Mastering the midfield in EA FC 26 Career Mode is as crucial as many other positions on the digital football field. A defensive central defensive midfielder (CDM) protects the backline. Central midfielders (CM) give balance, linking defense and attack by dictating plays. Meanwhile, central attacking midfielders unlock defenses with creativity and vision.
In line with this, CDM/CM/CAM wonderkids can become cornerstones of a football club and potentially turn into superstars. For that reason, signing and developing them early can give a team an edge in the long run.
To speed up the process of finding the right players, this article will provide lists of CDM/CM/CAM wonderkids that a team manager can acquire in the football simulation video game.
Best CDM/CM/CAM Wonderkids in EA FC 26
Here is a more detailed look at three of the top CDM wonderkids in Career Mode that form part of the success of a team in the game:
Carlos Baleba (Overall Rating: 81 | Potential Rating: 87)
Carlos Baleba has very good defensive and physical attributes. He can also play as a central midfielder.
As for his in-game strengths, he carries the aerial fortress, power shot, and technical abilities. Across the rest of the pitch, Carlos has 74 for pace, 70 for shooting, 75 for passing, 80 for dribbling, 79 for defending, and 79 for physicality.
- Age: 21
- Team: Brighton & Hove Albion
- League: Premier League
- Nation: Cameroon
- Rank: 472
- Height: 183cm / 6’0″
- Weight: 77kg / 170lb
- Preferred Foot: Left
- Wage: €70K
- Value: €38M
Aleksandar Pavlović (Overall Rating: 80 | Potential Rating: 87)
Aleksandar Pavlović is another excellent CDM wonderkid option. He also has CM as his secondary position, giving team managers flexibility in midfield.
In EA FC 26, he excels with his Tiki Taka ability. When it comes to other areas of the game, he has 62 for pace, 64 for shooting, 79 for passing, 78 for dribbling, 76 for defending, and 71 for physicality.
- Age: 21
- Team: FC Bayern München
- League: Bundesliga
- Nation: Germany
- Rank: 849
- Height: 188cm / 6’2″
- Weight: 75kg / 165lb
- Preferred Foot: Right
- Wage: €45K
- Value: €40M
Adam Wharton (Overall Rating: 80 | Potential Rating: 86)
Adam Wharton operates as a versatile youngster with a long development runway. Similarly, switching to the central midfield position is part of his wheelhouse.
His standout in-game abilities are first touch, press proven, and slide tackle. In different phases of play, Adam has 62 for pace, 62 for shooting, 81 for passing, 77 for dribbling, 75 for defending, and 69 for physicality.
- Age: 21
- Team: Crystal Palace
- League: Premier League
- Nation: England
- Rank: 861
- Height: 182cm / 6’0″
- Weight: 70kg / 154lb
- Preferred Foot: Left
- Wage: €61K
- Value: €31M
Here is a more detailed look at three of the top CM wonderkids in Career Mode that form part of the success of a team in the game:
João Neves (Overall Rating: 85 | Potential Rating: 90)
João Neves is a technically gifted CM wonderkid. His current overall and potential rating proves that he is one of the stronger midfielders in the game. Neves can also play as a central defensive midfielder.
Regarding his main gameplay specialties, he champions the press proven+, aerial fortress, long ball pass, relentless, and Tiki Taka abilities. Beyond these, he has 74 for pace, 69 for shooting, 80 for passing, 74 for dribbling, 82 for defending, and 83 for physicality.
- Age: 21
- Team: Paris SG
- League: Ligue 1 McDonald’s
- Nation: Portugal
- Rank: 116
- Height: 174cm / 5’9″
- Weight: 66kg / 146lb
- Preferred Foot: Right
- Wage: €90K
- Value: €79.5M
Gavi (Overall Rating: 83 | Potential Rating: 88)
Gavi continues to be a well-known young talent with promising potential. He is primarily listed as a CM, but can switch to the central attacking midfielder position.
His game is built around the press proven, relentless, slide tackle, and Tiki Taka abilities. In wider virtual match situations, Gavi has 76 for pace, 66 for shooting, 78 for passing, 85 for dribbling, 68 for defending, and 70 for physicality.
