EA Sports FC 24 Top 20 Central Midfielder Rating Predictions

We looked at our EA Sports FC 24 CDM predictions last week so let’s move further up the field and into Central Midfielders. We’ve got 20 to get through and we’re starting strong. Let us know if you think we missed anyone from the list!

#20 - Rodrigo De Paul - 84 OVR - Atlético Madrid

FIFA 23 Rating - 84

De Paul was Messi’s bodyguard at the World Cup and we’re a bit surprised he hasn’t followed the Argentine to Miami!

De Paul had a solid season with Atleti and took home the World Cup with Argentina so we think he’ll keep his 84 rating for next season.

#19 - Mateo Kovacic - 84 OVR - Manchester City

FIFA 23 Rating - 84

Despite the entire Chelsea squad having a poor season, Mateo Kovacic earned himself a move to treble winners Manchester City.

The Croatian wasn’t at his best last season but we’re hoping that his transfer is enough to keep him at 84 for EA Sports FC.

#18 - Bruno Guimaraes - 84 OVR - Newcastle United

FIFA 23 Rating - 81

Guimaraes has been an inspired signing on Tyneside with Newcastle fans loving him since the moment he joined.

The Brazilian partnered Joelinton in the middle of the park as they took Newcastle back to the Champions League.

A very impressive season and we’ve predicted a +3 heading into next season.

#17 - Dani Parejo - 84 OVR - Villarreal

FIFA 23 Rating – 86

Dani Parejo might have had a decent season for Villareal but as we all know age is always the first factor when it comes to ratings.

The Spaniard is 34 now and unfortunately we can only see that affecting his rating.

We’d like to be proved wrong on this one but we’ve predicted an 84.

#16 - Thiago Alcantara - 84 OVR - Liverpool

FIFA 23 Rating - 86

Not only did Liverpool have a shocking season, Thiago played less than half of the matches.

0 goals, 0 assists and limited gametime means we’ve given him a heavy downgrade for next year.

We think the former Bayern man will be dropped to an 84, his lowest rating since FIFA 17.

#15 - Mikel Merino - 84 OVR - Real Sociedad

FIFA 23 Rating - 83

Mikel Merino has come a long way since sitting on Newcastle’s bench back in 2017.

He had a very impressive season for Real Sociedad, chipping in with 9 assists and 2 goals from midfield.

Earned himself a spot in La Liga TOTS which we think will come with a +1 upgrade for next year.

#14 - Marcos Llorente - 85 OVR - Atlético Madrid

FIFA 23 Rating - 84

Marcos Llorente had another good season with Atleti and don’t worry it’s not a fourth 84 rated Spanish CM, we’ve given him a +1 up to 85.

This will be one of the most sought after cards in the first few weeks and for good reason, he may only be 85 rated but if last year is anything to go by, will play like a Prime Kante.

#13 - Sergej Milinkovic-Savic - 85 OVR - Lazio

FIFA 23 Rating - 86

Unfortunately everyone's favourite 6ft8 goalkeeper will not be getting an 85 rated CM card in EA Sports FC but it’s his brother Sergej.

The Serbian has been killing it at Lazio consistently for years but we have chosen to downgrade for next season.

The only reason being, we don’t think he’s quite on the same level as the midfielders we’ve got at 86 rated.

#12 - Federico Valverde - 86 OVR - Real Madrid

FIFA 23 Rating – 84

There were times last season when Fede was being included in the worlds best midfielder conversations and although we rate him highly, he’s just not quite there yet for us.

He might not be up there with the elite of elites but we have still given him a +2 and made him an 86 rated in EA Sports FC.

Another brilliant year and a very deserved upgrade coming (we hope!)

#11 - Pedri - 86 OVR - FC Barcelona

FIFA 23 Rating - 85

Just the 41 games for Pedri this season compared to the whopping 68 he played in the 2020/21 season.

Barcelona were back on top of La Liga this year with Pedri at the centre of it all. Popped up with 7 goals and an assist so we’ve given him a +1.

