FIFA 23: Best CDMs [Top 10]

CDM is one of the most crucial parts of the team. They control the midfield and allow the defenders and attackers to excel. They are well-rounded players who can make those dives to stop the opposition’s attacks and launch those long passes to the opposite side of the field.

A good CDM excels in both those aspects and more. Moreover, they have to run across the field numerous times and have to switch from man to man following the ball. Hence for that, they need to have tremendous stamina to keep up. 

You can’t win a game without a decent CDM, even with all the best goalkeepers and strikers. Thus, let’s look at all the FIFA 23 Best CDM that you can add to your team to make it more deadly.

List of Best Fifa 23 CDMs

#	Age	Player Name	Overall Rating	Club	Potential Rating
1	27	Joshua Kimmich	89	Bayern Munich	90
2	31	N’Golo Kante	89	Chelsea	89
3	30	Casemiro	89	Manchester United	89
4	28	Fabinho	87	Liverpool	88
5	26	Rodri	87	Manchester City	89
6	29	Marcelo  Brozovic	86	Inter Milan	86
7	34	Sergio Busquets	85	Barcelona	85
8	25	Franck Yannick Kessie	84	Barcelona	86
9	22	Sandro Tonali	84	AC Milan	90
10	23	Declan Rice	84	West Ham	87

Joshua Kimmich

W have Joshua Kimmich. He’s a 27-year-old German footballer known for playing as a right-back or defensive midfielder. He’s praised for his versatility, playmaking ability, aggression, and overall gameplay. Many consider him as the successor to Philipp Lahm, the former Bayern Munich captain. Joshua Kimmich is a right-footed CDM who plays for FC Bayern in the Bundesliga, with an overall card rating of 89. He stands at 177 cm (5’10”), with a high/medium work rate. His skills are rated at 3 stars, and his weak foot is rated at 4 stars. Using a basic chemistry style works well for him.

Kimmich began his professional career with RB Leipzig in 2013 and joined Bayern Munich a year later. He earned recognition with numerous awards, including FIFA Men’s World11, UEFA Team of the Year, and UEFA Champions League Defender of the Season after Bayern Munich’s continental treble win in the 2019–20 season.

As for his current real-world statistics, he has scored two goals and provided two assists in eight domestic competition appearances, with two yellow cards and no red cards received.

Pace

Stats	Rating
Acceleration	77
Sprint Speed	60

Dribbling

Stats	Rating
Agility	84
Balance	84
Reactions	88
Ball Control	85
Dribbling	82
Composure	85

Shooting

Stats	Rating
Positioning	80
Finishing	68
Long Shot	83
Volleys	69
Shot Power	78
Penalties	44

Defense

Stats	Rating
Interceptions	84
Heading	72
Def. Awareness	85
Standing Tackle	85
Sliding Tackle	78

Passing

Stats	Rating
Vision	85
Crossing	91
Free kick	69
Short Passing	87
Long Passing	90
Curve	85

Physical

Stats	Rating
Jumping	79
Stamina	94
Strength	68
Aggression	89

N’Golo Kante

N’Golo Kanté, a French professional football player, plays as a central midfielder for the Premier League club Chelsea and the France national team. As one of the best midfielders in the world, Kanté is respected for his dedication to excellence and for his strength on the defensive end. He is Chelsea’s (CDM) current central defensive midfielder. For this card, he received an overall FIFA 23 rating of 89. His movement skill rating is two stars, and he has a right foot. N’Golo Kanté is 168 cm tall and weighs 70 kg.

Pace

Stats	Rating
Acceleration	77
Sprint Speed	68

Dribbling

Stats	Rating
Agility	78
Balance	92
Reactions	93
Ball Control	81
Dribbling	78
Composure	84

Shooting

Stats	Rating
Positioning	72
Finishing	65
Shot Power	71
Long Shot	65
Volleys	56
Penalties	54

Defense

Stats	Rating
Interceptions	91
Heading	54
Def. Awareness	90
Standing Tackle	93
Sliding Tackle	86

Passing

Stats	Rating
Vision	77
Crossing	68
Free Kick	49
Short Passing	82
Long Passing	76
Curve	49

Physical

Stats	Rating
Jumping	75
Stamina	95
Strength	72
Aggression	93

Casemiro

The Brazilian footballer Casemiro, also known as Carlos Henrique Casemiro, was born on February 23, 1992. He now plays defensive midfield for Manchester United in the Premier League and the Brazil national team. He is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world.

