Signing wonderkids is great for those on a long term project, but sometimes you just need those out and out winners to come in and propel you to success.
Picking up an elite centre back will help you do exactly that.
Here are the best of the best to come in a sure up your defence.
Latest News - Winter Update
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FM21 Best Centre Backs
This article is going to focus on the best centre backs in FM21. We will be focusing solely on their current ability (CA) to ensure we are picking the players who will perform best right from the word go.
You'll be expected to fork out some serious cash if you want these players in your side but trust us, they will be worth it!
Virgil van Dijk (CA 180)
Age: 29
Club: Liverpool
Best Attributes: 18 Determination, 18 Heading, 18 Anticipation
Value: £65M
Wage: £180k p/w
Was it ever going to be anyone else?
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk remains the best defender in FM21 for a second year after helping his side to a first-ever Premier League title last year.
He has some crazy stats such as 18 determination, heading and anticipation as well as a fair 16 pace. He's not cheap, but he's certainly going to help improve your defence!
Sergio Ramos (CA 174)
Age: 34
Club: Real Madrid
Best Attributes: 20 Heading, 20 Determination, 18 Aggression
Value: £8.25M
Wage: £350k p/w
Sergio Ramos is heading to the twilight of his footballing career, but he can still do a job!
The 34-year-old has some incredible stats - including maxed out heading and determination - but he does come with an extortionate wage.
His value is reflective of the fact that he is coming towards the end of his career. A good short term option for those wanting a run at the title though.
Aymeric Laporte (CA 170)
Age: 26
Club: Manchester City
Best Attributes: 17 Concentration, 16 Heading, 16 Tackling
Value: £61M
Wage: £120k
If you're after a left-footed centre back then look no further.
Manchester City's Aymeric Laporte has an impressive 170-rated CA and whilst he doesn't have any stand out stats per se, he has a very well rounded set of attributes.
£61M seems steep, but at 26-years-old, you'll get plenty of years out of the Frenchman.
Raphael Varane (CA 165)
Age: 27
Club: Real Madrid
Best Attributes: 17 Marking, 17 Tackling, 17 Positioning
Value: £52M
Wage: £195k p/w
Now if you've played FIFA 21, then you'll know how good Raphael Varane is!
The Frenchman isn't bad in FM21 either. 165 CA makes the Real Madrid man one of the top five in his position on FM21.
His £52M valuation is pretty high though, and with no a massive amount of growth left in him, there are better alternatives out there.
Marquinhos (CA 163)
Age: 26
Club: Paris Saint-German
Country: Brazil
Best Attributes: 18 Positioning, 18 Teamwork, 17 Composure
Value: £48.5M
Wage: £250k p/w
The final name in the list of the very best centre backs on FM21 is Brazilian Marquinhos.
The PSG man has been in and around the top-rated players for the last few years and, at 26-years-old, remains there once more on the latest Sports Interactive offering.
Don't be put off by the valuation, Marquinhos is one of the best ball playing centre backs in FM21, and that will only get better with time.
Matthijs de Ligt (CA 163)
Age: 20
Club: Zebre (Juventus)
Best Attributes: 18 strength, 18 bravery, 17 heading
Value: £38.5M
Wage: £215,000 per week
Now in terms of a centre back to lead your back four for years to come, they don't come much better than Matthijs de Ligt.
The Juventus man is still only 20 years of age but he's got an ability to rival those longstanding defenders around him.
His value isn't half bad either, considering you'll likely get 15+ years out of the Dutch defender.
Leonardo Bonucci (CA 163)
Age: 33
Club: Zebre (Juventus)
Best Attributes: 19 positioning, 18 leadership, 18 determination
Value: £14M
Wage: £210,000 per week
However, if you're looking for a short-term fix as opposed to a long-term investment, then Leonardo Bonucci could be your man.
The 33-year-old has striking similar attributes to his Juventus teammate but, given his age, he is available for a much cheaper price.
You'll get a couple of seasons out of the centre half before he starts to wilt though.
Gerard Pique (CA 162)
Age: 33
Club: FC Barcelona
Best Attributes: 18 Composure, 18 Positioning, 17 Decisions
Value: £17.5M
Wage: £110k p/w
Another veteran centre half for those of you looking for a short term fix.
Barcelona's Gerard Pique may be 33-years-old, but he's still got some life left in him, with FM handing him a Peak Current Ability (PCA) of 174.
£17.5M is quite steep given his age, but his relatively low weekly wage of £110k should offset that value.
Milan Skriniar (CA 161)
Age: 25
Club: Inter
Best Attributes: 17 marking, 17 work rate, 17 aggression
Value: £36.5M
Wage: £98,000 per week
The first centre half with a weekly wage of under £100k is Inter's Milan Skriniar.
The Slovak international is an established top-flight centre half but, at 25 years old, he still has plenty of room for growth.
He's listed as a regular start at Inter, but if you can offer him a more important role, we don't imagine you'll struggle to sign him.
Jose Gimenez (CA 161)
Age: 25
Club: Atletico Madrid
Best Attributes: 16-19 bravery, 16 positioning, 16 teamwork
Value: £48.5M
Wage: £88,000 per week
The final name on the list is Atletico Madrid's Jose Gimenez.
The Uruguayan has a pretty steep value compared to those around him, but if anyone knows how to train up a centre back, it's Diego Simeone's men.
He has the lowest wage on the list by some margin though, worth considering if you're looking to save cash in the long run.
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