Modern full-backs do a bit of everything: sprint recovery, progression under pressure, underlaps, overlaps, and, increasingly, midfield duties in build-up. In Career Mode, the sweet spot is a defender who can start now and still climb several overall points with minutes and targeted development. Below is a balanced shortlist of 25 left-backs and right-backs—grouped by role and budget—that consistently deliver in long saves.

Note: player clubs, overalls, and valuations shift with title updates. Growth curves and role fits are the reliable constants: give them meaningful minutes, pick the right development plans, and reassess at each window.

Immediate-impact full-backs (ready for top-flight minutes)

  • Theo Hernández (LB) — Elite physical profile and end product; plug-and-play on either touchline in aggressive systems.
  • Alphonso Davies (LB) — Pace, carrying, and recovery defending make him transformational for transition-heavy teams.
  • Nuno Mendes (LB) — Two-way contributor who holds his own defensively and adds width without overcommitting.
  • Trent Alexander‑Arnold (RB) — Deep-lying playmaker at full-back; set pieces and switches change how you attack.
  • Jeremie Frimpong (RB) — Relentless overlapping runner; ideal if you rely on wide overloads and quick cutbacks.
  • Pedro Porro (RB) — High-volume crosser with solid ball-striking; pairs well with a target striker.
  • Reece James (RB) — Balanced athletic and defensive base; dependable in back four or as a wing-back.

Value starters with upside (U23s who grow quickly)

  • Miguel Gutiérrez (LB) — Comfortable under pressure, reliable progression; becomes a steady top-flight starter with minutes.
  • Milos Kerkez (LB) — High-ceiling ball-carrier who adds final ball in year two; tailor a plan to crossing and stamina.
  • Quilindschy Hartman (LB) — Technically clean and strong in duels; fits inverted or “falseback” usage in build-up.
  • Andrea Cambiaso (RB/LB) — Rare two-footed full-back who flips flanks without a drop-off; great for tactical flexibility.
  • Malo Gusto (RB) — Agile 1v1 defender with recovery pace; jumps quickly with consistent starts.
  • Tiago Santos (RB) — Well-rounded modern profile; quick gains with targeted defensive positioning work.

Dual‑sided and role‑flexible (cover two positions from one slot)

  • Maxim De Cuyper (LB/RB) — Competent on both flanks; valuable depth if you rotate heavily or play in Europe.
  • Jorrel Hato (LB/CB) — Left-footed, positionally sharp, and strong enough to swing inside at CB when needed.
  • Arnau Martínez (RB) — Quick, composed, and productive in the final third; profiles as a long-term starter.

Budget gems and Road‑to‑Glory picks (cheap now, big returns later)

  • Jayden Oosterwolde (LB) — Size and speed out wide; adds a set‑piece target while covering huge ground in transition.
  • Tom Rothe (LB) — Tall, aerially strong left-back; noticeable growth curve with 25–30 starts.
  • Patrick Dorgu (LB) — Early defensive tools with room to expand his passing range; patient minutes pay off.
  • Lewis Hall (LB) — Composed on the ball, good engine; development plans focused on crossing and stamina show fast gains.
  • Kyriani Sabbe (RB/LB) — Two-sided coverage at a low fee; simplifies squad building in smaller budgets.
  • Guéla Doué (RB) — Physical, proactive defender; ideal year-one starter in second tiers or promoted sides.
  • Martim Fernandes (RB/LB) — One of the quickest risers among teenage full-backs; minutes accelerate the curve.
  • Conor Bradley (RB) — Energetic two-way wing-back; becomes a reliable assist source with repetition.

How we scoped this list

  • Ceiling and age first: priority on U23 players with clear growth headroom, plus a handful of day-one elite options for big clubs.
  • Role coverage: balanced left/right options, including dual-sided picks for flexible tactics and smaller squads.
  • Budget spread: from top-tier starters to RTG-friendly projects you can play into form.

Picking for your system

  • High line, front-foot press: favor pace and recovery (Davies, Frimpong, Sabbe, Oosterwolde). Add aggression and stamina via development plans.
  • Inverted/“falseback” build-up: seek first touch, passing, and composure (Hartman, Alexander‑Arnold, Cambiaso, Hato).
  • Crossing and set-piece volume: emphasize crossing and curve (Porro, James, Martínez) and train crossing early.
  • Wing-back systems: engine and 1v1 dribbling matter more (Kerkez, Gutiérrez, Gusto, Santos).

How to actually unlock their potential

  • Minutes over prestige: 20–30 meaningful appearances in year one typically beat a bench role at a bigger club.
  • Targeted plans for full-backs: sprint speed and stamina for up‑and‑down roles; crossing, ball control, and short passing for build-up; interceptions and defensive awareness for back-four stability.
  • Loan with intent: if you can’t guarantee minutes, loan to a club that uses full-backs prominently; recall if usage dips.
  • Secure contracts early: protect against wage spikes once the overall jumps two to three points.

Where ratings sit today

For context on day-one performance at right-back, check the official Right Back player ratings. For left-back, the series maintains a parallel breakdown on its Left Back player ratings page. These tables reflect Ultimate Team launch items and won’t mirror live form updates in other modes, but they’re a useful snapshot for initial scouting.

Quick shortlist (25)

  • Theo Hernández (LB)
  • Alphonso Davies (LB)
  • Nuno Mendes (LB)
  • Achraf Hakimi (RB)
  • Trent Alexander‑Arnold (RB)
  • Jeremie Frimpong (RB)
  • Pedro Porro (RB)
  • Reece James (RB)
  • Miguel Gutiérrez (LB)
  • Milos Kerkez (LB)
  • Quilindschy Hartman (LB)
  • Andrea Cambiaso (RB/LB)
  • Malo Gusto (RB)
  • Tiago Santos (RB)
  • Maxim De Cuyper (LB/RB)
  • Jorrel Hato (LB/CB)
  • Arnau Martínez (RB)
  • Jayden Oosterwolde (LB)
  • Tom Rothe (LB)
  • Patrick Dorgu (LB)
  • Lewis Hall (LB)
  • Kyriani Sabbe (RB/LB)
  • Guéla Doué (RB)
  • Martim Fernandes (RB/LB)
  • Conor Bradley (RB)

If you only grab one name per side: start at the top tier (Theo/Hakimi) if budget allows; otherwise, Kerkez and Martínez are the highest‑ROI bets that scale from mid-table to Europe within two seasons.