Top 10 Best CDM EA FC 25 Career Mode: Ranking All Best Central Defensive Midfielder

In modern football, especially in FC 25 Career Mode, the midfield is where everything happens. While the spotlight’s always on goal-scorers and defenders get all the gritty glory, it’s the midfielders, especially the CDMs, perhaps the most underrated position, who quietly run the show. Your Central Defensive Midfielder is the guy who makes sure your defence isn’t constantly under fire and that connects your attack with defence and midfield.

He is the anchor, sets the tempo, the one who breaks up plays before they even begin and then launches your team into attack mode. A proper CDM doesn’t just chase shadows; he owns the middle of the park. His job is to intercept, tackle, hold his shape, and play out smart passes. The role has become even more important now that the AI movement is sharper and the interception mechanics have been fine-tuned. So yeah, having a CDM who’s strong, reads the game well, and doesn’t gas out after 60 minutes is non-negotiable.

If you have players like Rodri or Declan Rice, they deal with pressure promptly and still have the legs to send pinpoint passes forward. These are the kinds of players who will boss it for a Champions League contender or carry a mid-table rebuild project. And to help you make the right signing, we have lined up the best CDMs in EA FC 25 Career Mode, because if your team doesn’t have one, you’re playing with fire.

Ranking Factors

Overall Rating: The Overall rating is the most straightforward ranking factor to calculate the ranking of these cards, as they are made up of different ratings of each attribute. A high-performing card can never have a rating of around 60. So, we have taken the direct factor for determining the rank of the CDMs in EA FC 25. In EA FC 25, cards with a higher overall rating are known for their balancing and reliability. The more highly rated card you have in your team more chances will be created up top. These player can set the tempo of the game with just their passing. We have used this parameter to suggest the best out of the best CDMs for you.

Playstyle: A top-tier CDM must excel in skills like Standing Tackle, Strength, and Aggression. These tell how well a CDM can regain possession of the ball if it's in the opponent's feet & Physicality will lead us to how strong a central defensive midfielder is and his ability to shoulder down a player to take possession or to stop a shot at goal. CDMs with high scores in these stats consistently perform better in-game, regardless of formation or tactics. A defensive midfielder is not just a player known for taking back possession, but also for creating chances for central midfielders, wingers, and strikers if you are using a long playstyle against an opponent.

Top 10 Best CDM EA FC 25 Career Mode

This list contains the best CDM FC 25 players, including female players, to help you get the highest rating amongst all the players in EA FC 25 at the position. Find the best CDM FC 25 Career mode player to improve your team’s stats and dynamics, but they will cost you quite a lot; they are the best CDM in EA FC 25.

Many top-class managers always make their CDMs play every match, like Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who has said many times that Rodri is his most trusted and important player. Without Rodri, it’s clearly seen that Manchester City struggles to break down the opposition.

List of Top 10 Best CDM EA FC 25 Career Mode

In the EA FC 25 version, many gamers and footballing legends said that this time, the highly rated CDMs are missing because, in 2023/24, many top-rated CDMs got old or got into injury, which made them lose some ratings, which affected the gameplay of the gamers who used to have two CDMs in their favorite formation.

10. Keira Walsh (85 OVR)

Walsh is a great player defensively in every sense; she is calm under pressure, her passing is precise, and a natural when it comes to dictating the tempo. If value structure and control more than raw pace or power, Walsh is a player who is perfect for systems built around possession. She is not the most physical or quick CDM in EA FC 25, but her intelligence and her ability to maintain shape make her one of the best CDMs in EA FC 25 career mode. All you need to do is pair her with a more aggressive, ball-winning midfielder to give your setup the perfect defensive balance.

9. Aurelien Tchouameni (85 OVR)

Tchouaméni’s card is all about control and dominance. His card has high physicality means that he’s built to win duels and cover ground quickly. He offers a solid pace, which allows him to close down attackers fast. If you want a reliable CDM who can make quick vertical passes and can lock down the midfield and protect your backline with confidence, Tchouaméni is your guy.

