Fashionable central defenders are virtually unrecognisable from the imperious bruisers that marshalled backlines within the twentieth century.
Modern centre-backs must be comfy in possession, defending on the midway line and matching the pace and athleticism of opposition forwards. It is a position that calls for a particular talent set, one which few gamers possess.
Nonetheless, there are some who thrive within the position of a contemporary central defender. Their mix of tempo, physicality and technical skill makes them unbelievable property – particularly on video video games like EA FC.
Listed here are the ten finest centre-backs on EA FC 25 you’ll be able to construct your Final Workforce or Profession Mode squads round.
Juventus’ ascent again up the Serie A desk in 2023/24 was modelled round their stringent defence underneath former boss Massimiliano Allegri. They conceded simply 31 occasions in 38 matches whereas securing bronze, with Bremer key to their defiant backline.
The athletic central defender has been upgraded from 84 to 86-rated in EA FC 25 off the again of some standout shows for the Previous Woman, together with his 82 tempo and 85 bodily stats making him a commanding presence that may show you how to stifle the sport’s speedy forwards.
Juventus might have conceded a powerful 31 occasions in Serie A final season, however Inter allowed 9 fewer en path to successful the title at a canter. Simone Inzaghi is adept at organising his defence and his job is made considerably easier by the presence of the underappreciated Alessandro Bastoni.
The lanky Italian does not have any significantly noticeable particular person attributes, both bodily or technical, however his skill to learn the sport and snuff out opposition assaults makes him an elite centre-back. The Italian’s 87 general score is becoming of his skills.
Within the final six EA FC and FIFA titles, Marquinhos has by no means obtained an general score of beneath 85, peaking in FIFA 23 with an 88-rated card. Whereas he finds himself an general decrease this 12 months, he once more options among the many recreation’s finest centre-backs.
The Paris Saint-Germain star is a superb all-round defender in-game with strong tempo (79), good physicals (81) and wonderful defending (89). He is probably not as glamorous as others on this listing, however he is a gentle presence on the again.
William Saliba’s distinctive rise to stardom has been essential to Arsenal’s resurgence underneath Mikel Arteta. Throughout the Gunners’ 2022/23 Premier League title race with Manchester Metropolis, it was the centre-back’s damage that derailed their marketing campaign.
The Arsenal defender oozes class out and in of possession and has deservedly earned himself a big improve in EA FC 25 that takes him to 87 general. With 82 tempo and 87 defending, he will likely be a troublesome man to finest in battle.
A part of Barcelona’s well-known quadruple triumph in 2023/24, Irene Paredes was integral for the Catalan giants within the coronary heart of the defence. The imposing centre-half added one other Champions League title to her assortment, showing within the Workforce of the Event.
The 2023 World Cup winner has maintained her 88 general score on account of her spectacular shows for membership and nation, with 89 defending and 84 bodily making her a beast on the again.
88-rated Wendie Renard may be happy along with her EA FC 25 look. That is a fairly exceptional score and one which locations the Lyon defender within the prime three feminine centre-backs within the recreation. Nonetheless, there may be one factor holding her again.
She has been handed simply 48 tempo on this 12 months’s recreation, dropping from a barely extra usable 53 final 12 months. To place that into context, Kylian Mbappe’s tempo stat is greater than double Renard’s, making the French defender nothing however Squad Constructing Challenges fodder on Final Workforce.
Within the midst of a defensive damage disaster in 2023/24, Antonio Rudiger was an ever-present for La Liga and Champions League winners Actual Madrid. The fiery German was seldom bested by opposition forwards, together with his no-nonsense method and athletic construct making him troublesome to beat.
Rudiger has rightfully earned himself an improve of +3 on this 12 months’s EA FC, together with his capturing, passing, dribbling and defending all getting boosts. With 82 tempo and 86 physicals, a partnership of the Madrid man and Arsenal’s Saliba will likely be impenetrable.
Sadly, very like Renard, it is pace that detracts from an in any other case wonderful score for Manchester Metropolis defender Ruben Dias. The Portuguese has simply 67 tempo – truly 5 greater than final 12 months – and is more likely to battle in opposition to the sport’s fleet-footed strikers.
Nonetheless, following one other spectacular season with the Premier League champions, Dias’ 89 defending and 87 physicals make him an epic instalment in any backline on Profession Mode.
Accidents had been a theme of Mapi Leon’s 2023/24 season, with the Spanish centre-back lacking nearly all of Barcelona’s quadruple triumph. Nonetheless, there may be no doubting that Leon’s presence would solely have solidified an already defiant line of defense in Catalonia.
Her trophy-laden profession is about to restart in 2024/25 and she or he will definitely be a frequent buy in EA FC 25. Her 90 defending is barely bettered by Renard and she or he boasts a improbable array of stats that makes her all-round risk.
Jurgen Klopp’s last season in command of Liverpool was saved by the towering head of Virgil van Dijk. It was the 33-year-old’s 118th-minute effort within the Carabao Cup last that earned the legendary coach his last piece of silverware on Merseyside.
Whereas he might now not be on the absolute peak of his powers, Van Dijk’s excellent 2023/24 marketing campaign has helped him keep an 89 general score, with tempo to burn and sensible defensive instincts. He is nonetheless the person to catch on the prime of the tree.