FIFA 23 Wonderkid CDMs: France & Belgium dominant!

To achieve lasting success you need FIFA 23 wonderkid CDMs. While everyone loves to focus on attacking threats, it's no good scoring 4 goals if you are going to concede 5!

CDMs have long been the uncelebrated engines of great teams. From Claude Makelele to Sergio Busquets and N'Golo Kante, they provide the solid foundation of both possession and defensive solidity for teams.

So if you want to find the next great CDM, or just get an idea of who might be dominant in EA Sports FC then this is the piece for you!

All ratings accurate as of 13 April

FIFA 23 wonderkid CDMs

Before we get started on listing out players, we should clarify exactly what makes qualifies someone for a FIFA 23 wonderkid CDMs list. We are looking for players that start the FIFA 23 Career Mode aged 19 or younger and have their primary position as CDM.

They can be a natural elsewhere on the park, usual CM or CB, but they must have their best rating at the CDM position. We will be listing players by their potential, as that is the most important thing with wonderkids. Very few hit the pitch and are amazing right away, so it's their ceiling of ability rather than their

Eduardo Camavinga (80 OVR - 89 POT)

Team: Real Madrid

Position: CDM, CM

Age: 19

Nation: France

Eduardo Camavinga was once a hidden gem of both FIFA and Football Manager, but the whole world knows who this teenager is now. Following his big move to Real Madrid, Camavinga continues to develop as a do-it-all midfielder and is still just 19 when FIFA 23's Career Mode starts.

As a left-footed CDM Camavinga is a very useful player with a high/high work rate and four-star skill moves.

He's got a super-high 89 potential, and starts the game with 85 ball control, 84 short passing, 81 stamina, and 81 agility. He can get up and down the field and contribute everywhere.

Camavinga also has 82 composure, 80 standing tackle, and 77 interceptions to be strong without the ball too.

Arthur Vermeeren (68 OVR - 87 POT)

Team: Antwerp

Position: CDM, CM

Age: 17

Nation: Belgium

If you are looking for a cheap player that can grow over time then Arthur Vermeeren is the one for you. Antwerp's 17-year-old CDM has a release clause of just €6.2m, which means he is one for nearly any team.

Vermeeren is far from the finished product, but the teenager has a huge 87 potential and brings a four-star weak foot along with medium/high work rate. He starts with 78 balance, 77 stamina, and 74 short passing as his best attributes. While he's not going to challenge Camavinga for a spot in the Real Madrid squad, if you are starting with a Championship team or a rebuilding project then he is perfect.

Romeo Lavia (67 OVR - 86 POT)

Team: Southampton

Position: CDM

Age: 18

Nation: Belgium

A second Belgian, but one a little better known! Romeo Lavia joined Southampton last summer from Manchester City and looks well on his way to stardom despite The Saints' struggles this season.

Lavia doesn't have any big standout attributes apart from 74 short passing and 72 ball control, but he is a very well balanced player. His 69 standing tackle is matched with 67 dribbling, and 66 sprint speed. He's something of a blank canvas for players to create a masterpiece.

Stefan Bajcetic (69 OVR - 85 POT)

Team: Liverpool

Position: CDM

Age: 17

Nation: Spain

When FIFA 23 first released few people would have heard of Stefan Bajcetic, but the Spanish teenager has seen plenty of first-team action as Liverpool's midfield has come under huge scrutiny this season.

Bajectic is much more of a possession CDM than a ball-winner, with his 75 composure, 74 ball control, and 71 short passing exactly as you would expect from a Spanish CDM.

Johann Lepenant (73 OVR - 83 POT)

Team: Olympique Lyonnais

Position: CDM, CM

Age: 19

Nation: France

A player that is a bit more ready for big games is Lyon CDM Johann Lepenant. He's broken into OL's first team this season after joining from Caen in the summer, and has made an immediate impact.

He's a well-rounded player in FIFA 23, with 78 stamina, 77 short passing, and 74 long passing along with 71 standing tackle. He can do a bit of everything at the base of your midfield, and is definitely a future star.

More FIFA 23 wonderkid CDMs

EA Sports FC

EA has taken the final step of permanently severing ties with FIFA as they have announced EA Sports FC.

This is the culmination of rising animosity between the two brands as their licensing agreement came to an end and EA refused to stump up the fee that FIFA wanted.

This means that there is no FIFA 24, at least not in name. We can fully expect EA Sports FC to be the same game FIFA 24 would have been. It is a big opportunity for EA to revolutionise their game though. Without the FIFA name they could put more emphasis on player creations and Ultimate Team. However, we fully expect the game to be similar to FIFA 23 in its gameplay and modes.

Players should expect EA Sports FC to arrive in the same late September release window that FIFA has traditionally occupied. There have been some rumours flying though, they suggest that the EA Sports FC release date could be pulled forward into August to match the start of the new season.

This would be awesome for players, but does put the game into the same release window that Madden 24 is expected to have. Would EA want their two biggest games of the year? We doubt it, but we can't wait to see what the new brand has in store for players!

Even more FIFA 23 wonderkids

If you need wonderkids for other positions, check out these pieces where we have listed out the best wonderkids for each position on the field!

• FIFA 23 wonderkid goalkeepers
• FIFA 23 wonderkid right backs
• FIFA 23 wonderkid centre backs
• FIFA 23 wonderkid left backs
• FIFA 23 wonderkid central midfielders
• FIFA 23 wonderkid attacking midfielders
• FIFA 23 wonderkid right wingers
• FIFA 23 wonderkid left wingers
• FIFA 23 wonderkid strikers