Are you unhappy with your defensive line up? Do you need some young legs in an ageing back line? Or is your defensive wall much more of a net? Well, this list of the top 15 best young defenders in EA Sports FC 24 will definitely help to give you some options across the back line for all types of defensive styles.

I think it's fair to say, the defensive role is one that has changed most over the years of football and can be the most varied. While the main role of the backs is still to stop any attacking opportunities and chances from the opposition, we’re now seeing defenders playing vital roles in attacking play, either starting the attacking run, wing backs overlapping wingers to support with crosses or being up top for set pieces to head the ball home.

As such, I have a fantastic range of tactical options for you in this list so let’s begin!

15. Valentino Livramento - England - Newcastle (Premier League) - RB - 20 years old - Overall 76 - Potential 85 - Transfer Cost £11m

Tino Livramento Real World Highlights

A product of the Chelsea youth academy having been scouted at the age of 7, Livramento was sold to Southampton in 2021 where he instantly became the starting right back. Unfortunately his time at the Saints was regularly held back by injury with knee problems and a cruciate ligament tear. However he’s now back to form and in last summer’s transfer window was bought by Newcastle United where he’s a rotation player as a backup for Kieran Trippier.

Livramento has been on my radar for two years now, regularly buying him for my Liverpool career as a backup to Trent Alexander-Arnold. Starting as a RB, Livramento really comes into his own as a RWB, being able to unlock his pace to support along the left wing. With a weak foot rating of 4 stars, he can cut in or push forward to deliver the ball however needed.

• Interceptor - With strong intercepting skills of 76, Livramento is great at picking off a stray pass from attacking players.
• Starting the Counter Attack - Linking in with his interceptions, or simply from a tackle, Livramento’s pace of 78 and high attacking work rate make him a great player to start a counter attack, driving the ball up the pitch.
• Creative Crossing - With a rating of 69, Livramento’s crossing is more than capable, being able to deliver into the box at the end of the runs.

Valentino Livramento full details

14. Milos Kerkez - Hungary - Bournmouth (Premier League) - LB - 19 years old - Overall 75 - Potential 85 - Transfer Cost £10.5m

Milos Kerkez Real World Highlights

Despite only being 19, Kerman has already worn a lot of different team shirts having played for 5 different youth teams including Rapid Wien and AC Milan. In 2022, Kerkez got his professional debut for AZ Alkmaar working his way to being the first choice left back before being bought by Bournmouth in 2023 where he started as their main option on the left. As well as his league clubs, Kerkez has also been noticed by his national team, having achieved 13 caps for Hungary.

Kerkez is an aggressive powerhouse. With a stamina of 89 and aggression of 79, there is no stopping Kerkez, making him able to dominate the whole game. This linked with his impressive ability to run with the ball, making him a deadly force switching him to the LWB position, allowing him to press on the attack to support any forward runs.

• Rapid Runs - Kerkez is so impressive with the ball. Converting him to a LWB allows him to open up his pace of 82 and strong agility and balance of 83 and 82 making him an extra attacking option for any team. This is only furthered by his Play Style of Rapid which gives him even more control over the ball when running.
• Assisting Role - Completing his attacking runs, Kerkez has a great crossing stat of 73, making him a fantastic support to any wingers to deliver the ball into the box.
• Supreme Sliding Tackles - With a Play Style of Slide Tackle supporting his already strong stat of 72, Kerkez has an element of defensive flair being able to pull off slides in drastic situations with great success.

Milos Kerkez full details

13. Giorgio Scalvini - Italy - Atalanta/Bergamo Calio (Series A) - CB - 19 years old - Overall 75 - Potential 86 - Transfer Cost £10.5m

Giorgio Scalvini Real World Highlights

Our first homegrown talent on the list, Scalvini has come up through the Atalanta youth teams before being signed to the first team. Now, he’s a regular in the heart of defence, Scalvini is a key part of the Atalanta back line, even pulling off 3 assists so far.

The first centre back in the list, Scalvini is a wall in the heart of defence. With a strong defending stat of 78 and physicality of 71 as well as two different defensive play styles, he is an absolute asset to any developing team.

