The role of a centre-back is to help the goalie defend the net. Their goal is to stop the opposing attackers from getting through them and attacking their goalie. Their role is in the middle of the defending box and they try to steal the ball from the opposing attackers. Hopefully creating a counter-attacking opportunity.
What is a Wonderkid?
A wonderkid is a label for players in FIFA that have a low or moderate starting overall point value, and they become better over time. It’s like picking a 16-19 year old, with an overall of 63, and within 5 seasons, the player has become an 80+ overall player. They can develop fast or slow, but they will eventually rival the best in the game.
Why are they valued?
They are valued because you get a ton of years out of them, their potential is through the roof, and they are usually versatile. Their value lies in their upside, sign them young, and grow them into premier league beasts. You would want any one of these players on your team, for sure.
Ranked Good to Best
15. Ravil Tagir CB 18
Tagir is a flashy back who helps the offense get started down the pitch. He is okay at passing, but good at defending and dribbling, so he’s got control of the ball until he gets it to his offensive teammates. He’s one of the younger Centre-Backs on this list too, which means his potential has more time to grow.
Tagir is one of the better grabs if you want to start at EFL League Two or an equivalent league. He has great value since you can get him for $1.7 million, and on a wage of $2,300. He rises to 70 within the first season and will slow for a bit until he gets going. My expert opinion is that if you want a Centre-Back in your lineup for cheap, and has good potential look no further than Tagir.
Ravil Tagir Strengths
- Corners - He is a physical presence in the box, and he is a great CB to bring forward when taking corners with Heading Accuracy at 67 and Jumping at 82 to start.
- Defending - His stats start below 70, but after one season he gets a boost.
- Pace - His pace starts at 67 and climbs to 75 after the first season.
Ravil Tagir stats: Starting
- Pace - 67
- Shooting - 33
- Passing - 54
- Dribbling - 61
- Defending - 67
- Physical - 61
- Overall - 66
- Potential - 80+
14. Jarrad Branthwaite CB 19
Jarrad is one of those textbook defenders that gets the job done. He is one of the well-rounded defending backs. His skills are low to start, but within five seasons, he’ll be in the 80s in most of his defensive stat categories.
If you are looking for a back that needs to be loaned out for about three seasons before he can be a starter then this a good option. He is only available at the Championship League level and higher. In my expert opinion, Jarrad doesn’t start as a great center-back, but his potential is worth it.
Jarrad Branthwaite Strengths
- Tackling - His stand tackle starts at 72 and keeps growing.
- Set-Pieces - His Corner game is good to start with Heading Accuracy at 70 and Jumping at 73.
- Strength - His strength starts right at 69, and within a few seasons, he’ll start to win almost any challenge.
Jarrad Branthwaite stats: Starting
- Pace - 63
- Shooting - 31
- Passing - 45
- Dribbling - 47
- Defending - 67
- Physical - 65
- Overall - 67
- Potential - 83+
13. Jonathan German Gomez LB/CB 17
Gomez is a speedy back that can get the ball back in a hurry. He can steal the ball, or create chaos to win a free kick for you. He is a player that is okay at everything, and good at a few things.
He is a balanced player, unlike others with a favored category or skill. He is Cheap and you can get him immediately in almost any league. In my opinion, he is one of the better grabs for value at the lower-level leagues. He is also the youngest CB on this list and has time to grow into his potential.
Jonathan German Gomez Strengths
- Speed - He has a great pace stat, and it grows with time. Defenders aren’t usually the pacey players on the pitch.
- Stamina - He starts with a 64 in stamina, and it grows to beyond 75 over time, so he gets fatigued less often.
- Tackling - His slide and stand takes are over 66 to start, and it gets into the 70s by the middle of the second season.
Jonathan German Gomez stats: Starting
- Pace - 72
- Shooting - 33
- Passing - 48
- Dribbling - 61
- Defending - 61
- Physical - 55
- Overall - 64
- Potential - 80+
12. Becir Omeragic CB 19
Becir is a great centre-back to get the ball moving in the opposite direction. He is one of the toughest players on this list. All of his stat categories are good, except for shooting, which he makes up for with jumping and heading accuracy.
