Managing teams in the Career Mode and taking them to the peak of European football is one of the most fun things you can do in FIFA 23. When rebuilding a team, it is generally recommended to primarily focus on strengthening your defence to ensure that you don’t leak too many goals and end up challenging for all the possible titles.
There are tons of quality defenders that you can find playing across the world. Signing those with high potential will undoubtedly help you out the most to eventually become one of the world’s best.
The ratings and potentials listed below are as of FIFA 23’s July Squad update.
10 Sven Botman, Newcastle United
Newcastle United struck the jackpot by buying Sven Botman, and he was among the primary reasons they managed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. The Dutch international has been in terrific form, and EA has given him a rating of 83, alongside a potential of 88 inside the game.
Since finding good left-footed centre backs is quite challenging, getting Sven Botman would be ideal if you are looking for one. He also has decent heading ability, and you can score a few goals through set pieces, so he is an option you should keep in mind.
9 Cristian Romero, Tottenham
Cristian Romero was excellent for Argentina in the FIFA World Cup and has also been performing nicely for Tottenham in the Premier League. With great statistics in the Career Mode, you can try signing him for your club to take your backline to the next level.
The centre back has a great defensive work rate and is pretty good on the ball as well. He essentially possesses a rating of 83, while his potential stands at 88. However, you will have to spend €50-60 million minimum to sign him.
8 Fikayo Tomori, AC Milan
Fikayo Tomori has excelled at Milan and has managed to shine at the Italian club after Chelsea shipped him out. The English centre half possesses incredible pace, and he is the perfect option if you want someone to counter the fast attackers that can completely open up the defence.
Inside the Career Mode, he starts at the rating of 84, immediately becoming a starter for most sides. In terms of potential, the number is the same as Lisandro Martínez, Sven Botman, and Cristian Romero, sitting at the mark of 88.
7 Joško Gvardiol, RB Leipzig
Joško Gvardiol is one of the world’s top defenders and has been heavily linked with Manchester City following his incredible performances in the Bundesliga and the Champions League over the last two seasons. The Croatian also had a great World Cup, with him playing a vital role as his country finished third.
His tremendous displays have landed him an overall rating of 82 in FIFA 23’s Career Mode. In the meantime, Joško Gvardiol’s potential is 89, and you may take him past the 90 mark as a result of the game’s dynamic player potential.
6 William Saliba, Arsenal
William Saliba shined for Arsenal in the 2022/2023 season and stood out among the top performers for the club as they challenged for the title and ended up finishing second. The French defender features all the qualities to become one of the best defenders of the modern era, and the Gunners have their defence sorted till he plays for the club.
He has an overall rating of 83 and a potential of 89, which is incredible, considering he is pretty young. William Saliba can additionally cover the full back roles if someone is injured.
5 Ronald Araújo, FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona has been home to many top talents in world football, and Ronald Araújo is among the numerous they currently possess. He helped the club sort out their defensive woes, and the team won La Liga in the 2022/2023 season after a couple of years of drought.
Everyone thinks highly of the Uruguayan, and he is expected to become one of the top defenders in the next few years. Ronald Araújo’s overall rating within the game is 83, and throughout the course of the seasons, he has the potential to attain a number of 89.
4 Alessandro Bastoni, Inter Milan
Alessandro Bastoni lived up to the high expectations and has established himself as a world-class centre back. He has been a wonderkid in FIFA games since FIFA 17, and buying him for your club in FIFA 23 could be one of the finest choices you can make.
Like Sven Botman, he is left-footed, and you can pair him with a good right-footer defender to form a solid pair. He begins the first season of Career Mode at a rating of 84, while his base potential in the game is at 89.
3 Matthijs de Ligt, Bayern Munich
Matthijs de Ligt has also been a valuable pickup as a defender over the course of the last several FIFA games. The Dutchman can make your backline rock-hard, and he would ensure that no attacker slips past easily.
The developers have given him a rating of 85 with a potential of 89, and he is amongst the highest-rated players in the Bundesliga. Nonetheless, buying him will not be a cheap affair, and you will have to spend a considerable amount to acquire his services.
2 Éder Militão, Real Madrid
Éder Militão emerges as one of the finest centre backs in La Liga and world football. He has been a valuable part of Real Madrid’s squad, and Carlo Ancelloti has moulded him into an absolute gem of a defender.
He starts the first season of Career Mode at a rating of 85, and the Brazilian has the ability to reach the mark of 89. You may also convert him into a right back, and he can play that role pretty well, thanks to his decent speed and good crossing.
1 Rúben Dias, Manchester City
Rúben Dias is the tied-highest rated defender in FIFA 23, and he possesses the highest potential as a centre back. The Portuguese international was a valuable asset to the Manchester City team that made history by becoming the second Premier League club to win the treble.
He effectively comes with an overall of 88 and a potential of 91, which is unmatched when it comes to the particular position. Even though he might be extremely costly, you can buy him if you are trying to rebuild clubs like PSG, which have considerable money to spend.