FIFA 19 Defensive Midfielder Wonderkids

UPDATE: Head over to our FIFA 21 CDM Wonderkids guide for more up to date content.

FIFA 19 Defensive Midfielder Wonderkids (CDM)

CDM is often an overlooked position, but it can change the dynamic of your team massively. They shield your back line, win back possession and help begin counter attacks. If you’re looking to add some steel to your midfield and prefer to develop youth our FIFA 19 defensive midfielder wonderkids shortlist covers everything you need.

FIFA 19 Defensive Midfielder Wonderkids – Top 50

50. Jeando Fuchs

Versatile defensive midfielder that can also play CM, RB and LB. Pacey and short of stature but can make up for that with good jumping. We kick off our FIFA 19 Defensive Midfielder Wonderkids shortlist with a 69 rated player that can reach 80 overall.

49. Hamza Choudhury

Another 69 rated CDM, Choudhury is a slight improvement over Fuchs because of his stronger defensive attributes and high defensive work rate. His 80 potential is a better reason to buy him than his afro.

48. Ibrahima Sissoko

At 6’4″, he’s fairly slow but has great strength to make up for it. The 68 rated CDM can also play at CM, has four star weak foot and best of all he has 80 potential.

47. Cheick Doucoure

Still in the 80 potential range is Doucoure, who is more about movement and passing than physical strength. His 66 rating at age 18 gives you plenty of time to let him grow.

46. Elisha Owusu

At 66 overall, Owusu’s stats are quite balanced but nothing really stands out except perhaps his ability to mark players. By the time he hits 80, some of those attributes should be a bit more pronounced.

45. Brayan Rovira

Had to be ahead of the other 66–80 players so far as his stats are actually quite good. Despite his 5’10” height, if you can train his heading accuracy up to 90 he’ll qualify for the Aerial Threat speciality.

44. Ben Godfrey

Godfrey is the final member of the 66–80 club and has similar but not quite as good stats as Rovira. The reason we’ve picked him here is his high defensive work rate, better defensive stats and ability to play CM in case you switch formation.

43. Ross McCrorie

A hard-working and aggressive CDM with 80 potential. He only has a 65 rating at present, but his height, speed and strength mean he can also play at centre back or right back.

42. Mamadou Fofana

Can also play at CB, where his four star weak foot and high defensive work rate comes in handy. Already has good sprint speed at only 64 overall, the rest of his stats should really shine by the time he fulfils his 80 potential.

41. Vladimir Screciu

More diminutive at 5’7″ but he’s not miles away from qualifying for the Strength speciality. High defensive work rate, good stamina and long passing ability are all plus points for this 64–80 CDM.

40. Gennaro Ruggiero

At just 64 his attributes are already quite well rounded. His passing, tackling and long shots should shine through by the time he reaches 80.

39. Andres Felipe Balanta

Balanta’s versatility can’t be overlooked, you never know when you’ll need an extra CB. This, and his stats reflect a defensive minded player who shouldn’t be relied on in the final third. 20 points between his 60 rating and 80 potential is huge.

38. Cahverdi Cetin

In contrast to Balanta, Cetin seems to enjoy getting forward and actually has decent finishing for a CDM. Maybe you can get him from Frankfurt on the cheap considering he’s only rated 59 currently. Lots of promise in this player with 80 potential.

37. Pablo Rosario

Now the FIFA 19 Defensive Midfielder Wonderkids list shifts into players with 81 potential or above. The 71 rated PSV man is good on the ball, has decent passing and can even put a tackle in.

36. Nikola Moro

Really nice stats for a 70 rated CDM. We’re impressed by his ability to intercept the ball but his passing and ball control are also very good. The Croatian should have no problem reaching his 81 potential.

35. Nicolas Dominguez

Buying a defensive midfielder wonderkid that can also play CM and has 81 potential is always a good idea. He’s 69 rated and has a nice balance of attributes, including good stamina and tackling.

34. Callum Connolly

68 rated Connolly can also play at CM but the real bonus is his ability to slot in at right back. His high work rates stand him in good stead for that position and he should have no problem reaching his 81 potential.

33. Beni Baningime

The Everton youngster is a very promising CDM given his 81 potential. His attributes are fairly unspectacular because of his 67 rating, but defensively he looks robust enough.

32. Trevoh Chalobah

Also has 81 potential but starts out at just 65 overall. Chalobah can also play at CB, where his 6’3″ height will be very useful.

31. Hugo Vegard Vetlesen

He’s agile, but the fact that his highest attribute is balance won’t exactly fill you with confidence. Don’t forget he is only 63 at this stage, his other stats will have grown a lot by the time he gets to 81.

30. Thiago Maia

Into the top 30 FIFA 19 defensive midfielder wonderkids and all players have 82 potential or higher. The 75 rated Brazilian has some nice stats, especially his physicals.

29. Fran Beltran

For a 5’7″ CDM, you really need a player to be quick and agile. Beltran is definitely agile but you wouldn’t say he’s the fastest. Still, he has lots going for him at 74 and should really develop on the way to 82.

28. Volodymyr Shepelev

The 73 rated Ukranian can play in any central midfield position, so can tackle and pass the ball well. His pace isn’t fantastic but his strengths should just get better considering his 82 potential.

27. Stephen Eustaquio

Potential of 82, but starting out at 70 gives you a little more room for growth. His jumping should prove useful for contesting headers, but his passing and ball control are his real strengths.

26. Mohamed Mady Camara

Also 70 with 82 potential but he beats Eustaquio for a few reasons. Stamina of 85 with high work rates means he’s on the verge of earning the engine speciality. He’s also capable of unleashing powerful shots from distance.

