Best high potential young defenders in EA FC 25

If you need a center back, left back, or right back to anchor your back line in EA FC 25, we compiled a list of the best high potential young defenders in Career Mode.

Wingbacks are no longer a position in FC 25 with the introduction of FC IQ. Instead, fullbacks can have a wingback Player Role that makes them more proficient in pushing forward and taking on more of an attacking role.

When Career Mode fans construct their lineup, finding the best young players with their preferred roles comes into play whether you are developing youth academy prospects or creating a transfer shortlist.

Courtesy of the EA FC database, we have shortlisted the best defenders in the game, noting their age (under 24), overall rating, potential, value, and when their contract runs out in Career Mode.

Best young Center-Backs (CB)

Dexerto

Name	Age	Overall Rating	Potential	Team	Contract	Value	Wage
William Saliba	23	87	89	Arsenal	(2019 ~ 2027)	€92M	€170K
Pau Cubarsi	17	72	88	FC Barcelona	(2023 ~ 2026)	€5.5M	€32K
Giorgio Scalvini	20	78	88	Atalanta	(2021 ~ 2027)	€29M	€42K
Nico Schlotterbeck	24	85	88	Borussia Dortmund	(2022 ~ 2027)	€66M	€65K
Antonio Silva	20	79	87	Benfica	(2022 ~ 2027)	€36M	€12K
Goncalo Inacio	22	80	87	Sporting CB	(2019 ~ 2027)	€40M	€15K
Matthijs de Ligt	24	84	87	Manchester United	(2024 ~ 2029)	€51.5M	€115K
Lucas Beraldo	20	77	86	PSG	(2024 ~ 2028)	€21.5M	€46K
Luka Vuskovic	17	64	86	Westerloo	Joins Tottenham in 2025	€1.7M	€500
Ousmane Diomande	20	78	86	Sporting CP	(2023 ~ 2027)	€29M	€11K
Leny Yoro	18	78	86	Manchester United	(2024 ~ 2029)	€27.5M	€53K
Mosquera	20	77	86	Valencia	(2021 ~ 2026)	€21.5M	€27K
Micky van de Ven	23	82	86	Tottenham	(2023 ~ 2029)	€39.5M	€95K
Castello Lukeba	21	79	86	RB Leipzig	(2023 ~ 2028)	€33M	€38K
Piero Hincapie	22	81	86	Bayer Leverkusen	(2021 ~ 2027)	€36M	€69K
Zeno Debast	20	76	86	Sporting CP	(2024 ~ 2029)	€15.5M	€10K
Eduardo Quaresma	22	76	86	Sporting CP	(2019 ~ 2028)	€15.5M	€11K
Jarrad Branthwaite	22	79	86	Everton	(2020 ~ 2025)	€33M	€51K
Odilon Kossounou	23	81	86	Atalanta	On loan from Bayer Leverkusen	€35M	€69K
Mario Gila	23	76	85	Lazio	(2022 ~ 2027)	€15.5M	€33K

Players we recommend

• Giorgio Scalvini
• Antonio Silva
• Goncalo Inacio

At 20 years old, Giorgio Scalvini is already one of the best center-backs in Italy and will only get better thanks to 88 Potential. Most medium to big-sized clubs should be able to sway the center back to leave, and the €29M evaluation won’t break the bank.

Over the past few seasons, several superstars have emerged from Liga Portugal and become household names at European giants. Antonio Silva is expected to be the next breakout player to emerge from Portugal, and the center-back comes at a reasonable price, given the world-class quality he offers.

Four Sporting CP center-backs are on our list, meaning there won’t be enough playtime for everyone. Goncalo Inacio’s 87 potential is the highest of the bunch, and every Career Mode player should at least consider bringing one of their backline pairing options in.

Best young Full-Backs (RB/LB)

Dexerto

Name	Position	Age	Overall Rating	Potential	Team	Contract	Value	Wage
Balde	LB/RB	20	81	89	Barcelona	(2021 ~ 2028)	€54M	€84K
Jorrel Hato	LB	18	75	88	Ajax	(2022 ~ 2028)	€12.5M	€9K
Nuno Mendes	LB	22	83	87	PSG	(2021 ~ 2026)	€49.5M	€87K
Josko Gvardiol	LB	22	83	87	Manchester City	(2023 ~ 2028)	€49.5M	€130K
Alphonso Davies	LB	23	82	87	Bayern Munich	(2019 ~ 2025)	€43M	€62K
Pedro Porro	RB	24	83	86	Tottenham	(2023 ~ 2028)	€46M	€105K
Destiny Udogie	LB	21	82	86	Tottenham	(2022 ~ 2030)	€41.5M	€82K
Malo Gusto	RB	21	80	86	Chelsea	(2023 ~ 2030)	€31.5M	€81K
Ferdi Kadıoglu	LB/RB	24	81	86	Brighton	(2024 ~ 2029)	€36.5M	€83K
Harry Amass	LB	17	60	85	Manchester United	(2023 ~ 2027)	€750K	€21K
Rico Lewis	RB	19	76	85	Manchester City	(2022 ~ 2028)	€15.5M	€60K
Lewis Hall	LB	19	73	85	Newcastle United	(2022 ~ 2028)	€7M	€43K
Tino Livramento	RB	21	78	85	Newcastle United	(2023 ~ 2028)	€27M	€65K
Miguel Gutierrez	LB	22	80	85	Girona	(2022 ~ 2027)	€30M	€32K
Arnau Martinez	RB	21	79	85	Girona	(2020 ~ 2025)	€26.5M	€26K
Ian Maatsen	LB	22	79	85	Aston Villa	(2024 ~ 2029)	€26.5M	€85K
Rayan Ait-Nouri	LB	23	79	85	Wolverhampton	(2021 ~ 2026)	€26M	€58K

Players we recommend

• Jorrel Hato
• Malo Gusto
• Rico Lewis

Ajax had a disastrous 2023-24 season, finishing fifth in the Eredivisie. As a result, some players will want a more ambitious club, making Jorrel Hato a prime candidate to leave. The lightning-quick fullback would easily slot into the starting lineup of most squads.

Chelsea has a problem moving forward in the right-back position. Because of Reece James’ injury struggles, Malo Gusto has had plenty of playing time. However, once James is fully fit and healthy, Gusto is too talented not to start. So, we recommend swapping in and signing the versatile fullback.

Rico Lewis is expected to take over for Kyler Walker as Manchester City’s starting right-back when he retires. However, Walker has shown no signs of slowing down at 34 years old, meaning Lewis could be a candidate for a move.

There are options for all budgets and age brackets above, so have a look around and see if something catches your eye.

In a few seasons, the younger players on this list will all feature for the biggest teams around the world – so getting in early could give you a huge advantage.

Now that you have secured your next top star for this role, check out every high-potential winger and the best loan players to sign.