FIFA 23 Top 5 Players Per Position in FIFA Ultimate Team

As we say goodbye to 2022, let’s take a look back at some players that you can look to get into your teams ahead of the new year.

While I’m sure plenty of you have your club legends and first-team favourites in FUT23, the FUTBIN team have been hard at work to bring you some new suggestions in each position to shake up your FUT squad heading into the new year!

And to those that have unwrapped FIFA 23 this Christmas, don’t panic, we’ve included our Top Picks for under 10,000 Coins to start filling out your FUT 23 starter squad to tackle Division Rivals.

We’ve dived into the FUTBIN Player Game Performance Statistics to bring you:

• The Player with the most Games in each Position

• The Player with the most Games in each Position under 10,000 Coins for your new Christmas starter squads

• FUTBINs Recommendation - This can be a cheap beast, an underlooked hidden gem, or someone that we think is just too good to ignore, yes, we’re talking about Mbappe, we’re sorry.

• The Pro Players’ Choice - taken from over 25 pro-player squads

• Super Sub - A player that is not naturally in the suggested position, but would perform very well in a new role

Without further ado, let’s dive into it, so get ready to rethink those FUT squads!

Goalkeepers (GK)

We’ll kick it off between the sticks, with the #1s, and if the World Cup has proven anything, it’s how important a top shot-stopper can be, step up Emi Martinez and his “interesting” Golden Glove placement.

While GK choice is based heavily on personal preference, it’s unsurprising to see Thibaut Courtois as the most-used GK so far in FIFA 23, standing at 6’6”, with Real Madrid links to the likes of Rudiger, Militao and Ferland Mendy driving his popularity.

For those looking to build starter teams, funnily enough, Emi Martinez is the most used GK under 10,000 coins, with just under a million games played.

Our special FUTBIN recommendation for the GK spot goes to the new Winter Wildcard Jack Butland, with 5* Skill Moves, who doesn’t love conceding a goal because they’ve tried to rainbow flick the opposition attacker? 

Now onto the Pro Players' choice, and again, personal preference is evident here. Linkability is certainly a factor, and Donnarumma linking to his PSG teammates such as Mbappe, and Ligue 1 links to Ginola are a reason for his popularity.

However, you’ll also see many a top FIFA Player using Courtois, or a selection of Icons.

Right Backs (RB)

In the full-back positions, as in many years prior, pace dominates, so it’s no surprise to see who the most used players are in this area of the pitch.

As expected, Kyle Walker is the most-used RB this year in FUT 23, with nearly 18,000,000 total games played. 

For those cheaper starter teams looking for a right back under 10,000 coins, look no further than Achraf Hakimi, the 2nd most used player in this position, with those all-important PSG links.  

Our FUTBIN Recommendation is perhaps aimed a little more towards the Christmas influx of players, but Marcos Llorente’s alternate RB position makes him a truly viable option in La Liga, as a near-miss to the “Gullit Gang.”

Going Pro? Then you’ll likely be sticking with Kyle Walker, but splashing the coins, only 700,000 plus of them, on his World Cup Path To Glory card. While it’s a huge outlay, when defending the likes of Mbappe & Al Owairan, you’ll need all the help you can get.

For an alternative approach, Ferland Mendy is a viable option, given his 5* Weak Foot.

Central Defenders (CB)

Goals win games, shock, so having an elite pair of central defenders is key, let’s take a look at the data.

No surprise whatsoever that Virgil Van Dijk is the most-used CB in FUT this year, with over 20,000,000 games played. His pace, coupled with his 6’4” frame and the “lengthy” meta has made him a force to be reckoned with this year.

Starting out FUT this Christmas and in need of an all-around beast in defence with great links? Jules Kounde is the perfect option, and with over 9 million games this year, the FUT universe would agree.

Here at FUTBIN, we’re always on the lookout for new and exciting cards to use in FUT, and for a CB option at around 40,000 coins, you could do a lot worse than Seko Fofana’s Out of Position card. 

