EA Sports FC 25 wonderkids: The 20 best young defenders

Cameron Smith

26 Sept 2024 16:00 BST
3 min read

Alejandro Balde has the highest-rated potential of any wonderkid defender on EA Sports FC 25.

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The Barcelona left-back has a base rating of 81, but his potential rating in Career Mode stands at a huge 89. As a result, EA Sports consider him to be the most talented U21 defender in world football for the second season in a row.

Each year, players are given a ‘potential’ rating in Career Mode to go alongside their regular rating in Kick Off and Ultimate Team. This makes Career Mode a unique experience as EA FC 25 players are able to see young stars increase in rating every season.

Balde’s Barcelona team-mate Pau Cubarsi has the joint-second highest potential of any U21 defender on EA FC 25. The Spain centre-back has a base rating of 72, however his immense breakout onto the senior stage has seen him rewarded with a potential rating of 88.

Ajax’s Jorrel Hato and Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini have also been given an 88 potential rating, while Benfica wonderkid Antonio Silva is the only U21 defender with 87 potential.

Lucas Beraldo (PSG), Luka Vuskovic (Westerlo), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting), Leny Yoro (Man Utd), Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia), Castello Lukeba (RB Leipzig), Destiny Udogie (Tottenham), Malo Gusto (Chelsea) and Zano Debast (Sporting) all have a potential rating of 86.

Meanwhile, Manchester United youngster Harry Amass has been given 85 potential, despite starting the game with an overall base rating of just 60. Rico Lewis, Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento and Arnau Martinez also have 85 potential.

Nuremberg’s Finn Jeltsch (84 potential) completes the top 20.

Below, FootballTransfers lists the 20 best young defenders on EA FC 25 Career Mode, as ranked by their potential rating. The only rule is that they must be aged 21 or younger.

The 20 highest-rated young defenders on EA Sports FC 25

Player	Club	Overall Rating	Potential Rating
1. Alejandro Balde	Barcelona	81	89
2. Pau Cubarsi	Barcelona	72	88
= Jorrel Hato	Ajax	73	88
= Giorgio Scalvini	Atalanta	78	88
5. Antonio Silva	Benfica	79	87
6. Lucas Beraldo	PSG	77	86
= Luka Vuskovic	Westerlo	64	86
= Ousmane Diomande	Sporting	78	86
= Leny Yoro	Man Utd	78	86
= Cristhian Mosquera	Valencia	77	86
= Castello Lukeba	RB Leipzig	79	86
= Destiny Udogie	Tottenham	82	86
= Malo Gusto	Chelsea	80	86
= Zeno Debast	Sporting	76	86
15. Harry Amass	Man Utd	60	85
= Rico Lewis	Man City	76	85
= Lewis Hall	Newcastle	73	85
= Tino Livramento	Newcastle	78	85
= Arnau Martinez	Girona	79	85
20. Finn Jeltsch	Nurnberg	65	84