Many players in the EA Sports FC 25 community prefer to use formations involving a CDM (Central Defensive Midfielder). Essentially, players in the CDM role provide additional cover for the defense and help you play from the back.
The importance of a solid CDM cannot be understated, so you need to make the right decision while choosing a footballer to have in this particular position. You have various options at your disposal, including the best players in the world like Rodri and upcoming talents like Aurélien Tchouameni.
Here is a list of the best defensive midfielders in EA Sports FC 25's Career mode.
10 Ruben Neves
- Overall rating: 84
- Team: Al Hilal
Rúben Neves is one of a number of players to make the switch to the Saudi Pro League and the Portuguese midfielder has been solid for Al Hilal. While playing Career mode, you can bring him back to Europe and use him in your team to win trophies like the UEFA Champions League.
The player has an overall rating of 84 and can immediately become a starter. His potential in-game rating allows him to reach a rating of 86, making him an incredible defensive midfielder in EA Sports FC 25.
9 N'Golo Kanté
- Overall rating: 85
- Team: Al Ittihad
N'Golo Kanté was the best defensive midfielder in the world and the Frenchman was absolutely stunning for Chelsea. Now he is at the end of his career and you can find him playing for Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.
EA has given N'Golo Kanté an overall rating of 85 in EA Sports FC 25's Career mode, and you can have him for a season or two. However, due to his age, he would not be the right signing when going for a longer rebuild.
8 Palhinha
- Overall rating: 85
- Team: Bayern Munich
Palhinha has been an absolute rock for Fulham and he finally made his dream move to Bayern Munich during the 2024 summer transfer window. If your team needs extra defensive cover, he is the perfect defensive midfielder to have you have in the Career mode of EA Sports FC 25 and you will not regret signing it.
The 85-rated midfielder comes with amazing physicality and defense, while also possessing decent passing and dribbling skills. The only problem you might face when using Palhinha would be that it is not extremely fast.
7 Sandro Tonali
- Overall rating: 85
- Team: Newcastle United
Sandro Tonali has emerged as one of the best young defensive midfielders in world football; however, the ban placed on him certainly stunted his growth a bit. Regardless, he came back stronger and was outstanding for Newcastle United in the Premier League.
A defensive midfielder like Sandro Tonali would be perfect for a long-term rebuild, and his age will allow him to play for about a decade without problems. Speaking of his numbers, he has an overall rating of 85 and has the potential to go as high as 87.
6 Aurélien Tchouameni
- Overall rating: 85
- Team: real madrid
Aurélien Tchouameni is among the best players for the CDM role in EA Sports FC 25's Career mode, and the youngster has played a key role at Real Madrid. He is complete and would provide excellent cover for your defense. You can use his passing properly by employing him as a deep playmaker.
With an overall rating of 85, Aurélien Tchouameni could be a great signing for this position considering his potential allows him to reach 90 overall. However, signing him would not come cheap.
5 Bruno Guimarães
- Overall rating: 85
- Team: Newcastle United
Another Newcastle United player on this list is Bruno Guimarães, and the Brazil international has propelled the team to the next level. You can deploy him in the CDM position and use his excellent passing and dribbling to create opportunities for your forwards.
Bruno Guimarães is rated 85 in EA Sports FC 25's Carer mode and his potential is 86. Apart from the CDM role, you can use him as a central midfielder and he will be an amazing box-to-box midfielder.
4 Granit Xhaka
- Overall rating: 86
- Team: Bayer Leverkusen
Granit Xhaka was outstanding for Bayer Leverkusen and helped them win the Bundesliga in his first season at the club. The midfielder has been huge for them throughout the season, which is why EA has assigned him an overall rating of 86 in Career mode.
If you do a shorter rebuild, Granit Xhaka will be great for the CDM position and you will benefit from his solid passing. However, you should note that he is not extremely rhythmic and you may suffer a bit during counter attacks.
3 Hakan Calhanoglu
- Overall rating: 86
- Team: Lombardia FC (Inter Milan)
Hakan Çalhanoğlu played an important role in the success of Inter Milan, who went on to win the Serie A title in the 2023/2024 season. The Turkish midfielder is an absolute phenomenon and watching him play his game is fascinating. His creativity in particular is astounding, and a CDM like him could completely transform your team in EA Sports FC 25's Career mode.
As for his specifics, Hakan Çalhanoğlu has an overall rating of 86 and has amazing statistics in the fields of passing and dribbling. In addition, he has good shooting and defense numbers, while also having a weak 5-star leg.
2 Declan Rice
- Overall rating: 87
- Team: Arsenal
Declan Rice was probably the most used CDM in EA Sports FC 24's Career mode and expect things to remain the same in EA Sports FC 25. The English midfielder has been amazing under Mikel Arteta and has all the right stuff to become the best player in his particular position.
Looking ahead to his big 2023/2024 season, Declan Rice has been rewarded with an overall rating of 87 in the game, and his potential helps him reach 88. He might even surpass the mark, thanks to the player's dynamic potential and all you would have to do is assign the appropriate development plans and coaches.
1 Rodri
- Overall rating: 91
- Team: Manchester City
Rodri is officially the best CDM in EA Sports FC 25 and is even tied for the highest rated player in the game. The Spanish midfielder is practically the backbone of Manchester City and the national team, helping both to win numerous trophies.
In the previous season, he was valuable as Manchester City won the Premier League and Spain won Euro 2024. As a result, EA gave him an overall rating of 91. You must remember that acquiring Rodri will not be cheap in Career mode. and you have to spend big money.