• Bruiser - This Play Style of Scalvini makes him even stronger when performing physical tackles. 
• Natural Interceptor - With an interception rating of 78 and a Play Style of Intercept, Scalvini has an increased reach and capability to win the ball back with interceptions, making him a difficult man to get past.
• Extremely Aware - Scalvini has a great awareness in the heart of the back line, with a rating of 79, which only supports his ability to intercept incoming balls and pick off any attacking runs.

Giorgio Scalvini full details

12. Ousmane Diomande - Ivory Coast - Sporting (Liga Portugal) - CB - 19 years old - Overall 76 - Potential 85 - Transfer Cost £14m

Ousmane Diomande Real World Highlights

Being picked up by the OS Abobo youth club in his home country of the Ivory Coast before moving to Denmark to join Midtjylland in 2020, Diomande had a brief loan spell at Mafra before moving to Portugal permanently in 2023 to play for Sporting CP. Since joining Sporting, Diomande has become the main CB for the squad, only missing games for international selection for the Ivory Coast national squad.

With four Play Styles to his game, Diomande is an incredibly difficult player to get past. Great control on the ball, strong defensive awareness, insanely impressive strength and great passing make him an incredible all round defender to have in the heart of any team

• Defiant Tackler - With standing tackles and sliding tackles of 77 and 75, as well as a strength of 86 and the Bruiser Play Style, Diomande is insanely strong when making any type of tackle.
• Picking out a Teammate - Diomande has an impressive ability for a CB to pick out a player, far or nearby. His Long Ball Pass Play Style only supports his already high stat of 74 and his short pass of 72 to make him a great distributor.
• Strong in the Air - Either on the defence or attack, Diomande is odds on to winning an aerial battle with a jumping rating of 81, his strength and a heading accuracy of 70.

Ousamane Diomande full details

11. Rico Lewis - England - Man City (Premier League) - RB, CDM - 18 years old - Overall 75 - Potential 88 - Transfer Cost £8.5m

Rico Lewis Real World Highlights

Another homegrown talent, Lewis has been a part of the Manchester City youth club since the age of 9 in 2013, then in 2022 made his break into the adult squad. Although a rotation player in their Premier League campaign, Lewis has predominantly been used in their cup runs, especially the Champions League. 

Rico Lewis is an absolute steal at only £8.5m. With a potential of 88 and being able to play as RB or CDm, as well as convertible to RWB, he is a very versatile player that can fit well into any squad and should definitely be capitalised on being at the start of his career.

• Versatile - Either as a RB, CDM or as a RWB, Lewis is able to fill so many gaps in the squad that he is a fantastic backup option for top teams or as a starter for mid range squads.
• Cheap Buy - At only £8.5m, he is one of the cheapest on the list, yet has one of the best potentials at 88, so definitely get him at such a cheap rate, even if it's just as an investment to make a profit for the club.
• Strong Dribbler - With a rating of 72, Lewis has a great starting ability to react and control the ball with supreme balance which only improves as the seasons go on.

Rico Lewis full details

10. Malo Gusto - France - Chelsea (Premier League) - RB - 20 years old - Overall 76 - Potential 85 - Transfer Cost £14m

Malo Gusto Real World Highlights

Coming through the Lyon youth teams and reserve squads, despite several injuries affecting his Ligue 1 career, Gusto caught the eye of the Premier League via the Chelsea scouts, being brought to Stamford Bridge in 2023. Since arriving in London, Gusto has been used in the most part as a starting player, making 20 appearances and delivering 5 assists. 

One of the fastest on this list, Gusto’s pace is incredible. Rated at 88, Gusto’s speed is unmatchable which is only supported with his strong dribbling making him an absolute force on the right wing. He is definitely worth playing as a RWB to further provide attacking options for any team.

• Too Fast To Handle - With a sprint speed of 90 and the Rapid Play Style, Gusto is way too pacey for any team to handle with the ball at his feet.
• The Final Third - Not only can Gusto run the wing, but his crossing ability and curve of 77 and 73 make him perfectly able to make early crosses into the box to find the forward runs of the strikers.
• Engine - Being able to run the wing at rapid pace is one thing, but his stamina of 85 means that he can keep going throughout the whole game, making him a never ending threat to any team.

