Center Midfielders, and the midfield positions in general, are the pitch's playmakers. They're the connection between the defense and the offense. This means they have to be average at either defense or offense and be great at the other. They're the pitch generals in a sense. 

What is a Wonderkid?

A wonderkid is someone who is 16-19 a “kid” and is talented. They can grow rapidly and excel to the level of the greats. This can happen in a few seasons or throughout a career. The point I’m making here is they are young which means you can resign them for years, and they have the potential to get to the level of the best players in the game. 

Why are they valued?

They are valued for a few reasons, age, potential, and flexibility. I’ll explain, that age is a huge factor when playing the game, the younger the talent, the faster the skills grow. The potential is the thing that a lot of players look at, and it’s for a good reason, you can have a 16-year-old at 62 OVR, but before they turn 23, they’re over 85 overall. Finally, flexibility, with youth, you can change their position, or define one key position you want them to play in. 

 

Top 15 CMs, Ranked From Good to Great

 

15. Zidan Sertdemir CM/CAM 16 

Zidan is a player with amazing potential. He's one of the fastest-rising stars on this list. He's a passing/ball-control player who will eventually be the general of your club. 

Zidan is a good candidate for this list, as his skills are average. However, the only downside is that you can’t pick him up unless you’re in the higher leagues. He's only 62 overall to start, so you’ll have to loan him out for a few years before he becomes a starter on your team. His growth is +14 and he goes from 62-76 in 5 seasons and is less than $1 million to begin with. 

Zidan Sertdemir Strengths

• Ball Control - He starts with a 71 in ball control to start in career mode.
• Stamina - He has a rising stamina stat that starts at 64
• Passing - His long and short passing stats start at 67 and 68 respectively. 

Zidan Sertdemir stats:  Starting

• Pace - 68
• Shooting - 54
• Passing - 62
• Dribbling - 68
• Defense - 47
• Physical - 54
• Overall - 62
• Potential - 85+

 

14. Charlie Patino CM/CDM 17 

Charlie is more of a defensive player. He can play both CM and CDM and excels in both. He's an aggressive defender and catches up if an attacker bursts past him with his acceleration. He's a solid player on the defensive side of the CM pool.

If you play through 3 seasons, he eventually becomes a free agent(typically), before that though you can only get him in the higher-level leagues. His growth potential is +14 also and goes from 64-78 after just 5 seasons. He's less than $1 million to start and is worth the potential he brings. 

Charlie Patino Strengths

• Defending - His stats are better at defending than scoring 60 vs 47 he's more of a defensive player. 
• Acceleration - His pace is 64 overall, but his immediate burst of 71 in sprint speed is above average to start the career.
• Stamina - This is another great stat and stats with a stat of 64 in this category. 

Charlie Patino stats:  Starting

• Pace - 64
• Shooting - 47
• Passing - 63
• Dribbling - 66
• Defending - 60
• Physical - 59
• Overall - 64
• Potential - 85+

 

13. Martin Baturina CM/CAM 18

Martin is a speedy and technical player. He's great with the ball and his speed. He's the prime example of what you want your CM to be, good at passing, dribbling, and speed. He's the embodiment of a playmaker. 

In my expert opinion, he's one of the better players to start in the lower-level leagues in the game. He starts with a great overall for EFL leagues, and he's available at those levels. Within 5 seasons his growth is +13  and goes from 67-80. The best thing about him is that he only costs around $1 million. 

Martin Baturina Strengths

• Pace - His starting stat is acceleration 74, sprint speed 73 with an overall of 73 enough said without adding more reasons.
• Dribbling - His overall starting stat is 75 as most of his dribbling category stats are at least 75 overall.
• Stamina - His is the best stamina so far on this list with 73 overall. 

Martin Baturina stats:  Starting

• Pace - 73
• Shooting - 54
• Passing - 67
• Dribbling - 75
• Defending - 53 
• Physical - 58
• Overall - 67 
• Potential - 85+

 

12. Ilaix Moriba CM 18

Moriba is a skilled player and is aptly titled a playmaker. He's fast, can pass accurately, dribbles well, and is a two-way player even on the attacking and defending sides. He's a player you want in your lineup as he's only going to get better. 

In my expert opinion, this is a great player to pick up if you want a good two-way player with an overall potential of 85+. He's on loan to start career mode and is only available once you get to the higher-level leagues. He's around $10 million by the second season of career mode. As I’ve done with previous players, his growth is +9, and goes from 73-82 overall in just 5 seasons. 

