The best central midfielders to sign on Football Manager 2022
By Tom Gott
The central midfielder could be the most important position in football. You might have a great defence and an unstoppable attack, but without someone linking them together, you'll get nowhere.
When you start up your new Football Manager 2022 save after the Winter Update, one of your first jobs should be to make sure you're happy with your midfield. Whether you want a towering anchor man or a fluid playmaker, there are so many options to choose from.
Here's a list of the best midfielders to sign for any sort of budget in FM22.
- The best staff to employ on Football Manager 2022
- The best free agents to sign on Football Manager 2022
- 50 wonderkids you need to sign on Football Manager 2022
- The best teams to start a save with in Football Manager 2022
Cheap options
Corentin Tolisso
FC Bayern
Bayern have always been willing to offload Tolisso in past FMs, and this year is no different. With his contract expiring in 2022, he'll set you back £5.75m.
Christian Marrugo
Aguilas Doradas
As far as value for money goes, you won't find better than 35-year-old Marrugo. With the current ability needed to play in the bottom half of the top flight, he can be signed for as little as £40,000 and won't demand high wages either.
Roberto Gagliardini
Inter
For some reason, Inter are ready to give you any of their central midfielders for bargain prices. We'll start with Gagliardini, who is one of the better players for sale at £7m.
Stefano Sensi
Inter (on loan at Sampdoria)
Sensi will cost you £7m as well but you'll have to wait a year until his loan with Sampdoria comes to a close.
Matias Vecino
Inter
Arturo Vidal could have made this spot as well, but Vecino is younger and better value for his £3.6m price tag.
90min recommends
Jaime Seoane
Huesca
Not immediately the best player available at this price (although he's still very good), what Seoane has working for him is his age. At just 24, he's got time to grow and reach his full potential, and if he does, he'll be better than anyone you'll find at this price. Not bad for £2.6m.
Luis Montes
Leon
Another bargain bin option, Montes can be signed for as little as £400,000 but you won't get long out of the 35-year-old.
Santi Cazorla
Al-Sadd
We just had to include him. Cazorla isn't what he once was, but he still boasts 17 passing and 17 vision. At 36 years old, his price tag sits at £600,000.
Edenilson
INT
With a £2.5m release clause, veteran midfielder Edenilson is a really smart buy. He's still only 31 as well, so he's not just going to be a one-and-done kind of signing.
Andres Guardado
Real Hispalis
One player who might not stick around for too long is Guardado. He's approaching his 35th birthday but he's still a decent signing, and you can't complain about his £1m asking price.
- The best goalkeepers to sign on Football Manager 2022
- The best right-backs to sign on Football Manager 2022
- The best centre-backs to sign on Football Manager 2022
Reasonable options
James Milner
Liverpool
You'll need to be a top side with a big wage budget to convince Milner to leave Liverpool, but if you think you've got what it takes, a bid of as little as £2.3m will get you the chance to talk to him.
Stanislav Lobotka
Napoli
A defensive-minded option, Lobotka is a reliable player with a lot of years left in the tank. At £10.5m, he's one to consider.
Diego Demme
Napoli
If you can't get Lobotka, take a look at Demme. He's older but is a very similar player and can be picked up for £13m.
Isco
R. Madrid
On an expiring contract, Isco is available for just £6m but will demand some hefty wages to go on top of that modest spend.
Rafinha
Paris SG (on loan at Real San Sebastian)
If you can wait a year, take a look at Rafinha. He's on loan in Spain but his signature can be secured for £8m.
90min recommends
Claudinho
Zenit
Younger than most of the options available at 24, Claudinho could be your starting midfielder for the next decade, particularly if he reaches his full potential. He's attack-minded and can play on both wings, and he could be yours for £13m.
Ander Herrera
Paris SG
One of the victims of the overload of midfielders in Paris, Herrera can be signed for just £13m. You won't find many players as good as him available for that sort of money.
David Silva
Real San Sebastian
Statistically the best midfielder you'll find at this price range, Silva can be signed for a little under £5m. He's approaching 36 and boasts a whopping 9 pace, but you've still got a little time to enjoy his 19 technique, 18 dribbling and 17 passing.
Ross Barkley
Chelsea
Chelsea have added Barkley to the transfer list and will entertain offers of around £13m. In the right system, he has some really nice stats which could make a massive difference to your side.
Thomas Delaney
Sevilla
Finishing this section off is do-it-all Delaney. £16m is what it'll cost to snap him up.
- The best left-backs to sign on Football Manager 2022
- The best defensive midfielders to sign on Football Manager 2022
- The best attacking midfielders to sign on Football Manager 2022
Expensive options
Hakan Calhanoglu
Inter
Assist guru Calhanoglu is one of the best playmakers you'll find. He's got 18 for both passing and vision, and 17 long shots to boot. You can have all that for a cool £39m.
Leandro Paredes
Paris SG
A nice all-round option, Paredes is one of a handful of midfielders on sale in Paris. His asking price is a decent £25m.
Nicolo Barella
Inter
Even the crown jewel of Inter's midfield, Barella, is a realistic target. At £64m, he's obviously very expensive, but most players with his ability will cost you twice that.
Marcel Sabitzer
FC Bayern
Sabitzer is pretty good value for his £25m price tag. He's one of the better players you'll find for that sort of money.
Luka Modric
R. Madrid
Modric may be approaching 36, but he's still one of the best players on the planet. You can sign him for as little as £11m, but you'll need to be a huge club to convince him to leave Madrid.
90min recommends
Houssem Aouar
OL
Aouar isn't currently as good as the rest of the players in this section. He's not far off, but he'll eclipse most of them in just a year or two. He'll cost you £30m and could be your starting midfielder for the next decade.
Ryan Gravenberch
Ajax
Gravenberch is a similar option to Aouar. He's younger than the Frenchman and his current ability is lower, but his potential is far higher. The teenager will become one of the best in the world, but you'll have to invest £40m to snap him up now.
Ruslan Malinovskyi
Atalanta
One of the finest playmakers in the Italian league, Malinovskyi is available for a cool £25m.
Otavio
FC Porto
Otavio is a versatile forward-thinking option with great mental stats and some solid technical skills, all of which can be landed for £25m. That's £5m more than Mateus Uribe, who is also worth considering if you don't mind signing older players.
Sergio Canales
Real Hispalis
Finally, we have Canales. The 30-year-old is one of the finer midfielders available in FM22 and can be picked up for £39m.