Arsenal
We start with Arsenal, a great option for a short-term career mode. The Gunners have a very good squad that can develop into a whole lot more. The likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe and others are all pretty talented now but could become world class in a couple of seasons. In your first year, you should be aiming to finish in the top 4 and should be contending to be called the Europa League Champions. Whether you focus on the cups is another thing but remember, the Arsenal fans love to win the FA Cup. Overall, I would expect this to be a 3-year career mode where you are serious challengers for the top prizes come the end of it.
Juventus
Juventus are back. No longer will you have to play as Piemonte Calcio as FIFA now own the official licensing to the Italian Giants. They also have their stadium too which is cool. However, this will be a bigger challenge then it used to be as after winning the Serie A for nine consecutive years, they have spent the last two seasons finishing in 4th. You would aim to change that but also attempt to do a bit better in the Champions League as Juventus haven’t made it into the final 8 since the 2018-19 season. Overall, this would probably be a 2-to-3-year career mode where you would be aiming to win multiple trophies. Champions League would be hard though.
Villarreal
Villarreal had a mixed season last year. They had an incredible run which ultimately saw them make the Champions League Semi Final, yet they only managed 7th in the league. You would definitely want to do better in your first season and really should be winning the Conference League. The Squad is pretty strong but, a lot of the current top players will all probably need to be replaced by the end of your journey. Keeping hold off Pau Torres will be incredibly difficult as well. Overall, I would think that this is a 3-year career mode where you would want to be a top contender in La Liga. Could you be the one to bring Villarreal home their first ever league title.
Eintracht Frankfurt
On paper, Eintracht Frankfurt is one of the best options for a fun career mode in the Bundesliga. Frankfurt finished in a disappointing 11th place last season, but they won the Europa League, meaning they find themselves playing in the Champions League for only the second time in the clubs' history. The only other time they competed in this competition was back in the 1959-60 season so it’s pretty historic. Kevin Trapp and Filip Kostic are your only stand out players which will definitely make it harder for you. In your first season, you will give it your all in the Champions League and will aim to finish in the European Places. Overall, I would expect that this save will take about 3 to 4 seasons depending on if you aim is to win the Bundesliga. Definitely one I’m considering doing down the line.
PSV Eindhoven
PSV Eindhoven is a different type of career mode but is a good option. For the first time ever, PSV’s official stadium is in FIFA 23. PSV have finished 2nd in 3 of the last 4 seasons and are really hoping to topple Ajax as the best team in the Eredivisie. In your first season, you are probably going to find it hard to beat Ajax to the title but you should definitely be finishing second so you can qualify for the Champions League. Also, the likes of Cody Gakpo and Noni Madueke can definitely help you grow as a team. You should also try and make the final 8 in the Europa League. Overall, I would say that this is a 2-to-3-year career mode depending on how quickly you can turn PSV into the best team in the Netherlands.
Brighton
Brighton had a terrific season last year as they recorded their highest ever league finish (9th). Arguably, they could have made Europe if their home form was a bit better. However, it’s a different era in Brighton as Graham Potter has left meaning theirs a manager role open for you. Also, no Cucerella, Bissouma and Maupay create a whole different challenge. In your first season, you will probably want to finish in the top 10 and have a good cup run. I would say that this is a 3-4 season career mode, but it could be even longer depending on what your aims are. Also, Brighton is the team that I am going to do my first career mode with.
LAFC
LAFC are one of the most exciting teams in the MLS. Not only do they have their stadium now in the game, they also have some players you might have heard off. Giorgio Chiellini, Gareth Bale and Carlos Vela are the three stand out players in Los Angeles. I would say that this is the shortest career mode out of the 10, it’s probably only going to take you a season or two to win the MLS Trophy. A solid option if you want a different style career mode.
Burnley
Burnley, the team most people love to see do well are in a new era of their footballing life. For the first time in 6 years, Burnley are not playing in the top tier of English Football. Also, Burnley’s best players of their Premier League era have all left meaning you are going to have to build a new Burnley. This could be as long of a career mode as you want, it really depends on what you are aiming to do with Burnley. Either way, you should definitely be in the fight to get promoted come the end of Season 1. You could even be Vincent Kompany which is pretty cool.
A.C. Monza
For the first time ever, A.C. Monza are in the Serie A. This is the best road to glory option if you don’t want to start in the lower leagues. For some people, including me, Monza is famous for its iconic racetrack but now, you have the opportunity to build a football team that can compete with the fame of the racetrack. To be honest, you would do very well to stay in the main Italian league but if you did, you would aim to build from this as the seasons go on until you eventually fight and potentially win the Serie A. Bringing European and most importantly Champions League football to Monza would be incredible. If you choose this journey, good luck!
AFC Richmond
And finally, for a bit of a fun and a different FIFA career mode experience than usual, you can choose AFC Richmond. For people that don’t know, AFC Richmond are the made-up team in the hit show Ted Lasso. The kits, the players and the stadium are all in the game so if you are a fan of the show, you could probably have an amazing time with this. The length of the career mode is totally up to you. Do you start them in League 2 and build them all the way up or do you put them straight into the Premier League and try and fight the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool. By the end of the career mode, you could even be facing Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. A good option.
Ted Lasso’s team for me thank you!