The Best Centre Backs
A goalkeeper’s task is made more accessible if in front of him are quality central backs. Their function is to stop the opponent from getting dangerously close to your team’s goal.
On a centre back, two attributes assume particular importance in their performance: defending and physical.
A player with good at defending will have higher chances of dispossessing the opponent and avoiding him reaching his box. The physical attribute measures how likely the players are to win possession using their bodies.
Rating
Defending
Physical
Pace
Global Overview (CB)
Virgil van Dijk is still the best centre back playing in the Premier League. He has the best defense and the second-best physical stats, the two most important for someone who plays as a centre-back.
Koulibaly was a fantastic addition to this league, relegating Varane to third place. If you play with 5 defenders or don’t mind playing with a slow defender, you should also consider Rúben Dias.
Unfortunately, these players may be expensive for part of the community. In our opinion, Akanji is the best alternative to them. He is a very balanced player, the same happening to Lisandro Martínez. Joe Gomez is also very popular, but his defensive work rate may work against you
The Best Right Backs
Premier League right backs have the same role as their team mates on the other flank. In other words, they try to make a winger’s job hard and participate in the team’s offensive manoeuvres.
Defending and pace are critical attributes for any right back.
As defenders that they are, they should have good defending capacities. This reduces a team’s risk of conceding.
A flanked game tends to be faster than a game in the middle of the field. Therefore, the players that fill these spaces need to be fast, penetrating, defensive and attacking moves of the team.
Rating
Defending
Pace
Global Overview (RB, RWB)
There are two great right-backs in this league, and they both play for the same club: Kyle Walker and Cancelo. The first is the faster and more robust, but the Portuguese is better in everything else, including defending, passing, dribbling, and skills. You will feel that your team is flying on the pitch with him on your team.
If your budget is not good enough for any of these two, don’t worry. Reece James is a decent alternative. Fast enough and good in everything a fullback needs. He is not as popular as Tent Alexander-Arnold, but, in our opinion, he will play better. The Liverpool right-back has outstanding passing skills, but he is not fast, and, as you know, later or sooner is all about pace.
If you only have a few coins to spend, you can play with Ricardo Pereira or Nelson Semedo. You should only use Joe Gomez if you want someone good on the defense and don’t mind leaving the attack for other players.
The Best Left Backs
Premier League left backs have the same role as their team mates on the other flank. In other words, they try to make a winger’s job hard and participate in the team’s offensive manoeuvres.
Defending and pace are vital attributes for any left back.
As defenders that they are, they should have good defending capacities. This reduces a team’s risk of conceding. A flanked game tends to be faster than a game in the middle of the field. The players that fill these spaces need to be fast, penetrating, defensive and attacking moves of the team.
Rating
Defending
Pace
Global Overview (LB, LWB)
One of the good things about positioning changes made in FUT 23 is that you can now take advantage of having two good right-backs. Robertson is a top fullback, but Cancelo is on another level.
If you have a limited budget, you may have to find someone to replace them. We think Kieran Tierney is the best alternative, but you would be OK with Renan Lodi.
We know the pace is crucial in a fullback, but there is a player who is different from anyone else, and you want to try. Ivan Perišić has good stats and comes with an exciting add-on: 5 stars weak foot and 4 stars skills.