Players in FIFA 23 are ranked based off of dozens and dozens of attributes which are intended to reflect the different skills/aspects of playing football. Just like in real life, the different positions on the pitch will dictate which attributes a player needs.
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When it comes to FIFA 23 midfielders, they should be very strong on the ball and comfortable distributing play throughout the field. While there are different midfield types, such as Center Midfielder (CM), Center Attacking Midfielder (CAM) and Center Defensive Midfielder (CDM), there is a pattern in the skills needed for all of them.
The Agility stat dictates how close the player can keep the ball to their feet as they're dribbling. It also influences how a player can defend in the air, and how acrobatic their shots are (in terms of the animation). All of FIFA 23's best defensive midfielders have high Agility.
A midfielder of any sub-type will need a strong Agility stat. Midfielders control the pace and the direction of the game through possession, in the middle of the pitch. For that, they're going to need to be able to keep the ball close to their feet.
It's not the most necessary stat for midfielders, but the ones that have a high Long Shots stat are always the standouts. Think of Paul Scholes and midfielders of a similar calibre; strong possession-based players who are able to rocket a shot in when the opponent keeper least expects it. All of the best teams in FIFA 23's Career Mode have players with high Long Shots.
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While gamers should aim to get midfielders that excel at dribbling, controlling the ball, and putting necessary passes in, they should look for the midfielders who also have Long Shots as well. They are sure to help gamers win the game.
Some midfielders can get by on pace if they don't have Strength, but the best midfielders in FIFA 23 are the ones that can withstand pressure and attempted interceptions. FIFA 23 has much slower gameplay where possession-based play style thrives, so players want to make sure they're fielding strong players in the midfield.
Some midfielders with great Strength as an example are Paul Pogba, Leon Goretzka, and Milinkovic-Savic. There are plenty more players in the game with a high Strength stat, and gamers should also look for this stat in Youth Players on their Career Mode for upcoming midfield stars. Many of the strongest FIFA 23 players are midfielders.
As FIFA 23 is a very possession-based game, players that are able to move with the ball and withstand pressure from the opponents are meta. This is especially true for midfielders, who should be largely dictating the flow of the game and making the most crucial passes that influence how the game ends up. The Balance attribute influences how well a player can stay upright with the ball and hold possession.
Gamers that are looking for midfielders should ensure that they choose ones with higher Balance, preferably 80 and above. Good examples of midfielders with high Balance are Nkunku, Dybala, Pedro, and Joshua Kimmich.
While any players in FIFA 23 need high Ball Control, it is doubly crucial for midfielders. They need to be able to control the ball and withstand pressure from the opponents' team. Generally speaking, midfielders should have about 80 Ball Control or higher, but 85 at least is preferable.
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Some great examples of FIFA 23 midfielders who have amazing Ball Control are Kevin de Bruyne, Joshua Kimmich, Bernardo Silva, Ngolo Kante, and more. Many of the best Career Mode hidden gems have high Ball Control.
The Dribbling skill is crucial for all players in FIFA 23 but especially for midfield players. Dribbling dictates how well the player can dribble and run with the ball, with a high stat preventing times when a player will take too heavy of a touch or generally get intercepted.
85 and higher Dribbling is advisable for players. Good examples of midfielders with high Dribbling are Kevin de Bruyne, Frenkie de Jong, Luka Modric, and more. The pattern in all the best teams in FIFA 23's Online Seasons is that they are filled with players with high Dribbling.
There is not a midfielder in FIFA 23 that can get by without a good Passing skill. The Passing skill stat dictates how accurate and well-delivered a pass is delivered from a player to another. Suffice it to say, all players need at least an average Passing skill (70+) but midfielders need at least 80 +. All of the best career mode wonderkids will have high Passing.
Good examples of FIFA 23 players with a great Passing stat are Martin Odegaard, Valverde, and Marco Verratti. Gamers who are looking for any midfielder to add to their team should make sure to check their Passing stat as an absolute minimum.
FIFA 23 is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and Stadia.
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