Yo fellow managers! Building that dream squad in EA Sports FC 25 Ultimate Team is always the goal, right? And let me tell you, if you're thinking about going for an English core, you're cooking up something special. As of 2026, English players aren't just good for chemistry—they're some of the absolute meta picks that can dominate any league you throw them into. From the Premier League powerhouses to the Frauen-Bundesliga stars, the pool is deep and deadly. Sure, some of these superstars will cost you a fortune in FUT coins, but trust me, they're worth every penny for that competitive edge. Let's dive into the current landscape of the best English talent you need for your Ultimate Team.
10. Cole Palmer – Chelsea FC: The Finesse Merchant
Let's kick things off with Chelsea's main man, Cole Palmer. His journey since FC 25's launch has been wild! Remember that 85-rated gold card? That feels like ancient history now. This guy has been a promo card machine 🎰. We've seen multiple Player of the Month (POTM) items, Team of the Week (TOTW) inclusions, and probably a Future Stars or two by now, pushing his overall rating way beyond his initial stats.
While Pace was his initial weakness, later cards have definitely addressed that. His real magic? Those finesse shots from outside the box are still broken. If you're running a Premier League squad, a juiced-up Palmer card is a must-have creative force on the wing or as a CAM.
Quick Summary:
-
Role: Creative Winger/Attacking Mid
-
Key Traits: 5* Weak Foot potential in special cards, insane curve & long shots.
-
Best For: PL Hybrids, Finesse Shot abusers.
9. Phil Foden – Manchester City: The Finished Article
If Palmer is the rising star, Foden is the established galaxy. Even comparing their base cards back in the day, Foden's Pace and agility made him feel more explosive. Fast forward to 2026, and his special card collection is arguably the most versatile among English attackers. We're talking central midfield maestro cards, left-wing destroyers, and everything in between.
His dribbling is so smooth it feels like the ball is glued to his feet. The main difference now? His physicality has gotten a significant boost in recent promos, making him much harder to bully off the ball. He's the complete attacking package.
8. Chloe Kelly – Manchester City WFC: The Blistering Wing Queen
Don't sleep on the women's game in FUT! Chloe Kelly remains one of the most consistent and affordable meta wingers you can get. Her base card had that blistering pace, and her special cards? Even more insane. The beauty of her card is the simplicity: get the ball to her on the right, hold down sprint, and watch her leave full-backs in the dust.
Her crossing is pinpoint, and with the 4-star weak foot, she can cut inside and rip a shot just as effectively. For a budget-friendly option that performs like a top-tier card, Kelly is still a fantastic pick.
Cheat Sheet: Kelly vs. Traditional Wingers
| Attribute | Chloe Kelly (Special Card) | Typical High-Tier PL Winger |
|---|---|---|
| Pace | ✅✅✅✅✅ (99) | ✅✅✅✅🟨 (93-96) |
| Crossing | ✅✅✅✅🟨 (90+) | ✅✅✅🟨⬜ (85-89) |
| Weak Foot | 4★ | Often 3★ |
| Price | Relatively Affordable | Extremely Expensive |
7. Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool: The Passing Maestro
TAA's evolution in-game mirrors his real-life shift into midfield. His cards in 2026 are wild! We've seen central midfielder (CM/CDM) promo cards with passing stats that look like they're from a created player. But his full-back cards are still incredibly viable, especially if you use the Falseback tactic.
Imagine this: you're attacking, and your RB is making overlapping runs with 90+ passing, curve, and vision. Every cross is a danger, every through ball is perfect. He's not your typical defensive rock, but if you want your full-back to be your primary playmaker, no one does it better.
6. Lauren Hemp – Manchester City WFC: Kelly's Left-Footed Twin
Want to recreate the England women's team wing partnership in FUT? Pair Chloe Kelly with Lauren Hemp. It's the perfect link dream! Hemp is essentially the left-sided version, offering even more raw pace and dribbling. The trade-off in shooting is negligible when you're just zooming past defenders for a cut-back.
The chemistry system makes them a dream duo. Even if you only have these two from the women's leagues, surrounded by English men's players, you'll hit full chemistry easily. They provide the width, pace, and chaos that breaks down any defensive setup.
5. Declan Rice – Arsenal: The Midfield Pillar
In a world craving dominant CDMs, Declan Rice stands tall. His in-game presence is massive. He might not have the flashy 90+ stats in dribbling or shooting, but his defensive awareness, strength, and ball-winning abilities are top-tier. He's the player who consistently outperforms his face stats.
His links are also S-tier for an English squad. Arsenal connection? Check. Strong link to Bukayo Saka and other English Gunners? Check. He's the foundational piece that allows your flashy attackers to stay forward without worry.
Why Rice is a MUST:
-
🛡️ Defensive AI: Always in the right position to intercept.
-
💪 Physical Presence: Wins 90% of shoulder-to-shoulder battles.
-
🎯 Progressive Passing: Can start attacks from deep reliably.
4. Lauren James – Chelsea FC Women: The 5-Star Skill Magician
If you love skill moves, look no further. Lauren James is, hands down, one of the most fun English players to use. Five-star skill moves on a card with her pace and shooting is a lethal combination. She's the ultimate "get-out-of-jail-free" card when you're stuck against a deep defensive line.
Her chemistry with other Chelsea women (and men) players makes her easy to hybrid into squads. She plays like a premium Neymar-type card but for a fraction of the cost. An absolute game-changer in the hands of a skilled player.
3. Kyle Walker – Manchester City: The Pace Never Dies
Year after year, promo after promo, Kyle Walker's cards are a cheat code. His base Pace is always among the highest for defenders, and his special cards are just unfair. In 2026, we've likely seen a "Flashback" or "End of an Era" card that gives him even more well-rounded stats.
He is the definitive answer to stopping the fastest wingers in the game. Need to catch up to a 99-paced winger who's through on goal? Sub on Kyle Walker. His links are also perfect for that strong Man City/English core with Foden, Stones, etc.
2. Bukayo Saka – Arsenal: Mr. Consistent
Starboy delivers, both in real life and in FUT. Saka's card progression has been a steady climb to elite status. While he may lack 5-star skills, what he offers is relentless reliability. Pace, dribbling, passing, shooting—he has no glaring weakness.
His special cards, especially ones that boost his weak foot, become central threats. He can play RW, RM, or even as a central attacking midfielder. He's the player you can always count on to make the right run and finish the chance.
1. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid: The Undisputed King 👑
Was there ever any doubt? Jude Bellingham isn't just the best English player in Ultimate Team; he's consistently in the conversation for the best overall card in the game. His special cards are the stuff of legends. We're talking 99-rated TOTY, TOTS, and unique promo cards that can play anywhere from CDM to CAM to CF.
He is the definition of a "complete" midfielder:
-
🥾 Shooting of a striker
-
🎨 Passing of a playmaker
-
💪 Defending and physicality of a destroyer
-
✨ 4-star skills and weak foot for flair
Building an English squad without Bellingham is like making a sandwich without bread. He's the essential, game-winning superstar. Saving up your coins for his best available card is the single most impactful move you can make for your Ultimate Team.
Final Thoughts for 2026:
The English talent pool in EA Sports FC 25 remains stacked. The key is blending the relentless pace of the women's wingers (Kelly, Hemp, James) with the technical mastery of the men's stars (Bellingham, Foden, Saka) and the defensive solidity of players like Rice and Walker. Start with a budget-friendly core from the women's leagues, grind those objectives and Squad Battles, and slowly work your way up to the crown jewels like Bellingham. Your all-English dream team is waiting to conquer the Weekend League! Good luck, managers! 🏆
Comments