Ryan Pessoa’s FIFA 22 career mode guide: the best young defenders

FIFA Pro and Red Bull athlete Ryan presents you the best young talents for each defensive position.

The career mode in FIFA has had its ups and downs over the years, but now it’s the game’s most popular mode after FUT. EA has now added numerous new features to it for FIFA 22. Among them is the ability to build your team from scratch. Wise decisions are required here, which take into account the potential of the various players.

You can only win titles with a good defense. That’s why you should focus on talent and sustainability for the back line in the long-term career project.

“Signing young players with high potential is an extremely efficient investment considering the limited resources in career mode,” says FIFA Pro and Red Bull athlete Ryan Pessoa. “You can only win titles with a good defense. That’s why you should focus on talent and sustainability for the back line in the long-term career project. The big names are tempting as always, but a mix of ‘young and old’ or rather ‘experienced’ provides the most stable balance.

Below you’ll find the best U-21 players for defense and goal available in FIFA 22.

Alphonso Davies (LV) – Bayern Munich – Potential rating 89, Current rating 82

On our list there are some names (due to age) that do not have a great name recognition. However, exceptions like Alphonso Davies prove the rule, the Bayern Munich player is already a Champions League winner and multiple Bundesliga champion. A fast left-back who can also help shape the attacking game.

Bukayo Saka (LV) – Arsenal – PW 88, MW 80

Arsenal fans didn’t have many reasons to cheer in the 2020/21 – Season , but Bukayo Saka positively stood out. The immensely talented left-back is also more than capable of attacks down the wing. England have a lot to thank him for for their place in the final at Euro 2020.

Jarrad Branthwaite (IV) – Everton – PW 84, MW 66.

The 19-year-old Branthwaite is under contract with Everton until at least 2023. As part of England’s U-20 national team, he has been allowed to cheer a few times, such as in the 6-1 win over Romania’s U-20 team last August. At 196cm in height, he is a hulk in any defense that stands out.

Josko Gvardiol (LV) – Dinamo Zagreb – PW 87, MW 75

The 19-year-old Croatian is already an integral part of his national team. Otherwise, he is under contract with RB Leipzig and already has Champions League experience. Gvardiol has quickly become a regular at the Red Bulls and could also be a breakthrough player in your FIFA 22 career.

Luca Netz (LV) – Hertha Berlin – PW 85, MW 68

The young German currently plays for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga. He began his career with league rivals Hertha BSC. An attack-minded left-back who has already scored five goals for Germany’s junior national teams.

Nuno Mendes (LAV) – PSG – PW 88, MW 78.

The news about PSG this summer was mostly about Messi, Ramos and Wijnaldum, that’s why the arrival of Nuno Mendes from Sporting CP rather fell under the radar. Now he has a – Season to prove his promising potential.

Sergiño Dest (RV) – Barcelona – PW 85, MW 76

Barcelona has not been allowed to enjoy many positive headlines lately. Anyway, one of them is Dest’s signing in the right defense. The American international came to Barca from Ajax in 2020 and intends to stay. The club has faith in his potential – and so should you!

Wesley Fofana (IV) – Leicester City – PW 86, MW 78.

The Premier League has plenty of talented Frenchmen in central defense this year. One of the latest additions is 20-year-old Wesley Fofana. Formerly with Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1, he is now a solid choice of Brendan Rodgers at Leicester City. He has also made several appearances for the French U-21 national team. The big advantage for your career team: he only gets better with every game!

Even the best defense gets outplayed… that’s why every team needs a solid goalkeeper to keep the upper hand in direct duels with the attackers.

Illan Meslier (TH) – Leeds United – PW 85, MW 77

The French goalkeeper at Leeds United has secured his regular spot within a – Season on loan from Lorient (Ligue 1) – and he’s only 21. If you have a penalty against you, you want no one less than Meslier in goal.

Maarten Vandevoordt (TH) – KRC Genk – PW 87, MW 71

With a height of 188cm, Vandevoordt has little trouble with crosses and high balls. The Genk regular is also the youngest goalkeeper ever to play in the Champions League – at exactly 17 years and 287 days.