Right-footed, 185 cm (6’1″) tall, Brazilian midfielder (CDM) Casemiro has a card rating of 89 and competes for Manchester United in the Premier League. He lacks an actual face in-game and possesses a 3-star weak foot and a 2-star skill move. His GPG is 0.070, and he has played in 63,832 games. Additionally, he responds well to the basic chemistry style. He turned 30 years old on February 23, 1992, when he was born.

Attacking

Stats	Rating
Crossing	58
Finishing	64
Heading Accuracy	79
Short Passing	84
Volleys	62

Skills

Stats	Rating
Dribbling	67
Curve	62
FK Accuracy	74
Long Passing	83
Ball Control	78

Movement

Stats	Rating
Acceleration	60
Sprint Speed	66
Agility	61
Reactions	87
Balance	66

Power

Stats	Rating
Shot Power	88
Jumping	85
Stamina	90
Strength	90
Long Shots	81

Mental

Stats	Rating
Aggression	91
Interceptions	88
Positioning	75
Vision	75
Penalties	66
Composure	84

Defense

Stats	Rating
Defensive Awareness	87
Standing Tackle	88
Sliding Tackle	87

GoalKeeping

Stats	Rating
GK Diving	13
GK Handling	14
GK Kicking	16
GK Positioning	12
GK Reflexes	12

Fabinho

Of course, this Fifa 23 CDM guide will be incomplete without Fabinho. Fábio Henrique Tavares, also known as Fabinho, plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Liverpool and the Brazilian national team. He is most frequently used as a center-back, despite the fact that he is also capable of playing as a right-back.

Fabinho is a right-footed Brazilian midfielder (CDM) who plays for Liverpool in the Premier League. His card has a rating of 87, and he is 188 cm (6’2″) tall. However, he falls pale compared to others on the list with his 2-star weak foot and a 3-star skill move. His GPG is 0.082 in 39,248 games played. He responds well to the basic chemistry style. He turned 28 years old on October 23, 1993.

Attacking

Stats	Rating
Crossing	75
Finishing	63
Heading Accuracy	75
Short Passing	84
Volleys	47

Skill

Stats	Rating
Dribbling	78
Curve	71
FK Accuracy	53
Long Passing	82
Ball Control	81

Movement

Stats	Rating
Acceleration	64
Sprint Speed	68
Agility	63
Reactions	86
Balance	64

Power

Stats	Rating
Shot Power	81
Jumping	75
Stamina	88
Strength	81
Long Shots	70

Mental

Stats	Rating
Aggression	85
Interceptions	88
Positioning	70
Vision	76
Penalties	90
Composure	85

Defense

Stats	Rating
Defensive Awareness	86
Standing Tackle	88
Sliding Tackle	86

GoalKeeping

Stats	Rating
GK Diving	13
GK Handling	12
GK Kicking	6
GK Positioning	8
GK Reflexes	8

Rodri

Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, also known as Rodri or Rodrigo, was born on June 22, 1996. He plays defensive midfield for Manchester City in the Premier League and for the Spanish national team. Rodrigo, a 26-year-old player for Spain, is a member of FIFA. For this particular card, he receives a FIFA 23 overall rating of 87. He is right-footed and has a 3-star rating for movement skills. Rodrigo is 191 cm tall and weighs 82 kg. One of the best midfielders in the world is renowned for his passing prowess, defensive awareness, and work ethic.

Rodri, a former junior international for Spain, made his senior national team debut in 2018, playing for the group at UEFA Euro 2020. His goal-per-game average is 0.08 in 17,060 games played. Moreover, he responds well to the basic chemistry style.

His actual numbers right now are zero goals and two assists in seven domestic competition games. He also received one yellow card and no red one.

Ball Skills

Stats	Rating
Ball Control	84
Dribbling	78

Defense

Stats	Rating
Marking	84
Slide Tackle	78
Stand Tackle	86

Mental

Stats	Rating
Aggression	82
Reaction	82
Att. Position	75
Interceptions	83
Vision	81
Composure	84

Passing

Stats	Rating
Crossing	63
Short Pass	86
Long Pass	83

Physical

Stats	Rating
Acceleration	60
Stamina	88
Strength	84
Balance	65
Sprint Speed	62
Agility	65
Jumping	72

Shooting

Stats	Rating
Heading	80
Shot Power	89
Finishing	64
Long Shots	82
Curve	65
FK Accuracy	54
Penalties	46
Volleys	59

Goalkeeper

Stats	Rating
GK Positioning	14
GK Diving	10
GK Handling	10
GK Kicking	7
GK Reflexes	8

Marcelo Brozovic

Moving on with my Fifa 23  CDM guide, we have Marcelo. Marcelo Brozovi is a defensive midfielder for both the Croatian national team and the Serie A club Inter Milan. He signed a deal with the club in 2016 that included a €95,700,000 release clause and ran until the year 2026. He wears the number eleven while playing CDM for the Croatian national football team in international competitions.

