Time may be running out on FIFA 20 but that doesn’t mean you cannot embark on one final road to glory in Career Mode.
As football continues to evolve, the importance of full-backs grows and it should be no different on FIFA 20. Having a good goalscorer and solid centre-backs will make your life a lot easier, but being secure on the wings is just as important.
Although wingers and wide midfielders will take priority in the attack, having players to overlap can change a game. Or for those who use narrow formations, full-backs will be doing a lot of the attacking out wide.
But, they also need to be capable of defending – unless you’re very much a “I’ll score more than you” player. So who is the best full-back for you and your budget on FIFA 20 Career Mode?
We’ve taken a look at some of the best options across an array of transfer fees to make your job just a bit easier in the first window. We only ask for a thank you in your press conferences after the league has been won.
Values and presence of release clauses may vary per save. All prices correct at the time of publishing on 16/07/2020.
FIFA 20 best full-backs to sign on Career Mode – Under £1m
Ki-Jana Hoever (Liverpool)
Where better to start than a Liverpool right-back. No, not that one. Ki-Jana Hoever is 18 years old but has already been tipped to rise to the very top of the game, and it’s something that has been transferred over to FIFA 20.
Ki-Jana Hoever boasts good stats across the board in both defence and attack, growing into a solid player.
Hoever starts FIFA 20, aged 17, with a lowly overall rating of 62 but has decent pace, good defending, dribbling and passing. Already he’d be a good addition to any lower league club. But the big selling point is his growth, reaching a potential overall of 84 – and you’ll have him for a long time if you strike early. Valued at £550k in the first window, you can get Hoever for just that and laugh all the way to success.
Nathan Ferguson (West Bromwich Albion)
Remaining in England, if you want the most coverage for your money, Nathan Ferguson is the defender for you.
Nathan Ferguson can provide cover across the defence and is a must-buy for lower league clubs.
A real utility man, the teenager is capable of playing on both left and right sides of the defence as well as through the middle. He starts with an overall rating of 68 and has respectable stats across the board – except in attack, so use your other full-back to go forward – and can rise to 83. There will be better players for full-back but given his utility, Ferguson is a must-buy for the lower league clubs. Valued at £1.5m, with 12 months left on his West Brom contract, you can get Ferguson for around £900k.
Jonathan Panzo (Cercle Brugge)
Another full-back who can be used elsewhere in defence, without spending too much, is Jonathan Panzo.
Former Chelsea academy star Jonathan Panzo is a good utility option.
Panzo, a left-back capable of playing central, kicks off with a rating of 66 which includes 74 strength, 67 standing tackle and 66 interceptions – all of which will grow if he reaches his potential of 85. The former Chelsea youth product is on loan at Cercle Brugge from Monaco in real life, but that is not registered in game so he can be bought in your first window for around £950k – less than his value and below his possible release clause.
FIFA 20 best full-backs to sign on Career Mode for £1m – £10m
Josha Vagnoman (Hamburg)
Moving over to the German second division, there’s a little gem by the name of Josha Vagnoman.
Josha Vagnoman is a gem of a right-back and a solid all-round defender.
The 19-year-old starts FIFA 20 with a rating of 66, but boasts pace of 84, 72 physicality, 64 standing tackle and 64 crossing. An all-rounder, the best thing about Vagnoman is that he has the potential to grow to 85 and become one of the better full-backs in Career Mode. He is valued at £1.1m but Hamburg will take slightly more than that, at £1.15m.
Robert Gumny (Lech Poznan)
If you like your full-backs to run, Robert Gumny is your guy.
Robert Gumny will run up and down the pitch for you and is decent in both defence and attack.
The 70-rated right-back has 88 pace and 85 stamina meaning he will be able to keep up with opposition wingers throughout with 69 standing tackle and 65 sliding tackle. But he will also be contributing to the attack himself, with 64 crossing and 66 dribbling. And these numbers will only improve if he reaches his potential overall of 84. Gumny is at £3.2m and you’ll only need to spend around £3.5m for him.
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Nuno Tavares (Benfica)
Another high-energy full-back with the ability to both attack and defend, Nuno Tavares represents a slightly more expensive option.
