Your CDM sets the tone, recycling possession and stopping counters. In FC 26, a mix of brute strength and technical CDMs shines:

1. Anton Stack (Leeds)-6'4 powerhouse with FC 26 Coins Intercept, Slide Tackle, and Bruiser. Pure enforcer.

2. Mario Lemina (Super Lig)-Balanced, with Inventive, Intercept, and Relentless. Great chemistry in a strong budget league.

3. Mattéo Guendouzi (Serie A)-A true box-to-box CDM with Deep-Lying Playmaker Plus, fantastic versatility.

4. Denis Zakaria (Ligue 1)-Tall, physical, and blessed with Anticipate + Intercept. Ideal defensive anchor.

5. Felix Nmecha (Bundesliga)-6'4, cheap, and with Block and Bruiser. Almost always in starter squads.

Verdict: Zakaria is the best defensive option, while Guendouzi offers the most balance.

Central Midfielders: Engines in the Middle

For pure CMs, versatility is key. You need players who can defend, carry the ball, and contribute in attack:

1. Manu Koné (Serie A)-Technical, relentless, and perfect for Evolutions.

2. Conor Gallagher (La Liga)-All-rounder with high work rates and passing playstyles. Great for English hybrids.

3. Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Serie A)-6'3 with Press Proven and Enforcer. Could explode if Evo-friendly.

4. Giuliano Greggi (Roma Women)-Tiny but rapid midfielders who link brilliantly. Hyperlink duo that's cheap and deadly.

5. Matteo Pessina (Serie A)-Box-to-box balance, underrated for linking Italian squads.

Verdict: The Roma duo could be one of the sneakiest budget links in the entire game.

Attacking Midfielders (CAMs): The Creative Spark

For Cams, you want technical flair, vision, and shooting playstyles:

1. Geraldine Rutella-Blistering speed, strong shooting, with Quick Step and Whipped Pass.

2. Pedro Gonçalves (Liga Portugal)-Mini-Bruno vibes with finesse and technical playstyles.

3. Sanche (La Liga)-Strong defensive CAM with shadow striker potential.

4. Karim Benzema (La Liga)-Even with lower rating, still silky with EA FC Coins Finesse, Game Changer, and Relentless.

5. Christian Pulisic (Serie A)-Four-star, five-star, pacey box-crashing CAM. Affordable after initial hype dies.

Verdict: Pedro Gonçalves looks like the standout budget CAM, while Pulisic is the perfect Premier League/Serie A hybrid option.