Not only does FIFA 22 bring loads of new features, it also brings new play stats and ratings. Here, we're looking at the best defenders in FIFA 22.
Whether you're after big, bruising centre backs or nippy fullbacks to pepper the opposing box with dangerous crosses, you'll want to take note of these players and sign them if you can.
We're looking at players under 28 who can make your squad better both now and into the future. Our apologies to Sergio Ramos and Georgio Chiellini, although they're brilliant signings if you need to plug a hole for a Champions' League push in a single season.
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This guide is focussed on Career Mode, but many could be good signings in FUT as well. While we're at it, give our guide to how to make money fast in FIFA Ultimate Team a read if that's your thing too.
More articles in this series:
- The 10 best young strikers in FIFA 22
- The 52 highest potential wonderkids in FIFA 22
- The 31 best wingers in FIFA 22
- The 21 best strikers in FIFA 22
- The 39 best midfielders in FIFA 22
Best CBs In FIFA 22 Career Mode
Ruben Dias
- Club: Manchester City
- Age: 24
- Current Overall: 87
- Potential Overall: 91
- Value: £92.5m
Ruben Dias is only 24. He's 24 years old, and is already one of the best CBs in the world, and in FIFA 22. He's only going to get better too, with a potential overall of 91. A physical powerhouse and intelligent football player, you won't have to worry about Dias getting caught out of position if you lose the ball in midfield and have to scramble for a counter attack. He's also sound on the ball, with better passing stats than most other CBs, as well as posing a genuine threat up front for set-pieces.
Matthijs de Ligt
- Club: Piemonte Calcio (Juventus)
- Age: 22
- Current Overall: 85
- Potential Overall: 90
- Value: £67.5m
Matthijs de Ligt of Juventus has everything you want in a CB. Strong, great in the air, and a good reader of the game when the player isn't in control, he'd slot right into any team in the world. For a central defender, he's pretty nippy too, with a sprint speed of 75. It isn't olympic sprinting, but it's enough to hassle opposing attackers and gives him more of an opportunity to use his strength stat.
Dayot Upamecano
- Club: Bayern München
- Age: 22
- Current Overall: 82
- Potential Overall: 90
- Value: £57.5m
If you really want a fast CB though, get signing Dayot Upamecano. The French defender has the strength, tackling, and aerial ability you expect from a top CB, but the real pièce de résistance is that 90 sprint speed. Sure, 70 acceleration isn't brilliant, but once he's up to pace you'll be able to chase down all but the most rapid strikers and wingers, making it extremely difficult to get in behind a team with Upamecano at the back.
Other great Career Mode CBs
- Marquinhos (Ovr: 87, Pot: 90)
- Alessandro Bastoni (Ovr: 80, Pot: 89)
- Jules Kounde (Ovr: 83, Pot: 89)
- Pau Torres (Ovr: 82, Pot: 89)
- Eder Militao (Ovr: 82, Pot: 89)
- Aymeric Laporte (Ovr: 86, Pot: 89)
- Joe Gomez (Ovr: 82, Pot: 88)
- Josko Gvardiol (Ovr: 75, Pot: 87)
- Jurrien Timber (Ovr: 75, Pot: 86)
Best LBs in FIFA 22 career mode
Theo Hernández
- Club: Milan
- Age: 23
- Current Overall: 84
- Potential Overall: 90
- Value: £56m
Theo Hernández is ridiculously pacy. He wouldn't be out of place as a winger, but his defensive attributes make him a fantastic left back to do all the jobs you need him to. With fullbacks growing in football's importance, it makes sense to invest heavily in the position, and Hernández is just what the doctor ordered. He's a quality crosser of the ball, and will find it easy to get into those positions with that pace and dribbling.
Alphonso Davies
- Club: Bayern München
- Age: 20
- Current Overall: 82
- Potential Overall: 89
- Value: £51.5m
So, we know we said Theo Hernández was a speedster. We weren't lying. However, Alphonso Davies, Bayern's Canadian fullback, has 96 acceleration and sprint speed. That is absolutely wild. He's also an amazing dribbler of the ball, and can hold his own all over the pitch with 4 star skill moves and weak foot. Being just 20 years of age, he's got a lot of development time ahead of him - not that he needs it to get right onto your starting XI.
Andrew Robertson
- Club: Liverpool
- Age: 27
- Current Overall: 87
- Potential Overall: 88
- Value: £75.5m
Andy Robertson is the best LB in the world. Liverpool's Scottish superstar has such a spread of attributes that it'd be ridiculous to not include him here. Most impressive is his 95 stamina, because as a fullback players are expected to constantly be sprinting up and down the field non-stop - we can remember plenty of FIFA careers with exhausted fullbacks running on empty with a congested fixture schedule. That's far from a problem with Robertson's work rates and stamina, so you'll barely ever have to sub him off.
