Best defensive midfielders in EA FC 25

The acronym ‘CDM’ wouldn’t sound out of place in any documentary or film discussing the 2008 financial crisis.

But CDMs and CDOs are two very different things. One, thanks to EA Sports, has been thrust into the football lexicon to describe a holding midfielder, while the other was a key facilitator in ensuring the US housing market went bust 16 years ago. So, yeah, two very different things.

Nobody would have described Claude Makelele as a ‘CDM’ (central defensive midfielder) back in his apex. It’s a modern phenomenon and, despite it’s increased prominence in footballing jargon, it’s not a phrase you’re going to hear managers dish out in pre and post-match conferences.

But hey, it works for EA and the acronym remains a part of their latest game.

Here are the ten highest-rated holding midfielders in EA FC 25, including those who have ‘CDM’ listed as an alternate position.

Liverpool didn’t sign Alexis Mac Allister in 2023 with the intention of playing him in a holding role, but their inability to bring in a priority holding midfielder that summer meant the Argentine was thrust into a deeper position.

While Mac Allister is far from the perfect #6, he performed ably in a holding position during his debut campaign but was at his best when he was able to affect proceedings in the second phase and higher up the pitch.

Hakan Calhanoglu certainly isn’t bereft of confidence and rated himself as the best CDM in the world back in February.

His transition from inconsistent playmaker to dazzling holder has been pretty remarkable, but EA have not yet put him on the pedestal which the player himself believes he belongs.

Still, an 86 rating places him among the very best.

Granit Xhaka’s come a long way in a short space of time. The Switzerland international was 79-rated as recently as FIFA 23.

That final season at Arsenal, during which he was used in a more advanced role by Mikel Arteta, has proven to be the making of Xhaka amid his prime. He moved to Bayer Leverkusen ahead of the 2023/24 campaign and has been utilised as part of a midfield pivot for the German champions.

He’s been an all-phase contributor in the Bundesliga, with Xhaka playing a…