He is one of the best early starting centre-backs, available at almost any club level, and less than $3 million to buy. His potential is high, and he goes from 67 to 75 overall in just 3 seasons. His skills and talent develop evenly, and as long as he’s a regular starter, I see him getting to 85 Overall by age 26.
Becir Omeragic Strengths
- Corner - He has 76 Jumping and 65 Heading accuracy stats to start.
- Strength - He’ss a physically strong centre-back with a starting strength stat of 71.
- Pace - His speed stat is 78 and his Acceleration stat is 72 to start.
Becir Omeragic stats: Starting
- Pace - 75
- Shooting - 35
- Passing - 55
- Dribbling - 54
- Defending - 66
- Physical - 70
- Overall - 67
- Potential - 83+
11. Levi Colwill CB 18
Levi is a centre-back that is great at tackling the opposing attackers. He is strong and wins the majority of challenges inside the box. He’s great to use in set pieces as well. He’s a CB that you’ll want in attacking set pieces.
Levi is loaned out for the whole first year. After the first year of being loaned out, you can get him in EFL League One or an equal league. He’s just under $4 million and goes to 75 overall by the end of his second season on the team.
Levi Colwill Strengths
- Tackling - His stand tackle starts at 72 and his slide tackle starts at 69
- Corners - His stats are; Jumping 76, Heading Accuracy 62
- Strength - His strength to start is 78 and goes to 85 after a few seasons(unless specifically targeted to grow faster).
Levi Colwill stats: Starting
- Pace - 70
- Shooting - 34
- Passing - 58
- Dribbling - 62
- Defending - 68
- Physical - 74
- Overall - 69
- Potential - 84+
10. Sepp van den Berg CB 19
Sepp is a talented player who has great potential and can start in virtually every game. He is a beast inside your box, with his strength and tackling as high as they are to start, he can take care of a lot of pushes into your box. He is a great player to add depth if you are starting in a higher league and already have players over 70 overall.
After playing with his character for a bit on FIFA 22, I have learned some new things. He will go to 77 overall within 3 seasons, and he doesn’t meter out before 23. The only thing I saw as problematic is the fact that when you start the game, he is on loan. However, he’s just under $5 million, and worth every penny.
Sepp van den Berg Strengths
- Stamina - He starts with 75 stamina, and is one of the best players to start regularly and not need a breather.).
- Strength - He starts with a 73 in strength stats and he gets better over time.
- Tackling - He starts with 72 & 70 in stand and slide tackling stats respectively.
Sepp van den Berg stats: Starting
- Pace - 67
- Shooting - 34
- Passing - 59
- Dribbling - 64
- Defending - 70
- Physical - 72
- Overall - 70
- Potential - 81+
9. Ziga Laci CB 18
Laci is one of the stronger defenders in the back end. He will anchor your team with his defensive and physical abilities. At 6’2” he is great for your set-piece game as well.
From my expert standpoint, picking this player up is a great get for any team. He provides an anchor in the backfield and is available in almost all leagues. You can get him off the transfer market for less than $5 million, and He grows to 75 overall within the first 3 seasons.
Ziga Laci Strengths
- Corners - He has a 70 & 65 for jumping and heading accuracy stats respectively.
- Tackling - He starts with a 72 and 69 in stand and slide tackles respectively.
- Strength - He starts with a strength stat of 74.
Ziga Laci stats: Starting
- Pace - 67
- Shooting - 26
- Passing - 46
- Dribbling - 46
- Defending - 70
- Physical - 71
- Overall - 68
- Potential - 81+
8. Armel Bella Kotchap CB 19
Kotchap is a unique back that I would love to have on my team. He is strong and good at tackling and defending. You can add his ability to intercept, his speed, and you have a top 10 lethal CB in your backfield.
His potential is a great pick-up for any team. He is available at EFL League One level or above and costs less than $4 million. His wages are moderate, and he grows to 76 by the end of the 3rd career season.
Armel Bella Kotchap Strengths
- Defending - With a 70 overall category stat to start, the only low mark in this category is marking.
- Tackling - He starts with a 75 & 69 stand and slide tackling stat respectively.
- Corners - He starts with a 75 jumping and a 67 heading stat.
