Top 10 Central Defenders on Football Manager 2022 Database Update

Let us look at the top 10 central defenders on the latest Football Manager 2022 database update.

Let us look at the top 10 central defenders on the latest Football Manager 2022 database update.

The mid-season database update in FM is just as anticipated as the main game's release. The changes can be major after the transfers, and the performers can be rewarded with a boost in stats, just like how the stragglers can be inversely affected with a decrease in attributes.

Centre backs are the building blocks of any formation. They not only act as a shield in preventing goals, they sometimes have useful contributions in attack, especially from set-pieces. In this article, we will be seeing the top 10 centre backs in the game post the winter update.

1. Virgil Van Dijk

The first name on the list is the Liverpool defender Virgin Van Dijk. The Dutchman is regarded by many as the best defender in the world currently. Van Dijk has been sensational ever since joining the reds in 2018. He won the PFA player of the year in his very first full season at the club and helped the club with the Champion's League. Van Dijk was in the UEFA Champion's League team of the season for 3 years in a row (2017/28- 2019/20). Van Dijk suffered a horrific injury which saw him miss a large part of the previous season, but he is back with a bang this year and is helping Liverpool fight for several trophies. In FM22, Van Dijk easily has the best attributes for a central defender. He has superb attributes in all 3 disciplines of the game and is also a major threat from set-pieces.

2. Ruben Dias

The 2nd name on the list is Ruben Dias from Manchester City. Ruben Dias adapted to the Premier League like a duck to water when he joined City in 2020. Winning the league in his very first season with the club, Dias was instrumental to City's title run and was named the league's and club's player of the year. Dias has been exemplary this season, too, with City having a chance to win 4 trophies. In FM2022, Dias is an absolutely solid player with very strong physical attributes and mental attributes. Considering that Dias is just 24, he is not at his peak yet and has room to develop further.

3. Antonio Rudiger

The 3rd name on the list is Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger. The German international had a second lease of life after the appointment of Thomas Tuchel and has grabbed his opportunity with both hands. He was instrumental in Chelsea's Champion's League winning run and was one of the main reasons for their near-perfect defensive record in the UCL last year. In the game, Rudiger is an elite centre back with some of the best attributes for a defender. One of the fastest centre backs in the game, there can be no question marks on what Rudiger brings to the table.

4. Marquinhos

The 4th name on the list is the Marquinhos from PSG. The Brazilian centre back has been immense for PSG, especially in recent seasons. Not only has he helped PSG secure several titles, but he has also been named in the Ligue 1 team of the year for 3 out of the last 4 seasons. He has also excelled in the Champion's League, having featured in the UCL team of the year for the past 2 seasons running. In the game, Marquinhos is very well rounded and excels in the mental aspect of the game. He is also extremely versatile and can play as a defensive midfielder or a right back. Marquinhos is easily amongst the top 10 centre backs that FM22 has to offer.

5. Aymeric Laporte

The 5th name on the list is another defender from Man City, Aymeric Laporte. Laporte joined City in January of 2018 and helped his team win the league title in his very first season. In his first full season at the club, Laporte was named in the Premier League's team of the year and was one of the main reasons for the club's success. After struggling with injuries in his previous 2 seasons, Laporte is back with a bang and has been stellar with partner Ruben Dias once again this year. In the game, Laporte is a well-rounded defender who excels in playing the ball from the back. Although prone to injuries, the quality Laporte brings to his sides is undeniable, and he is easily one of the top 10 centre backs in the game.

6. David Alaba

At number six is David Alaba from Real Madrid. Alaba is probably the most versatile player on this list. The Austrian played as a left-back for most of his career before moving to a more central role. Alaba has a very decorated career with no less than 28 trophies, most of them with Bayern Munich. Alaba won the Austrian player of the year an impressive 8 times in the last 10 seasons. He has been a regular feature in both the Bundesliga and UCL team of the year on several occasions. In Football Manager 2022, Alaba is well rounded and does not have many weaknesses. He excels in the mental aspect of the game and is a leader on and off the pitch. Alaba is an elite defender in the game who is amongst the top 10 centre backs after the winter database update.

7. Raphael Varane

Manchester United's Raphael Varane is the 7th name on the list. A player with one of the most decorated careers, Varane has won every trophy with Madrid. He has featured in several La Liga team's of the year and Champion's league team of the year. He also won the World cup with France in 2018 and was one of the defenders of the tournament. In the game, Varane is just as good as any of the other names on this list. With excellent all-round stats and a massive threat from set-pieces, Varane can be a dream to manage in the game. Although the start of his Man United career has been less than ideal, there is no doubting the quality Varane brings.

8. Thiago Silva

The 8th name on the list is the veteran Thiago Silva. The most experienced player on this list, Silva, seems to be ageing like fine wine. Silva rose to prominence after his stellar performances with Milan winning the Serie A once and featuring in the Serie A team of the season in 2 of his 3 seasons in Italy. He won several trophies in his time with PSG and moved to Chelsea in 2020. He won the Champion's League with Chelsea in his first season with the club, and in the next year, he won the Super Cup and Club world cup the following season. He won the golden ball in the club world cup, becoming the oldest player to ever do so. Despite his age, Silva is an elite defender in the game. He has some of the best mental attributes and is a natural leader on and off the pitch. He is also a big threat from set-piece situations, and the veteran could continue to defy the odds featuring in such lists for the next 1-2 seasons.

9. Sergio Ramos

The 9th name on the list is Sergio Ramos from PSG. The veteran Spanish defender was considered the best defender in the world not very long ago. He has won every single trophy he has competed in at least once with both club and country. Ramos has featured in the UEFA team of the year an incredible 9 times in his career and has been voted as the best defender in La Liga no less than 5 times. In Football Manager 2022, Ramos has near-perfect mental attributes, decent physical attributes and good technical attributes to suit his style of play. He is amongst the best headers in the game and is one of the biggest threats from set-pieces. Despite having a below-average season with PSG, he continues to be amongst the elite central defenders.

10. Milan Skriniar

The last name on the list is Milan Skriniar from Inter Milan. The Slovakian defender has been giving consistently impressive performances over the last few years for both club and country. Skriniar won the Serie A with Inter in 2020-2021, breaking the Juventus monopoly, playing a crucial role in the title run. He won the Slovakian footballer of the year in 2019. In FM2022, Skriniar has a superb set of attributes that compliment his style of play. He is a strong no-nonsense defender who is a huge threat in the air. He is also supremely fit, having played over 200 games for Inter over the course of the last 5 seasons.

That concludes the list of the top 10 centre backs in FM 22 after the winter database update. Which ones are you keen on managing?