Moreover, Marcelo competed for his country in the UEFA Euros of 2016 and 2020 and the FIFA World Cups of 2014 and 2018. One of the top defensive midfielders in the world, Brozovi, is frequently acknowledged.

A 181cm (5’11”) tall, right-footed Croatia midfielder (CDM) who plays for Inter in Serie A TIM with Med/Med work rates, Marcelo Brozovic has a card rating of 86. He lacks an actual face in-game and possesses 3-star skill techniques and 4-star weak feet. He is 29 years old, and a basic chemical style would be best for him.

Marcelo Brozovi has an overall rating of 86 in FIFA 23. Below are his medium defensive and attacking work rates in FIFA 23.

Defense

Stats	Rating
Marking	77
Slide Tackle	80
Stand Tackle	81

Mental

Stats	Rating
Aggression	85
Reactions	78
Position	65
Interceptions	81
Vision	80
Composure	82

Passing

Stats	Rating
Crossing	72
Short Pass	85
Long Pass	84

Physical

Stats	Rating
Acceleration	70
Stamina	94
Strength	67
Balance	84
Sprint Speed	68
Agility	79
Jumping	70

Shooting

Stats	Rating
Heading	70
Shot Power	80
Finishing	69
Long Shots	84
Curve	79
FK Accuracy	74
Penalties	69
Volleys	65

Goalkeeper

Stats	Rating
GK Positioning	11
GK Diving	8
GK Handling	8
GK Kicking	15
GK Reflexes	8

Sergio Busquets

Sergio Busquets Burgos, born on July 16, 1988, plays as a defensive midfielder for La Liga club Barcelona and the Spanish national team. He is regarded as a deep-lying playmaker with the ability to control the game with quick, calm passes, superb positioning, and a unique understanding of the game.

Sergio joined Barcelona’s first team in July 2008 as a one-club player. He has since played more than 600 times for the team and has collected 30 trophies, including 8 La Liga championships, 7 Copa Del Reys, and 3 UEFA Champions Leagues. He was a member of their teams that captured the continental treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA Champions League.

Spanish national football player Sergio Busquets is 34 years old. He is currently a central defensive midfielder with FC Barcelona (CDM). His total rating for this card in FIFA 23 is 85. He has a 3-star skill movement rating and is right-footed. Sergio Busquets is 189 cm tall and weighs 76 kg.

In April 2009, Busquets made his senior international debut for Spain. Since then, he has played in over 130 matches for his country. He participated in two further World Cups and as many European Championships, and he assisted his nation in winning the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 competitions.

Defense

Stats	Rating
Marking	83
Slide Tackle	80
Stand Tackle	81

Mental

Stats	Rating
Aggression	79
Reactions	82
Position	76
Interceptions	84
Vision	83
Composure	90

Passing

Stats	Rating
Crossing	62
Short Pass	87
Long Pass	85

Physical

Stats	Rating
Acceleration	40
Stamina	75
Strength	70
Balance	50
Sprint Speed	43
Agility	66
Jumping	66

Shooting

Stats	Rating
Heading	68
Shot Power	61
Finishing	67
Long Shots	54
Curve	66
FK Accuracy	68
Penalties	60
Volleys	44

Goalkeeper

Stats	Rating
GK Positioning	9
GK Diving	5
GK Handling	8
GK Kicking	13
GK Reflexes	13

Franck Yannick Kessie

Next up in, we have Frank Yannick. Franck Yannick Kessié is an Ivorian professional football player born on December 19, 1996. He plays as a midfielder for the Spanish La Liga club Barcelona and the Ivory Coast national team. Kessié, an Ouragahio native, joined the club’s youth setup in 2010 and started his professional career there. He received a promotion to the first team in 2014.

He is currently a central defensive midfielder for FC Barcelona. His FIFA 23 overall rating for this card is 84. He is right-footed and has a 3-star rating for movement skills. Kessié is 183 cm tall and weighs 88 kg.

