The FC 25 transfer market is reeling, and the center back crash is the headline. For the second straight day, prices for top-tier defenders have dropped off a cliff. Whether you’re holding icons, RTTFs, or Foot Birthday cards, your CBs have probably lost value – some by as much as 50%.
EA’s decision to finally release usable, affordable center back content through SBCs and Evolutions has completely shifted demand. Add in new grinds, stacked upgrade packs, and heavy store content, and it’s clear that the market isn’t just down – it’s getting hit from all angles.
Upamecano SBC destroys defender values across the board
The biggest market mover? Dayot Upamecano’s new SBC. For just 5–6 squads (including two super cheap ones), you get a five-star weak foot, live Road to the Final center back with 90 pace, 90 defending, and 92 physical. Add Defender+ and Bruiser+ and you’ve got a starter for almost any squad.
This single SBC caused a chain reaction across the market. Ruben Dias, who was 400K earlier in the week, is now 220K. Desailly has collapsed from 315K to 180K. Even Ledley King is down to 114K. Cards that were safe holds last week are now in full freefall. And it’s not just the mid-tier names – icons and premium defenders are getting slammed too.
High-end defenders take huge hits – no one is safe
Icons and heroes are feeling it just as bad, if not worse. Jaap Stam dropped from 1.7 million to 1.4 million. Rio Ferdinand has slipped into the 1.29–1.3 million range. Even top-of-the-line CBs like Araujo went from 570K to 370K in a matter of days.
The problem? It’s not just one SBC. This is now two straight days of elitecenter back content from EA, and players are reacting. Cheaper alternatives with similar or better stats (and often live status) are flooding into Weekend League squads. That’s killing demand for older, static options.
The PlayStyle+ factor is adding pressure
One of the key reasons the crash is so aggressive: PlayStyles.
Upamecano may lack Anticipate+, but he comes with strong enough stats to make up for it – and the fact that he’s live means upgrades are possible. EA has shown a pattern: if a card has 90+ pace and elite physicals, people don’t care as much about traits. Price and usability matter more.
Meanwhile, defenders that were once valued for rare traits like Anticipate+ or Intercept+ are now falling behind. Even Desailly, who still has meta traits, is down bad purely because the value isn’t there anymore.
Are rebounds coming? Only for a select few
Let’s answer the big question: Will center backs rebound?
The answer depends on the card. If you’re holding mid-tier, over-supplied defenders like Dias, Desailly, or King, the chances are low. The release of another top-tier SBC or EVO could push them even further down.
However, rare, elite, expensive cards like Jaap Stam, Rio Ferdinand, or Fantasy Tchouaméni may bounce back. Players with millions of coins aren’t running Upamecano in their main squad forever. When Weekend League rolls around, they’ll still want the best. The key is finding the timing—and that’s risky in a market that keeps moving down.
Learn more about the FUT Market from TheFutAccountant.
Store player picks aren’t helping either
Market pressure isn’t just coming from SBCs and Evolutions. EA’s latest store pack – Afterparty Encore Player Pick—is another reason the market’s down.
This 300K player pick includes a chance at packing Team of the Year cards. The odds? Roughly 10%. But the reality? Most people pull mid-tier fodder, flooding the market even further.
This pack is limited to five per account and vanishes after 24 hours. Still, the damage is done. Supply hits from this pack, plus ongoing grinds and objectives, are pushing prices across the board downward – especially for special cards that are already in packs.
Fodder sees split movement—highs up, mids still low
Another trend affecting the market: the split in fodder pricing.
High-rated fodder (90+) is up significantly. Players are investing hard into the Ruud Gullit SBC and other high-tier options. Meanwhile, middle fodder (86–88) remains dirt cheap. For example:
- 86s are sitting around 4K
- 87s at 7K
- 88s at 11K
These prices are near all-time lows. If EA refreshes the 88+ Hero or 87+ Icon SBCs, we could see a short-term rebound. But until then, the demand just isn’t there.
If you’re holding 92+ rated cards? It’s a good time to sell. Prices are peaking. If you’re holding mid-rateds? Be patient, or use them to complete SBCs like Macario, who gives you a 92-rated card for just 71K.
Dreamchasers cards are tanking too—except Harry Kane
Even the newest promo team isn’t safe. Dreamchasers Day 2 cards dropped fast:
- Pajor fell from 650K to 370K
- Marcus Llorente dipped to 1M, then bounced, then dipped again
- Matheus Cunha, Archie Gray, and others are all down big
The only one holding firm? Harry Kane. The Bayern striker is apparently cracked in-game, and he’s one of the few cards holding his value.
Still, with reward supply coming in and the store pick creating even more pressure, the rest of this team is expected to continue dipping.
FAQ: FC 25 Center Back Market Crash
Why are center back prices dropping sharply?
EA released affordable SBCs like Upamecano, flooding the market with better, cheaper alternatives.
Will defender prices recover soon?
Only rare, elite cards may rebound slightly; mid-tier defenders are unlikely to recover quickly.
Should I sell my high-rated fodder now?
Yes, 90+ rated fodder is currently peaking—it’s a good time to sell.
Are Dreamchasers promo cards safe investments?
Generally no, except for exceptional cases like Harry Kane, most Dreamchasers cards are declining rapidly.
