There’s not just one kind of midfielder, so we’ve compiled sections for the top defensive mids that break up play, more offensively focused playmakers, and pacey wide-men. Some of our suggestions earned themselves a move in the January window, so we’d added some different options underneath their entries. First off, we’ll go through the best-of-the-best by overall to give you an idea of the world’s premier midfield talents, before listing off a few suggestions of who you can sign in each position. We’re not going to include forwards of any kind in this list (like LWs and RWs) - they’re at home in our page on FIFA 20’s best strikers - but we run down players with the first listed position of CM, CDM, CAM, LM, and RM. If you’d rather find your own talents, SoFIFA is the best resource for career mode data.
FIFA 20 - Best Midfielders
Below you’ll find the best rated midfielders in FIFA 20 by current overall rating. You will most likely have heard of many of them, but it’s always good to get an idea of how everyone relates to each other. Despite spending a large chunk of last season out with injury, KDB reigns supreme - with good reason judging by his start this term. The biggest upgrades were dished out to youngsters with breakout seasons last year like Jadon Sancho and Frenkie de Jong, while we’ve also seen some small downgrades to aging superstars like Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, and David Silva.
Best CAMs to buy in FIFA 20 career mode
With the following lists of players, we’ve tried to stick to people you can sign in the first season - everyone hates the dreaded “won’t move again” tag - and roughly realistic moves.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic - 85/90 - Lazio
Although heavily linked away in the last couple of years, SMS is still in Rome, mostly because of Lazio’s real-life 100m+ price tag. In FIFA 20 though, you can probably pick him up for less. Although he’s a big guy, dumping Milinkovic-Savic in front of the defence would be a waste of his playmaking potential, and is best used as on the offensive.
Bruno Fernandes - 85/88 - Sporting - MOVED TO MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United finally landed their man. If you’re playing with a top team after the first season, Bruno Fernandes is brilliant in-game. He combines delicious technical stats in dribbling, shooting, and passing with incredible stamina.
Fabian Ruiz - 83/89 - Napoli
Fabian can do it all, so try to prise him away from Napoli if you can. With 89 potential and 4 star weak foot and skill moves, he has plenty of room to grow as well as a solid starting overall.
Anderson Talisca - 83/86 - Guangzhou Evergrande
When he was scoring screamers for fun with Benfica and Beshiktas a few years ago, Anderson Talisca looked set to take on the world. Fulfil that potential by bringing him back from China and into your squad. While he’s not as strong as Pogba, standing at 6ft 3” with a similarly willowy frame and strong passing range means he can perform the same role at a lower price.
Nicolo Zaniolo - 77/87 - Roma
If you’re after a prospect, then there are few better than Nicolo Zaniolo. The Roma playmaker courted interest from the Premier League this summer, so it isn’t out of the question to snap him up with at least a mid-tier team. Despite his youth, Zaniolo is tall and strong which will come in handy as his technicals improve.
Thiago Almada - 74/88 - Sarsfield
Tons of Argentine prospects have really high potential this year, so it might be worth scooping up Thiago Almada on a cheap deal. His high pace and nimble agility mean he could make a decent impact as he grows into his technicals.
Yari Verschaeren - 73/87 - Anderlecht
For a cheaper option with a lot of potential, check out this Belgian prospect. He already has good dribbling, but vitally, he has decent stamina, which can really make the difference with young players.
Tino Anjorin - 58/80 - Chelsea
Or for the smallest of budgets, try Tino Anjorin from Chelsea. While his starting overall is really low, he has 82 potential which could serve lower league teams well.
Best CDMs to buy in FIFA 20 career mode
Sander Berge - 79/87 - Genk - MOVED TO SHEFFIELD UNITED
We mentioned Berge in our list of the best wonderkids in FIFA 20. He’s young, he’s an absolute giant, and he has the technical stats to back it up. Berge is also currently playing in Belgium, so it’s not unrealistic to snap him up with a top team. At least he was until Sheffield United took the plunge - you’ll now have to wait until the second season to pick him up.
Weston McKennie - 76/86 - Schalke
Weston McKennie has been a hot prospect in FIFA for a good few years, but this time around he has great physical stats right off the bat. With 92 jumping and 82 heading accuracy, he’s also something of an aerial threat from corners, as well as good at challenging for high balls at the base of midfield.
Denis Zakaria - 81/86 - Borussia Monchengladbach
Speaking of quality physicals, Zakaria has pace, strength, and stamina combined with a 6ft 3” frame and decent technicals. He also has a potential of 86, which means he can grow with your team as you progress through your save.
Sandro Tonali - 77/91 - Brescia
Most of these picks have focused on athleticism, but Sandro Tonali is more of a deep-lying playmaker. Billed as the next Pirlo by the Italian media, Tonali already has passing stats approaching 80, with a potential overall of 91.
James Sands - 66/84 - New York City FC
For teams with a lower budget, take a look a James Sands. More than a few weak stats mean he needs a lot of training, but he has a lot of room to grow.
Mattia Viviani - 63/79 - Brescia
If you’re looking for a similarly cheap fee, consider Tonali’s teammate Mattia Viviani. While he’s not quite in the same league, his potential works for smaller teams.
Best wide midfielders to buy in FIFA 20 career mode
Goncalo Guedes -82/87 - Valencia
Quick, technically gifted, and with bags of potential, Goncalo Guedes is ready to make the step up to the squad of one of Europe’s elite clubs. With a high attacking work rate, he’s definitely on the offensive side, but you can train him into what you want.
Felipe Anderson - 82/83 - West Ham
Speaking of offensive, Felipe Anderson is now available in the first transfer window. The finished article, Anderson’s exceptional dribbling is complemented by pace, strong passing, and serviceable tackling and stamina.
Viktor Tsygankov - 80/86 - Dynamo Kyiv
For mid-tier teams with a little less to spend, Viktor Tsygankov is a similar option for about half the price. He’s quick, has stats approaching 80 in many areas, and a potential of 86.
Giorgi Chakvetadze - 74/85 - Gent
Half the price tag again and you get to Giorgi Chakvetadze, a similarly pacey, technical wide midfielder - with a release clause of just 17m.
Alphonso Davies - 77/88 - Bayern
Canadian speedster Alphonso Davies is a great pickup for any team, whether for the first team or the future. He’s got pace to burn, good agility, and solid stats across the board - even in defence. With 4 star weak foot and skill moves, along with high/high work rates, he has potential to be the whole package. Like Bayern IRL, I personally like using him at left back, but he’s great anywhere.
Agustin Urzi - 71/86 - Banfield
If high potential is your thing, then look no further than Agustin Urzi from the Argentinian league. A lot of South American youngsters have high potential in FIFA 20, and Urzi has 88. What’s good about him specifically is that he has really high starting pace, which would be good for weaker team.
Giorgi Tsitaishvili - 68/85 - Dynamo Kyiv
When your budget is even smaller though, look again to Ukraine and Dynamo Kyiv for Giorgi Tsitaishvili. Again, he’s quick and a good dribbler, but at this level you have to make some sacrifices. You’ll need to train his stamina to get the most out of his 85 potential. Now you have a midfield, check out our lists of the best strikers in FIFA 20 here, and best defenders in FIFA 20 here. If it’s specifically young players you want, then we also have a page on FIFA 20’s best wonderkids.
