A strong midfield is vital in Football Manager 2023 but not every team has the money for the best. These are the best budget midfielders in the game.
Football Manager 2023 is out now with new features, new gameplay, and smarter AI opponents. Players can manage whichever football team they like, from Premier League giants to the smallest sides in South America. Every manager wants to build a great squad and take their team to glory. But not every team has the budget to buy the best wonderkids in the world.
That is where these great budget midfielders come in. Having a strong midfield is vital for success no matter the team’s playstyle. Whether it is dominating possession with short quick passing or playing for the counter-attack these are the best midfielders for less than £10 million.
Former Real Madrid academy player Alvaro Fidalgo has been playing football since he was 5-years-old. 20 years later he is finding great success in the Mexican top division. He was named to the Liga MX all-star team in 2022 and was in both the Liga MX best XI and the CONCACAF Champions League Team of the Tournament in 2021.
The Spanish attacking midfielder played for several clubs in Spain including Real Madrid B before moving up to the main Real Madrid squad in 2018. He is an amazing pickup for any team for just £400,000. 17 passing, 17 vision and 16 determination are just some of the great stats that make him a must-buy for any team.
Uruguay international Nicolas de la Cruz will be playing on the biggest stage in world football in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Uruguay often over-performs in international tournaments, and they will be looking to go all the way in Qatar, especially with a group they should easily get out of. Nicolas de la Cruz will be hoping to be a key figure in the World Cup as he starts to hit the form of his life.
The River Plate attacking midfielder is in fine form heading into the World Cup and has plenty of room to improve. For just £2.3 million a team can get a hard-working attacking talent with 16 work rate, 16 flair, 15 long shots and so much more.
Manchester City and Spain legend David Silva is running out of contract for Real Sociedad in Spain’s La Liga. He is one of the best midfielders the Premier League has ever seen and was key for Spain’s international domination from 2008-2012. With 19 major trophies and 12 individual honors, David Silva is a true legend of the game.
Despite being 36 years old the 2-time European Champion and World Cup winner still has excellent stats in Football Manager 2023. 19 technique, 18 dribbling, 18 vision, and much more makes him a world-class playmaker. £3.2 million is an absolute bargain for one of the world’s very best.
Portuguese legend Joao Moutinho has found success everywhere he has been in his incredible 19-year career. With four league titles, a Europa League trophy, and a European Championship trophy he is a born winner. Currently, he is playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League and with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, he can be signed cheaply.
Despite being 35 years old he has a great work rate with 17 passing, 17 technique, 17 vision, and many other great stats across the board. For just £4.2 million he is a great option for any team looking for an experienced deep-lying playmaker.
Argentine international Roberto Pereyra is a versatile all-rounder that can slot into any team. He is somewhat of a journeyman having played for different clubs in Argentina, Italy, and England. Despite missing out on the World Cup squad for Qatar 2022, he still has a lot of left to give in his footballing career.
The two-time Serie A champion boasts well-rounded stats in Football Manager 2023 with 14s all across the board. However, it is his versatility that makes him a real asset for any team. He can play as a central, attacking, or wide midfielder and also has the ability to play wingback if required. For just £4.3 million his all-around play is unmatched for the price.
Chile international Charles Aranguiz was a true journeyman playing for 7 different clubs in 9 years before finding his home at Bayer Leverkusen. Here he excelled in the Bundesliga as a hard-working defensive midfield that never stopped running. However, the club appears to be letting his contract run down which will allow teams to sign him cheaply.
The two-time Copa America winner is a solid defensive midfielder that reads the game well and makes players around him better. 18 teamwork, 17 work rate, and 16 determination are just some of his stats that make him a great asset for any team.
Sergio Roberto is a true one-club man. He has been in Barcelona for 16 years, but it appears that time is coming to an end. His time with the Spanish giants has been fruitful with 19 major trophies and 328 appearances. However, he is best remembered for his unbelievable last-minute winning goal in Barcelona's historic 6-1 comeback versus PSG in the Champions League.
The two times Champions League winner has all the technical abilities that are expected of every Barcelona player, but what makes him special is his versatility and overall quality. He has at least 14 in almost every stat which makes him the best budget midfielder in Football Manager 2023.
Football Manager 23 is available now on Mobile, Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. A PS5 version has been delayed indefinitely.
Hamish Parry found his love for gaming at a young age and has pursued this passion into the working world. He began writing about video games in March 2021 and hasn’t looked back since. Hamish is an Oxford Psychology graduate with published articles on Esports.net, EsportsBets.com, Top10Esports.com, and more. He is an avid fan of Football, Formula 1, and many Esports, despite supporting teams that often lose.