The release date for FIFA 22, and therefore the start of the new Ultimate Team season, is fast approaching. The game launches on September 27 for those who pre-order the Ultimate Edition, with regular edition players able to access the game on October 1. EA is also giving a 10-hour access window to subscribers of EA Play, allowing EA Play subscribers a jump start on the game. To get ready for the new season of Ultimate Team, here’s a list of the top five players to snap up for your starting roster. These Ultimate Team starting players have been chosen for a variety of reasons. Still, accessibility during the early stages of the game was key to deciding which players made the cut.
(Updated on July 27, 2024 – Fact-checked and fixed formatting inconsistencies).
5) Jurrien Timber, 75, Ajax
Jurrien Timber starts the list with his first-ever Ultimate Team card in FIFA 22. The 20-year-old Ajax CB is one of the best defenders to begin the new FUT season with. His 83 pace means he will keep up with the big boys, and since EA has nerfed using LBs and RBs at the CB position, finding a CB with high pace is going to be key to starting strong this season. His Dutch nationality and Eredivisie league should also ensure that he stays reasonably priced at the start of the game.
4) Jude Bellingham, 79, Borussia Dortmund
Jude Bellingham has been a break-out star for Borussia Dortmund and, at just 18 years old, seems to be in for a promising career. After his stellar 20/21 season, he has been awarded a whopping +10 upgrade from 69 to 79. As such, his stats have seen quite the boost, with defending going up +20 from 55 to 75, dribbling, passing, and physical have all received sizeable boosts, too. This year, Jude Bellingham will be an excellent all-around central midfielder. His Bundesliga links should keep his price down relative to how good his card is, so he’s a surefire starter for the opening weeks of FIFA 22 Ultimate Team.
3) Federico Chiesa, 83, Roma
Federico Chiesa’s new card is coming off the back of his sensational success at the Euros this past summer. The prolific goalscorer was one of the players of the tournament and key to Italy’s Euro 2020 win. Chiesa’s card has received a +5 increase from 78 to 83, a massive upgrade for the 23-year-old. Along with big upgrades to pace, throwing, dribbling, and physicality, he has also received a position change from CF in FIFA 21 to RW in FIFA 22. Traditionally, Serie A is one of the best value leagues in Ultimate Team, and that’s especially true at the beginning of the game. Chiesa’s Serie A league and the new position of RW should both ensure that his price stays low compared to how good his card is.
2) Antony, 79, Ajax
Although Antony has only received a modest +1 upgrade over his FIFA 21 Ultimate Team card, his inclusion at the number 2 spot is because of just how good his card was at the beginning of last year’s game. Antony is, without doubt, one of the best players in terms of value for coins at the start of the Ultimate Team season, and although his +1 upgrade seems small, it’s what’s under the hood that counts. That is, the new addition of his 5-star skill moves over the 4-star skill moves he had in FIFA 21. It’s hard to overstate just how much this upgrade should help his card feel during games in FIFA 22. 5-star skill moves can be the difference between a mediocre player and a stunner who stays in your team for months. With Antony’s face stats upgrade from last year and his upgraded 5-star skill moves, he will surely be a phenomenal attacking starter.
1) Donyell Malen, 80, Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund’s new signing is sure to be a favored player in many starting squads this year. His strong links to other Bundesliga players and his high pace will no doubt make him a popular player. However, Bundesliga players are still much cheaper than Premier League or La Liga players. This year, they may even be cheaper than Ligue 1 players now that the trio of Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe are all in that league. Malen’s +2 boost has mostly been reflected in his passing, but his +2 in throwing and dribbling should both make for some significant improvements over his FIFA 21 card. The key when looking for a striker at the start of the Ultimate Team season is to look at pace. Pace is generally the difference-maker for Strikers early in the game, but with Malen’s league and nation combo, he should be more affordable than comparatively fast strikers.
