A defensive midfielder has become one of the most important roles in modern teams that need fluidity in both attack and defense. Players in this role are expected to aid the defense in stopping certain attacks before quickly moving the ball forward to progressive players in the hope of gaining some control and possibly starting a counterattack as well. DMs are pretty popular in FIFA games as well, especially since they help chase down the opposition and ensure that their attacks don't materialize in a dangerous fashion while also serving as a link between the defense and the rest of the team.

Some of the best DMs that players can use to bolster their squad extensively in FIFA 23 are very rare and expensive. Players need to secure good trades and deals to get these players in Ultimate Team, and these players will aid most people across the many other modes in this game. With a good DM, players can afford to be more aggressive without worrying about a hole appearing in their defense. FIFA 23's gameplay may be so tried-and-tested that this irritates people to no end, but players who focus more on the mechanical side of things would want to secure a highly-rated DM who fits in perfectly well with their style of play.

Updated October 14, 2023, by Ritwik Mitra: FIFA 23 continues the annual trend of this franchise releasing a game with updated squads, different gameplay tweaks, and new mechanics that can range from superficial to memorable. Many people don't appreciate EA selling the same game with minor improvements, but hardcore fans don't mind getting the latest soccer game by EA. Players can spend hundreds of hours on its various modes, and Ultimate Team in particularly is a huge time-sink for many. While the advent of EA Sports FC 24 has served as a major shake-up for the games following the change in nomenclature, there are many people who still love playing FIFA 23 even now. And the game's list of quality defensive midfielders is staggering.

18 Aurelien Tchouameni (83) - Real Madrid

One of the most talented and sought-after players in the world, it's easy to see why Tchouameni managed to bag a spot in the illustrious Real Madrid team. His ceiling is massive, and one can only imagine just how much Tchouameni will develop in a squad that is absolutely star-studded.

There's a reason why he's one of the best DMs in FIFA, with the entire world recognizing just how amazing this talent really is. Only time will tell just how far Tchouameni will reach if he continues on this path.

17 Konrad Laimer (83) - RB Leipzig

RB Leipzig identifies brilliant talent on a regular basis, so it's easy to see why Konrad Laimer makes this list. The performances of this amazing DM have flown under the radar, but it's only a matter of time before a big club comes around to snap this talent up.

At a respectable 83 rating, it's clear that Konrad Laimer would be a great addition to any squad. For a DM, his pace is great and makes him a great link between defense and attack.

16 Fernando Reges Mouta (83) - Sevilla

Speaking of underrated players, another name that comes to mind is Fernando Reges Mouta. This player is the definition of fine wine, being a strong part of Sevilla's squad despite reaching his mid-30s.

Fernando has played for several elite clubs and is known for his great defensive and physical capabilities, making him a strong part of any squad. FIFA has recognized his strong physicality, which shows in his stats as well.

15 Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (84) - Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur has upgraded quite a bit in recent times. With players like Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, it's very much possible for this team to finally get that elusive trophy that has been evading them for the longest time.

Hojbjerg is easily one of the best players on the team, with his physicality and defensive skills being his strongest suit. His passing is also pretty great, letting him link up quick and efficient passes with ease.

14 Thomas Partey (84) - Arsenal

Arsenal has been on a roll this season, with many people arguing that they have a solid chance to finally win the league this season after believing in the Mikel Arteta project. A huge reason for this is the strong squad that Arsenal has built up in recent times, with Thomas Partey being a standout in this regard.

Many people wrote off Partey as a failure from the get-go, but he has silenced his critics in a definitive fashion. He's a beast in FIFA, with his dribbling, defending, physicality, and passing all being 80 or above!

13 Sandro Tonali (84) - AC Milan

One of the most promising young prospects around, Sandro Tonali is shaping up to be someone truly special. This is something that the EA scouts have recognized, leading to him receiving such an impressive rating.

His pace, passing, and physical skills make him a force to be reckoned with. The sky's the limit for Sandro Tonali, and fans hope that he'll be able to achieve his full potential and become one of the greatest DMs of all time.

12 Franck Kessie (84) - Barcelona

Despite their financial problems, there's no denying that Barcelona has managed to build a competent squad. Their team is full to the brim with depth and talent, with Frank Kessie being a pretty great DM in the squad.

His defensive and physical skills are impressive, with the rest of his stats being pretty great too. Suffice it to say, any team that needs a good DM will be pretty well-serviced with Kessie's presence in the team.

11 Declan Rice (84) - West Ham

Declan Rice has shot up the ranks to become one of the best English DMs of the current era. It's easy to see why West Ham is unwilling to let this amazing player go despite the efforts of many top teams.