Malo Gusto full details

9. Malick Thiaw - Germany - AC Milan (Series A) - CB - 21 years old - Overall 77 - Potential 85 - Transfer Cost £20m

Malick Thiaw Real World Highlights

Having been a part of 4 different German youth teams before settling with Schalke, Thiaw broke into the first squad in 2020 and as of 2021 was a regular starter at the back. In 2023, after lighting up 2. Bundesliga for a full season, AC Milan bought the young CB and he has been instrumental to their campaign so far this season, going so far to be awarded 3 caps for the German national side.

Thiaw is a fantastic option in the centre of the defensive line as an out and out defender. His defending options are the most consistent of the list ranging from 74 to 78 making him more than capable to defend against any kind of attack.

• Natural Tackler - Starting season one with a standing and sliding tackle of 78 and 77, Thiaw is ready to stand tall or to slide in to win any ball.
• Unstoppable in the Air - At 6ft 3in, Thiaw is incredibly tall anyway, but being able to jump with a rating of 84 and a heading accuracy of 74 make him a defending force or a deadly threat in the air for corners.
• Composed at the Back - A lot of attacks now start from the back, and Thiaw is great in this role. With a composure and reactions of 71 and 77, as well as a short passing of 72, Thiaw is able to take his time and pick out the pass to start any new attack.

Malick Thiaw full details

8. Destiny Udogie - Italy - Spurs (Premier League) - LB - 20 years old - Overall 79 - Potential 86 - Transfer Cost £27m

Destiny Udogie Real World Highlights

A product of his hometown’s youth squad, Hellas Verona, Udogie graduated into the main squad in 2020 before going on loan to Udinese in 2021. The loan was without a doubt successful, with the club buying him at the end of the loan spell. A year later and Spurs were knocking at the door to buy him, instantly loaning him back to his former club for a season before joining his new club in London in 2023. Since coming to the capital, Udogie has been the first choice left back for the squad, scoring 2 goals and setting up a further 3.

Udogie is possibly one of the most physically able in the whole list. As a LB, LWB and LM, it’s clear to see that he is extremely capable in defence and attack to support any team incredibly well and fit into any tactic style. Personally, I think he is best in the LWB position to support other capable wingers, giving you what is essentially two left wingers in any attack.

• Running for Days - Udogie’s pace of 88 and stamina of 79 make him able to run the line from the first whistle till full time, supporting any attacking runs and then shooting back to get onto the defence.
• Attacking Threat - Not only able to cross the ball in well, with a rating of 76, Udogie also has a great shot power and long shots of 71 and 59 which make him able to cut in and fire from range.
• Ultimate Control - With the ball at his feet, Udogie is untouchable. A ball control stat of 78 and a dribbling of 76 make him more than capable to weave around the field to pick out a player.

Destiny Udogie full details

7. Piero Hincapie - Ecuador - Leverkusen (Bundesliga) - CB - 21 years old - Overall 79 - Potential 86 - Transfer Cost £30m

Piero Hincapié Real World Highlights

Having come through the ranks at Independiente in Ecuador, Hincapie spent a season at Talleres in Argentina before joining Leverkusen in 2021. It took him no time at all to become a key part of the defence and has been vital in all competitions, even racking up 4 goals, 3 assists and now having 30 caps for his national squad.

The first player on the list to rank top in one of the key defending rankings, Hincapie is the best executor of sliding tackles on the list. Another all round defender, Hincapie brings a strong presence to any team as well as a surprising pace for a CB.

• Ultimate Slide Tackle - With a starting rating of 84 and the Slide Tackle Play Style, Hincapie is relentless sliding across the floor for the ball, being able to stop the ball at their feet and retain possession.
• All Round Defender - Aside from his supreme sliding tackle ability, his other defending ratings range from 77 and 79 making him a well rounded player, able to block, intercept, tackle and win aerial battles. His jumping stat of 88 makes him extremely capable in the air in any capacity.
• Surprising Pace - Hincapie is remarkably fast for a CB, with a pace rating of 82, he is able to respond to any counter attack and stop any attacking runs.