Nuno Tavares is a high-energy left-back also capable of playing on the right.
Currently rated 71, the Portuguese left-back – also capable of playing on the right – has 87 pace, 72 standing tackle and 73 crossing. The 19-year-old also has 74 dribbling and will grow to 85 overall if developed properly, making Tavares an exciting prospect for those looking to play a long FIFA 20 Career Mode. He is valued at £3.7m and you should be able to get him for around £4m.
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FIFA 20 best full-backs to sign on Career Mode for £10m – £20m
Reece James (Chelsea)
Returning to England, Reece James’ FIFA 20 edition mirrors the expectations of him in real life.
Reece James can be bought surprisingly cheap early on, so strike before Chelsea realise his worth in-game.
The 20-year-old starts FIFA 20 with an initial rating of 75 and decent all-round stats. He is capable of defending with 75 standing tackle and 76 physicality, is decent on a set-piece and will cause problems for defences with 78 crossing and 75 dribbling. Then there’s his potential to grow to 87 overall and the ability to play in defensive midfield as he did for Wigan Athletic last season. Valued at £9.5m and yours for around £10.5m, strike quick before in-game Chelsea realise the player they have on their hands.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Manchester City)
Another player who doesn’t seem to be as appreciated by his team on FIFA 20 Career Mode is Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is slightly under-appreciated in Career Mode and you can benefit from this.
The Ukrainian has been a good utility player for Pep Guardiola in real life and has seen that pass over to FIFA 20, where he is listed as a left-back. With an initial rating of 79, Zinchenko boasts good all-round stats including 82 crossing and 83 short passing. He also has the potential to rise to 85 becoming another solid full-back. He’s valued at £14m but Manchester City will take a little persuading, around £15m.
Fabricio Bustos (Independiente)
Moving over to South America, we found an interesting right-back who is also capable of playing wing-back and midfield: Fabricio Bustos.
Fabrizio Bustos is an attacking full-back that also has defensive capabilities.
The Argentinian has an initial rating of 78, solid enough to start of with and has blistering pace of 87. He combines this with 80 dribbling and four-star skill moves, but doesn’t lack for solid defensive stats too. All of these will grow alongside Bustos if he reaches his potential overall of 85. Bustos is valued at £9.5m but will cost you around £15.5m or his £15m release clause if available.
FIFA 20 best full-backs to sign on Career Mode for £20m and above
Lukas Klostermann (RB Leipzig)
A solid defensive option, Lukas Klostermann is one to sign if you like to keep things tight at the back.
Lucas Klostermann represents a solid defensive full-back in a time where attacking is prioritised.
The German international has the ability to play right-back, left-back and right wing-back, making him an option for those of you who like the three-man central defences. Kicking off with an initial rating of 81, including 83 pace and 81 defending, Klostermann can rise as high as 85 in Career Mode. If that’s something you desire, then Klostermann can be bought for £20m – just £1.5m higher than his initial value.
Alejandro Grimaldo (Benfica)
Moving onto one of the already-established full-backs, Alejandro Grimaldo is one of the top left-backs in FIFA 20 Career Mode.
Alejandro Grimaldo is one of the best left-backs in the game and will only continue to rise the ranks.
His initial rating of 83 is bettered only by three players, and with it comes excellent attacking stats including 84 crossing and 85 curve. Grimaldo is also capable of rushing down the wings with 85 pace, 84 dribbling and 90 stamina. His defence could do with some work, though at 77 it is still respectable. In FIFA 20 Career Mode, Grimaldo has the potential to grow to 87, only bettered among non-generated players by Andrew Robertson. Grimaldo is valued at £27m but you will need to spend around £37.5m for him.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
From one of the best left-backs in the game to one of the best right-backs, if you’ve got money to spend on full-backs, go for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Trent Alexander-Arnold can become the best right-back with high attacking stats and solid defending too.
Alexander-Arnold’s initial rating of 85 already sees him tied as the best right-back others in his position and his potential of 90 is second to none. The Englishman has ridiculous passing stats including 91 crossing and 86 long passing but accompanies that with 83 standing tackle – proving he can defend. Valued at £41.5m, Alexander-Arnold can be yours for £55m, a steal considering what you’d be getting.