Position Attributes Guide

Common Misconceptions
Frequently you will hear people say things like - "This player doesn't play like a 74, he should be at
least a 78" and other things of that nature. The main problem here is that people consider the
overall rating as an average of all attributes or at least an reflection of the all the attributes and that
is wrong.

The overall rating represents a players reputation and not how good he is, it is a value attributed by
EA Sports based upon things like the league that the player plays in, the team he plays in, the team's
performances , the players individual performances and his role in that team. It is not derived from
the actual skills, physical and mental attributes.
There are a couple of attributes that impact the game the most - acceleration, agility, ball control,
dribbling, sprint speed and strength. On all of the players except for goalkeepers their movements
and general feel is determined by these attributes, all of the other attributes are very situational
and position related. Certain combinations and high values of these attributes make some players
feel overpowered.
Goalkeeper
Height at least 62 to not be vulnerable from chip shots and to be able to compete in aerial duels
effectively.
In real football there are two main types of goalkeepers - your typical goalkeeper and the sweeper
keeper.
If you play with a deep defensive line then you will need a tall, typical goalkeeper who is a good all
rounder. If you play with a high defensive line you will need a sweeper keeper, his main attributes
are his acceleration and sprint speed, but also having good reflexes will help a lot because he will
react faster to stop shots. In this case you as the player have to rush him out but be careful not to
just hold the Y/ button for the whole duration because if you are facing a well versed opponent
then they can easily get past you goalkeeper and have an open goal to score in.
Typical Goalkeeper
Key attributes - diving, handling and reflexes
Other attributes kicking and positioning
Useful traits GK long thrower and GK - puncher
Recommendations - Akinfeev, Cech, Handanovic, Hart, Helton, Howard, Lloris, Mandanda, Neuer,
Reina, Stekelenburg and Valdes
Sweeper Keeper
The downfall of most sweeper keepers is their height. Many of the fastest keepers in the game are
too short to be a good sweeper keeper.
Key attributes - acceleration, diving, handling, reflexes and sprint speed
Other attributes kicking and positioning
Useful traits GK long thrower, GK puncher and GK up for corners
Recommendations - Hart, Helton, Lloris and Valdes
Centre Back
Height at least 6 to be able to compete in the air and deal with set pieces.
The roles outlined below are not set in stone and there are players that can play in multiple roles.
All Rounder (Jack of all Trades Master of None)
Key attributes - aggression, heading accuracy, interceptions, jumping, marking, reactions, slide
tackle, sprint speed, stand tackle and strength
Most players who specifically operate in this role are cheap players that likely play for lower league
teams. A player in this vein would struggle against strong opposition. Depending on his attributes
and how he is employed an all rounder can play in other roles as well.
Work rates - medium/medium
Useful traits: power header
Recommendations - Acerbi, Andreolli, Bonera, Cahill, Rolando and Silvestre
Stopper
His job is to stop the play from developing. If your opponent is near your box this is the player you
take control and try the tackles with. It is important not get tunnel vision and only control this player
because he will get dragged out of position and that will create space in your defence for the
opponent to exploit.
Key attributes aggression (a good stopper can also have mediocre aggression, like Kompany who
offers equally as important attributes elsewhere), slide tackle, stand tackle and strength
Other attributes - acceleration, reactions and sprint speed
Work rates - depends on their partner. For instance if you have a team playing in the 4-4-2 formation
and your stopper has medium and high work rates the ideal work rates for his partner are low and
high; this will ensure that the stopper will always be a couple of feet in front of his partner. You want
your stopper to be a bit more advanced than your other centre back(s), having a stopper with a high
attacking work rate can be a good thing.
Useful traits dives into tackles
Recommendations - Kaboul, Kolo Toure, Lugano, Mascherano, Pepe, Puyol, Subotic, Terry , Vidic and
Yanga MBiwa
Sweeper
His main focus is to sweep balls and to cover the space. The stopper and sweeper complement each
other. You need to ensure that your sweeper is playing a lot deeper than your stopper.
When controlling the sweeper your job is to cover the space and force your opponent to go the
stoppers side or pass it to that side, only tackle with the sweeper as a last resort. The main attribute
that the sweeper needs is interceptions, because mostly you want him to be directed by the AI, this
is a bit risky because the game does not always make the best decisions. In this case it is Important
to have your player switching setting set to air balls or manual and use the right analogue stick to
switch to your sweeper and position him accordingly.
Key attributes - interceptions
Other attributes - acceleration, aggression, heading accuracy, jumping, marking, reactions, slide
tackle, sprint speed, stand tackle and strength
Work rates - low/high
Useful traits - power header
Recommendations - Ferdinand, Garay, Hangeland, Hummels, Kompany, Luisao, Pepe, Puyol, Thiago
Silva and Vidic
Ball Playing Defender
This is role is very rare in real life. The players capable of playing this role have good ball control,
dribbling, long passing and short passing. Ball playing defenders largely operate in the other roles
mentioned. Also these players are usually fullbacks or defensive midfielders converted to centre
back. An example is Ramos who was originally a right back and Thiago Silva who was originally a
defensive midfielder. This role is useful in build up and when having to face very high pressure from
your opponent. A ball playing defender is very good to have if your build up is slow and you play a
possession oriented game.
Key attributes - ball control, dribbling, long pass and short pass
Useful traits - long passer, long shot taker, power header, swerve passer
Dribbler recommendations - David Luiz, Pique, Ramos, Thiago Silva, Vertonghen and Kompany
Passer recommendations - Badstuber, Bonucci, Coloccini, Dante, David Luiz, Dede, Garay, Heitinga,
Hummels, Mascherano, Matip, N'koulou, Pareja, Pique, Ramos, Thiago Silva and Vertonghen
Shooter recommendations - Agger, Bruno Alves , Dante, David Luiz, Naldo, Ramos, Subotic, Thiago
Silva, Vermalen and Vertonghen
Combinations
Sweeper and Stopper
The sweeper has to cover the space, intercept passes and try and direct the play to the stoppers side
so that he can make the tackles. Getting into extremes with this combination by being too aggressive
with the stopper or standing off too much with the sweeper can lead to the opposition exploiting
the space and scoring.
Recommended combinations - NKoulou and MBiwa , Mascherano and Pepe , Terry and Kompany ,
Subotic and Hummels , Maicon and Garay , Kaboul and Ferdinand
Three man defence combinations -
sweeper, stopper, sweeper
stopper, sweeper, stopper