Piero Hincapie full details

6. Castello Lukeba - France - RB Leipzig (Bundesliga) - CB - 20 years old - Overall 78 - Potential 85 - Transfer Cost £19.5m

Castello Lukeba Real World Highlights

Another product of the Lyon youth system, Lukeba had two seasons for his hometown’s first squad, being absolutely vital to their back line before joining Red Bull Leipzig in 2023. Since joining Leipzig, Lukeba has continued to show his capabilities and solid performances at the back, supporting the squad in their successful run in the Bundesliga.

A great option for any team, Lukeba is a strong player both physically with a rating of 78 and by having a range of assets to his game. Lukeba excels with his tackling ability with both standing and sliding having a rating of 79, not to mention his Jockey Play Style allowing him to shadow any attacking player well to make the tackle or to block any attempted pass.

• Jockeying - Lukeba’s Play Style of Jockey allows him to track players faster and transition from jockey to sprint much more quickly.
• In the Way - With a jumping stat of 83, interceptions and defensive awareness of 78 and the Intercept Play Style, Lukeba is brilliant at blocking the ball from getting through the defensive line.
• Controlled Feet - There’s a real air of composure when the ball is at Lukeba’s feet, with ratings for composure, ball control and reactions of 80, 72 and 78. This is only further supported by his ability to pick a pass, allowing him to mount a counter attack after winning the ball.

Castello Lukeba full details

5. Arnau Martinez - Spain - Girona (La Liga) - RB - 20 years old - Overall 80 - Potential 86 - Transfer Cost £33.5m

Arnau Martínez Real World Highlights

Another player to have remained with his youth side, Martinez has come through the Girona academy, breaking into the squad in 2021. Although he displayed a fantastic season last year, being a regular starter, this year, Martinez has been more of a rotation player featuring more as a substitute than a starting player.

A pacey right back that is even more of an asset in the RWB position, Martinez is much more of an attacking defender, supporting any wing play on the right side. With a strong speed of 79 and an impressive crossing ability, Martinez is well able to supply a ball into the box for strikers to pounce on.

• Running with the Ball - With a rapid pace of 79 and ball control and dribbling of 78 and 76, Martinez is a fantastic RWB, able to cruise down the wing with the ball at his feet to support attacking play.
• Pinpoint Crossing - Not only can Martinez charge with the ball, but he can deliver at the end of it too with a crossing stat of 80 and short and long passing of 79 and 66.
• Aerial Threat - In the air, Martinez is extremely threatening. With a jumping stat of 81 and heading accuracy of 74, his interception stat of 77 allows him to head any ball away, whereas on attack, he can easily direct at goal.

Arnau Martinez full details

4. Goncalo Inacio - Portugal - Sporting (Liga Portugal) - CB - 21 years old - Overall 79 - Potential 86 - Transfer Cost £30m

Gonçalo Inacio Real World Highlights

Another Sporting player, Inacio has come through the team’s youth academy and joined the main squad in 2020. After a year, in 2021, Inacio was a regular starter, featuring in all competitions, making regular appearances on the score sheet as well with 15 goals and 8 assists, which in turn have got him 5 caps for Portugal, turning in 2 goals for the national side.

One of the final CBs on the list, Inacio is a modern day centre back with great defending (rated 80), fantastic pace (rated 80) and passing skills of 78 and 76 making him a great distributor too. With a potential end overall of 86, Inacio can fit into any squad in no time at all.

• Solid Distributor - With the Play Styles of Pinged Pass and Long Ball Pass, Inacio can deliver the ball along the ground or through the air with great accuracy and speed.
• Interception King - Inacio is a master in the air. The Aerial Play Style allows for much higher jumps than his already high rating of 82, and paired with the Intercept Play Style, he can pick out any attacking ball coming his way.
• Natural Tackler - When in defence, Inacio is exceptionally strong with any type of tackle, having a standing and sliding rating of 82 and 79 making him versatile at winning the ball back.