- Strength - He is one of the strongest players on this list, if not the strongest with a starting strength stat at 84.
- Pace - He is one of the fastest defenders on this list, and with an 85 sprint speed and a 77 acceleration stat, it’s not hard to see why.
Armel Bella Kotchap stats: Starting
- Pace - 81
- Shooting - 25
- Passing - 50
- Dribbling - 47
- Defending - 70
- Physical - 75
- Overall - 70
- Potential - 83+
7. Leonidas Stergiou CB 19
Stergiou is a centre-back who is a physical player. He is more on the physical side than the speedy and defensive side. He’s the one to tear the ball from your opponents and help you score off of set pieces on the opposite end.
Stergiou is one of the slower-moving centre-backs when it comes to overall. However, he makes up for his slow overall increase by being available at almost any level. He’s about $3 million to buy, and his wage is less than 2k a week. He is a great player who will eventually become great but needs time to develop.
Leonidas Stergiou Strengths
- Stamina - He starts with a 71 stat in stamina.
- Set Pieces - His stats start with an 86 in jumping and a 64 in heading accuracy.
- Strength - He starts with a 74 strength stat..
Leonidas Stergiou stats: Starting
- Pace - 65
- Shooting - 32
- Passing - 46
- Dribbling - 48
- Defending - 68
- Physical - 72
- Overall - 67
- Potential - 85+
6. Eduardo Quaresma CB 19
Quaresma is one of the most aggressive CBs in the game. He has high aggression, strength, interceptions, and composure to start. He is a fast-rising star and is a player you want on your team.
You can get Quaresma in Championship League level or higher, but he is on loan for the first season. If you have him starting and active in training, he will grow to a 78 overall in the first 3 seasons. His wage is under 3k and is reasonable for any club to afford.
Eduardo Quaresma Strengths
- Dribbling - His stats start with a 71 in reactions and a 76 in composure.
- Interceptions - He starts with stats at 71 in interception, and his reactions and composure listed above make him that much more dangerous.
- Defending - His start stat for this category is 72, and his marking, tackling, and interceptions get him over that 70 overall mark.
- Set pieces - He has an 80 in jumping, a 75 in aggression, and a 68 in heading accuracy.
- Strength - He has a starting strength stat of 75.
Eduardo Quaresma stats: Starting
- Pace - 58
- Shooting - 31
- Passing - 47
- Dribbling - 55
- Defending - 72
- Physical - 66
- Overall - 71
- Potential - 85+
5. Marton Dardai CB 19
Dardai is one of the most well-rounded CBs in this category, and he is good on both sides of the ball. He’s versatile and can be relied on in the backfield when your offense gives away a bad pass. He is strong, aggressive, and is not afraid to get into the box to stop the ball.
Dardai is a great defender to start with, you can get him in the Championship League level or higher. He is a fast-rising star that grows to almost 80 overall within the first three seasons. He is around $5 million to buy and may have a release clause in the first season. With his potential being reached at around 24, he still has two more years to add to it before he starts to decrease, making him a great addition to any team.
Marton Dardai Strengths
- Long Pass - He has a starting stat of 76 in long passing, and is okay at passing the ball in general.
- Interceptions - His starting stat in this category is 75.
- Tackling - His starting stats are 74 & 72 for stand and slide tackling respectively.
- Set Pieces - His starting stats are 72 jumping and 69 heading accuracy.
- Strength - His starting stat is 74 Strength and only gets better.
Marton Dardai stats: Starting
- Pace - 68
- Shooting - 31
- Passing - 65
- Dribbling - 62
- Defending - 72
- Physical - 70
- Overall - 71
- Potential - 85+
4. Tanguy Nianzou CB/CDM 19
Nianzou is a player whose abilities need about a year to develop, and then he’s off to the races. He is a strong and aggressive player on the defensive side and is a very alert defender. He is a beast with set pieces and is strong enough to force the ball away from the attackers.
My expert opinion on Nianzou is that he is a player that you want to get at the beginning of your career, even though he’s only available at the Championship League or higher. He is about $6 million to get, but he has moderate wages. If you get him in the Championship League, loan him out for 2 seasons, and he’ll come back nearly 80 overall.
