Every new Ultimate Team cycle in EA Sports FC 26 comes with excitement, frustration, and endless debates about which cards are worth the price. Some of those expensive stars perform fine, yet are not much better than cheaper cards with similar stats. It’s a common trap that catches even experienced managers.
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Big names like Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, and Vini Jr. Bring excitement because of their real-life success. Their cards look powerful at first glance, with high ratings across the board. However, price doesn’t always equal performance, and building a strong squad doesn’t always mean spending every coin on headline players. Sometimes it’s about identifying which cards offer real value and also which ones are inflated by hype.
Jude Bellingham
Cheaper Alternative: Cole Palmer And/Or Jamal Musiala
- Price: 120,000 – 137,000
Jude Bellingham’s card feels like a dream midfielder. EA gives him 90 overall because of his strength, finishing, and composure. He wins tackles, carries the ball confidently, and finishes like an attacking midfielder.
Many players consider him the best all-around midfielder in Ultimate Team, and his in-game presence certainly supports that idea. However, the problem isn’t performance; it’s the associated cost. When compared to some underrated players who perform almost as well for far less, that price starts to look more like a luxury than a necessity.
Florian Wirtz
Cheaper Alternative: Bruno Fernandes
- Price: 260,000 – 294,000
Florian Wirtz’s stock in FC 26 reflects his real-life breakout with Bayer Leverkusen. He’s often viewed as a top-tier central attacking midfielder for users who want both scoring and creativity. However, his price tag can be steep, especially early on, and that’s where expectations begin to clash with reality.
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Wirtz shines when given space, but he can be inconsistent in high-pressure situations. His strength is limited, which makes him easier to dispossess against aggressive defenses. His pace is decent but not elite, and his finishing doesn’t always match his rating when under tight marking. Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, offers very similar attributes at a much lower price. His overall rating of 88 keeps him competitive, and his long shots, passing range, and positioning make him one of the most efficient attacking midfielders for his cost.
Federico Valverde
Cheaper Alternative: Vitinha
- Price: 375,000 – 400,000
Federico Valverde’s card in EA Sports FC 26 looks like the perfect all-round midfielder. He’s a reliable, fast, and strong player. His 89 overall rating reflects exactly that: a player who runs the entire pitch, tackles with power, and still has the pace to burst forward on the attack. On paper, Valverde has everything: 85+ pace, high stamina, and sharp long shots.
His versatility makes him useful in both CM and CDM roles, especially for players who prefer a balanced midfield that can defend and attack with equal strength. Valverde’s price tag is around 375,000 and 400,000 coins, which is largely due to his reputation. However, Vitinha, for example, offers nearly the same on-field effectiveness. His passing and ball control are smoother, and his positioning feels more natural on possession-based teams. The only trade-off is slightly less raw pace, but considering players are getting him for somewhere between 67,500 and 74,500, it’s not a bad deal.
Nicolò Barella
Cheaper Alternative: Martin Ødegaard
- Price: 3,000 – 55,000
EA rates Nicolò Barella 87 overall, and it’s easy to see why: high work rates, quick movement, and aggressive tackles. His card fits modern midfield play perfectly. Barella moves well between boxes, intercepts passes, and links play cleanly. He’s one of those cards that always seems to be involved, no matter where the ball is. However, his Ultimate Team price makes him less appealing when considering what he actually brings.
Barella’s card price sits below 60,000 coins. That’s not outrageous, but when compared to midfielders who provide similar results for far less cost, the difference feels unnecessary. Barella’s defensive numbers and stamina are good, but not miles better than players who cost a quarter of his price. Martin Ødegaard is the clearest example. While Barella plays as a runner and destroyer, Ødegaard works as a technical playmaker, and that’s often more valuable in-game. His passing, dribbling, and ball control are all better, and his finesse shot trait makes him dangerous from distance. Ødegaard costs around 11,000 coins, which makes him great for creative teams that rely on quick passing and smart link-ups.
Viktor Gyökeres
Cheaper Alternative: Hugo Ekitiké
- Price: 119,000 – 140,000
Viktor Gyökeres’ rise through Sporting CP and his goal-scoring form earned him a strong Ultimate Team card in FC 26. With his combination of pace, strength, and finishing, he’s a traditional striker built to bully defenders. Gyökeres excels at running in behind and finishing from close range, but his lack of elite dribbling and agility limits him in tight matches.
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Hugo Ekitiké, in contrast, provides a similar style for a fraction of the cost. His pace, positioning, and finishing stats mirror much of what makes Gyökeres effective, yet his card remains overlooked because of his lower rating. Ekitiké moves more fluidly, with smoother dribbling animations and faster reactions near the goal. For players who rely on counterattacks or quick combinations, he fits naturally into a system that emphasizes speed and timing.
Vini Jr.
Cheaper Alternative: Raphinha
- Price: 830,000 – 923,000
Vini Jr. Remains one of the flashiest and most recognizable players in Ultimate Team, and his 90 overall rating guarantees attention. However, many players find that despite his incredible speed, his finishing can feel unpredictable, and his lack of physicality allows defenders to muscle him off the ball. He’s electric when everything clicks, but the performance gap between him and cheaper wingers isn’t always as wide as the price suggests.
Raphinha stands out as a great alternative. His 85–86 overall card offers high pace, strong agility, and excellent shot power. While he lacks Vini Jr.’s flair, he compensates with a more direct and efficient playstyle. His crosses and power shots are more dependable, and his slightly better strength helps him stay on his feet in duels.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 83%
- Released
- September 26, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone / In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- EA Vancouver, EA Romania
- Publisher(s)
- EA
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Sports