Goncalo Inacio full details

3. Antonio Silva - Portugal - Benfica (Liga Portugal) - CB - 19 years old - Overall 78 - Potential 88 - Transfer Cost £26m

António Silva Real World Highlights

Silva is another one of our list to be still with his youth side, rising through the ranks to the main squad. In 2022 Silva was promoted into the Benfica main squad and instantly became one of the first names on the team sheet having been a starting centre back since his debut. This consistency has also helped to get him a call up to the Portuguese national side on 7 occasions.

Much like his Portuguese counterpart Inacio, Silva is a fantastically rounded CB, with two advantages on his countryman; age and cost. At 19 years old he is younger than his teammate with a very similar starting overall, and he’s £4m cheaper making him a bit of a bargain.

• Incredible Investment - With a potential overall of 88 and a low cost of £26m, Silva is an absolute steal that will walk into any squad whilst being a goldmine for years to come.
• Neverending - Silva’s stamina of 83 means that he just keeps going and can cause difficulties for the attackers all game, making him a reliable option at the back.
• Top Defender - Silva is definitely one of my top picks as he has the best starting defending and physicality stats in the list with 80 and 79, with massive room for growth going forwards.

Antonio Silva full details

2. Alejandro Balde - Spain - Barca (La Liga) - LB, RB - 19 years old - Overall 81 - Potential 89 - Transfer Cost £48.5m

Alejandro Balde Real World Highlights

Born in Barcelona, Balde has been playing for his hometown team throughout the youth academy and now, as of 2022, for the main squad. Although plagued with injury, Balde has been a regular starter for the Catalan side, starting 47 of the 75 he’s been available for. Being such a promising player, it’s no surprise he’s made 7 appearances now for the Spanish national team, showing off his ability on the global stage.

Balde is the second highest starting overall at 81 and highest potential overall at 89, making him an extremely exciting prospect. Not only exciting as a LB, he’s perfectly comfortable working on either flank, being able to slot into the RB role as well.

• The Flash - Balde is without a doubt the fastest on this list, with a rapid pace of 91 making him ridiculously speedy for any wing play.
• Great Vision - With a vision of 72, crossing of 79, short and long passing of 80 and 70, Balde can pick out a pass wherever on the field, making him a reliable teammate to have on the pitch.
• Strong Standing Tackle - Having the Anticipate Play Style gives Balde a better ability to win the ball through standing tackles on top of his already impressive stat of 80.

Alejandro Balde full details

1. Nuno Mendes - Portugal - PSG (Ligue 1) - LB - 21 years old - Overall 82 - Potential 87 - Transfer Cost £39.5m

Nuno Mendes Real World Highlights

Our top pick for this list, Mendes is a future star. The Lisbon born left back was another key member of the Sporting youth academy, being loaned to PSG in 2021 before being bought at the end of the loan period in 2022. Although currently recovering from a hamstring injury, prior to his enforced break, Mendes was a key starter for the French side, turning in 2 goals and 9 assists as well as 19 caps for the Portuguese national squad.

As the top pick on this list, Mendes’ stats are incredible. Even stats that are kind of irrelevant to defending, like attacking positioning and shot power are over 75 (being 77 and 80), making him an essential to any team. It’s also worth comparing him to his strongest rival on this list, Balde, where he’s a higher starting overall and is a massive £9m cheaper.

• Most Comfortable Dribbler - With his dribbling stats ranging from 78 to 84, it's clear that he is the most competent dribbler in the list, which matched with a pace of 89 and the Rapid Play Style, makes him deadly and incredibly supportive to any attacking run.
• Best Passer - This is where Mendes really delivers. The best passer on the list with an overall of 75, an incredible vision of 72 and shot and long passing of 79 and 72, as well as the Pinged Pass and Whipped Pass Play Styles, makes him a pinpoint passer to any part of the pitch.
• Ridiculous Bargain - At only £39.5m, you should definitely make Mendes your top target. He is an absolute steal considering the years ahead and his potential overall of 87.

Nuno Mendes full details

So, that rounds up my list of the top 15 young defenders in EA Sports FC 24. I hope it helps you with some options to fit into your defensive style whether that be a solid centre back or a rapid wing back.

Best of luck for the seasons to come and happy gaming.

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