A great centre-back—or, better yet, a solid pairing—is the foundation of any successful soccer team, and EA FC 26 Career Mode is no exception.
To build a winning squad, you need defenders who can not only shut down attacks but also play out from the back, especially given the new gameplay mechanics that make defending more challenging than ever.
And in Career Mode, it’s not just about having a reliable centre-back today—you want players who can grow into the backbone of your team for years to come.
With that in mind, here’s our list of the best young centre-backs to sign: all under 23, priced under £40 million, and with plenty of room to develop into world class defenders.
