Building a competitive Ultimate Team in EA FC 26 has become an increasingly expensive task. With the rapid release of promos like Winter Wildcards and Scream, the power curve is moving faster than ever before. This increased pressure to keep up with the escalating costs of top-tier meta cards makes the game feel more like a financial simulator than a football one.
But this chaos makes the community forget about high-performing gold cards that never received the hype they deserved. These cards represent the best value for money in the game, allowing you to compete in the higher divisions without spending as much as other players. Whether you’re someone who loves a Road to Glory or just looking to go cheap, identifying these undervalued workhorses is essential.
Anthony Gordon
- Club: Newcastle United
- Overall: 83
- Pace: 91
- Shot: 79
- Passing: 78
- Dribbling: 83
- Defending: 50
- Physicality: 71
One of the most underrated players right now in the Premier League is playing for Newcastle. The youngster’s card is rated low at 83, but his stats are impressive. He’s got a really good pace, which is essential since he can play both wings. What makes him deadly is his ability to cut in from the wing and hit it into the top corner with his fast finesse shot. A player who can easily dribble past players in the game with his abilities of quick step and impressive dribbling stats as well.
Micky Van De Ven
- Club: Tottenham Hotspur
- Overall: 82
- Pace: 90
- Shot: 49
- Passing: 64
- Dribbling: 72
- Defending: 82
- Physicality: 80
Yet another case of a player who has a severely low-rated card but impressive stats. Van De Ven plays center back, but he contributes at every position. With a pace like that, paired with his dribbling stats, he has tried to take on opponents and done really well. In the game, his pace can be the key to surviving counterattacks. As for when you’re not facing counterattacks, Van De Ven can assist you in attacks as well.
Ridle Baku
- Club: RB Leipzig
- Overall: 78
- Pace: 81
- Shot: 72
- Passing: 73
- Dribbling: 81
- Defending: 71
- Physicality: 75
Baku was RB Leipzig’s top performer at the start of the season and is an absolute bargain in FC 26. A player with such well-rounded stats could be in your squad for less than 1000 coins. He plays as a right midfielder, but can easily fit anywhere on the pitch and play well. What makes him underrated is the fact that you get such a powerful card for a low price. His defending stats and his pace stats are really good, and can enable him to play right back, too
Jeremie Frimpong
- Club: Liverpool FC
- Overall: 83
- Pace: 94
- Shot: 62
- Passing: 74
- Dribbling: 84
- Defending: 72
- Physicality: 63
A player who doesn’t need much of an introduction because we’ve seen what he can do. He’s had a rough start at Liverpool, but don’t let that distract you from what a class player he is. Frimpong’s pace makes him deadly whether he’s playing as a fullback or as a winger. His ability to run from defence to the opponent’s goal makes him deadly and a threat to your opponents. Not to mention, he can score goals from outside the box, making him a deadly player to have on your team.
Lucas Chevalier
- Club: Paris Saint-Germain
- Overall: 83
- Diving: 84
- Handling: 79
- Kicking: 73
- Reflexes: 86
- Speed: 50
- Positioning: 80
Lucas Chevalier has become the replacement between the sticks following Donnarumma’s departure from PSG, and he’s been a solid replacement, too. He continues to impress game after game with his incredible saves. Lucas doesn’t cost more than 4K or 5K, making him an awesome player to have on your team. His distribution of stats is nice, including his 86 reflexes, which help out quite a lot.
Matheus Nunes
- Club: Manchester City
- Overall: 79
- Pace: 85
- Shot: 70
- Passing: 76
- Dribbling: 79
- Defending: 73
- Physicality: 76
Nunes is a player who often gets overlooked in the star-studded squad of Manchester City. His natural position is center midfield, but he’s been forced into the right back role and seems to be doing well. However, you can play him wherever you want in your team, with his stats being perfect for both defense and midfield. Keep him in your squad for added depth or play him as a starter; he won’t disappoint. Nunes can be a key player, providing through balls or covering attacks from the wings.
Jonathan David
- Club: Juventus
- Overall: 82
- Pace: 81
- Shot: 82
- Passing: 71
- Dribbling: 80
- Defending: 34
- Physicality: 78
This is a player who has been underrated for many years now, but is finally getting the recognition now that he’s playing for Juventus. His five-star weak foot is what makes him underrated and an incredible threat to your opponents. The weak foot paired with his 85 finishing makes a lethal combo for just under 1000 coins.
Estêvão
- Club: Chelsea
- Overall: 78
- Pace: 90
- Shot: 74
- Passing: 73
- Dribbling: 82
- Defending: 33
- Physicality: 57
Hs is Chelsea’s exciting prospect, who costs about 2000 coins. For 2000 coins, you acquire a player who is rapid and can play either as a winger or a CAM. While his pace, shot, and passing stats are impressive, his physicality means he’ll get pushed off the ball really easily. This is definitely something to look out for, but he can easily make your squad as a top substitute to provide depth.