Ilaix Moriba Strengths

• Shooting - he starts with 70 overall, and Finishing, Long shots, and shot power are all over 70.
• Passing - His starting passing stats are 75 long and 76 short passes, one of the most accurate passers so far on this list. 
• Dribbling - 3 stats over 70 to start in this category, and the overall is at 74.
• Stamina - He has a stat of 75 overall to start, which means that he likely needs fewer breaks between games. 

Ilaix Moriba stats:  Starting

• Pace - 72
• Shooting - 70
• Passing - 64
• Dribbling - 74
• Defense - 64
• Physical - 65
• Overall - 73
• Potential 85+

 

11. Aster Vranckx CM/CDM 18

Aster is a physical and technical player. He's surgical with the ball and has a 5-star weak foot and 3 stars for skill moves. He's an electric player that any club would be happy to help develop. 

In my expert opinion, he's a good player that is available at higher-level leagues. His growth is +10, and he goes from 72-82 overall in 5 seasons. If you get him in the beginning, he's just north of $5 million. 

Aster Vranckx Strengths

• Dribbling - His starting stats for the entire category are over 70 except 2 which are both at 68.
• Physical - He has a 75 overall category, but with aggression at 75, Stamina at 76, and strength at 74 overall to start… it’s impressive. 
• Passing - This category starts at 69, with short passing at 75.

Aster Vranckx stats:  Starting

• Pace - 68
• Shooting - 63
• Passing - 69
• Dribbling - 76
• Defending - 63
• Physical - 75
• Overall - 72
• Potential - 85+

 

10. Gianluca Busio CM/CDM/CAM 19

Busio is another technical midfielder. He's a great vision passer and can help create plays off of his passes and ball skills. His attack and defense are around the same level, making him a decent two-way player for any pressing teams out there. 

In my expert opinion, this is a good grab in the higher-level leagues Championship League or higher. His growth is a  +12 too, which is incredibly good in 5 seasons his overall goes from 71-83. He nearly reaches his low-end potential after just 5 seasons and is worth $6 million. 

Gianluca Busio Strengths

• Dribbling - 4 out of 6 categories in this area are over 70 overall to start, with agility at 84 and balance at 91.
• Passing - Curve - 72, Long Pass - 72, Short Pass - 74, and Vision - 73. These are the reasons why he's slightly above average in this category. 
• Stamina - He starts with a 73 in this stat. 

Gianluca Busio stats:  Starting

• Pace - 64
• Shooting - 63
• Passing - 68
• Dribbling - 74
• Defending - 59
• Physical - 65
• Overall - 71
• Potential - 85+

 

9. Kenneth Taylor CM 19

Taylor is a speedy, technical, playmaker. He's also well-versed in scoring, and can even defend a bit if needed. He's a vision passer and can get it exactly where you need it to be. He's a get from this list for any club. 

In my expert opinion, this is a good player with the potential to be great. He can be bought through a release clause in any league, the fee is a $10.1 million fee. His growth is +11, going from 71-82 overall in just 5 seasons. This is a great grab at the position.  

Kenneth Taylor Strengths

• Pace - His starting stats are sprint speed at 72, and acceleration at 70, with a 71 overall category stat.
• Passing - Every stat in this category is over 71 to start for a 73 overall in this category… enough said.
• Dribbling - His ball control at 74 and dribbling at 71 contribute to this stat being at 71 overall. 

Kenneth Taylor stats:  Starting

• Pace - 71
• Shooting - 67
• Passing - 73
• Dribbling - 71
• Defending - 59
• Physical - 63
• Overall - 69
• Potential - 85+

 

8. Samuele Ricci CM/CDM 19

Ricci is a speedy, technical, and defending CM. He's good in every category and is average or above average with most of his stats. If you’re looking for a defending playmaker for your CM look no further than Ricci for your club. 

In my expert opinion, he's a good grab, he's not in my top 3 favorites to add to my team, but he's still a great defending CM. He's on loan to start and is only available at higher-level leagues, but worth grabbing if you happen to need a good defending midfielder. He's worth about $8 million in the second season. His growth is +13, and goes from 71-84 overall in just 5 seasons. His great potential is a solid grab for any club. 

