FIFA 19 Career Mode: Best young left backs (LB) to sign

Full backs have been transformed over the past ten years from one of the quietest positions on the pitch to one of the most crucial. In some teams, the left back is the more important out of the two, providing the left footed option on the flank, whipping balls into the box. They also need to do their defensive duty, coming up against some of the best right wingers in the world.

With so few genuine world class options at left back (LB) out there, you are better off going for a slightly younger player who can develop into one of the best on the planet. You will save yourself cash too, with players aged 23 or younger at least four years away from their peak.

How to choose the best young left backs (LBs) on FIFA 19’s Career Mode

These are the best young left backs (LBs) on FIFA 19 Career Mode. They are aged 23 and under at the start of Career Mode, holding an overall rating of at least 75 but can climb to a potential of 80 or more. Players who can be used in rotation at the moment, but will become definite starters in the years ahead.

Players are able to outgrow their potentials on Career Mode if they play regularly and exceptionally well for an extended period. Although you will save some cash buying these players before their prime, they don’t come cheap due to their superb potentials. Our top 10 has been compiled by looking at player stats, potential and age. 

For a full list of ALL the best young left backs, see the table at the bottom.

Lucas Hernandez (OVR 82 – POT 89)

Age: 22

Positions: LB, CB

Club: Atletico Madrid

Country: France

Work rate: Medium/High

Best stats: 86 sliding tackle, 84 sprint speed, 83 heading accuracy

Cost: £38 million

Wage: £46,000 a week

Now a World Cup winner, Lucas Hernandez was France’s starting left back as they marched all the way to gold in Russia over the summer. The Atletico man had his best season to date at club level too, coming in to Diego Simeone’s defence with Filipe Luis (OVR 85) injured for the second half of the campaign.

Left or centre back Hernandez prioritises defending, as shown by his high defensive work rate, 86 sliding tackle, 84 sprint speed and 83 heading accuracy. Those stats take the 22-year-old to an 82 overall with a potential of 89. To sign him, you will need around £38 million, with wages of £46,000 a week.

Alex Grimaldo (OVR 81 – POT 88)

Age: 23

Positions: LB

Club: Benfica

Country: Spain

Work rate: High/Medium

Best stats: 85 acceleration, 84 curve, 83 dribbling

Cost: £30 million

Wage: £12,000 a week

One of many talented Spanish left backs, Alex Grimaldo has become one of the finest defenders in Portugal since moving from Barcelona in 2016. The 23-year-old has now featured over 60 times for the Portuguese giants, notching 10 assists and winning two league titles and two domestic cups. 

Abilities of 85 acceleration, 84 curve and 83 dribbling take Grimaldo to an 81 overall which can improve to a potential of 88. You can pick up the former Spanish U21 international for £30 million with wages of £12,000 a week. 

Benjamin Mendy (OVR 81 – POT 87)

Age: 23

Positions: LB, LWB

Club: Manchester City

Country: France

Work rate: High/Low

Best stats: 86 crossing, 86 sprint speed, 81 strength

Cost: £29 million

Wage: £92,000 a week

Benjamin Mendy was back up to Lucas Hernandez during France’s World Cup campaign, and judging by his return from injury for Manchester City, a starting berth could in order. The 23-year-old has notched five assists in just 13 appearances for the Citizens, following his Ligue 1 title win at former club Monaco.

Be wary of signing Mendy however, with the left or wing back has a high attacking but low defensive work rate. Abilities of 86 crossing, 86 sprint speed and 81 strength take Mendy to an 81 overall which can improve to an 87 potential. A price of £29 million should be enough to sign him with wages of £92,000 a week on FIFA 19. 

Luke Shaw (OVR 79 – POT 84)

Age: 23

Positions: LB

Club: Manchester United

Country: England

Work rate: High/Medium

Best stats: 84 sprint speed, 81 dribbling, 81 crossing

Cost: £23.7 million (release clause)

Wage: £92,000 a week

Luke Shaw has had a difficult Manchester United career, but his form of this season has earned him another call up to the England squad. The 23-year-old has been plagued by injury since his move to Old Trafford, never playing more than 20 games in a season and having only earned eight England caps since making his debut in 2014.

Matching Shaw’s £23.7 million release clause will open negotiations with his wages costing £92,000 a week. His 79 overall can improve to an 84 potential, so there is still plenty of room for his abilities of 84 sprint speed, 81 dribbling and 81 crossing to improve. 

