Summary
Defensive midfielders, or CDMs, are essential players in football because they can disrupt play with tackles and interceptions while also assisting in transitioning the ball from the defence to the attack. This is why you must get a good defensive midfielder inFIFA 23’s Career Mode to take your team to the next level.
Ideally, it would help if you looked for younger players who can keep growing over the seasons as the team progresses. Getting such talents in the initial few seasons wouldn’t cost much; however, their value will eventually skyrocket as you continue in the Career Mode. In the section below, you may find a list of the best young CDMs to sign.
Updated on July 16, 2025 by Nishant Thakkar:The list has been expanded with more options so that you can pick from multiple different players and placed in order with consideration for updated overall ratings.
The ratings and potentials outlined below are as of FIFA 23’s May Squad Update.
15Roméo Lavia, Southampton
If you want to sign a good CDM for cheap, Roméo Lavia would be the perfect man for you. He will only cost a couple of millions to sign in FIFA 23, and the amount spent on the Belgian wonderkid would undoubtedly be worth it.
Despite Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League, this 70-rated player was one of their best performers this season. Given his 83 potential in the game, he will develop into a fantastic defensive midfielder throughout the seasons that you play in the Career Mode.
14Eric Martel, FC Köln
Like Roméo Lavia, Eric Martel proves to be an excellent budget-friendly defensive midfielder you can acquire when managing a club with little money. The German footballer has recently started gaining recognition following his superb performances for FC Köln in the Bundesliga.
Speaking of his overall rating in Career Mode, he begins at 72 and features a potential to glide to 84. He also adapts well tothe Centre Back role, and if you lack players for that position, you can convert Eric Martel and place him there.
13Stefan Bajcetic, Liverpool
Stefan Bajcetic happens to be one of the brightest upcoming talents in world football, and he is in the perfect team to develop, with Jürgen Klopp known to nurture players into world-class superstars. He would be the ideal young defensive midfielder to sign in FIFA 23’s Career Mode, particularly when you are going for a longer rebuild.
The Spanish prospect comes with an overall rating of 69, whereas his potential in the game stands at 85. If you cannot procure him directly, attempt to sign him on a loan-to-buy deal.
12João Gomes, Wolves
The Premier League is full of quality footballers, and one excellent player you should get for the defensive midfielder role would be João Gomes. The Brazilian would not be overly expensive in the initial couple of seasons, and it would be the perfect decision to buy him to become the stone of your midfield.
EA has rated João Gomes a rating of 76, and he will eventually be able to reach 85. As a result of dynamic player potential, he might be able to go past that number, and you must give him regular game time.
11Amadou Onana, Everton
Amadou Onana was instrumental in Everton avoiding relegation in the 2022-2023 season, contributing to the club’s legacy of never being relegated from the Premier League. The young prospect is solid on the ball and is considered the future of Belgian’s midfield.
With a rating of 75 and a potential of 85, purchasing him would be a great option inside the game. You may even convert him to a Center Midfielder and make him play the Box to Box role as a result of his high attacking work rate.
10Samuele Ricci, Torino
Samuele Ricci is a highly talented Italian CDM who has caught the attention of several top European clubs due to his outstanding performances for Torino during the recent Serie A season. He possesses great playmaking skills, and his defending capabilities are not too shabby as well, making him a great purchase in the Career Mode.
Essentially, he begins at a 75 overall, and you maysign him for not much moneyin the initial few seasons. Nonetheless, as he develops towards his 85 potential, his value will rise, and you will have to pay big bucks to get your hands on him.
9Mohamed Camara, AS Monaco
AS Monaco has a gem in the form of Mohamed Camara, and the Mali international has been the heart of their midfield. He is someone you must have on your shortlist within the Career Mode, and getting him for the right price would secure the CDM position for seasons to come.
With a rating of 78, he will fit directly into the starting role, and it will take him a couple of seasons to rise to his full potential of 85. You may put in appropriate development plans to speed up his growth.
8Moisés Caicedo, Brighton
Moisés Caicedo is another quality defensive midfielder you could end up signing for your side in FIFA 23. He is among the various players Brighton has developed in recent years, and he will undoubtedly be an asset to whichever midfield he is a part of.
Besides the defensive midfielder position, the Ecuadorian could also put in a shift in the centre midfield position, but it would be better to use him at CDM. Looking at Moisés Caicedo’s numbers, he starts the initial season with a rating of 78, while his potential sits at 85.
7Oliver Skipp, Tottenham Hotspur
Oliver Skipp has arisen from the academy of Tottenham Hotspur, and he has finally become a regular starter for the north London-based club. He is a great CDM to buy in FIFA 23’s Career Mode, and he comes with a rating of 77.
Over the seasons, the young Englishman has the potential to reach 83, and he might even cross that with dynamic player potential in place. Although he is not that fast enough, his decent defending and dribbling make him a valuable player on the pitch.
6Alan Varela, Boca Juniors
Argentina has historically produced a plethora of talented footballers, with Alan Varela rising as one of the upcoming players to watch out for. He plays for Boca Juniors and has consistently performed well in the midfield, which is why you should consider him as one of the options for your club in FIFA 23.
He possesses a rating of 76 in the game, making him decent enough for even all the top-tier teams. Meanwhile, his potential is 84, and he will quickly grow past 80 in two or three seasons.
