[Top 15] FIFA 20 Best Defensive Midfielders Who Are Amazing

Best CDMs in FIFA 20
Let's sing about football's unsung heroes, shall we? On my count, all together...


Say hello to the saviors of leaky defenses everywhere. 

The best defensive midfielders can make your backline seem way better than they actually are. Having that screen in front of your defense is a huge relief to both your center-backs and your more offensive players, and the top-tier CDMs can operate in that space solo. These 15 players are at the top of their class and should be first in line for a spot in your squad. 

(Stats are from Career Mode, they may differ very slightly from FUT.)

15. Youri Tielemans (Leicester City, Belgium) 

Kicking off with a bit of an unexpected entry. What else would you expect from me? 

Leicester pulled off a coup when they signed Tielemans permanently from Monaco. His age and abilities make him a defensive midfielder for the future as well as the now. EPL FUT sides should take a good look at him as a budget option.

Tielemans' Stat Highlights:

  • 82 Long Passing, 84 Short Passing, 83 Vision. 
  • 83 Ball Control, 83 Composure, 79 Dribbling. 
  • 76 Stamina, 73 Stand Tackle, 77 Balance. 

What Makes Tielemans Amazing:

  • Four-star skills, five-star weak foot! Incredible for any position. 
  • Career Mode potential: 87. 
  • FUT: a crazy nice 88 Future Stars card. 

14. Saul Nigez (Atletico Madrid, Spain) 

Another list, another player constantly linked with Manchester United. 

Saul has proved himself as a classy player while maintaining Atleti's hardworking mentality. That translates to a FIFA player that works well at both ends of the pitch. You could do much worse than having him as your defensive screen. 

Saul's Stat Highlights:

  • 83 Long Passing, 85 Short Passing, 82 Vision. 
  • 85 Ball Control, 82 Reactions, 83 Composure. 
  • 78 Stand Tackle, 77 Strength, 87 Stamina. 

What Makes Saul Amazing:

  • A tidy four-star weak foot, and high/high work rates that are fine for his Stamina. 
  • Career Mode potential: 89. 
  • FUT: A monster 93 TOTSSF; but if you didn't pick that up you have a tasty, cheap 88-rated Headliners. 

13. Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen, Argentina) 

One for the future of Leverkusen, one for the current for FIFA players. That makes sense, right? 

I recently discovered Palacios while using his regular gold card for FUT objectives. He's a good player going forwards, but as a defensive midfielder he covers the ground well and performs above and beyond what his stats would have you believe. 

Palacios' Stat Highlights:

  • 79 Agility, 79 Balance, 79 Ball Control. 
  • 75 Acceleration, 77 Sprint Speed, 87 Stamina. 
  • 71 Stand Tackle, 79 Short Passing, 77 Vision. 

What Makes Palacios Amazing:

  • Look how well-rounded those stats are, and that's not even the end of them! 
  • Career Mode potential: 88
  • FUT: 89 Future Stars card is insane and under 60k.

12. Wilfried Ndidi (Leicester City, Nigeria) 

Mr. Dependable. You have to love the energy and effectiveness. 

The first genuine CDM on this list. Ndidi has proven himself to be a fine addition to both Leicester City and FIFA players all over. He's built to go straight into anyone's side, with upgrades making him a force in the center of the park. 

Ndidi's Stat Highlights:

  • 89 Interceptions, 87 Marking, 88 Stand Tackle. 
  • 87 Aggression, 90 Jumping, 92 Stamina. 
  • 84 Reactions, 79 Short Passing, 77 Ball Control. 

What Makes Ndidi Amazing:

  • The perfect balance of stats (Defending & Physical) for a CDM, plus four-star weak foot and medium/high work rates. 
  • Career Mode potential: 88
  • FUT: If you didn't get his TOTSSF, he has a sub-40k, 87-rated Inform! 

11. Axel Witsel (Borussia Dortmund, Belgium) 

The hair, the name, the club. The most likable combo here? 

Belgium is pretty well set for CDMs isn’t it? Witsel has shone for Dortmund this season, and for me on FIFA. I hope you picked up his 93 FUT Flashback card while it was out, as he has no current available upgrades over there. 

Witsel's Stat Highlights:

  • 85 Long Passing, 90 Short Passing, 82 Vision. 
  • 84 Ball Control, 86 Reactions, 92 Composure. 
  • 84 Heading Accuracy, 83 Interceptions, 83 Strength. 

What Makes Witsel Amazing:

  • Four-star/four-star and standing at an imposing 6'1", he's also got the Leadership and Solid Player traits. 
  • Career Mode: He's a solid option that is ready to go into any team and won't break the bank (for the top teams). 
  • FUT: His 93 SBC works as a fantastic CM that covers both ends, his regular gold is still a great budget CDM option. 