Jose Gaya (OVR 79 – POT 84)

Age: 23

Positions: LB, LM

Club: Valencia

Country: Spain

Work rate: High/Medium

Best stats: 87 sprint speed, 86 acceleration, 83 balance

Cost: £24 million

Wage: £31,000 a week

Jose Gaya made his debut for the Spanish national team in September, following great progress for Valencia over the past four seasons. Aged 23, the left back or midfielder has chalked up close to 150 appearances for the club, claiming 17 assists in that time. 

Gaya has abilities of 87 sprint speed, 86 acceleration and 83 balance to take his overall to 79, which will grow to a strong 84. £24 million and wages of £31,000 a week should see you get the young defender on FIFA 19. 

Aaron Martin (OVR 77 – POT 85)

Age: 21

Positions: LB

Club: Mainz (on loan from Espanyol)

Country: Spain

Work rate: High/Medium

Best stats: 79 interceptions, 79 standing tackle, 78 sliding tackle

Cost: n/a

Wage: £19,000 a week

Another Spanish let back, Aaron Martin is out on loan at German side Mainz despite performing consistently for Espanyol for the past three seasons. The defender played over 100 times for the Barcelona-based club, but has now gone straight into Mainz’s starting lineup in the Bundesliga.

With the 21-year-old out on loan, you will need to wait until the end of the season to sign him, when he will cost around £18 million with wages of £19,000 a week. His overall of 77 consists of stats of 79 interceptions, 79 standing tackle and 78 sliding tackle, which will improve as he approaches an 85 potential. 

Ferland Mendy (OVR 77 – POT 85)

Age: 23

Positions: LB

Club: Lyon

Country: France

Work rate: High/Medium

Best stats: 88 acceleration, 86 sprint speed, 80 dribbling

Cost: £18 million

Wage: £43,000 a week

A second left back named Mendy, Ferland Mendy has just had two fantastic campaigns. The first was for Le Havre in the French Ligue 2, which earned him a move to Lyon, and after 35 appearances last year, he found himself in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year. The 23-year-old bagged four assists in the league last year, and you feel international football may not be far away. 

A 77 overall for Mendy can rise to a potential of 85. His abilities of 88 acceleration, 86 sprint speed and 80 dribbling will cost around £18 million with wages of £43,000 a week. 

Kieran Tierney (OVR 76 – POT 86)

Age: 21

Positions: LB, LM, LWB, CB

Club: Celtic

Country: Scotland

Work rate: High/High

Best stats: 91 sprint speed, 87 acceleration, 87 stamina

Cost: £18 million

Wage: £35,000 a week

A high-flying full back, Kieran Tierney is also incredibly versatile, able to play at left back, left midfield, left wing back and centre back. Aged 21, Tierney’s rating is only bettered by Scott Brown (OVR 77) at Celtic, and it won’t be long before the defender is number one.

Scottish international Tierney costs £18 million on FIFA'19 Career Mode, with wages of £35,000 a week. That will get you his 76 overall which can improve to 86, along with his stats of 91 sprint speed, 87 acceleration and 87 stamina. 

Theo Hernandez (OVR 76 – POT 84)

Age: 20

Positions: LB, LWB

Club: Real Sociedad (on loan from Real Madrid)

Country: France

Work rate: Medium/Medium

Best stats: 93 sprint speed, 90 acceleration, 81 strength

Cost: n/a

Wage: £79,000 a week

Brother to Atletico Madrid’s Lucas, Theo Hernandez turned heads when on loan from Atletico at Deportivo Alaves two years ago, with rivals Real Madrid sniping in to sign him. Theo had to be patient behind Marcelo (OVR 88) last season, but still made 23 appearances. It looks as if Real would rather him playing week in, week out, with his loan to Real Sociedad leaving the Champions League winners with just one recognised first team left back this year.

Hernandez’s loan continues until the end of the season, so next year look to make a £17 million move for him along with wages of £79,000 a week. That will get you his 76 overall and 84 potential, along with abilities of 93 sprint speed, 90 acceleration and 81 strength. 

Ben Chilwell (OVR 76 – POT 84)

Age: 21

Positions: LB

Club: Leicester City

Country: England

Work rate: High/High

Best stats: 79 stamina, 78 acceleration, 77 sprint speed

Cost: £16 million

Wage: £42,000 a week

Ben Chilwell made his England debut in September after winning the left back spot at Leicester. The 21-year-old was second fiddle to Christian Fuchs (OVR 75) for some time, but made the breakthrough last season with 32 appearances in all competitions. He needs greater output going forward however, with just three assists during his 60 appearances for the club. 

79 stamina, 78 acceleration and 77 sprint speed provide Chilwell with a 76 overall on FIFA 19, which can increase to an 84 potential. You will need £16 million to sign him, along with wages of £42,000 a week. 

All best young left backs (LBs) on FIFA 19