There are a wide variety of functions and roles within an elite modern day midfield.
The top managers seek players capable of filling multiple positions as well as specialists, with defensive destroyers, box-to-boxers and attacking maestros all required to make the engine room tick.
EA FC 25 allows players the unique opportunity to assemble their own swashbuckling midfields, with the world's best generals and creators at your fingertips across Ultimate Team, Career Mode and good old-fashioned Kick-Off.
As we have already covered defensive midfielders separately, here are the best players who can play as central or attacking midfielders in EA FC 25.
10. Bernardo Silva - 88 OVR
Another quietly impressive season from Bernardo Silva helped Manchester City grab their fourth successive Premier League title in 2023/24. The Portuguese is rarely the most glamorous or obvious performer, but his intelligence, mentality and technical gifts make him unstoppable.
Under Pep Guardiola, Silva has developed into a clutch player, evidenced by his last-minute equaliser in the Community Shield at the start of 2024/25. He will likely prove just as important in EA FC 25, where he has been given a tidy 88 overall rating.
9. Federico Valverde - 88 OVR
Federico Valverde is part of an esteemed but seldom seen group: 'The Gullit Gang'. Put simply, a member of the troupe is a player with 80+ ratings in the six key categories - pace, shooting, passing, dribbling, defending and physical.
The all-action Uruguayan has entered the gang in EA FC 25 and boasts some exceptional stats following another productive and trophy-laden season with Real Madrid that culminated in Champions League glory.
8. Lionel Messi - 88 OVR
Lionel Messi may no longer be gracing the 90s section of the ratings but he's still a pretty special footballer. The Inter Miami star, who helped Argentina win the Copa America this summer, is classified as a RW in-game but has an alternate position of CAM.
No individual player can better his insane 92 dribbling and the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner also has 85 shooting and 87 passing. Even his pace has only fallen to 79.
7. Phil Foden - 88 OVR
Following the most prolific year of his career which saw him named the 2023/24 Premier League Player of the Season, Phil Foden has deservedly earned himself a cheeky +3 upgrade in EA FC 25. The England international's versatility was exemplified last term and he can feature at RW, RM, LW and CAM.
Foden's ruthlessness in front of goal has seen his shooting receive a significant upgrade - going from 79 to 86 - and his 86 pace, 85 passing and 90 dribbling will prove a handful for defenders.
6. Martin Odegaard - 89 OVR
Martin Odegaard is another Premier League creator who has been blessed with an upgrade by EA, with the Arsenal midfielder the only CM or CAM rated 89 overall. The Norwegian's rating is still bettered by two of his compatriots further up the pitch, but that doesn't stop the Arsenal skipper from being an exceptional asset.
With five-star skill moves and 89 passing and dribbling, pixelated Odegaard will glide across the turf, orchestrating attacks from a number eight or ten role.
5. Alexia Putellas - 90 OVR
The two-time Ballon d'Or winner endured a difficult 2022/23 campaign but came roaring back from injury in 2023/24 as Barcelona won the quadruple. The Spanish midfielder didn't shine quite as brightly as some of her teammates, but she still played a significant part in her side's success.
Her 90-rated EA FC 25 card is bound to be popular, with some exquisite all-round stats. Capable of playing as a CM or CAM, none of her six stat groups are below 70, with the highest being her 91 dribbling and 90 passing. She also has five-star weak foot and skill moves.
4. Kevin De Bruyne - 90 OVR
Kevin De Bruyne missed much of the 2023/24 season through injury and Man City managed to skate by in his absence. However, the Belgian made an invaluable difference during the second half of the campaign as the Cityzens claimed the Premier League crown.
Despite having hit 33 years of age, De Bruyne is still 90-rated in this year's game, boasting 94 passing - the highest of any player. 87 shooting and dribbling is pretty impressive, too.
3. Jude Bellingham - 90 OVR
The face of EA FC 25 - featuring on both the Standard and Ultimate Edition covers - Jude Bellingham has unsurprisingly received an upgrade of +4 after his remarkable campaign with Real Madrid, winning La Liga and the Champions League in Spain.
While he found himself playing as a centre-forward at times in 2023/24, it's CAM and CM where Bellingham can feature in EA FC 25, with the England star just +2 defending away from entering The Gullit Gang.
2. Aitana Bonmati - 91 OVR
Unsurprisingly, 2023 Ballon d'Or victor Aitana Bonmati is the leading name in women's football in EA FC 25. She's one of only four players to be rated 91 in this year's iteration of the game after proving the linchpin en route to quadruple success for Barcelona.
The 2023 World Cup winner and 2023/24 UEFA Nations League champion has some formidable stats, including five-star weak foot and four-star skill moves to compliment her excellent passing, shooting and dribbling.
1. Rodri - 91 OVR
Yes, we said no defensive midfielders, but Rodri can play as a CM on EA FC 25, too. The Euro 2024 winner and midfield metronome is finally receiving the plaudits his performances have long deserved, even if a long-term injury will impact his in-game upgrades on Ultimate Team.
The Spain and Man City man is 91-rated on this year's game and has received an upgrade of +2 on last year's overall rating due to his consistently brilliant performances. He won't be the most meta player on the game, but he's still an excellent addition to any squad.
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