The 11 best FIFA 16 Ultimate Team players

FIFA 16 Ultimate Team is monstrously addictive. One part FIFA to another part sticker collection, gradually nurturing your team through the loot gained by winning matches is a ridiculously moreish formula. Sure, you’ll start with next to nothing, but if money were no object, you’d want your starting 11 to look something like this:

In goal… Manuel Neuer (90)

Ratings of more than 85 are pretty rare in FIFA. A 90 rating is almost unheard of, and that’s why Manuel Neuer is the best keeper you can lay your hands on in FIFA, with shot-stopping skills guaranteed to make your opponents throw down their pads in frustration. The downside? You’re looking at around 100,000 coins to add him to your gang.

Poor man’s alternative: Vincent Enyeama (81)

While the well-known Neuer will set you back the best part of 100,000 coins, Enyeama can be had from Lille for less than 1% of that. He’s rated 81, and manages reflexes of 90 – putting him right up there with the best of them, without breaking the bank.

In defence… Dani Alves (84), Thiago Silva (88), Sergio Ramos (87) and Marcelo (82)

With this solid back four, you’re looking at a cumulative rating of 342/400, and they’re a pacey bunch too. Plenty of quality defenders in FIFA are let down by the oppositions’ frequent reliance on speed, and shown up by the likes of Remi, Walcott, Aubameyang et al. If you’ve got the coins, these guys should make you significantly harder to break down, but be prepared to lay down the best part of 250,000 coins to make this your first-choice line-up.

Poor man’s alternatives: Bruno Peres (79), Juan Jesus (79), Raul Albiol (81) and Juan Camilo Zuniga (77)

On paper, quite a lot worse, but yours for around 5,000 coins if you shop around. The centre backs are solid, and the wingbacks are tricky and pacey, giving you a bit of support for wing attacks should you need it.

In midfield… Arjen Robben (90), Andres Iniesta (88), Paul Pogba (86) and Eden Hazard (89)

I’m not sure these players need any introduction, although some Manchester United fans may be scratching their heads and wondering if that’s the same Paul Pogba who underachieved in the Premier League (yes, yes it is). They’re all great passers, designed to carve open the opposition with enough pace and dribbling ability to put the frighteners on any slow centre backs you decide to run at. Downside: you’re looking at more than 500,000 coins for this dream line-up, so get saving.

Poor man’s alternatives: Jeremain Lens (79), Roman Eremenko (82), Daley Blind (80) and Victor Ibarbo (78)

Or, you could take the poor man’s option and spend around 1% of that on this cheap and cheerful lineup. Pace is once again the order of the day here, with  Eremenko, Ibarbo and Lens all capable of speed. Blind is a bit slower, but adds additional steel to the midfield, as well as having a decent pass on him.

In attack… Lionel Messi (94) and Luis Suarez (90)

When in doubt… steal Barcelona’s attack. They seem to do okay. In all seriousness, the threat of Messi and Suarez shouldn’t really need an explanation: both are quick, natural goalscorers with a knack for getting into the best positions, and they can both run rings around slow defenders. Not the best in the air, of course, so if you want a target man try Lewandowski, Ronaldo or Rooney. Whoever you pick, though, be prepared to spend big. Messi alone usually goes for well over 1,000,000 coins.

Poor man’s alternatives: Filip Djordjevic (80), Max Kruse (82)

There are plenty of bargain strikers out there, because most players have fewer to buy, and tend to focus on the big names. Here are two absolute bargains: Djordjevic is great in the air, with enough pace and shooting skill to make him a handful on the ground, while Kruse has good ball control and a great shot on him. Both can be had for less than 1,000 coins each.

Of course, you’ll need to play about with chemistry to make the perfect team, but none of these players will let you down, no matter who they’re playing alongside.

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Images: FUThead, Marco Verch