25. Kristijan Bistrovic

Half way through our FIFA 19 defensive midfielder wonderkids list and we’ve still got a few 82 potential players to go. Bistrovic isn’t likely to offer much in front of goal but his vision, short passing and tackling are good considering his 69 rating.

24. Oguz Kagan Guctekin

Starting out at 63 means it might be harder to give him game time sooner, but it will be more rewarding when he eventually reaches 82 overall. Definitely the pass and move type, not a physical battler.

23. Lasse Sorensen

With only a quick glance, his stats look disappointing, but he is only 63 overall. However, his short passing is already very good and his height means he won’t be easily bullied. Can also play as a CM so give it a try while your developing him towards his 82 potential.

22. Mattia Viviani

82 potential again but a 60 starting overall is helpful if you need a more affordable option. Nicely balanced stats with enough pace and he can also play as a central midfielder.

21. Manuel Locatelli

Now we’re back to a defensive midfielder with a 75 rating because we’re on to defensive midfielder wonderkids with 83 potential. Eight growth points is still enough to get excited about, plus his dribbling, passing, defending and shooting are all solid.

20. Uros Racic

First things first we should mention his four star weak foot, as very few players among the FIFA 19 defensive midfielder wonderkids possess it. Really nice mix of stats for a 74 rated player, especially his ball control. Racic is your man if you need 83 potential and want a tall player, he’s 6’4″.

19. Santiago Caseres

He can also play at CM but considering his high defensive work rate and poor stats outside of defending and short passing, we’d keep him at CDM. 83 potential is very good and a 73 rating means he wouldn’t be too out of his depth in most leagues.

18. Kevin Balanta

An aggressive CDM/CM with fantastic stamina and good long passing ability. The Colombian’s 83 potential will attract a lot of clubs, so go and sign him while he’s still only 71.

17. Matteo Guendouzi

Hard working defensively, but his very attractive passing abilities make him suited to a CM role if you wish. Arsenal are right to be excited by his 83 potential, he probably won’t be 69 overall by the time you’re able to buy him.

16. Oliver Skipp

Across North London, at Tottenham, it’s a homegrown defensive midfielder who has 83 potential. Similar to Guendouzi, he can play in CM but tends to work harder defensively. Even though he only has a 64 rating at present, his stats are very encouraging.

15. Brandon Baiye

He works hard defensively and has 83 potential so we’re not going to worry too much about his low attacking work rate. His stats show that he has a lot more to offer defensively anyway and is quite strong for a 17 year old with a 63 rating.

14. Lucas Tousart

You’ll probably recognise the name, so it’s not surprise that he’s already rated 79 overall. He’s very physical and defensive, an 84 rated CDM could help most teams.

13. Santiago Ascascibar

Very short at 5’6″ but he’s pacey and agile, with good balance and jumping. Given his 78 rating, he’s good at all the things you’d expect from a defensive midfielder. His potential is 84 but Stuttgart aren’t likely to sell him cheaply.

12. Declan Rice

Well rounded but certainly he’s all about the defence. The 72 rated Irishman can also slot in at CB, but once he reaches his 84 potential you’ll probably play him in his natural position.

11. Tyler Adams

Also rated 72 overall with 84 potential, so why is he ahead of Rice? He’s a lot faster and more agile, has the engine speciality (important for defensive midfielders) and can also play RWB.

10. Konstantinos Galanpoulos

Down to the final ten FIFA 19 defensive midfielder wonderkids. The Greek CDM offers hard working option that suits pass and move play. 84 potential but try and buy him while he’s still 71 overall.

9. Maycon

As a nice contrast, Maycon will work very hard in attack and provides a great option for shooting from distance. Some of his stats are already good and he’s only rated 70, he should be excellent once he reaches 84.

8. Chris Durkin

The American youngster fully deserves his spot on this list. Currently rated 67 but his stats should really start to develop as he progresses towards his 84 potential.

7. Claudio Gomes

The Manchester City wonderkid production line continues, as shown by this CDM with 84 potential. For a 66 rated player, he shows good pace compared to many other players on this list.

6. Wilfred Ndidi

The Leicester man might only grow by 5 points, but he is still only 21 and qualifies as a wonderkid. He’s strong in all the right areas for a CDM and is capable of scoring great long range goals too. 85 potential puts him at #6 but at 80 overall he’s the highest player on this list.

5. Alfa Semedo

Semedo also has 85 potential but starting at 76 overall gives him more room to grow. He has fantastic strength and stamina and can also play CM or CB.

4. Aurelien Tchouameni

The Frenchman also has 85 potential but should be a cheaper option than Semedo thanks to his 71 rating. A solid physical option that is comfortable on the ball.

3. Marc Roca

Into the top three and we jump up to 87 potential. The 76 rated Spaniard can also play at CM/LM and has some really solid stats, especially his marking and short passing.

2. Sander Berge

Unusually, our #2 and #3 picks have the same ratings – 76 with 87 potential. So why is Berge better than Roca in our eyes? Despite his 6’5″ height, he has decent pace and already has the Strength speciality. He’s close to earning the Aerial Threat speciality and should have no problem earning the Playmaker speciality.

1. Sandro Tonali

Sandro Tonali concludes our list of FIFA 19 defensive midfielder wonderkids. His 88 potential is unrivalled in this list, and his 67 rating means he is nowhere near the finished article. Other plus points? Four star weak foot, reasonably strong for a 5’11” player and is comfortable at CM thanks to his passing ability.

Check out our other lists of FIFA 19 wonderkids: