They say attack is the best form of defence, but how does that explain the growing prices of defenders in recent years.
If you want a solid base in your Career Mode for the next decade, picking up a centre back aged 23 and under is the way to go.
How to choose the best young centre backs (CB) on FIFA 21 Career Mode
When looking at the best young left backs on FIFA 21 Career Mode, we’ve looked at the best players that are aged 23 or under, with an overall of at least 77.
They all have the potential to reach at least 81, so should be a mainstay in your side for the best part of a decade.
Matthijs de Ligt (OVR 85 - POT 92)
Age: 20
Position(s): CB
Value (Release Clause): £44.6 million (£82.4 million)
Wage: £72,000
Still finding his feet at Juventus, it's easy to forget Matthijs de Ligt is just 20 years old.
The centre back is set to be one of the brightest talents in world football, after leading Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals aged just 19.
Joe Gomez (OVR 83 - POT 88)
Age: 23
Position(s): CB
Value (Release Clause): £27.9 million (£53.7 million)
Wage: £84,000
It's hard to tell how good Joe Gomez actually is, with the 23-year-old having the honour of playing alongside Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool.
Blessed with great pace, and comfortable on the ball, the young England international has a bright future ahead of him.
Ruben Dias (OVR 81 - POT 87)
Age:23
Position(s):CB
Value (Release Clause): £19.8 million (£40.6 million)
Wage: £95,000
Arriving for big money (£48 million), there's going to be plenty of expectation on Ruben Dias.
On Career Mode, it'll be likely you'll have to wait for a year to sign for Dias, where he could be around an 83 OVR, making his £40.6 million release clause a steal!
Eder Militao (OVR 80 - POT 87)
Age:22
Position(s):CB, RB
Value (Release Clause):£17.1 million (£38.5 million)
Wage: £104,000
Patiently waiting for his opportunity at Real Madrid, Eder Militao is likely to come in for 34-year-old skipper Sergio Ramos in next two years.
With a potential of 87 and release clause of £40 million, bringing in the Brazilian would be a very smart signing.
Dayot Upamecano (OVR 79 - POT 90)
Age: 21
Position(s):CB
Value (Release Clause): £18 million (£34.2 million)
Wage: £32,000
One of the hottest defensive prospects in world football, it was a surprise to see Dayot Upamecano sign a new contact at RB Leipzig this summer.
We'd still anticipate the French international to be in demand next year, so you better act fast in Career Mode.
Jules Kounde (OVR 79 - POT 86)
Age: 21
Position(s):CB
Value (Release Clause): £14.4 million (Release clause: £33.1 million)
Wage: £18,000
A young star you may not have heard of, Jules Kounde is making waves in La Liga.
The 21-year-old moved from Bordeaux to Sevilla for around £23 million, and made a huge 40 appearances last term as Los Palanganas won the the Europa League once again.
Dan-Axel Zagadou (OVR 79 - POT 86)
Age: 21
Position(s): CB
Value (Release Clause): £14.4 million (£27.4 million)
Wage: £34,000
Dortmund fans will be hoping this is the season Dan-Axel Zagadou kicks on.
Injuries and competition reduced the Frenchman to just 15 Bundesliga appearances last term, falling behind Mats Hummels and Manuel Akanji in the pecking order.
Edmond Tapsoba (OVR 78 - POT 88)
Age: 21
Position(s): CB
Value (Release Clause): £14 million (£26.5 million)
Wage: £34,000
Another new game, Edmon Taposba only signed for Bayer Leverkusen back in January, but is showing great promise.
The Burkina Faso man earned the move after just 32 games for Portuguese outfit Vitoria Guimaraes where he scored a useful 9 goals.
Ibrahima Konate (OVR 78 - POT 88)
Age: 21
Position(s): CB
Value (Release Clause): £14 million (£26.5 million)
Wage: £29,000
Another superb French young defender, Ibrahima Konate partners Dayot Upamecano at RB Leipzig.
If the German outfit can somehow keep the pair, could they be building a Bundeliga-winning squad?
Pau Torres (OVR 78 - POT 86)
Age:23
Position(s):CB
Value (Release Clause): £12.6 million (£29 million)
Wage: £23,000
Part of the new-look Spanish national team, this could be an interesting campaign for Pau Torres, culminating with the European Championships.
With Villarreal signing Dani Parejo, Francis Coquelin and loanee Takefusa Kubo - keep an eye on El Submarino Amarillo this term.
All the best Young Centre Backs
| Player | Age | Pos | Club | Country | OVR | POT | V | W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. de Ligt | 20 | CB | Piemonte | Holland | 85 | 92 | £44.6m | £72k |
| J. Gomez | 23 | CB | Liverpool | England | 83 | 88 | £27.9m | £84k |
| Rúben Dias | 23 | CB | Man City | Portugal | 81 | 87 | £19.8m | £95k |
| Éder Militão | 22 | CB RB | Real Madrid | Brazil | 80 | 87 | £17.1m | £104k |
| J. Koundé | 21 | CB | Sevilla | France | 79 | 86 | £14.4m | £18k |
| D. Zagadou | 21 | CB | Borussia Dortmund | France | 79 | 86 | £14.4m | £34k |
| D. Upamecano | 21 | CB | RB Leipzig | France | 79 | 90 | £18m | £32k |
| E. Tapsoba | 21 | CB | Bayer Leverkusen | Burkina Faso | 78 | 88 | £14m | £34k |
| Pau Torres | 23 | CB | Villarreal | Spain | 78 | 86 | £12.6m | £23k |
| Unai Núñez | 23 | CB | Athletic Bilbao | Spain | 78 | 84 | £11.7m | £18k |
| I. Konaté | 21 | CB | RB Leipzig | France | 78 | 88 | £14m | £29k |
| Gabriel | 22 | CB | Arsenal | Brazil | 78 | 85 | £11.7m | £53k |
| Antônio Chiamuloira | 20 | CB LB | Internacional | Brazil | 78 | 78 | £9m | £18k |
| D. Ćaleta-Car | 23 | CB | Marseille | Croatia | 78 | 82 | £10.8m | £28k |
| N. Elvedi | 23 | CB | 'Gladbach | Switz. | 78 | 84 | £11.7m | £27k |
| Ferro | 23 | CB | Benfica | Portugal | 77 | 84 | £10.4m | £10k |
| O. Kabak | 20 | CB | Schalke | Turkey | 77 | 87 | £11.7m | £17k |
| M. Senesi | 23 | CB | Feyenoord | Argentina | 77 | 84 | £10.4m | £11k |
| Luiz Felipe | 23 | CB | Lazio | Brazil | 77 | 85 | £10.8m | £37k |
| I. Diop | 23 | CB | West Ham | France | 77 | 84 | £10.4m | £28k |
| T. Kehrer | 23 | CB RB | PSG | Germany | 77 | 82 | £9.5m | £47k |
| M. Holgate | 23 | CB RB | Everton | England | 77 | 81 | £9.5m | £50k |