FIFA 19 Career Mode: Best cheap high potential defensive midfielders (CDM)

Defensive midfielders have the least glamourous job in football, and yet it is vital to the success of teams. They break up opposing attacks and often launch those of their own team. They need to be aware of threats, mobile, and yet capable passers so they can engage in possession football and keep the ball moving. All those talents rarely come cheap, especially if they are already developed and proven. Not many clubs can afford to buy a superstar CDM, but they can afford to buy a player who will later develop those talents.

How to choose the best cheap high potential defensive midfielder (CDMs) in FIFA 19 Career Mode

Here we are looking for the best cheap high potential defensive midfielders (CDMs) in FIFA 19's Career Mode. These are players with the potential to hit at least 80 OVR and can be signed for less than £5 million. We have left out those on loan as they cannot be signed immediately. These players can be developed into key players for nearly any team and are cheap enough for most sides in Career Mode.

For a full list of ALL the best cheap high potential defensive midfielders (CDMs) see the table at the bottom of this page

Sandro Tonali (OVR 66 - POT 88)

Age: 18

Positions: CDM, CM

Club: Brescia

Country: Italy

Work rate: Medium/Medium

Best stats: 73 balance, 71 short pass, 70 long pass

Cost: £3 million (release clause)

Wage: £880

Sandro Tonali has been with Brescia through his youth career and made his senior debut in 2017. Since then he has played 21 times for Brescia and scored twice while also representing Italy at the U19 level.

Tonali is young and already solid on the ball (70 ball control, 65 dribbling) and a capable passer (71 short pass, 70 long pass). A 66 overall for the 18-year-old can improve to a 88 potential, with the defensive or central midfielder costing £3 million plus wages of just £880 a week. 

Chris Durkin (OVR 67 - POT 84)

Age: 18

Positions: CDM

Club: DC United

Country: United States

Work rate: Medium/Medium

Best stats: 74 stamina, 74 jumping, 70 interceptions

Cost: £2.6 million (release clause)

Wage: £2,000 a week

Chris Durkin made his senior debut for DC United in 2016 and has spent time on loan with Richmond Kickers. He's also played 14 times for the United States U17 side, scoring twice.

In FIFA 19 Durkin has very good stamina (74) for someone his age, and his passing is not awful either (69 short pass, 64 long pass). The 18-year-old will cost you £2.6 million with wages of £2,000 a week, getting you his 67 overall and potential of 84. 

Claudio Gomes (OVR 66 - POT 84)

Age: 18

Positions: CDM, CM

Club: Manchester City

Country: France

Work rate: Medium/High

Best stats: 76 acceleration, 76 agility, 71 sprint speed)

Cost: £2.5 million (release clause)

Wage: £11,000 a week

Claudio Gomes signed with Manchester City in July 2018 after spending five years in the Paris Saint-Germain youth system. He has progressed through France's junior teams, making it to the under-19 side with 38 total appearances across all levels.

Durkin is a solid athlete (76 acceleration, 76 agility, 71 sprint speed) and a well-rounded player. None of his stats jump out as brilliant, but they are good for a player of his age. His passing (68 short pass, 64 long pass) can play in lower league teams and his defensive stats (68 stand tackle, 66 slide tackle, 65 marking, 62 interceptions) are good too.

Oliver Skipp (OVR 64 - POT 83)

Age: 18

Positions: CDM, CM

Club: Tottenham Hotspur

Country: England

Work rate: Medium/High

Best stats: 74 stamina, 70 short pass, 67 aggression

Cost: £1.7 million (release clause)

Wage: £8,000 a week

Oliver Skipp has spent his youth career with Tottenham, playing regularly in the U18 Premier League and racking up 16 appearances for the England under-16 and under-18 teams.

Skipp's stamina (74) is good for a player his age, and his passing is relatively strong too (70 short pass, 64 long pass).The 18-year-old will cost £1.7 million with wages of £8,000 a week on FIFA 19, meaning you can get his 64 overall and 83 potential. 

Brandon Baiye (OVR 63 - POT 83)

Age: 17

Positions: CDM, CM

Club: Club Brugge

Country: Belgium

Work rate: Low/High

Best stats: 75 strength, 72 balance, 66 stand tackle

Cost: £1.4 million (release clause)

Wage: £2,000 a week

Brandon Baiye has spent his whole career with Club Brugge. He made his senior debut with the club this season and has progressed to the Belgium under-18 side.

