When starting a FIFA 23 Career Mode it is a good idea to buy some young stars that will grow with the team across many seasons. A good place to start is with the defense, having a solid backline is key in the quest to win titles and climb up the divisions, or even challenging for European glory.
There are several 'wonderkids' to choose from in the back, and they will be fine additions, turning an average team into an amazing team. Buying young and developing is a cheap way to get superstars and if need be can be sold to make an insane profit. This list has some of the best wonderkids in defense ranging in all the different positions.
10 Destiny Udogie - LWB - 89 Potential
The best left-wing back in the game, Destiny Udogie is a 19-year-old Italian who plays for Tottenham Hotspur, but he is on loan at Udinese in the Serie A, meaning gamers will have to wait a year in order to buy him.
At the start of the season, he is 76 rated with a staggering potential of 89, a must-buy for any club. His key stats are his 89 sprint speed, 86 acceleration and 80 agility. Gamers will have a rapid player on their hands, but it will cost them $17million+ but it will be worth that ten folds for a real wonderkid.
9 Alejandro Balde - LB - 87 Potential
FC Barcelona's Alejandro Balde is the best option for a straight-up left back, at just 18 years old the sky is the limit he will cost $15million which may seem steep for a 76-rated player but given his 87 potential this will be worth it. Especially considering he can go beyond this with dynamic potential.
Balde is absolutely rapid with 91 sprint speed and 90 acceleration, and he also has 81 agility, meaning he will be a beast down the left-hand side, and these stats will only improve. With decent defending stats also he is no slouch when it comes to getting stuck in at the back.
8 Nuno Mendes - LB - 89 Potential
This one will cost a pretty penny worth $54million at the start of the game, Nuno Mendes is an 81-rated left-back playing for Paris Saint Germain in the French Ligue 1. The Portuguese has great all-around stats, but the stand-outs here are his 90 acceleration, 89 sprint speed and 82 balance.
This one is for the managers of one of the top teams, but with Mendes, gamers will not need to buy another left-back because he is 20 years old and has years to develop and reach his 89 potential.
7 Conor Bradley - RWB - 82 Potential
There aren't too many good right-wing-backs in the game with potential and the best one is Conor Bradley, like Udogie, Bradley is on loan at Bolton Wanderers from Liverpool. But unlike the Italian, he is insanely cheap at $2.3million, and he will grow beyond his 82 limit with dynamic potential, given he gets the right game time.
Bradley will be perfect as a wing-back or as a right-back in a 4-1-2-1-2 formation were the width comes from the fullbacks, making use of his 81 stamina and 78 sprint speed and acceleration.
6 Rico Lewis - RB - 86 Potential
The best wonderkid right back to pick up in the game is Manchester City's 17-year-old starlet Rico Lewis who has impressed in real life this season just like he will in FIFA 23 Career Mode.
Starting at 68 rated, he can grow 18 ratings to 86, which is absolutely insane for a player so young. His stats are nothing too impressive at the start, but he will soon grow and become one of the best in the game. A loan could be arranged for him if gamers manage a lower-rated club, meaning he will cost nothing.
5 Arnau Martinez - RB - 85 Potential
Costing a modest $8.5million this 74-rated right back can grow up to an 85 potential, and he is a very good option to have in FIFA 23 Career Mode. His stats are great already, 82 acceleration, 73 crossing, 71 short passing, a Trent Alexander-Arnold in the making.
He plays for Girona in the Spanish La Liga and despite facing some stiff competition at fullback over there he still stands out as one of the best to pick up. He is just 19 years old and is certainly one to look out for in the future.
4 Josko Gvardiol - CB - 89 Potential
Now with the center backs, Josko Gvardiol is already one of the world's best, but he can grow to insane heights reaching an 89 potential and beyond. He is 20 years old at the start of the game, but no one would think so with his powerful stats.
With 88 jumping, 86 aggression and 84 strength, sliding tackle and standing tackle he is the perfect defender, not slow either. Gvardiol will cost $56million but for pretty much already the finished product he is a must-buy from RB Leipzig, strikers should run in fear.
3 Antonio Silva - CB - 88 Potential
Benfica's Antonio Silva is cheaper than Gvardialo, who begins life as a 77-rated center-back but can develop into an 88-rated monster. Standing at 6 foot 2 he will cost $20.5million
Surprisingly for a center-back, his stamina is his highest stat at 83, followed up with his 82 strength and 81 sprint speed, a different breed of defender who will be quick enough to stop strikers and will have the energy to chase them down. What is the most impressive about Silva is he is just 18 and the world is at his feet, make sure to get in early and pick this one up.
2 Giorgio Scalvini - CB - 86 Potential
A cheaper option is Scalvini, costing just $4.1million and with his 86 potential this is an absolute bargain. The Italian stallion plays for Bergamo Calcio (Atalanta) and despite being 18 years old he stands at 6 foot 4, he will head everything that comes to him away. He will be perfect as a middle defender in a 3-5-2 formation.
No surprise about it Scalvini's best attributes are his defending stats 74 standing tackle, 72 sliding tackle and 72 defensive awareness. Get in for this one early as his price will go up and up as the seasons go on in FIFA 23 Career Mode.
1 Castello Lukeba - CB - 86 Potential
Last but certainly not least is Castello Lukeba, left-footed which is insanely useful in career mode. He is worth $15million and is 19 years old, a fairly modest price for his potential. One of the best young players in the game, no question.
He has amazing all-around defensive stats and these will only get better and better as gamers win games and progress through the ranks. The Frenchman is of good company and whomever gamers pick from this list will no doubt be a star for any team in FIFA 23 Career Mode.
FIFA 23 is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, and PC.