Dribbling

Stats	Rating
Agility	70
Balance	77
Reactions	81
Ball Control	84
Dribbling	78
Composure	84

Shooting

Stats	Rating
Positioning	74
Finishing	73
Shot Power	84
Long Shot	78
Volleys	60
Penalties	88

Defense

Stats	Rating
Interceptions	84
Heading	68
Def. Awareness	85
Standing Tackle	84
Sliding Tackle	78

Passing

Stats	Rating
Vision	76
Crossing	66
Free Kick	54
Short Passing	83
Long Passing	75
Curve	61

Physical

Stats	Rating
Jumping	72
Stamina	93
Strength	86
Aggression	84

Sandro Tonali

Italian national team midfielder Sandro Tonali plays for Serie A club AC Milan. He is an Italian professional football player. Sandro Tonali has one of the most comprehensive sets of stats of any midfielder in FIFA 23. At the age of 17, Tonali made his professional debut for Brescia Calcio on August 26, 2017, entering the game as a substitute in the Serie B away loss to Avellino. In a 4-2 loss to Salernitana in Serie B on April 28, 2018, he scored his first goal in the pros.

After Milan officially acquired Tonali’s rights from Brescia, he agreed to a five-year contract. The rating for Sandro is 84. He holds the position of CDM and has a potential score of 90. He is 22 years old, Italian, and a Milan player in the Italian Serie A.

In FIFA 23, right-footed player Sandro Tonali has 3 skill moves and 4 weak feet. His work rates are medium to high. An obvious choice for a strong, defensive-minded midfielder is Tonali. His incredible defensive work rate is a bonus for that anchoring role. The player is 179 cm (5’11”) tall and 79 kg (174 lbs) in weight. He does have a face in-game, though.

His actual numbers right now are 0 goals and 1 assist in 7 domestic competition matches. Additionally, he was given two yellow and no red cards.

Attacking

Stats	Rating
Crossing	78+15
Finishing	69
Volleys	70
Heading Accuracy	70

Skills

Stats	Rating
Curve	75
Dribbling	75
Long Passing	81+1
Ball Control	83
FK Accuracy	81

Movement

Stats	Rating
Acceleration	78
Sprint Speed	83
Balance	83
Agility	81
Reactions	82

Power

Stats	Rating
Shot Power	79
Long Shots	81+2
Strength	81
Stamina	85
Jumping	65

Declan Rice

Declan Rice, a crucial West Ham United midfield member, is projected to have an overall rating of 84 and a potential rating of 87 in FIFA 23. He will also likely be a Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad member. Declan Rice is a more physically and defensively inclined version of Tonali, giving up some shooting and speed. He will be a beast protecting your back four at 6’1″ and with powerful physical attributes.

His stats in the game include a 3-star weak foot and a 2-star skill move. Moreover, his goals per game are 0.077 in 33,270 games played. He responds well to the basic chemistry style. He is currently 23 years old and was born on January 14, 1999.

Furthermore, in FIFA 23, a CDM must have 83 interceptions, 83 standing tackles, and 82 instances of aggression. Rice currently possesses these stats. These factors contribute to Rice’s heavy opponent status in the middle of the park and make it challenging to get past him. Declan Rice produced well for the Hammers last season, appearing in 50 games and chipping in with five goals and four assists. His talent has sparked a lot of interest, especially from teams like Chelsea and Manchester United. After the campaign, it won’t be shocking if he leaves The Hammers.

Shooting

Stats	Rating
Positioning	58
Finishing	61
Shot Power	74
Long Shots	65
Volleys	50
Penalties	71

Passing

Stats	Rating
Vision	79
Crossing	55
Free Kick	58
Short Passing	83
Long Passing	84
Curve	58

Dribbling

Stats	Rating
Agility	55
Balance	67
Reactions	81
Ball Control	79
Dribbling	78
Composure	83

Defense

Stats	Rating
Interceptions	85
Heading	72
Def. Awareness	0
Standing Tackle	84
Sliding Tackle	80

Conclusion

These are all the best options available as of now in FIFA 23 for the CDM position. These players have been honed to the hilt and display masterclass football. Their stats are proof of their hard work and how much value they can bring to the team. With Joshua Kimmich leading the pack of the FIFA 23 Central Defensive Midfielders, you can be certain that these players will perform even better than you expect.