team as they all boast pace, typically the main factor for gamers.
The striker pairing of Timo Werner and Lois Openda looks to be a sought-after one at the start of Ultimate Team.
Karim Adeyemi and Donyell Malen will be responsible for providing your forwards with killer paces.
But if these players do not suit your playstyle, there are many other options like Jonathan Gradit, Renan Lodi and Youssoufa Moukoko.
Saudi Hybrid
Before, no Ultimate Team player would go near the Saudi Pro League.
But the influx of global stars means this league is much more usable. So, take advantage of it.
Roger Ibañez looks to be one of the best starter cards and his combination of pace and defending makes the Brazilian a must-have.
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy looks to be a budget-friendly option in net while Paula Fernandez and Seko Fofana are solid midfield options.
Alba Redondo is a well-rounded striker.
The wingers might be where most of your budget will go as Allan Saint-Maximin is one player to consider.
Not being in the Premier League anymore means his price will not be five figures, but his high pace and dribbling could make him out of budget for some Ultimate Team players.
Cheaper alternatives include Jota and Salem Al Daswari.
Rosa Marquez Baena and Claudia Zornoza Sánchez are also good options to think about.
Serie A
Serie A has always been a strong league in Ultimate Team but compared to the Premier League, many of the players are a fraction of the price.
So by opting for Serie A players, you could save yourself some coins.
For instance, the centre-back pairing of Nicolò Casale and Pierre Kalulu should have no problem catching fast strikers.
The midfield has a nice blend of attack and defence, with each player having well-rounded stats.
But it is the attack which could give you success early on.
The combination of Gerard Deulofeu and Ademola Lookman could give you early success. Not only are they both quick but their high dribbling could cause defenders problems.
But if a narrow formation does not suit your playstyle, there are plenty of good starter wingers to choose from, such as Samuel Chukwueze and Armand Laurienté.
WSL
The addition of female players means there is a much larger pool of players in EA FC 24 Ultimate Team.
So, why not try a full women’s team?
The centre-back partnership of Alex Greenwood and Maya Le Tissier looks to be a solid one, with their work rates suited for defending.
Deyna Castellanos and Jordan Nobbs are versatile midfielders who can effectively attack and defend.
But it is the front three that can prove most effective.
Lucia Garcia and Cloé Lacasse both offer pace but the former looks to be more well-rounded, with better shooting and dribbling.
Manchester United’s Geyse is a great budget option for your starter team.
She can prove problematic for defenders in a number of ways. Her pace and dribbling are the obvious ways but her 87 physicality means she can hold off opponents.
Other options include Alisha Lehmann and Steph Catley.
This will hopefully provide some inspiration when it comes to building your first team on EA FC 24 Ultimate Team.
Plenty of players mean that there will be more unique teams.
Consider using players outside the top five leagues because they tend to go under the radar and are therefore cheaper.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what players will suit your playing style.