Acting like a shield for the defence and connecting the backline with the front, defensive midfielders will play a crucial role for your side in Football Manager 2022.
There are a few brilliant young talents already around in the position, with more coming through to challenge for the best.
Table of Contents
- Defining Best Young DMs
- Federico Valverde (CA 160 - PA 168)
- Manuel Locatelli (CA 153 - PA 167)
- Declan Rice (CA 152 - PA 170)
- Bruno Guimaraes (CA 139 - PA 160)
- Martin Zubimendi (CA 138 - PA 153)
- Jon Moncayola (CA 137 - PA 152)
- Frank Onyeka (CA 137 - PA 152)
- Douglas Luiz (CA 137 - PA 155)
- Boubacar Kamara (CA 136 - PA 159)
- Oliver Skipp (CA 135 - PA Range 140-170)
Read on to find out who the best young DMs to sign in FM22 are.
Defining Best Young DMs
Not as fresh-faced as wonderkids, we're classing 'young' as players 23 or under on your first FM22 save.
From ready-made stars to players waiting to make their breakthroughs, there's something on this list for everyone. Just make sure you swoop in before another European titan gets there first.
Federico Valverde (CA 160 - PA 168)
Age: 23
Club: Real Madrid
Value: £61-£95 million
Wage: £66,000 a week
Top of the list is Real Madrid player Federico Valverde, and it's only a matter of time before he takes over from one of the older midfield three.
With incredible pace for a DM, he can cover the ground and save your team from getting countered too easily.
Manuel Locatelli (CA 153 - PA 167)
Age: 23
Club: Zebre [Juventus] (on loan from Sassuolo)
Value: £28-£44 million
Wage: £91,000 a week
He may be on loan at Zebre (Juventus), but they've already decided to make that a permanent deal, so you'll be waiting to get hold of him if you want to sign the Italian.
Not just a defensive midfielder, he is a great box-to-box player, who can find the right pass just as easily as stopping attacks.
Declan Rice (CA 152 - PA 170)
Age: 22
Club: West Ham United
Value: £66-£82 million
Wage: £60,000 a week
Already captaining his club and getting regular starts for England, Declan Rice looks like a future captain for the country too.
Mobile and a solid wall in front of the defence, he will work hard for the team and could be the captain your club needs.
Bruno Guimaraes (CA 139 - PA 160)
Age: 23
Club: Olympique Lyonnais
Value: £42-£55 million
Wage: £42,500 a week
Get in a bit of Brazilian class with Bruno Guimaraes playing a holding role.
He doesn't lack defensive ability, but where he excels is being comfortable on the ball and playing out from the back.
Martin Zubimendi (CA 138 - PA 153)
Age: 22
Club: Real San Sebastian (Real Sociedad)
Value: £45-£55 million
Wage: £21,500 a week
Physically a great all-rounder, Maritn Zubimendi is another man who is great at being a deep-lying playmaker.
Although he is playing in La Liga, he will be wanting a move to a bigger team, so could you be the manager to make that deal?
Jon Moncayola (CA 137 - PA 152)
Age: 23
Club: Atletico Pamplona (Osasuna)
Value: £13-£21 million
Wage: £17,250 a week
You could get quite a bargain here, with Jon Moncayola available for as little as £13 million.
He has very solid attributes, without being outstanding in any, making him a very steady player in midfield.
Frank Onyeka (CA 137 - PA 152)
Age: 23
Club: Brentford
Value: £37-£45 million
Wage: £30,000 a week
One of the players that has made Brentford a surprise package this season, Frank Onyeka is an engine in the middle.
If you want someone to hunt down the ball tirelessly with pace and power, before offloading it to your creative stars, look no further than Onyeka.
Douglas Luiz (CA 137 - PA 155)
Age: 23
Club: Aston Villa
Value: £38-£61 million
Wage: £50,00 a week
Once a Manchester City player, that shows what a classy customer you have on your hands, even if City did end up letting him go.
Strong on the ball and in regaining it, Douglas Luiz may fancy a move to a bigger club once again.
Boubacar Kamara (CA 136 - PA 159)
Age: 21
Club: Olympique de Marseille
Value: £24-£39 million
Wage: £43,500 a week
Equally happy at centre-back or defensive-midfield, that shows how solid the cover will be that Boubacar Kamara can give you.
Being composed and with good passing has seen him in midfield, just don't expect him to be an attacking threat.
Oliver Skipp (CA 135 - PA Range 140-170)
Age: 20
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Value: £29-£47 million
Wage: £25,000 a week
After helping Norwich to the Championship and being included in the Championship Team of the Year, Oliver Skipp returned to parent club Tottenham and has been trusted by both of their managers to play a first-team role.
Another who is best at breaking up the play and passing the ball on to more creative players, Skipp could become special.
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