Tanguy Nianzou Strengths
- Set Pieces - He has a 70 or higher for stats in both heading accuracy and jumping.
- Strength - His starting strength stat is 78.
- Defensive awareness - He starts at 72 in this statistic and is good at reading the incoming offense.
- Tackling - he has a 74 & 68 in stand and slide tackling respectively to start.
- Aggression - He starts with a 71 aggression stat.
Tanguy Nianzou stats: Starting
- Pace - 71
- Shooting - 39
- Passing - 50
- Dribbling - 63
- Defending - 73
- Physical - 74
- Overall - 72
- Potential - 85+
3. Mario Vuskovic CB 19
Mario is a tough, physical, defender, who knows how to stall or stop an attack. He is a beast in set pieces. He is a great all-around defender to start and only gets better with time.
His stats increase slow, but develop him from EFL League Two until Premier League, and he’ll be in the 80s by then. He’s priced wellfor his overall and potential, pay the release clause of $10 million, he’s worth it. His wages are moderate to start, and no matter who else you put on this list beside him, he’s going to destroy the opposing attackers will.
Mario Vuskovic Strengths
- Interceptions - His stats start with a 76 in interceptions making it hard to get by him.
- Tackling - His starting stats are 74 & 72 for stand and slide tackling respectively.
- Aggression - He starts with a 78 in this category and is ultra aggressive when people try to score on him.
- Set Pieces - With his jumping stat at 76 and heading accuracy at 69 to start, he’s hard to deal with in the box.
- Strength - He’s a decent 77 in this category, but he is strong nonetheless.
Mario Vuskovic stats: Starting
- Pace - 65
- Shooting - 29
- Passing - 40
- Dribbling - 45
- Defending - 72
- Physical - 73
- Overall - 72
- Potential - 85+
2. Goncalo Inacio CB 19
Inaciao has one of the best overall defending stats in the game, and plays a complete game. He combines speed, strength, aggression, and tackling. If that wasn’t enough he’s a nightmare in set pieces and a stud in passing. Good luck going against this guy in a match, you aren’t getting past him.
He’s available at just under $30 million starting in EFL League One or equivalent. He goes from 78 to over 82 within 3 seasons. His wages are easy, and he is one of the top two dominating wonderkid CBs.
Goncalo Inacio Strengths
- Pace - His stats start with a full 79 in the category with 78 in acceleration and 80 in sprint speed.
- Passing - His stats are 76 & 77 in short and long passing respectively.
- Stamina - He starts with a stat of 74, which means he will need fewer breaks between games to recover.
- Defening - Stat starts at 80, enough said. Not to mention a 75-strength stat and a 75 in aggression.
- Set Pieces - He starts with a stat of 70 in jumping and 77 in heading accuracy, and he gets better… Scary.
Goncalo Inacio stats: Starting
- Pace - 79
- Shooting - 36
- Passing - 61
- Dribbling - 58
- Defending - 80
- Physical - 75
- Overall - 90+
1. Josko Gvardiol CB/LB 19
He is the most complete CB on this entire list. He’s a true Jack of all trades. His stat categories prove that, and are evident when his lowest stat is shooting at 54, as a defender.
Honestly, get him as early as possible, and get him on a long contract, because this is one you don’t want to miss out on playing as. He is north of $40 million and is only available at the Championship League or higher. Before the end of the third season, he’s already at 87 overall, and he is on pace to hit his 90+ overall by 23 years old.
Josko Gvardiol Strengths
- Pace - His speed stat is 84 to start, let that sink in.
- Shot Power - His stats start at 76 for a defender… amazing.
- Passing & Dribbling - He has a 74 & 76 in Long and Short passing stats respectively to start. His overall dribbling stat category is a 72 to start.
- Defending - The beginning stats of the defending category is 76, most of it in the 79 stand and slide tackling.
- Physical - He is great at set pieces, aggression, Stamina, and Strength.
Josko Gvardiol stats: Starting
- Pace - 82
- Shooting - 54
- Passing - 69
- Dribbling - 72
- Defending - 76
- Physical - 83
- Overall - 78
- Potential - 90+