Other great Career Mode LBs
- Luke Shaw (Ovr: 84, Pot: 86)
- Kieran Tierney (Ovr: 80, Pot: 86)
- Lucas Hernandez (Ovr: 83, Pot: 86)
- Renan Lodi (Ovr: 81, Pot: 86)
- Gaya (Ovr: 83, Pot: 86)
- Ferland Mendy (Ovr: 83, Pot: 86)
- Luca Netz (Ovr: 68, Pot: 85)
- Alex Centelles (Ovr: 75, Pot: 85)
- Oleksandr Zinchenko (Ovr: 80, Pot: 85)
- Grimaldo (Ovr: 82, Pot: 85)
Best RBs in FIFA 22 career mode
Trent Alexander-Arnold
- Club: Liverpool
- Age: 22
- Current Overall: 87
- Potential Overall: 92
- Value: £102m
Great fullbacks are hard to find. Liverpool have somehow found two of them. What Trent lacks in stamina compared to Robertson, he makes up for with aplomb thanks to his ridiculously good playmaking abilities. Getting Alexander-Arnold on the ball is essential, because he can effortlessly whizz a pass across the pitch all the way to the left flank, or dribble all the way up his own side and bang a peach of a ball into the box. If you can get Trent on your team, you're a lucky soul indeed.
Joao Cancelo
- Club: Manchester City
- Age: 26
- Current Overall: 86
- Potential Overall: 87
- Value: £64m
Joao Cancelo of City is a wonderful addition to any squad. He's quick, a great crosser of the ball, and in the days when fullbacks have to essentially act as wingers as well as being defenders, his 4 star skill moves and weak foot set him apart from the rest. Being Manchester City's first choice he won't come cheap, but it'll all be worth it when he's running the right side of the pitch.
Achraf Hakimi
- Club: Paris Saint-Germain
- Age: 22
- Current Overall: 85
- Potential Overall: 88
- Value: £62.5m
Hakimi, PSG's right back, has 95 acceleration and 95 sprint speed. He's okay defensively, but might need to be covered by good centre back play while he's busy marauding up the pitch looking for goals and assists. A 4-star weak foot lets him cut inside and shoot for himself, and the threat of that means you'll be able to harness his ridiculous speed, zooming away from anyone who tries to catch you and whipping a ball right on the head of a (hopefully) oncoming striker. Hakimi has bags of potential, and if you get the opportunity to use it, you're in for a treat.
Other great Career Mode RBs
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Ovr: 83, Pot: 87)
- Devyne Rensch (Ovr: 73, Pot: 85)
- Noussair Mazraoui (Ovr: 80, Pot: 85)
- Sergino Dest (Ovr: 76, Pot: 85)
- Japhet Tanganga (Ovr: 74, Pot: 84)
- Dodo (Ovr: 73, Pot: 84)
- Lutsharel Geertruida (Ovr: 76, Pot: 84)
- Emerson (Ovr: 79, Pot: 84)
- Denzel Dumfries (Ovr: 82, Pot: 84)
- Gonzalo Montiel (Ovr: 78, Pot: 84)
Best wing backs In FIFA 22
Nuno Mendes
- Club: Paris Saint-Germain
- Age: 19
- Current Overall: 78
- Potential Overall: 88
- Value: £26m
Nuno Mendes primarily plays left wing back, but is far more than that. Chuck him in at left back or left mid and he'll perform exquisitely, particularly if you allow him to reach his full potential. His stamina leaves a little bit to be desired, but if you're playing a system with three centre backs kicking about, there won't be quite as much of a need for Mendes to track back. Plus, he's only 19, so he'll improve massively!
Pedro Porro
- Club: Sporting CP
- Age: 21
- Current Overall: 80
- Potential Overall: 87
- Value: £44.5m
Pedro Porro can really hold down the right hand side. With game time and training, his defensive stats will bloom, and you'll be able to hold a high press against any opponent with Porro playing a role. He really comes into his own on the attack, though, as excellent ball control means can dominate opponents focusing too much on closing down the central space. Get him wide, put the crosses in, and watch the goals flow.
Reece James
- Club: Chelsea
- Age: 21
- Current Overall: 81
- Potential Overall: 86
- Value: £33.5m
England have some really good full backs and wing backs, huh? Reece James is Chelsea's choice at the position, and he's a really strong lad for his position. He's fast too, so don't expect to have it easy with your slippery wingers trying to knock it past him as he'll chase them down and outmuscle them with ease. At just 21, he's a great addition to any team at any time in the next decade, so don't hesitate to spend big!
Other great Career Mode wing backs
- Jayden Bogle (Ovr: 74, Pot: 85)
- Nordi Mukiele (Ovr: 81, Pot: 85)
- Tariq Lamptey (Ovr: 74, Pot: 84)
- Goncalo Esteves (Ovr: 65, Pot: 82)
- Angelino (Ovr: 83, Pot: 86)
- Ben Chilwell (Ovr: 82, Pot: 86)
- Ruben Vinagre (Ovr: 75, Pot: 85)
- Rayan Ait Nouri (Ovr: 73, Pot: 84)
- Ryan Sessegnon (Ovr: 75, Pot: 84)
- Liberato Cacace (Ovr: 72, Pot: 83)
Topics: FIFA 22, Gaming, Ruben Dias, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alphonso Davies, Achraf Hakimi, Reece James