Full backs have had their wings clipped in FIFA 22, as changes to the defensive awareness stat mean they won’t be viable to play at centre back any more. What’s more, those overpowered down-the-line through balls have been nerfed as well. Goodness me, what did full-backs ever do to you, EA Sports?
While we wait to hear back from Vancouver, let’s run through some of the best options in FIFA 22 for filling those left and right back positions. Full-backs are often kept on Stay Back While Attacking in casual FIFA, so we tend to prioritise speed and defensive stats over other attributes, although if you’re looking for a wing-back who can run the line, many of these folks will cover that base too.
It’s also worth keeping an eye out for Objectives and SBCs, because EA does love to release special versions of full backs, and some of those cards are viable for the entire cycle. Isn’t that right, Rulebreakers Mukiele gang? Well, most of the cycle anyway.
Here are the best fullbacks in FIFA 22:
Premier League
- Kyle Walker (RB, England): One of Manchester City’s most effective transfers, Walker is one of those players who you can slot into a FIFA team and forget about for several months.
- Joao Cancelo (RB, Portugal): We still resent City for buying Cancelo from Juventus and ruining our CR7 links, but since he’s here we might as well use his fast, defensively effective card.
- Nelson Semedo (RB, Portugal): What is it about Portuguese right-backs in the Premier League? A great early-game option until you can afford Walker.
- Sergio Reguilon (LB, Spain): Famously went partying during Christmas lockdown even though Mourinho gave him some nice ham. In-game, he’s solid and dependable, but a little on the slow side.
- Alex Telles (LB, Brazil): He used to be a secret weapon from Liga NOS. Now he’s a bench-warmer at Man United, despite being better than Luke Shaw in FIFA 22.
- Hector Bellerin (RB, Spain): Arsenal’s stylish wantaway right-back is valued for his fantastic pace, and should serve you well for the early game.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB, England): Too slow, sadly, but if you can play around that, or perhaps swap him into central midfield with Custom Tactics, TAA is excellent.
- Andrew Robertson (LB, Scotland): Another player whose FIFA speed stats are a bit of a mystery, his defensive skills and passing mean he’s a good option.
- DeAndre Yedlin (RWB, USA): Pace and not a lot else, but he will be fairly cheap and a useful player for starter squads.
Ligue 1
- Bernat (LB, Spain): PSG has spent a fortune on excellent players in recent years, but it hasn’t splashed the cash on pacey left-backs for some reason, so Bernat is probably your best option.
- Youcef Atal (RB, Algeria): The versatile Algerian inevitably gets some excellent attack-focused special cards, but to start with he is a flexible and dependable full-back, albeit hard to link.
LaLiga
- Ferland Mendy (LB, France): Don’t act like you haven’t heard of Ferland Mendy. Mainstay of the meta rat, Mendy has speed, four-star skills and a five-star weak foot.
- Jordi Alba (LB, Spain): An expensive option that lacks the versatility of Ferland Mendy, Alba is the sort of card you won’t complain about in an untradeable pack.
- Jesus Navas (RB, Spain): Always a bit of a ‘nearly man’ at Man City, Navas has been rejuvenated in LaLiga and his full-back card is a great option.
Serie A
- Theo Hernandez (LB, France) Always excellent, Hernandez has pace and strong defensive stats. Certainly the best left-back for Serie A.
- Juan Cuadrado (RB, Colombia): Hard to link, although you could potentially put him next to Davinson Sanchez in a hybrid, Cuadrado’s five-star skills and Cristiano Ronaldo club connection means he is popular mid-game.
Bundesliga
- Alphonso Davies (LB, Canada): Arguably the world’s best full-back at the moment, Davies is hard to link, but he’s the only player you want at left back in the Bundesliga.
- Kevin Mbabu (RB, Switzerland): Another with difficult links, Mbabu is a flashy presence on the pitch and a fast, dependable full-back.
- Nordi Mukiele (RB, France): Easier to link but a little on the slow side, Mukiele is a good option for early-game Bundesliga teams.
So there you have it, the best full backs in FIFA 22. These players are bound to have a considerable impact on your team when the FIFA 22 release date finally rolls around.