For those where budget is not an issue, the World Cup Hero Lucio is a card that is highly used amongst the best FUT players in the world, but how will this change as we head into the Team of the Year period?

Finally, if you’re looking for an alternative approach, or perhaps need a full-back that can do a job in the centre-back position, Denzel Dumfries’ TOTT item may be of interest. Standing at 6’2” with 86 Pace, 83 Defending and a whopping 93 Physical, he will likely be “The Equalizer” to many of your opposition attackers.

Left Backs (LB)

Similar to the opposite side, the left-back position is an area once again dominated by Pace to stop those fast, tricky wingers.

You won’t be shocked to discover that Ferland Mendy is by far the most-used left-back in FUT 23 with nearly 20,000,000 games played. The pace, the physicality, the 5-star weak foot, the dribbling & defending, he has it all, with Alphonso Davies being the cheaper alternative with over 7,000,000 games played.

For our FUTBIN Recommendation, we were torn a little here, but we’ve decided to suggest the IF Joao Cancelo. While not perhaps the traditional speedy full-back that many would go for, if you’re looking for an attacking option that can contribute to the attack with his passing and technical ability, he’s your man.

Have ~600k to spare and want the best? Ferland Mendy’s new Winter Wildcard item looks to be the best option currently available in FUT.

Left-back super subs options were somewhat scarce, however, you could do a lot worse than one of the 2022 World Cup standout youngsters Josko Gvardiol. He does have a secondary LB position, and you may want to take advantage of that if you’re looking for a quick, but a physically dominating option.

Central Defensive Midfielders (CDM)

As the cliche goes, “Games are won and lost in the midfield,” so ensuring that you have a strong CDM can be the difference maker in a lot of games.

With over 12,000,000 games played, according to our research, Kalvin Phillips is the #1 most used central defensive midfielder in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team up until now, and at a mere 20,000 coins, is still a steal for a ball-playing defensive midfielder in the Premier League.

If you’re just starting out in FUT 23 this Christmas, Franck Yannick Kessie is a strong go-to as the most-used CDM under 10,000 coins, being tall, strong and defensively sound.

For our FUTBIN recommendation, we’re throwing it back to a card that’s been in FUT for some time now, the Road to the Knockouts Zambo Anguissa from Napoli. Hugely popular with nearly 9,000,000 total games, with everything you need from a CDM, and a steal at only 36,000 coins if you’re looking to branch out into a new team this Christmas.

What are the Pros using? Well, it’s a pretty unanimous decision throughout the community, with many opting for the new-to-FUT 23 World Cup Hero Yaya Toure. At 2,000,000 coins, he’s hardly a cheap beast, but if you’re looking for the best CDM option in FUT 23, be prepared to shell out some of your hard-earned coins. 

We’ve gone rogue with our alternative CDM suggestion, with another Team of the Tournament item, this time, the left sided Raphael Guerreiro, who has the perfect capability to do a great job in defensive midfield. 95 Acceleration to cover passing lanes, along with 91 Interceptions & 86 Defensive Awareness, and all passing stats (other than FKA) above 90. And all of this for 23,000 coins, BARGAIN!

Central Midfielders (CM)

Let’s take a look at the next line of the midfield, moving further forward into the central midfielders that you’ll ideally want to do a bit of everything, from the ugly side of the game defensively, to the crucial attacking involvements.

The most used CM this year may surprise you, with Thomas Lemar’s RTTK item taking the #1 spot, just ahead of Frenkie De Jong.

For lower-budget starter squads, Marcos Llorente is our recommendation, being highly versatile across the midfield, with nearly 6,000,000 total games played, for a mere 4,000 coin outlay.

The FUTBIN Recommendation goes to Gini Wijnaldum, who has the 7th most total in-game stats out of all non-icon players in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team. What more could you need from a box-to-box midfielder?

For the pros, we could’ve equally posted Yaya Toure here again, but we’ve gone for Ruud Gullit, who we’re all familiar with. He’s the standard bearer for all-round midfielders, as you’d expect for 3 million coins.