There's still a lot of time for Rice to develop as a talented DM. Players in FIFA 23 should keep in mind to not unleash any shots on goal with this player since he isn't a finisher by any means.

10 Sergio Busquets (85) - Barcelona

He might be getting on in terms of age, but no one came close to Busquets during his peak as a DM. He's one of the biggest reasons why Barcelona managed to remain so dominant for such a long spell in the 2010s.

Even at 34 years old, Busquets is still rated highly by many fans and players. His 85 rating in FIFA 23 is proof of this, although his pace does make him somewhat vulnerable when moving the ball forward.

9 Marcelo Brozovic (86) - Inter Milan

Inter Milan might not be reaching the heights it did under Antonio Conte during their title-winning season, but their players are still in a class of their own. One of the key reasons they won the title in the 2020-21 season was the contributions of Marcelo Brozovic as DM.

Brozovic is great at passing, dribbling, and defending, making him a great player to tackle opponents and move the ball forward on his own. However, players should keep in mind that his pace isn't the best, and poor positioning will lead to players going ahead of him with ease.

8 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (86) - Lazio

The Saudi League has started pumping massive amounts of money into their teams to secure the highest level of talent possible. This approach has been met with a wave of polarizing responses. While some people don't mind players past their prime securing their retirement, there are many players in the prime of their careers who are choosing money over European glory. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is one of these players.

A star DM for Lazio who was a crucial member of the first team, many people were saddened to see this player move to Al Hilal instead of trying to secure a transfer to a bigger club. He's a great player to control in FIFA 23, and is a part of an admirable Lazio squad that, along with many other Italian teams, has set the world on fire.

7 Frenkie De Jong (87) - Barcelona

Frenkie de Jong has been unlucky when it comes to injuries. It doesn't help that trying to shift away from Ajax's system has also caused a fair share of problems for him. However, despite all these issues, there's no denying that de Jong is a quality player. He can absolutely boss the midfield, which can be seen in his FIFA 23 rating.

De Jong is a versatile player who can play as a DM if the system expects this from him. He's a valuable player that any FIFA 23 player should treasure. Any person who gets their hands on this player will be more than pleased by what's on offer here.

6 Leon Goretzka (87) - Bayern Munich

Goretzka is one of the most promising German players, and has become an integral part of Bayern Munich's squad. After developing into a quality player at Schalke, the biggest club in Germany swooped in to get this talent for themselves. This player has since become one of the central players in Bayern's talented squad.

He's an excellent midfielder who has been a valuable part of Bayern's squad for quite some time now. He's one of the most underrated midfielders playing at the very top of his game.

5 Rodri (87) - Manchester City

Manchester City is full to the brim with incredible talent in pretty much every position. The fact that their manager uses a ton of formations for games means that every player gets their time to shine.

Rodri is one such player who is key for City whenever he plays. His role as a DM lets him absolutely flourish by giving sufficient backup to the defense while also setting up balls to initiate an attack.

4 Fabinho (87) - Liverpool

Liverpool under Klopp has been nothing short of dominant, despite their poor form in recent seasons. Their squad has several key players that make this team so dangerous, with Fabinho being one such player who has been key for their many trophy wins.

He's in the prime of his career, which is something that FIFA 23 has also noted. His defensive attributes are truly in a class of their own, letting him nip most attacks in the bud before they can become truly dangerous.

3 Casemiro (89) - Manchester United

Casemiro's transfer to Manchester United has been nothing short of incredible. After playing many years in Real Madrid, Casemiro has decided to ply his trade in the Premier League for the first time in his career.

He's yet to make a solid appearance in Ten Hag's squad, but there's no denying that this player is absolutely oozing quality. His strong physicality and brilliant defending skills make him a tour-de-force in the DM role.

2 Joshua Kimmich (89) - Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich is absolutely brimming with talent, including Joshua Kimmich. This player is incredibly versatile and can play in many positions despite his DM tagline.

His mercurial passing abilities let him kickstart attacks after hounding opposition players and regaining possession for the team. Suffice it to say, any team with Kimmich is bound to achieve immense levels of success.

1 N'Golo Kante (89) - Chelsea

N'golo Kante might be plagued with injuries more often than not, but he's still one of Chelsea's best players whenever he starts. His relentless pressing and amazing defensive skills make him perfect for a DM role.

Even during a period of what is perceived to be a decline in his footballing ability, Kante is still making waves as one of the best DMs around. His dribbling, defense, and physical skills are great and make him a must-have in any team.