If you have just started your first FM23 save, I have rounded up the best Segundo Volantes you can get early on in the game to give you a head start in scouting for them.
They will undoubtedly cost you a pretty penny, however, with some good timing and a little bit of luck, you might sign one or two of them when their contracts are nearing their end for a bargain.
I have deliberately avoided listing players close to 30, to ensure you get full service out of these players I’ve settled upon, or a nice transfer fee should one of the bigger clubs come after them.
Without further ado, here are the best Segundo Volantes you can sign in FM23 at the start of the save;
1. Yves Bissouma
Bissouma has not had the best of starts at Tottenham Hotspurs, often finding himself on the bench unable to displace Hojberg or Bentancur.
Despite this, he is still a highly capable player, as he had already proved so at Brighton before his move to the London-based club.
Possessing impressive physical and technical attributes, Bissouma is comfortable in the defensive midfield position as a Segundo Volante or deep lying playmaker or further forward as a central midfielder playing in a ball winning or box to box role.
Monitor his game time at the start of your FM23 save, and if by chance he becomes unhappy, move in for him swiftly, as he is an impeccable talent in his prime years.
2. Sandro Tonali
Sandro Tonali is not a new name among football manager veterans.
He has long been touted as one of the bigger talents to come out of Italy in the recent past.
At only 22, should you convince him to leave AC Milan, Tonali is as close as you are going to get to a perfect deep lying playmaker.
However, the young Italian is equally capable in a Segundo Volante role, stopping counterattacks and initiating his team’s own attacks before striding into the final third with late runs from midfield
Having only joined Milan at the start of last season, he still has a long contract and will take a sizeable transfer fee to convince the Italian club to let go of his services.
Comfortable as a deep lying playmaker and Segundo Volante in the defensive midfield, you can also deploy the exciting midfielder as a regista in the same position to take advantage of his passing range and vision for the game.
3. Bruno Guimarães
The rumour mill had Guimarães being favourites to sign for Arsenal, however, for one reason or another that move did not materialize.
The Brazilian midfielder still got his move to the Premier League from Olympique Lyon and now plays for Newcastle United, where he has breathed new life into their midfield.
The hard-working midfielder is also part of the Brazilian squad for the Qatar 2022 World Cup as a testament to the talent that he possesses.
Should you manage to pry him away from Newcastle despite their newfound wealth, Guimarães is a wonderful talent at only 25 years old, and he will only get better.
He can play multiple roles in the middle of the park, including offering cover for your defence as a deep lying playmaker and hounding the opposition for quick turnovers as a ball winning midfielder.
Combining the two qualities above, Guimarães is an excellent candidate for a Segundo Volante role, taking advantage of his great physicality and an eye for a defence-splitting pass.
4. Ryan Gravenberch
Gravenberch joined Bayern Munich from Ajax, but has not yet hit the heights of Jamal Musiala, another very good central midfielder at the club.
He has bags of potential and can adeptly play in central midfield as a mezzala, an advanced playmaker or in defensive midfield as a Segundo Volante.
He is only 21 years old at the start of football manager 2023, and if you lack the funds to sign him up, a 2-year loan deal is certainly a good way to enjoy his services.
Gravenberch will not immediately operate at the highest level like the other names on this list, but he will slowly and surely develop into a world-beater if you develop him in the right way.
5. Frenkie de Jong
A transfer to Manchester United did not materialize in the summer, with Frenkie being unwilling to leave Barcelona until his wage issues had been sorted out.
He might not be getting the game time that he deserves at the Catalan club, but Frenkie still remains a world-class player and would walk into the starting eleven of most clubs in the world.
Equally capable in a wide range of roles in central midfield including, a box to box midfielder, a deep lying playmaker and even a libero in central defence, Frenkie is an exceptional talent.
In my opinion, however, Frenkie’s best position is just in front of the central defenders either as a Segundo Volante, deep lying playmaker or a regista to take advantage of his press resistance and impeccable passing and vision
You should be able to sign Frenkie for a relatively small fee compared to his talents. His wage demands, however, are going to be absolutely huge.
6. Ivan Ilic
Ivan Ilic plies his trade in Serie A for Hellas Verona. At 21 years old, he already has two seasons in the Serie A under his belt and has grown in leaps and bounds.
He can play in central midfield as a carrilero, roaming playmaker or mezzala, or you can also deploy him in defensive midfield as a segundo volante to pull the strings from further back.
Playing in Serie A, he won’t cost as much as the other talents on this list and is definitely a good signing for a club with ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League.
7. Franck Kessie
Kessie has not exactly lit the world on fire, having traded AC Milan for Barcelona in the summer.
A combination of Gavi and Pedri playing extremely well, as well as trying to adapt to a new style of play at the Spanish club, has made it impossible for him to get into a rhythm.
However, he still very much possesses the talent that made the Catalan club go after his signature.
Often deployed as a box to box midfielder, Kessie can also comfortably play as a deep lying playmaker in central midfield or further back as a segundo volante in the defensive midfielder position.
Trying to lure him from Barcelona will depend on how much game time he gets, as well as his wage demands.
If you are lucky, you can sign him for relatively cheap if he does not start enough matches for his liking, prompting him to ask for a transfer.
8. Youri Tielemans
Tielemans did not have an impressive 2021/22 season but has the talent and potential to turn things around this year.
Still wearing Leicester City colours, Tielemans is already proven at the highest level and is a regular in the Belgian National Team.
The 25-year-old is comfortable in a number of roles in central midfield including mezzala and advanced playmaker but is also competent in more reserved ones like segundo volante and deep lying playmaker in the defensive midfield strata
With his contract expiring in June 2023, you can offer him a pre-contract agreement in January if you are managing a side outside England.
9. Eduardo Camavinga
Barely into his twenties, Camavinga is already one of the best talents in FM23 in the middle of the park.
Florentino Pérez brought him to Real Madrid at the start of last season to learn under the great talents of Toni Kroos and Luca Modric before eventually replacing them in the near future.
Camavinga did more than that, playing an important role in the UCL knockout games, coming in place of Kroos and turning the games around with his impressive work rate and sharp passing.
Camavinga’s wide array of talents makes him a candidate for virtually any role in central and defensive midfield, he is equally capable as a segundo volante, roaming playmaker, advanced playmaker and even a regista should you wish
Playing at Real Madrid, he will not come cheap and will also demand a lot of wages. However, should you manage to sign him, you are guaranteed a world class player for more than 10 years
10. Aurélien Tchouameni
Tchouameni is another young talent brought in by Perez to take after when Toni Kroos and company hang up their boots in a season or two.
But just like Camavinga, he is also playing at a very high level, and it might not be a surprise seeing both of them start for France at the World Cup.
He has the right attributes for a segundo volante, but he can also play more reserved central midfield roles like a deep lying playmaker or a ball winning midfielder
He will also cost quite a lot, but with Real Madrid hoarding some great midfield talents, you might get him at a bargain if he lacks the required game time at Los Blancos.