10. Jordan Henderson (Liverpool, England) 

One of these days I'll get to stop talking about how good Liverpool is… 

He'll be the first Liverpool captain to lift a Premier League trophy. He's been rewarded for a stellar season so far with some very nice FIFA upgrades. Henderson is a largely underrated player - but no longer on FIFA. 

Henderson's Stat Highlights:

  • 87 Long Passing, 86 Short Passing, 83 Vision. 
  • 84 Ball Control, 86 Reactions, 84 Interceptions. 
  • 82 Stand Tackle, 82 Aggression, 91 Stamina. 

What Makes Henderson Amazing:

  • His high/high work rates are great because of his Stamina. 
  • Career Mode: Liverpool players are generally so overpowered in this game. Hendo is no exception. 
  • FUT: That 94 TOTSSF is insane, and competes with the best CBs in the game for defending. 

9. Marco Verratti (PSG, Italy) 

Bargain of the year? He's up there for sure. 

One of the most complete midfielders in France. Verratti isn't the tallest - 5'5" isn't ideal for CDM - but his abilities with and without the ball makes up for that. You won't believe how cheaply you can pick up his 95 TOTSSF. 

Verratti's Stat Highlights:

  • 90 Short Passing, 88 Vision, 91 Agility. 
  • 94 Balance, 90 Dribbling, 95 Composure. 
  • 84 Interceptions, 82 Stand Tackle, 89 Aggression. 

What Makes Verratti Amazing:

  • Medium/high work rates, four-star/four-star. Ideal. 
  • Career Mode: 87 rated, 88 potential, 25 years old. 
  • FUT: That 95 TOTSSF? 70k. Or less. Outrageous. 

8. Sandro Tonali (Brescia, Italy) 

How many more times do I include Tonali before you just go get him? 

This guy just keeps coming back to my lists. Tonali is a fabulous addition to a Serie A FUT squad, and an awesome young player to add and develop in Career Mode. He’s the rare kind of affordable and playable on both modes, so expect to see him here many more times.

Tonali's Stat Highlights:

  • 83 Acceleration, 82 Short Passing, 78 Vision. 
  • 74 Agility, 75 Balance, 79 Ball Control. 
  • 74 Interceptions, 74 Stand Tackle, 80 Strength. 

What Makes Tonali Amazing:

  • Four-star weak foot, medium/high work rates, and a handy 5'11".
  • Career Mode: He's the dream for youth-based sides; at 18 years old with 91 potential, and available for under £20m.
  • FUT: An insane 91-rated Future Stars card, and a nice 84 league SBC reward from Serie A. 

7. Sergio Busquets (Barcelona, Spain) 

He might go down if you exhale in his vicinity, but damn, he's a brilliant midfielder. 

An all-time great in this role. Busquets defined the CDM position in the great Barcelona midfield of a decade ago. Now, he is still one of the best base Gold players in FIFA 20. Just don’t walk too close to him in the street or he’ll be rolling around begging an imaginary referee to show you a card.

Busquets' Stat Highlights:

  • 83 Long Passing, 89 Short Passing, 85 Vision. 
  • 88 Ball Control, 86 Reactions, 93 Composure. 
  • 87 Interceptions, 88 Marking, 85 Stand Tackle. 

What Makes Busquets Amazing:

  • He's a monster. 6'2" with a good body type to muscle back the ball, regardless of his Strength attribute. 
  • Career Mode: He's 88 rated, and still only 30, so he has plenty left to offer. 
  • FUT: Because of his TOTSSF's 65 Pace, he's only 70k. It's 93 rated and ridiculous with a Sniper. 

6. Donny van de Beek (Ajax, Netherlands) 

Surely the next Ajax prodigy to be snapped up by another European giant. 

Ajax is an incredible club in FIFA (and a historic real-life side) with a ton of awesome players. Van de Beek isn't the last we'll see of the Dutch champions here, and he's pretty incredible himself coming in at number six! 

Van de Beek's Stat Highlights:

  • 83 Short Passing, 82 Vision, 86 Positioning. 
  • 85 Ball Control, 83 Reactions, 85 Composure. 
  • 73 Interceptions, 74 Stand Tackle, 92 Stamina. 

What Makes van de Beek Amazing:

  • He's 6'0" and works just as well in the CM spot. 
  • Career Mode: 21 years old, 87 potential, super well-rounded across the board. 
  • FUT: His league means you can grab another 94-rated beast for less than 100k.

5. Idrissa Gueye (PSG, Senegal) 

This writer is a huge fan of Gueye. FIFA, normal football, I'm sure I would love to go hat shopping with him, too. 

