A top-quality central defensive midfielder can sometimes go overlooked, but you will find them an essential part of your squad in FIFA 22 Career Mode.
There aren't masses of players to pick from in the position, so why not look to invest in a wonderkid, buying cheap and then training them up to be one of the best around.
Check out who the best wonderkid CDMs are to sign on FIFA 22 below, and give your defence the protection it deserves.
What makes a wonderkid CDM?
For a real wonderkid players need to be a teenager upon your first FIFA 22 save, so that means Sandro Tonali will not be on the list!
Romeo Lavia (OVR 62 - POT 85)
Age: 17
Position(s): CDM
Club: Manchester City
Value: £1 million (Release clause: £2.9 million)
Wage: £602 per week
He helped his team to win the Premier League 2 title and was voted Player of the Season, and is now in Manchester City's first team.
Fernandinho has taken Romeo Lavia under his wing and the youngster hopes to emulate his success.
Amadou Onana (OVR 72 - POT 84)
Age: 19
Position(s): CDM, CM
Club: Lille
Value: £4.7 million (Release clause: £9.9 million)
Wage: £9,000 per week
A giant at 6'5", and already with 79 Strength, expect Amadou Onana to become a real powerhouse.
He is a new recruit at Lille and will be looking to impose his physicality in Ligue 1.
David Ayala (OVR 68 - POT 84)
Age: 18
Position(s): CDM, CM
Club: Portland Timbers
Value: £2.5 million (Release clause: £5.3 million)
Wage: £817 per week
David Ayala is a small and nippy CDM, more interested in intercepting loose passes than getting into physical battles.
At 5'8" and with 49 Strength, don't expect his physicality to improve much with potential.
Eric Martel (OVR 67 - POT 84)
Age: 19
Position(s): CDM, CB
Club: Austria Wien (Loaned from RB Leipzig)
Value: £1.8 million
Wage: £7,000 per week
Eric Martel has started every league game he can for Austria Wien this season and popped up with some goal involvements.
He has a decent jump on him and is 6'2", so can intercept balls over the top well.
Daniel Samek (OVR 72 - POT 83)
Age: 17
Position(s): CDM, CM
Club: Slavia Praha
Value: £3.9 million (Release clause: £8.9 million)
Wage: £430 per week
This could be a real steal of a signing on your FIFA 22 Career Mode, with Daniel Samek already at 72 OVR he could easily contribute to the side from the start.
This guy has it all, with the only attributes below 60 being jumping and penalties, and he excels on the ball and passing.
Alan Varela (OVR 69 - POT 83)
Age: 19
Position(s): CDM, CM
Club: Boca Juniors
Value: £2.7 million (Release clause: £5.4 million)
Wage: £3,000 per week
Argentine teenager Alan Varela is tidy on the ball with 76 Short Passing and 73 Ball Control, so is more of a deep-lying playmaker than midfield enforcer.
Low and Medium work rates are a bit of a concern, but Varela can become a top player given the chance.
Dario Essugo (OVR 65 - POT 83)
Age: 16
Position(s): CDM, CM
Club: Sporting CP
Value: £1.5 million (Release clause: £3.8 million)
Wage: £430 per week
A new addition to the game, Dario Essugo is an up and coming Portuguese playmaker.
His physical stats may worry you, but at 16, there is plenty of time for them - and all his other attributes - to shoot up.
Lewis Bate (OVR 63 - POT 83)
Age: 18
Position(s): CDM, CM
Club: Leeds United
Value: £1.1 million (Release clause: £3.2 million)
Wage: £3,000 per week
A product of the Chelsea academy, Lewis Bate has moved to Leeds United, probably because Chelsea graduates don't always enjoy the best start to their careers.
He isn't the most defensively minded CDM, and being small in size could end up playing like someone such as Verratti.
Joris Chotard (OVR 74 - POT 82)
Age: 19
Position(s): CDM, CM
Club: Montpellier
Value: £7.3 million (Release clause: £16.1 million)
Wage: £9,000 a week
Joris Chotard initially saw his potential reduced, but with recent performances, it has risen, as has his overall rating, now +4 from when the game was released.
Defensively he is already pretty capable, with decent agility and ball control to turn defence into attack quickly.
Lucas Gourna (OVR 71 - POT 82)
Age: 17
Position(s): CDM, CM
Club: Saint-Etienne
Value: £3.1 million (Release clause: £6.8 million)
Wage: £731 a week
Lucas Gourna picked up a lot of appearances last season in Ligue 1 and will look to take that experience to develop as a player.
He's decent all-round, but may struggle by not specialising in a certain aspect.
Needing first team players?
If you're in need of a player to fix your first team right away, you may not want to wait for these wonderkids to fulfil their potential.
If that's the case, then check out the best young CDMs on FIFA 22.
They will cost a lot more than the options on this list but are more than capable to slip into most teams around, and also have great potential so you are still investing in the future of your club.
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