EA Sports FC Top 15 Centre Defensive Midfielder Rating Predictions

We’re expecting EA Sports FC news anytime now and in the lead up to the new release we’re taking a look at who we think will be the highest rated next year. Goalkeepers and defenders have already been covered and it’s now time to move further up the pitch and into midfield, starting with CDM’s.

#15 - Fernando - 82 OVR - Sevilla

FIFA 23 Rating - 83

Fernando only played 22 La Liga games this season missing various through injury and suspension, however did play in each of their Europa League games as they went on to win the trophy.

Despite his European success, the Brazilian only featured in 9 league wins this season, we think a downgrade is coming in EA Sports FC.

#14 - Stanislav Lobotka - 82 OVR - Napoli

FIFA 23 Rating - 81

Stanislav Lobokta played in every single one of Napoli’s Serie A matches on their way to winning the Scudetto so it won’t come as a surprise we’ve decided to upgrade him for next year.

He scored his only goal of the season in Napoli’s opener away to Hellas Verona which put them on the right path to the title.

We’ve played it safe and just given him a +1 but wouldn’t be surprised if he’s rated higher!

#13 - Franck Kessie - 83 OVR - Barcelona

FIFA 23 Rating - 84

It’s unclear whether or not Kessie will be staying at Barcelona or moving to a new club over the summer, but one thing we do know is that he’ll be getting a downgrade for EA Sports FC (or so we think).

The Ivorian did feature in 28 of Barcelona’s 38 league games but only played small parts, an average of 35 minutes per game. His total minutes played amounted to less than 11 full matches.

He’s been far from his top level performances at AC Milan so we’ve given him a -1 downgrade.

#12 - João Palhinha - 83 OVR - Fulham

FIFA 23 Rating - 81

Palhinha was one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League last season and the main reason Fulham had such a great season.

He completed a monstrous 148 tackles in the league, 48 more than the next closest and also led the way for interceptions.

He earned himself a very deserving TOTS card which will hopefully translate into a healthy upgrade for EA Sports FC.

#11 - Sergio Busquets - 83 OVR - Inter Miami

FIFA 23 Rating - 85

Busquets left Barcelona after 16 years at the club but is set to reunite with former Barca teammate Lionel Messi and potentially Jordi Alba and Andres Iniesta if their moves are confirmed.

Barcelona won La Liga and Busquets played his part but when it comes to ratings we know age plays a factor.

The Spaniard turns 35 in a matter of days and with a move to MLS a clear downgrade we can only see the same thing happening with his rating.

#10 - Thomas Partey - 84 OVR - Arsenal

FIFA 23 Rating - 84

Thomas Partey and Arsenal came so close to winning the Premier League this season but unfortunately lost out to a pretty much unstoppable Manchester City.

The former Atelti man chipped in with 3 goals from DM but we don’t think his performances quite warrant an upgrade so we’ve kept him at 84.

#9 - Ismael Bennacer - 84 OVR - AC Milan

FIFA 23 Rating - 82

From a current Arsenal midfielder to a former, we think Ismael Bennacer is in for a +2 upgrade for EA Sports FC.

AC Milan may have fallen off a tad since their title win but that didn’t stop the Algerian from having yet another brilliant season.

His season sadly ended with an injury but we hope he’ll be back to full fitness for the start of next season.

#8 - Sandro Tonali - 85 OVR - Newcastle United

FIFA 23 Rating - 84

Tonali joins the Toon Army for the 2023/24 season which strengthens an already impressive Newcastle lineup.

The Italian is more than likely going to be playing a box to box role as opposed to DM but as that’s not 100% certain yet, we’ve kept him in his FIFA 23 position.

Tonali chipped in with 2 goals and an impressive 7 assists for AC Milan last season and formed a very strong partnership with Bennacer in the middle of the park.

Earned himself a big transfer to England and we think a +1 rating will come with that.

#7 - Declan Rice - 85 OVR - Arsenal

FIFA 23 Rating - 84

It’s all but confirmed that Declan Rice will be moving to Arsenal this summer. We’ve had the “Here We Go” from Fabrizio and are just awaiting an official announcement.

He left West Ham in the best way possible, bringing them European glory and a nice big transfer fee.

Another impressive season for the Englisman and one which will earn him an 85 rated card in EA Sports FC.

#6 - Marcelo Brozovic - 85 OVR - Al Nassr

FIFA 23 Rating - 86

Brozovic will be heading to Saudi Arabia to join some of football's biggest names in an attempt to increase the global reach of the league.

Inter Milan reached the Champions League Final but just fell short when it mattered.

He missed big spells of the season through injury and didn’t have the best of seasons so we’ve downgraded him by 1.

#5 - Fabinho - 86 OVR - Liverpool

FIFA 23 Rating - 87

We think a downgrade is definitely in order for Fabinho and will be the case for most Liverpool players after an embarrassing season for them.

They not only slipped away from challenging for the title, but also out of the Champions League places.

Liverpool only had a 50% win rate in the league when Fabinho was involved.

#4 - N’Golo Kante - 86 OVR - Al Ittihad

FIFA 23 Rating - 89

It may seem quite harsh that we’ve dropped Kante by 3 heading into next year but the harsh truth is that it’s deserved.

We know how good the Frenchman can be when fit, but that’s the problem. He’s just not been fit.

9 matches is all he could manage this season as he left Chelsea to head to Saudi Arabia.

#3 - Rodri - 88 OVR - Manchester City

FIFA 23 Rating - 87

Manchester City fans will forever be in debt to Rodri after he scored that goal in Istanbul to take home their first ever Champions League trophy and subsequently the treble.

The former Atletico man played in 56 of Manchester City’s 61 games this season and also went on to lift the UEFA Nations League with Spain.

We think an upgrade is more than deserved for Rodri and have boosted him to 88.