Ivan Perisic is our “super sub” suggestion in the midfield, beating Wijnaldum by 4 total in-game stats, cementing himself as one of the best all-around players in FIFA 23, making for a superb midfield option.

Central Attacking Midfielders (CAM)

Here are our attacking midfielder suggestions, with Kevin De Bruyne leading the way in the #1 most used spot, with close to 12,000,000 games played - a true well-rounder.

Many FUT players will be sick of the sight of Nabil Fekir, we have some “not-so-fond” memories of his RTTK item from FIFA 22 it has to be said, but for under 10,000 coins, he’s a great starter CAM.

Our FUTBIN Recommendation is a slightly obscure choice, however, Winter Wildcards Verde is a super interesting CAM option thanks to his 99 Passing upgrade.

For the pros, David Ginola is an obvious candidate for this role, also playing further forward as a striker. His 5* 5* skill set with his physical presence makes him one of the more meta-attacking options.

Finally, our super sub-option for this role is the World Cup Stories Gareth Bale. While somewhat tricky to link despite a WW Chiellini link, his attacking stats for an attacking midfielder cannot be ignored.

Right Midfielders (RM/RWs)

Moving out to the wing, again, no surprise as to who is top of the games played charts, with Ousmane Dembele being heavily used, with over 14,000,000 games played and available for less than 10,000 coins!

Our FUTBIN Recommendation goes to the World Cup Phenoms Dan James, who with 98 Pace will burn even the quickest of fullbacks.

It’s no surprise that Al-Owairan is one of the most used wingers among the pros this year. The lightning-quick Saudi Arabian has been one of the “game-breaking” World Cup Hero additions to FIFA 23 Ultimate Team.

Finally, our super sub suggestion is the new Liverpool acquisition, Cody Gakpo, who is a perfectly serviceable right midfielder. Pace a plenty, 88 Shooting with the Outside Foot Shot trait, along with 91 Crossing make him a superb option.

Left Midfielders (LM/LWs)

Switching flanks, Vinicius Jr. is the not only most used left-sided midfielder in FIFA 23, but the most used player overall, just ahead of CR7 by less than 100,000 games played.

For the cheap beast, enter Yannick Carrasco, who possesses all the characteristics of a solid wide mid, pace, skills, decent enough shooting stats to take chances in front of goal, and good enough passing to link up play.

Our recommendation is one of the easiest so far, Angel Di Maria’s WC TOTT SBC is possibly the greatest SBC we’ve had this year. An unreal card, reasonably priced, and with a dynamic image to die for. Read our full Di Maria review here.

For Pro players, Mbappe is king on the wing. His pace and dominance is enough to terrorise defenders all across the front line, and his latest TOTT item at ~5.3 million coins, while not heavily used due to the price, does the trick.

For our super sub suggestion, we’re actually reusing the Gareth Bale WC Stories pick from earlier. The stats work perfectly for a left-sided attacker, with the outside foot shot trait for those trivelas, along with 93 Crossing to get those assists, he’s a perfect option in multiple positions.

Strikers (CF/ST)

Finally, let’s end off with the most important position on the pitch, the strikers, the goal-getters and game-winners.

CR7 fans (and Piers Morgan), rejoice, as your man is the #1 most used striker in FIFA 23 Ultimate Team, with over 22,000,000 games played.

For the starter squads among us, Diogo Jota should be on your radar for only 7,500 coins. 4* Skills & 5* Weak Foot in the Premier League, with Liverpool links, he’s a no-brainer.

Now before you all head to the comments and call us rats, please, hear us out. FIFA 23 is the year of Mbappe, as will likely be the case for many years to come. If you’re looking for the #1 Gold Card in FIFA 23, look no further, there’s a reason he’s the only gold card above 100,000 coins.

Pro Players, if they can afford him, tend to lean towards the 5* 5* Icon options, with R9 being the common denominator in many attacks.

Finally, Neymar is our “super-sub” option, used extensively in central positions due to his double 5-star abilities. 

Let us know if you agree with our recommendations, and let us know your favourite players in FUT 23 down below!