Samuele Ricci Strengths

• Pace - Acceleration and sprint speed are both at the category overall of 74 to start his career. 
• Dribbling - He's 71 overall in this stat, mainly due to two stats in this category, agility at 74 and ball control at 73. 
• Short and Long passing - The passing category overall is at 70 which is good, but the long pass - 72 and short pass - 76 are the main contributing factors to this category being at 70. 

Samuele Ricci stats:  Starting

• Pace - 74 
• Shooting - 52
• Passing - 70
• Dribbling - 71
• Defending - 69
• Physical - 70
• Overall - 71
• Potential - 86+

 

7. Nicolo Rovella CM/CDM 19

Rovella is a playmaker that rarely comes off the pitch. He has an average defense and a sub-par attacking game. He's a great player to pay for his potential, and his star stats help to want him at any club. 

He's a good get in the higher-level leagues. He's already on loan and will be at 74 after one season on loan. If you loan him out for 2 more years, he should be nearly 80 overall by then. He's only $10 million after the first career season, but with a +12 growth, he's worth it. He goes from 72-84 overall within 5 seasons. 

Nicolo Rovella Strengths

• Dribbling - Every stat in this category is over 72 except composure at 57. Total stats in this category are 74.
• Passing - This category starts at 70, but FK Accuracy - 71, Long Pass - 72, Short Pass - 76, and Vision 74 are the reasons for this category's 70 overall stat. 
• Stamina - This is one of the higher starting stats for stamina at 81.

Nicolo Rovella stats:  Starting

• Pace - 69
• Shooting - 49
• Passing - 70
• Dribbling - 74
• Defending - 66
• Physical - 65
• Overall - 72
• Potential - 87+

 

6. Nico Gonzalez CM 19

Nico is a strong, technical, and physical CM. He's the CM that is helping at both ends of the pitch to try and control the game. Whether it’s passing, defending, or attacking, he's one of the elite players at his age and position.

In my expert opinion, he's a great get at the higher levels since you can only get him in those levels. However, if you want to start at lower levels and work your way up, then this move isn’t for you to start. His growth is +10, he goes from 75-85 within 5 years and is  $13 million to start. 

Nico Gonzalez Strengths

• Physical - His aggression stat is 80, jumping at 68, stamina at 74, and strength at 81. That’s just to start, and it puts the physical category at 78 to start.
• Passing - The category overall is 72 to start, but the main reason it’s that high is the Long Pass - 76, Short Pass - 78, and Vision - 75.
• Dribbling - The category as a whole starts at 73, but it’s due to the 76 ball control, 74 dribbling, and 75 reactions.  

Nico Gonzalez stats:  Starting

• Pace - 68 
• Shooting - 63
• Passing - 72
• Dribbling - 73
• Defending - 73
• Physical - 78
• Overall - 75
• Potential - 85+

 

5. Jude Bellingham CM/LM 18

Jude is an overall impressive player. He's in the top five for a reason, he's solid in every aspect of the pitch, defending, passing, pace, shooting, and physical. His stats are all above average, and he isn’t slowing down at just 18 years old, get him if you can. 

In my expert opinion, Jude is worth over the $50 million it takes to buy him. He's only available at higher level leagues, and he would be higher if he was available for any club, but for me, it’s availability, and he has little. He has the lowest growth potential at +6, but that puts him from 81-87 overall within 5 seasons. If you can get him, do so, if not, there are similar available talents higher up.

Jude Bellingham Strengths

• Dribbling - He starts with an amazing 83 in this category, with all stats over 80 except composure which starts at 68.
• Physical - The category starts with a 79 overall, aggression is 84, jumping is 76, stamina is insane at 88, and strength is 73. 
• Defending - The category is at 77 overall to start. Interceptions, marking, stand, and slide Tackling are all over 78. 

Jude Bellingham stats:  Starting

• Pace - 75
• Shooting - 73
• Passing - 75
• Dribbling - 83
• Defending - 77
• Physical - 79
• Overall - 81 
• Potential - 90+

 

4. Ryan Gravenberch CM 19

Ryan is a player who is the whole package. he's good at every end of the pitch, and with the stamina he packs, he can run the pitch to both sides. He's a technical passer and can contribute an assist if not a goal for himself in any game.

