Best Central Midfielders under 25K Coins
We score every FC 27 Ultimate Team card in every role it can play. These are the 5,854 Central Midfielders you can buy for 25K coins or less, ranked by Meta Score with their best chemistry style. João Neves leads with a Meta Score of 87.6 and costs about 15.3k coins. Cheaper: Zaïre-Emery scores 85.7 for about 900 coins.
Updated October 8, 2026
Top picks
Central Midfielders ranking
- 1
CM87.6
15.3KDeep-Lying Playmaker · Shadow
- 2
CM87.36.7KBox-to-Box · Catalyst
- 3
CM87.121KBox-to-Box · Basic
- 4
CM86.311.8KDeep-Lying Playmaker · Shadow
- 5
CM86.211.5KDeep-Lying Playmaker · Shadow
- 6
CM86.13.6KDeep-Lying Playmaker · Shadow
- 7
CM86.019.3KPlaymaker · Engine
- 8
CM85.816.5KDeep-Lying Playmaker · Shadow
- 9
CM85.7900Box-to-Box · Basic
- 10
CM85.46.9KPlaymaker · Finisher
- 11
CM85.414.3KBox-to-Box · Catalyst
- 12
CM85.024.3KHolding · Shadow
- 13
CM84.7800Deep-Lying Playmaker · Shadow
- 14
CM84.6900Box-to-Box · Catalyst
- 15
CM84.42.8KDeep-Lying Playmaker · Shadow
- 16
CM84.35KBox-to-Box · Basic
- 17
CM84.319KPlaymaker · Finisher
- 18
CM84.24.9KBox-to-Box · Basic
- 19
CM84.215.3KBox-to-Box · Basic
- 20
CM84.1700Box-to-Box · Basic
- 21
CM84.113.8KPlaymaker · Finisher
- 22
CM84.0700Deep-Lying Playmaker · Shadow
- 23
CM83.92.4KDeep-Lying Playmaker · Shadow
- 24
CM83.97KBox-to-Box · Basic
- 25
CM83.8900Playmaker · Catalyst
- 26
CM83.81KDeep-Lying Playmaker · Shadow
- 27
CM83.82KDeep-Lying Playmaker · Shadow
- 28
CM83.824.5KBox-to-Box · Basic
- 29
CM83.7850Deep-Lying Playmaker · Shadow
- 30
CM83.7950Deep-Lying Playmaker · Shadow
Central Midfielders at a glance
- Cards ranked
- 5,854
- Avg. Meta Score, top 10
- 86.4
- Median price, top 10
- 11.6k
- Most common chem style
- Shadow
- Most common PlayStyle+
- Tiki Taka
Central Midfielders roles
Every card is scored in each of these roles, and the ranking above uses its best one. Open a role to see who suits it best.
Best Holding (CM)
A pivotal role in modern football, this defence-minded midfielder focuses on guarding their backline during attacks, and covering off against counter-attacks, with limited attacking support.
Best Deep-Lying Playmaker (CM)
The key cog to building up play from the back, this defensively positioned midfielder will often be the catalyst for attacks.
Best Playmaker (CM)
This player tends to be the creative fulcrum of a midfield, given license to roam and create space and opportunities for attacks. Likely to be out of position if the opposition counters.
Best Half Winger (CM)
A midfielder who provides width when their team is in possession, moving along the flanks to offer a wide threat. Particularly effective when one of three central midfielders.
Best Box-to-Box (CM)
This player operates between the two boxes, operating as neither the last line of defence, nor the final part of attack, but involved in everything in between.
How we rank Central Midfielders
Meta Score rates a card in a specific role rather than overall. It weighs the attributes that role needs, PlayStyles and PlayStyles+, AcceleRATE, skill moves, weak foot, height and Role+ / Role++, and tests every chemistry style at full chemistry to find the best one. OVR only averages attributes, so a lower-rated card often plays better in the right role.
Only cards on the console Transfer Market for 25K coins or less are included. Switch to PC above the ranking to rebuild the list from PC prices.
What is Meta Score?Central Midfielders for every budget
FAQ
Who are the best Central Midfielders under 25K coins?
By Meta Score, the top three are João Neves (87.6), Barella (87.3) and Maza (87.1).
What is the cheapest option among the top 10 Central Midfielders?
Zaïre-Emery costs about 900 coins and has a Meta Score of 85.7, 1.9 points behind the best.
Which chemistry style is best for Central Midfielders?
Shadow is the best chemistry style for 5 of the top 10. The best style depends on the card, so every row in the ranking shows the one that gets the most out of it.
Why isn't this list sorted by OVR?
OVR averages attributes and ignores PlayStyles, AcceleRATE, skill moves, weak foot and height. Meta Score weighs what the role needs, which is why Paula Fernández (OVR 82) reaches a Meta Score of 84.7.
How often is this list updated?
Prices refresh throughout the day and the ranking is rebuilt at least every 30 minutes. A card's Meta Score changes when the card is upgraded or the scoring is retuned.
Are these console or PC prices?
Console prices by default. Switch to PC above the ranking to see PC prices; on budget pages the list is also rebuilt from PC prices.