Some people raised their eyebrows when PSG picked up Idrissa Gana Gueye. FIFA 20 players have found out first hand this month how good he is in-game. His Career Mode rating is deceptively low, and he recently had a free and easy FUT Objectives 93 card. 

Gueye's Stat Highlights:

  • 82 Agility, 82 Balance, 81 Short Passing. 
  • 89 Interceptions, 84 Marking, 90 Stand Tackle. 
  • 85 Aggression, 88 Jumping, 90 Stamina. 

What Makes Gueye Amazing:

  • Medium/high work rates, perfect for CDM. His attributes are perfectly distributed across key areas. 
  • Career Mode: He's only £20-30m, which is awesome for such a quality player. 
  • FUT: That 93 TOTSSF is crazy. He also has a CB Shapeshifter that is 20k and also crazy. I am in disbelief at some of the market prices on this list, honestly.

4. Casemiro (Real Madrid, Brazil) 

Including Real Madrid players in lists might as well be in my contract. 

Casemiro is another La Liga player that is pretty much guaranteed a TOTY/TOTS card at the end of every FIFA cycle. No change this year, with his 92 CDM coming in a touch under 80k. Man, the FUT market is so stacked this year. 

Casemiro's Stat Highlights:

  • 84 Short Passing, 87 Reactions, 84 Composure. 
  • 87 Interceptions, 84 Marking, 88 Stand Tackle. 
  • 91 Aggression, 90 Stamina, 90 Strength. 

What Makes Casemiro Amazing:

  • He breaks up attacks brilliantly with his interceptions. 
  • Career Mode: 89 potential, high/high work rates make him a nuisance all over the field. 
  • FUT: That TOTSSF is excellent, but even his base gold is one of the best CDMs with a great league and nationality. 

3. Lisandro Martinez (Ajax, Argentina) 

I will never stop enjoying the way Ajax does things: youth and beautiful football all the way! 

The more defensive-minded of my two Ajax players is a force to be reckoned with in FIFA. He's an easy project for Career Mode managers, with a stellar Objectives card released recently in FUT. 

Martinez' Stat Highlights:

  • 77 Short Passing, 79 Balance, 79 Ball Control. 
  • 80 Interceptions, 77 Marking, 79 Stand Tackle. 
  • 81 Aggression, 90 Jumping, 80 Stamina. 

What Makes Martinez Amazing:

  • Incredibly balanced Dribbling, Defending, and Physical stats, and that ideal medium/high. 
  • Career Mode: 86 potential, 20 years old, super cheap for his ability. 
  • FUT: His 91 Objectives is a tank, and is perfectly at home moving him to CB in-game. 

2. Joshua Kimmich (Bayern, Germany) 

The new Phillip Lahm? He's certainly remarkably similar. 

Kimmich has followed ex-Bayern captain Lahm in making both RB and CDM his own and has FUT upgrades in both positions as well as CB. While he lacks a bit of pace to be a fullback on FIFA, he is one of the best defensive midfielders in the game, as well as the world. 

Kimmich's Stat Highlights:

  • 87 Short Passing, 84 Vision, 84 Agility. 
  • 84 Balance, 87 Reactions, 85 Composure. 
  • 85 Ball Control, 86 Aggression, 94 Stamina. 

What Makes Kimmich Amazing:

  • He's the complete defensive midfielder. The combination of agility, balance, and stamina gives him the tools to be a menace to attackers for 90 minutes and beyond. 
  • Career Mode: 90 potential (expect to go beyond that), four-star weak foot, and at 23 has a decade at the top level.
  • FUT: His 96 card is expensive, but it's one of the best in the game right now. I should know; having used him through the latest Weekend League.

1. N'Golo Kante (Chelsea, France) 

Nothing I can say will overstate the quality of the tenacious Frenchman. 

Is it a surprise to anyone that Kante is top of this list? He could realistically lay claim to being the best midfielder in FIFA, full stop. You'll need some serious savings whichever mode you're playing, but he's absolutely worth every penny. 

Kante's Stat Highlights:

  • 86 Short Passing, 82 Agility, 92 Balance. 
  • 92 Interceptions, 90 Marking, 91 Stand Tackle. 
  • 90 Aggression, 97 Stamina, 93 Reactions. 

What Makes Kante Amazing:

  • He's the yardstick that defensive midfielders are all aspiring to be. He is that good. 
  • Career Mode: He's an instant upgrade to any club. Kante is 89 rated and solidifies your midfield and defense. 
  • FUT: Literally all his cards are still usable right now. The best of the bunch are his CB Shapeshifter and (obviously) his 97 TOTY. 

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When not throwing bananas & shells at fellow road users or taking down an post-apocalyptic tyranny, you might find Darren sequestered around food trucks at music festivals.
Gamer Since: 1998
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