In FIFA 19 Baiye's best asset is his impressive strength (75), as well as a good balance between passing (66 short pass) and defending (66 stand tackle, 62 interceptions). A 63 overall can improve to an 83 potential, costing £1.4 million and wages of £2,000 a week. 

Christian Rivera (OVR 70 - POT 82)

Age: 21

Positions: CDM, CM

Club: Las Palmas

Country: Spain

Work rate: Medium/High

Best stats: 78 stamina, 72 short pass, 72 strength

Cost: £4.5 million (release clause)

Wage: £5,000 a week

Christian Rivera arrived at Las Palmas this summer after coming up with Oviedo. He made his professional debut in October 2015 and has 11 caps with Spain up to the U19 side.

As you'd expect with a Spanish midfielder, Christian Rivera can pass the ball (72 short pass, 65 long pass) pretty well. But there is more than just that, he has good stamina (78) and strength (72) and can make an impact without the ball (70 marking, 70 interceptions, 69 stand tackle). Rivera is arguably the best of the bunch right now and can step into a team without too many issues as he develops into a quality player.

Kristijan Bistrovic (OVR 69 - POT 82)

Age: 20

Positions: CDM, CM

Club: CSKA Moscow

Country: Croatia

Work rate: Medium/Medium

Best stats: 74 short pass, 73 vision, 72 stand tackle

Cost: £4.5 million (release clause)

Wage: £880 a week

Kristijan Bistrovic made his senior debut in 2015 for Slaven Koprivnica before moving to CSKA Moscow in January 2018. He has also represented Croatia at the under-18 level.

In FIFA 19 Bistrovic is a good holding midfielder already. He can make an impact defensively (72 stand tackle, 71 slide tackle, 70 marking) and distribute the ball well (74 short pass, 73 vision, 69 long pass). The 20-year-old will set you back £4.5 million and wages of £880 a week for his 69 overall and 82 potential. 

Hamza Choudhury (OVR 69 - POT 82)

Age: 20

Positions: CDM, CM

Club: Leicester City

Country: England

Work rate: Low/High

Best stats: 77 aggression, 73 marking, 72 stand tackle

Cost: £4 million (release clause)

Wage: £21,000 a week 

Hamza Choudhury began his career with the Leicester City academy and has spent some time on loan with Burton Albion. He has appeared in both the EFL Cup and Premier League for Leicester, making his first start in April 2018 against Burnley. He's also represented England in the U21 side.

Choudhury is already a good defensive player (73 marking, 72 stand tackle) and can distribute fairly well (70 short pass). The Foxes man has a 69 overall which can improve to an 82 potential, costing you £4 million and wages of £21,000 a week. 

Mohamed Camara (OVR 68 - POT 82)

Age: 21

Positions: CDM, CM

Club: Olympiakos

Country: Guinea

Work rate: Medium/Medium

Best stats: 82 stamina, 73 marking, 73 aggression

Cost: £4.3 million (release clause)

Wage: £880 a week

Mohamed Camara began his career with Guinean sides Kaloum and Santoba before signing his first professional contract with French side AC Ajaccio. After 45 appearances over three years with them, he signed with Olympiakos for an estimated €2.5 million. He made his full debut for Guinea in September of this year.

Camara's stamina (82) is immense and will allow you to keep him on the field all day. His defensive ability is already there (73 marking, 69 stand tackle, 65 slide tackle) and take him to a 68 overall. To get hold of his 82 potential, you will need to pay £4.3 million and wages of £880 a week. 

Lasse Sorensen (OVR 63 - POT 82)

Age: 18

Positions: CDM, CM

Club: Stoke City

Country: Denmark

Work rate: Medium/Medium

Best stats: 70 short pass, 66 long pass, 65 sprint speed

Cost: £1.5 million (release clause)

Wage: £3,000 a week

Lasse Sorensen started his career with Esbjerg before moving to Stoke City in January 2016. He made his senior debut for the club in May 2018.

Sorensen can pass relatively well (70 short pass, 66 long pass) and has decent movement (65 sprint speed) to take his overall to 63. An 82 potential will set you back £1.5 million with wages of £3,000 a week. 

All the best cheap high potential defensive midfielders (CDMs) on FIFA 19