Back in the day, FIFA 21 players knew the meta all too well: pacey fullbacks at center back was the move. Fast forward to 2026, and EA Sports FC 25 is throwing it back with the 'Remember Klaiber' Evolution, part of the ongoing NumeroFUT promo. This Evolution is a love letter to the old meta, allowing you to evolve eligible players into upgraded, CB-capable beasts, perfect for countering today's lightning-fast attackers. Let's break down the top seven players to use in this Evolution to build a defense that's, frankly, OP.

fc-25-ultimate-team-top-7-players-for-remember-klaiber-evolution-in-2026-image-0

Evolution Requirements & Why It Matters

Before we dive in, let's get the ground rules down. To be eligible for the Remember Klaiber Evolution, a player card must meet these criteria:

  • Max Overall Rating: 86

  • Max Shooting: 70

  • Min Pace: 90

  • Max Agility: 88

  • Max PlayStyles+: 1

  • Max Total PlayStyles: 10

This is basically EA's way of saying, "We're looking for fast, agile defenders who aren't strikers in disguise." Completing the Evolution chain boosts their stats massively and grants them the ability to play at Center Back. Let's get into the list, starting from the solid option to the absolute meta-breaker.

7. Trevoh Chalobah (Inform - 86 OVR CB) → 87 OVR

fc-25-ultimate-team-top-7-players-for-remember-klaiber-evolution-in-2026-image-1

The Chelsea academy product, currently shining on loan at Crystal Palace, earned his Inform card through solid 2024/25 performances. He's already a natural CB, so this Evolution polishes an existing gem.

  • Post-Evo Key Stats: 85 PAC | 88 DEF | 87 PHY | 80 PAS | 79 DRI

  • The Vibe: He's your rock. Not the flashiest, but you will not concede cheap goals with him in the backline. A reliable, no-nonsense choice for a Premier League squad.

  • Is He Meta? Solid, but his pace is on the lower end for this Evolution's potential. A great budget-friendly starter option.

6. Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Inform - 85 OVR RB) → 87 OVR

fc-25-ultimate-team-top-7-players-for-remember-klaiber-evolution-in-2026-image-2

Napoli's captain and defensive stalwart gets the Evolution treatment. Transforming this Serie A right-back into a CB gives you a leader at the back with fantastic all-around stats.

  • Post-Evo Key Stats: 86 PAC | 87 DEF | 86 PHY | 82 DRI | 80 PAS

  • The Vibe: The complete defensive package. Great defending and physicality paired with enough dribbling and passing to play out from the back. Perfect for a Serie A or Italian national team hybrid.

  • Pro Tip: His base position is RB, so this Evolution gives you amazing positional flexibility.

5. Micky van de Ven (Track Stars - 86 OVR CB) → 87 OVR

fc-25-ultimate-team-top-7-players-for-remember-klaiber-evolution-in-2026-image-3

Okay, listen up. If you're scared of those 99-paced strikers, this is your answer. The Dutch speedster is arguably the fastest CB you can create through this Evolution. His Track Stars card is the key.

  • Post-Evo Key Stats: 90 PAC 😱 | 88 DEF | 86 PHY | 78 DRI | 76 PAS

  • The Vibe: Pure. Unadulterated. Pace. He will catch anyone. A literal cheat code against through-ball spammers.

  • The Catch: His Track Stars card is expensive. This is a premium, meta-defining option for players with deep coin purses.

4. Manuel Akanji (Triple Threat Icon - 86 OVR CB) → 87 OVR

fc-25-ultimate-team-top-7-players-for-remember-klaiber-evolution-in-2026-image-4

Mr. Reliable for Manchester City gets even better. This Evolution turns his special card into an absolute wall. His stats are beautifully balanced for a modern ball-playing defender.

  • Post-Evo Key Stats: 85 PAC | 88 DEF | 86 PHY | 79 PAS | 79 DRI

  • The Vibe: The intelligent defender. Great positioning, strong in the tackle, and comfortable on the ball. He can also play RB, making him super versatile.

  • Why Pick Him? For a top-tier, well-rounded defender who fits perfectly into a Premier League or Manchester City-themed squad.

3. Diogo Dalot (Total Rush - 86 OVR RB) → 87 OVR

fc-25-ultimate-team-top-7-players-for-remember-klaiber-evolution-in-2026-image-5

Manchester United's Portuguese dynamo becomes an absolute monster with this Evolution. His Total Rush card is perfect for it, and the upgrade grants him the coveted Intercept PlayStyles+. Game changer.

  • Post-Evo Key Stats: 90 PAC | 87 DEF | 86 PHY | 85 DRI | 82 PAS

  • The Vibe: The modern hybrid defender. He can defend, he can sprint, he can dribble, and he can pass. He's essentially a box-to-box midfielder who plays center back. Insane value.

  • Meta Alert: ✅ The combination of 90 pace, great defensive stats, and Intercept+ makes him one of the best overall choices.

2. Jules Koundé (Base - 85 OVR RB) → 87 OVR

fc-25-ultimate-team-top-7-players-for-remember-klaiber-evolution-in-2026-image-6

FC Barcelona's defensive resurgence has been built on players like Koundé. Using his base gold card for this Evolution is a genius, budget move. You're turning an 85-rated card into a 87-rated defensive beast.

  • Post-Evo Key Stats: 85 PAC | 87 DEF | 86 PHY | 76 PAS | 76 DRI

  • The Vibe: The cost-effective meta pick. Incredible defensive awareness and strength for a fraction of the cost of other special cards. Perfect for La Liga or French squads.

  • Big Brain Move: This is arguably the most cost-efficient way to get a top-tier Evolved CB. His base card is cheap, but the outcome is elite.

1. Marc Cucurella (Inform - 85 OVR LB) → 87 OVR

fc-25-ultimate-team-top-7-players-for-remember-klaiber-evolution-in-2026-image-7

And here we are—the number one pick. Since his stellar UEFA Euro 2024, Cucurella has been a transformed player. His Inform card's stats are perfectly balanced for this Evolution, making him the ultimate left-sided center back or left back.

  • Post-Evo Key Stats: 85 PAC | 87 DEF | 86 PHY | 85 DRI | 85 PAS

  • The Vibe: The perfect quintuple-85 stat monster. Look at that balance! He can do everything at a high level. His left-footedness is a huge bonus for building out from the left side.

  • Why He's #1: He embodies the spirit of the old Klaiber meta—a pacey fullback with insane all-around stats—but with 2026-level quality. He's the most complete, versatile, and meta-ready defender on this list. An absolute must-do Evolution.

Final Verdict & TL;DR

The Remember Klaiber Evolution is one of the best value moves in FC 25 Ultimate Team right now. It's a direct counter to the pace meta and allows for incredible squad building flexibility.

📊 Quick Ranking by Category:

Category Best Pick Reason
Pure Pace Micky van de Ven 90 Pace is just unfair for a CB.
Best Value Jules Koundé Cheap base card, elite results.
Most Complete Marc Cucurella Perfectly balanced stats & left-footed.
Best for Hybrids Diogo Dalot PlayStyles+, great links, amazing stats.

So, what are you waiting for? Pick your fighter, complete those objectives, and transform your defense. Your opponents won't know what hit 'em. GG EZ! 🏆

What's your pick for the Remember Klaiber Evolution? Let us know in the comments below! And don't forget to like and subscribe for more FC 25 meta guides!