In my expert opinion, he's a great option, and with a growth of +11, there is a lot of upside. Going from 78 - 89 in 5 seasons isn’t an easy feat, and he makes it look easy. He's another player who is only available at higher levels, and if that wasn’t the case, well, he’d still be #4, but there's so much talent at this position it’s hard to pick the top three. He's worth less than most of the elite CMs at just over $30 million to start, but he's worth every penny of it. 

Ryan Gravenberch Strengths

• Stamina - He has an 81 starting stamina stat, he’s not fatigued, and is a workhorse. 
• Dribbling - The whole stat category is at 82 to start, with Ball Control - 84 and Dribbling - 83, being key contributors to the main category.
• Passing - All of the Passing stats to start are between 73 and 80 except for FK Accuracy - 69.

Ryan Gravenberch stats:  Starting

• Pace - 77
• Shooting - 74
• Passing - 77
• Dribbling - 82
• Defending - 67
• Physical - 71
• Overall - 78
• Potential - 90+

 

3. Pablo Gavi CM/LW/RW 16

Gavi is a technical, visionary, playmaker. He's great in 3 categories and needs work in the other 3, but that comes with time and experience. Considering he's the youngest player on this list, he has a lot of room to grow into the playmaker he will become. 

In my expert opinion, Gavi is a no-brainer to add to your CM core. He has insane potential and can be bought at any level with a $63 million release clause, it may be possible to trade too. His growth is a +12 overall and goes from 76 - 88 in the first 5 seasons, and is worth taking on the ride with you. 

Pablo Gavi Strengths

• Dribbling - The starting category stat is 82, with Agility - 86, Balance - 89, Ball Control - 81, and Dribbling - 81 are the main contributors to this category. 
• Pace - Acceleration starts at 78 and sprint speed starts at 73.
• Passing - The category is 74 overall, and the main stats are Curve - 72, Long Pass - 75, Vision - 79, and Short Pass - 81. 

Pablo GaviPlayer name stats:  Starting

• Pace - 75
• Shooting - 60
• Passing - 74
• Dribbling - 82
• Defending - 61
• Physical - 67
• Overall - 76
• Potential - 90+

 

2. Pedro Gonzalez Lopez (Pedri) CM 18

Pedri is a great player if you’re looking to compete for the Premier League title immediately and don’t start small. He's speedy, has vision, and is a technical center midfielder. He's one of the top CMs in the game let alone Wonderkids. 

In my expert opinion, this is your best option if you want to bypass fighting through the ranks and become a competitor to start your career, as he's only available at higher-level leagues. His growth potential is a +7, going from 84-91 in just 5 seasons. But you will be paying around $60 million to start possibly more if the club has an interest in keeping him.

Pedri Strengths

• Dribbing - 86 starting stat… enough stated.
• Passing - Long pass, short pass, and vision all over 80 overall to start. The total category is at 80 as well. 
• Acceleration - He starts with an 81 in this stat, making the pace a modest 78 overall.

Pedri stats:  Starting

• Pace - 78
• Shooting - 67
• Passing - 80
• Dribbling - 86
• Defending - 68
• Physical - 67
• Overall - 82
• Potential - 91+

 

1. Eduardo Camavinga CM/CDM 18

Camavinga can play either side of the pitch and has the stamina to run it back and forth. He's a versatile player that can be CDM or an Attacking CM depending on how you develop his stats from this point on. He's very quick, technical, and physical to start with. He's a great all-around playmaker to add to your game. 

Camavinga is my personal favorite, so in my expert opinion, I’d go for him every time, even though he's  3rd in starting overall, he's up there with everyone in potential. He's also available at any level with a release clause of 97.9 million, or you can look to get a trade value of $30 million if you start in a higher-level league. His growth potential is a +13, and goes from 79-92 by the end of the 5th season, making him the highest overall on this list after 5 seasons. 

Eduardo Camavinga Strengths

• Dribbling - He starts with an 80 overall, ball control 81, agility 80, and dribbling 80 are all key factors to the 80 starting stat category.
• Physical - Everything in this stat category starts above 70 and insanely ramps up.
• Passing - He starts with a category stat of 76, and everything but FK Accuracy is over 70. 
• Stamina - He starts with an 80 which means that he won’t get tired as fast.
• Defending - For a CM his defending is extremely high at 75.

Eduardo Camavinga stats:  Starting

• Pace - 74
• Shooting - 65
• Passing - 76
• Dribbling - 80
• Defending - 75
• Physical - 77
• Overall - 79
• Potential - 90+

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