- Age: 21
- Team: FC Barcelona
- League: La Liga EA SPORTS
- Nation: Spain
- Rank: 279
- Height: 173cm / 5’8″
- Weight: 70kg / 154lb
- Preferred Foot: Right
- Wage: €85K
- Value: €53.5M
Andrey Santos (Overall Rating: 80 | Potential Rating: 87)
Andrey Santos is an up-and-coming Brazilian midfielder in the game. He plays CM but can even drop into a central defensive midfielder role.
Specifically, he is effective in EA FC 26 due to his aerial fortress, precision header, slide tackle, and Tiki Taka abilities. As for Andrey’s other facets in the video game, he has 74 for pace, 69 for shooting, 74 for passing, 78 for dribbling, 77 for defending, and 80 for physicality.
- Age: 21
- Team: Chelsea
- League: Premier League
- Nation: Brazil
- Rank: 604
- Height: 180cm / 5’11”
- Weight: 75kg / 165lb
- Preferred Foot: Right
- Wage: €86K
- Value: €42.5M
Here is a more detailed look at three of the top CAM wonderkids in Career Mode that form part of the success of a team in the game:
Nico Paz (Overall Rating: 80 | Potential Rating: 89)
Nico Paz has a relatively good physical presence, creativity, and vision for his age. Plus, playing as a central midfielder is possible for him.
In the digital field, Paz is at his best when using his finesse shot, incisive pass, inventive, and technical abilities. Elsewhere on the field, he has 78 for pace, 71 for shooting, 77 for passing, 82 for dribbling, 51 for defending, and 64 for physicality.
- Age: 21
- Team: Como
- League: Serie A Enilive
- Nation: Argentina
- Rank: 876
- Height: 186cm / 6’1″
- Weight: 81kg / 179lb
- Preferred Foot: Left
- Wage: €70K
- Value: €46.5M
Kenan Yıldız (Overall Rating: 80 | Potential Rating: 89)
Kenan Yıldız is one of the most well-rounded young footballers in EA FC 26. In detail, he can switch to three other positions, including left midfielder, left wing, and central midfielder.
His most impactful attributes in the simulation game come from his gamechanger, incisive pass, technical, and whipped pass abilities. About his other offerings, Kenan has 84 for pace, 78 for shooting, 74 for passing, 83 for dribbling, 35 for defending, and 66 for physicality.
- Age: 20
- Team: Juventus
- League: Serie A Enilive
- Nation: Turkey
- Rank: 889
- Height: 185cm / 6’1″
- Weight: 75kg / 165lb
- Preferred Foot: Right
- Wage: €84K
- Value: €46.5M
Franco Mastantuono (Overall Rating: 77 | Potential Rating: 88)
Franco Mastantuono positions himself as one of the brightest CAM wonderkids in the video game with his current overall and potential ratings. Aside from playing his role, he can also perform as a right wing and a striker.
What truly defines him on the virtual pitch is his dead ball ability. In terms of other aspects in the virtual pitch, he has 74 for pace, 71 for shooting, 75 for passing, 80 for dribbling, 50 for defending, and 83 for physicality.
- Age: 18
- Team: Real Madrid
- League: La Liga EA SPORTS
- Nation: Argentina
- Rank: 1456
- Height: 177cm / 5’10”
- Weight: 71kg / 157lb
- Preferred Foot: Left
- Wage: €69K
- Value: €22M
Final Kick Before the Full-time Whistle
One of the smartest ways to build for the future in EA FC 26 is to integrate these CDM/CM/CAM wonderkids in a football team. With Carlos, Aleksandar, Adam, João, Gavi, Andrey, Kenan, Nico, and Franco, team managers have plenty of options to consider when searching for defensive stability, deep playmaking, balance, energy, and vision to open up defenses.
By leveraging the appropriate approach to their development, one can ensure that the process sets the path for long-term dominance.
Note: This article incorporates the latest available EA FC 26, Sofifa (a), Sofifa (b), and Sofifa (c) data and information at the time of writing. Keep in mind that player rating and potential in the game can change over time due to updates and real-world performance. This list serves more as a guide rather than a definitive ranking of CDM/CM/CAM wonderkids.
