EA FC 25 is edging closer to its release, with the game hitting consoles and PC on 27 September.

With every passing year, the franchise (which was formerly FIFA) grows in popularity and the excitement is palpable ahead of EA’s blockbuster release at the end of the month. Whether you’re an Ultimate Team fan, Career Mode aficionado or Pro Clubs advocate, there is plenty to get your teeth stuck into this year.

No matter your game mode of choice, it’s always important to know about the best and brightest available, with young players an extremely valuable currency.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the best young central defenders aged 23 or under in EA FC 25 – from confirmed ratings and rumours.

We’re including any player who has a starting or alternate position of centre-back in EA FC 25, with one player standing head and shoulders above the rest. Arsenal defender William Saliba is far and away the strongest young centre-back in the game, with the Frenchman receiving an upgrade that takes him to 87. Some would argue that’s still too low.

The Premier League boasts the game’s next best young centre-back, with Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City coming in at 83. While a left-back on the game, the 22-year-old has an alternate position of centre-back after featuring there regularly for RB Leipzig before his Etihad move.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Micky van de Ven is next up with an 82 rating – an upgrade of four from last year’s game – and the speedy Dutchman is likely to be an incredibly meta player in EA FC 25. The best young women’s centre-back is Colombian Manuela Vanegas, who also comes in at 82 for Real Sociedad Femenino.

The impressive performances of Piero Hincapie with last season’s Bundesliga ‘Invincibles’ Bayer Leverkusen have resulted in an 81 rating, while his teammate Odilon Kossounou – currently on loan at Atalanta – is the same rating.

There are two other young central defenders who are also 81-rated. They are Manchester United Women’s Maya Le Tissier and Chelsea Women’s Sjoeke Nusken, although the latter is classed as a midfielder first and foremost.

Arsenal have three of the most promising centre-backs in EA FC 25, including Saliba. The versatile Jurrien Timber is joined by summer signing Riccardo Calafiori in the top 20, with both players 79-rated.

Man Utd’s summer recruit Leny Yoro is incredibly highly-rated despite being just 18 years old. The former Lille defender moved to Old Trafford for £52m and has been rewarded with a rating of 78 this year.

*All ratings courtesy of FUTBIN – ratings subject to change.

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