Summary
Defense makes a considerable impact inFIFA 23, which is why you should work to find quality centre backs (CBs) in the Career Mode. Generally, while you manage the top sides, you’re able to easily afford the top players like Virgil van Dijk, Marquinhos, and more.
However, due to their age, players like them will not last long, and it would be ideal for you to look for young defenders who have the potential to grow tremendously over the course of several seasons. If you can find such players, your team will be future-proof, and you won’t have to worry about replacing your starting CB until serious injuries arise.
Updated on Jun 14, 2025 by Nishant Thakkar: The list covers the top young centre backs for FIFA 23’s Career Mode, and we’ve added a few more to keep your team growing.
The ratings and potentials listed below are as of FIFA 23’s September squad update.
77
85
Perfect for securing back line
Malick Thiaw would be an incredible purchase for the centre back role in FIFA 23, and the German defender has been solid for AC Milan since signing for the club in August 2022. He is filled with quality and would secure your back line with his incredible defensive capabilities.
The player starts the Career Mode of the game with a rating of 77 and has the potential to rise to the mark of 85. He also has a release clause that you may activate in the second season if you fail to sign him in the initial one.
Helpful for taking on quick attackers
The Netherlands has been blessed with another quality defender in the form of Mickey van de Ven, and you will find him playing for Wolfsburg in the Career Mode. He is pretty fast for a player in the CB position, which can be helpful to take on the quick attackers that end up easily running past the defense.
He comes with a rating of 77 and can reach 85, showcasing remarkable growth in a few seasons. Mickey van de Ven can additionally cover atthe left back positionand be useful if you lack proper backups for the particular role.
78
Best if signed early
Benoît Badiashile was a wonderkid in FIFA 19 and has managed to live up to his expectations, which can be seen by the numbers provided to him in FIFA 23. Looking at the specifics, he begins the first season at a rating of 78, while his potential rating has been set to 85.
You can end up signing him from Chelsea, and negotiating a deal for him wouldn’t be that cheap in the later seasons. Accordingly, you must attempt to get your hands on the Frenchman in the starting two to three seasons before his value surges.
86
High physicality is perfect for strong strikers
Marc Guehi has established himself as a starter for Crystal Palace and has been regularly performing well for the Premier League team. His physicality at the back can be game-changing, and he will allow you to outmuscle the strong strikers who end up bullying the defenders.
In terms of the overall rating, he has been rated 78 in the game and can be a starter for most sides after a bit of growth. On the other hand, the player’s potential is 86, and he will be able to reach the same in a couple of years of proper game time.
79
Costly but ensures fewer goals conceded
Besides Benoît Badiashile, Wesley Fofana is one more solid young centre back that Chelsea has under them. He has shown immense potential since his Leicester City days, but injuries haven’t been kind to him following his move to the London-based side.
With a rating of 79 and a potential of 86, any money you spend on the French defender will be worth it, and he will provide returns in the form of fewer goals conceded. Be ready to break the bank for Wesley Fofana, as making a deal will be costly once he starts growing.
73
84
Budget-friendly and develops quickly
Giorgio Scalvini is probably the best budget-friendly CB in the Career Mode of FIFA 23. The Italian defender possesses a decent rating of 73 inside the game, with his base potential enabling him to rise to the rating of 84.
Unlike most high-potential defenders, you will not have to spend huge money to get Giorgio Scalvini, as he is valued at around €6 million and has a release clause of close to €11.5 million in the first season. you’re able to put a development plan on him, and he will easily hit the rating of 80 in two to three seasons.
83
Cost-effective with high growth potential
Sevilla hasseveral talented young playersin their squad, with Tanguy Nianzou being one of them. The French defender is ideal for your team’s centre back role and can be a threat on the corner, given that he is 6’3 in height.
Moreover, just like Giorgio Scalvini, Tanguy Nianzou is not exceedingly expensive, and you can get him for a reasonable price with negotiations. He essentially has a rating of 73, while his potential in the game goes to 83, which is not bad as he may reach mid 85’s with dynamic player potential.
Great against quick attackers
Castello Lukeba is one of the hottest prospects in Ligue 1, and the defender has been performing excellently for Olympique Lyonnais. The wonderkid has risen through the ranks of the French club and established himself as the starting centre half in the past few years.
Inside the Career Mode of FIFA 23, Castello Lukeba has been rated 77, and you can buy him for under €25 million. He has a fantastic potential of 85, and his great pace makes him the perfect option to combat quick attackers.
Well-rounded and versatile
Piero Hincapié emerges to be another outstanding young centre back that you will be able to find in the game, and he is among the finest South American defenders. He has been rated 79 in FIFA 23 and has a potential of 86, making him a viable option for the club you manage.
Getting him would be worth it because of his well-rounded stats and the versatility that he possesses to fit into the full back roles. You can accordingly consider purchasing Piero Hincapié from Bayer Leverkusen.
87
High potential and can be used in other positions
Ajax has nurtured some great defenders in recent years, like Lisandro Martínez and Matthijs de Ligt. Joining the same list is Jurriën Timber, who has been the back line’s core for the Amsterdam-based team during the 2022-2023 season.
The 79-rated centre back will be a perfect purchase for whichever team you use due to his bright potential of 87. You also can convert him and play at the right back position, as he fits well in that role and has great stats overall.
