When it comes to building a strong team, starting at the back with FIFA 23 best young centre backs is always a good way to go. You can't lose if you don't concede a goal, but to do that you need to lock in on the centre back position.
While the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Thiago Silva are brilliant, they are super-expensive and coming to the end of their careers. That makes them a less-than-smart investment, but getting players with years ahead of them and some growth is going to give you the edge.
These players are likely to be even better come EA Sports FC, so you can use this list to crib up for next year too!
All ratings correct as of 21 April, 2023
FIFA 23 best young centre backs for career mode
What makes someone eligible for this list? Well, firstly they have to primarily play centre back. Midfielders or full backs who can fill in at centre back aren't included here. We want natural, primary-position centre backs only. The second part is age. We are only looking at players that start FIFA 23 career mode aged between 20 and 24. Those younger than that fall into the wonderkid centre backs bracket, while obviously anyone older than that has aged out!
There is a whole generation of athletic and talented centre backs coming through at the moment. You will be hard-pressed to pick between a lot of these players, and while some are at massive clubs, there are several who will be looking for a new challenge.
We've listed these by considerating what they can do right now but also how high their potential is. You might disagree with our list, but this is who we think are the best young centre backs in FIFA 23 career mode!
Fikayo Tomori (OVR 84 - POT 88)
Team: AC Milan
Age: 24
Nation: England
Chelsea fans were devastated when Fikayo Tomori left Stamford Bridge in 2021 on loan to AC Milan. That loan deal included an option to buy, and Milan didn't hesitate to pull the trigger on a £25 million move. The young Englishman has been brilliant for the Rossoneri since joining.
In FIFA 23 Tomori is a physical specimen. He's got 90 sprint speed, 84 strength, 83 jumping, and 80 acceleration. He can keep up with all but the fastest strikers, and out-muscle most of them too. He's obviously great without the ball, with 89 standing tackle, 86 defensive awareness, and 85 interceptions, but he can pick a pass too (73 short passing) and is decent in the air with 83 heading accuracy, though at 6'1" he isn't dominant in the air.
Eder Militao (OVR 84 - POT 89)
Team: Real Madrid
Age: 24
Nation: Brazil
Militao moved to Madrid in 2019 after a two-year spell at Porto. He's bedded into the team at Madrid well and become a key part of their defensive solidity recently.
In FIFA 23, Militao is a versatile CB that can also cover both fullback positions, but his quality is much deeper than that. As you would expect from a Brazilian, he is comfortable on the ball with 79 short passing and 74 ball control, but he is also an athletic player. His 88 sprint speed, 86 stamina, and 79 strength make him a force at the back.
He's also very good aerially despite his 6'1" frame, with 87 jumping and 87 heading accuracy.
William Saliba (OVR 83 - POT 89)
Team: Arsenal
Age: 21
Nation: France
After two years out on loan, William Saliba finally got his debut for Arsenal and quickly proved himself to be a brilliant young centre back. His quality and physicality is reflected in FIFA 23.
Saliba starts career mode with a terrific set of attributes. He's got 87 strength, 86 sprint speed, and 83 reactions to compete with forward physically. His defensive attributes are strong, with 87 standing tackle, 85 defensive awareness, and 85 interceptions, but he can also move the ball with 83 short passing.
Ronald Araujo (OVR 83 - POT 89)
Team: Barcelona
Age: 23
Nation: Uruguay
Barcelona has a few quality young defenders, but Ronald Araujo is the best of them. The Uruguayan centre back is another strong ball-playing defender who can be a threat at set pieces.
In FIFA 23 career mode Araujo has 86 strength, 85 sprint speed, and 81 reactions to compete for balls over the top. His defensive attributes are strong too, with 84 standing tackle, 84 sliding tackle, and 82 defensive awareness, while his 85 heading accuracy gives him an aerial edge.
Alessandro Bastoni (OVR 84 - POT 89)
Team: Inter
Age: 23
Nation: Italy
Inter's team is shedding players in real life, but in FIFA 23 they remain strong thanks to the quality of Alessandro Bastoni at the back.
Another physical centre back, Bastoni has 86 reactions, 82 strength, and 81 stamina. He lacks some of the speed of others, but makes up for it with 88 standing tackle, 87 defensive awareness, and 87 interceptions. He is also terrific on the ball, with 82 long passing and 78 short passing.
More FIFA 23 best young centre backs
Player | Team | Age | OVR | POT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Matthijs de Ligt | Bayern Munich | 22 | 85 | 89 |
Jules Kounde | Barcelona | 23 | 84 | 89 |
Sven Botman | Newcastle | 22 | 83 | 88 |
Josko Gvardiol | RB Leipzig | 20 | 82 | 89 |
Lisandro Martinez | Manchester United | 24 | 83 | 88 |
Cristian Romero | Tottenham Hotspur | 24 | 83 | 88 |
Dayot Upamecano | Bayern Munich | 23 | 83 | 87 |
Nico Schlotterbeck | Borussia Dortmund | 22 | 82 | 87 |
Gabriel | Arsenal | 24 | 82 | 86 |
Ibrahima Konate | Liverpool | 23 | 81 | 88 |
Even more best young players
Looking for young talent at other positions? We've got you covered. Check out our pieces below and you can build a whole squad of talented players with a long future ahead of them.