8. Sandro Tonali (85 OVR)

Sandro Tonali is full of energy and aggression; he is exactly what you need in a high-tempo, pressing system. The Newcastle Midfielder brings stamina and physicality to the middle of the park, enabling him to dominate opponents. Tonali's box-to-box ability means he is always involved in breaking up play and winning second balls. If you play with intensity and pressure, Tonali fits right in. He is a true pressing machine, and easily one of the best cdm ea fc 25 career mode.

7. Lena Oberdorf (86 OVR)

Lena Oberdorf is easily among the most physically dominant CDMs on this list, offering unparalleled services in the defensive midfield, blending raw strength with smart positioning and sharp tackling. With a physicality rating of 89, she’s an absolute wall in the middle of the park, allowing her to bully opponents off the ball and shut down attacks with ease. She plays like an enforcer who wins duels, breaks plays, and runs like an engine to both ends of the field.

6. Bruno Guimaraes (85 OVR)

Bruno is a player who performs his attacking and defensive duties perfectly, making him a perfect pick for the list of the best CDM FC 25. He’s mobile, composed on the ball, and brings the kind of creativity you don’t often see in a CDM. Whether you need to shield the backline or need an extra man in the attack, he adapts to whatever the game demands. If you want to balance the midfield and dominate possession, Bruno is your player who offers control and versatility.

5. N’Golo Kante (85 OVR)

Kanté might be 33, but in EA FC 25, age is just a number, and he gets a spot in the list of best CDM FC 25. His card still screams defensive monster. Easily one of the best pure CDMs in the game, Kanté brings insane interceptions and clean tackling that hands over the control of the midfield to you. He’s the kind of player who’s everywhere at once, constantly cutting off passing lanes and winning balls like it's second nature. His passing is not elite, so you would need to pair him with a deep-lying playmaker to get the balance.

4. Hakan Calhanoglu (86 OVR)

Hakan Çalhanoğlu isn’t your typical CDM, which means not only does he break play, but he also builds it. Hakan can be considered a deep-lying playmaker who is always looking for long-range shots and defence-splitting passes that can decide the outcome of the game. He also loves moving into space to dictate tempo and control the centre of the park. Slot him in as a CM with defensive cover or give him that freedom as a deep-lying creator; Çalhanoğlu’s passing game easily earns him a spot among the best CDM EA FC 25 career mode.

3. Declan Rice (87 OVR)

Declan Rice is the kind of anchor every top-tier squad needs. Rice is solid, composed, and always in the right place. Tall, strong, and defensively sharp, the Englishman reads the game brilliantly and breaks up plays consistently. He’s not flashy, but effective in winning the ball cleanly and moving it forward. Whether you're lining up in a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-2-2, he brings that much-needed control and calm at the base of midfield.

2. Patri Guijarro (88 OVR)

Patri Guijarro is as reliable as it gets when it comes to holding down the midfield. She’s well-balanced, composed, and reads the game like a pro, making her a good pick for the list of best CDM FC 25. With an impressive 87 dribbling, she doesn’t just sit deep; she carries the ball forward with confidence and slips through balls into dangerous areas. Whether you need her to control the tempo or break the opponent’s press, she gets the job done. A smart pick if you're after a CDM who can defend, distribute, and still add a bit of flair going forward.

1. Rodri (91 OVR)

Rodri is the best CDM in EA FC 25; it is no surprise he takes the top spot on our list. He’s tactically spot-on, with elite defensive awareness, brilliant vision, and the strength to dominate midfield duels.

Rodri doesn’t just shield the backline, but he builds from deep, keeps the team’s shape intact, while setting the tempo with clean, intelligent passes. He is best suited for possession-based systems and tactical setups where control matters. If you want a CDM who can dictate every phase of play, Rodri is that guy.