#10 - Ilkay Gundogan - 86 OVR - FC Barcelona

FIFA 23 Rating - 85

If Barcelona’s midfield wasn’t strong enough with Pedri, then it certainly will be now after signing the German.

Gundo has been integral to Manchester City’s success in recent years and went out on a high, captaining them to the treble.

He’ll be sorely missed in Manchester but is a massive addition for Barcelona who look to retain La Liga next season.

#9 - Jude Bellingham - 87 OVR - Real Madrid

FIFA 23 Rating - 84

Jude made his dream move to Real Madrid before he’d even turned 20 and became the most expensive English player of all time.

We think the upgrade would have happened even if he didn’t move to Real Madrid as he had yet another unbelievable season.

Borussia Dortmund came so close to winning the Bundesliga but just missed out. Hopefully Jude will be lifting silverware in Madrid very soon.

#8 - Nicolo Barella - 87 OVR - Inter Milan

FIFA 23 Rating - 86

Barella has already been linked with a move to Newcastle but with Tonali signing we can’t see that happening anymore.

He had an amazing season with Inter and reached the Champions League final but with many of the big teams interested he may not be at Inter much longer.

Wherever he goes we think his card will have earned a deserved +1 upgrade after his 2022/23 season.

#7 - Toni Kroos - 87 OVR - Real Madrid

FIFA 23 Rating - 88

The future is now old man. Slowly but surely the veteran Real Madrid midfielders are being replaced.

Kroos played 30 times in La Liga last season and while we don’t doubt his quality, can only see his game time reducing with Bellingham coming in.

We’ve given him a -1 after an okay season for Los Blancos but we’re hoping for another super juiced Kroos promo card again next year!

#6 - Frenkie De Jong - 87 OVR - FC Barcelona

FIFA 23 Rating - 87

Our 10th La Liga midfielder in the top 20 isn’t even our last, but he is the final Barcelona player to feature.

A midfield of Frenkie, Pedri and Ilkay Gundogan feels illegal and with Frenkie coming off the back of another good season we fear for La Liga next season.

It wasn’t his best ever season in terms of numbers but with Barcelona winning La Liga we can’t see him being downgraded so have kept him at 87 for EA Sports FC.

#5 - Leon Goretzka - 87 OVR - Bayern Munich

FIFA 23 Rating - 87

Despite winning the league Bayern Munich did struggle this season and had to rely on Dortmund dropping points on the final day of the season.

Goretzka himself had a fairly okay season with 5 goal contributions from midfield but wasn’t anything too special.

We’ve kept him at 87 but that won’t stop him being one of the most feared cards in the early weeks.

#4 - Luka Modric - 87 OVR - Real Madrid

FIFA 23 Rating - 88

Our final La Liga CM on the list is 2018 Ballon D’or winner Luka Modric.

Unfortunately we’ve played the age card again here, Modric will be 38 by the time the new game is out and we’d be very surprised if he was able to keep his current rating.

He had a good season but as we’ve seen in plenty of past games, the older you get EA will hit you with a downgrade no matter your season stats.

#3 - Marco Verratti - 88 OVR - Paris Saint Germain

FIFA 23 Rating - 87

Marco Verratti may well go down as PSG’s greatest ever player. The Italian has been at the club since 2012 and is only 20 appearances away from being their all time appearance maker at just 30 years of age.

The Italian had an unreal season for PSG as they took home yet another Ligue 1 title and we can see him being upgraded to 88 for next season.

#2 - Bernardo Silva - 88 OVR - Manchester City

FIFA 23 Rating - 88

Bernardo Silva might just be the best dribbler in world football at the moment. He ran the show in the home legs against both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid and sent City on their way to the Champions League trophy.

There are plenty of rumours about where he’ll end up next season and so we could see Bernardo in Saudi Arabia, Barcelona or even still in Manchester.

We’ve kept him at an 88 to play it safe but wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a +1 to 89.