If you put a sweeper on the side of a three man defence then you need to mirror it on the other side
for balance and in the middle have the other role that you have not used. For newer players that do
not feel comfortable in defence I suggest the first combination for the three man defence and that
the outside sweepers are fast players to combat fast wingers.

Recommended combinations - NKoulou, MBiwa and Thiago Silva, Kompany, Terry and Koscielny,
Pepe, Puyol and Ramos, Dante, Maicon and Dede
Double It
This combination can be used with the following roles - all rounder, ball playing defender and
stopper.
The all rounder combination is very rare and usually seen in lower league teams.
The ball playing defender combination is for people that play a possession oriented game.
The stopper combination is a very aggressive one, useful for players that want to get back in
possession quickly and launch a quick counter. However, this combination can leave a lot space
behind the defence.
For the three man defences trying to triple it would not be a good idea as your defence will end up
being one dimensional.
Balance
Match up the work rates of the two centre backs so that they form a straight line, which leads to a
more solid defence and less gaps to be exploited by the attacking team.
In the sweeper and stopper combo you have the option of being very aggressive with your stopper
and getting the ball early. In the balance combination being aggressive with your defenders leaves
gaps in your defence and that is not the purpose of it, you want to keep the defensive line as straight
as possible all the time. Because of this strategy you will rely on good midfielders, especially
defensive midfielders, to break up the opponents play and get the ball back.
The key to making this combo work is to not become too passive and letting your opponent pass it
around your box. If you notice your opponent is a good passer and has a patient approach to the
game you might want to try and the ball earlier than what you would usually do, because the closer
he is to your box the more dangerous he is.
Final words - if you are not comfortable with defending avoid using centre backs that have a high
attacking work rate as they can leave you exposed at crucial moments.
Fullbacks
The roles outlined below are based mainly on work rates. The fullback position tends to be one that
player does not control very much and henceforth the work rates determine the AIs movement and
your team shape.
Ultra Attacking Fullback
Attacking is the only thing that these players care about, they can defend but it is going to happen
very rarely, they can work if your opponent has a slow build up and he has the time to get back to
his initial position. An ultra attacking fullback is a defensive liability but he can easily create 2 v 1
situations on the wings to overwhelm your opponent defensively. I would not recommend using an
ultra attacking fullback unless you are playing a formation with five at the back. The most widely
renowned ultra attacking fullback is Dani Alves, he works well because in real life Barcelona keep the
ball incredibly well and their opponents do not have much of an opportunity to attack.
Work rates - high/low
Skill moves - at least 3*
Weak foot - at least 3*
Useful traits early crosser and speed dribbler (skilled dribbling)
Right side recommendations - Alves, Navarro and Nelson
Left side recommendations - Carlinhos, Castillo , Poulsen and Traore
Modern Fullback
The modern fullback is the most common type of fullback in real life. They will overlap your wide
players but also defend more than the ultra attacking fullback. The range of skills in these fullbacks
differs a lot. On one end of the spectrum you have very versatile and complete fullbacks like Maicon,
Baines and Lahm and on the other end of the spectrum you have the likes of Micah Richards who
has got the attributes fitting a centre back.
Key attributes - aggression, crossing, dribbling, interceptions, long passing, marking, short passing,
slide tackling, stand tackling and strength
Other attributes - acceleration, attacking positioning and sprint speed
Work rates - high/medium
Skill moves - at least 3*
Weak foot - at least 3*
Useful traits early crosser and speed dribbler (skilled dribbling)
Right side recommendations - Abate, Danilo, Johnson, Lahm, Lichsteiner, Maicon, Piszcek and
Walker
Left side recommendations - Alaba, Alba, Coentrao, Cole, Evra, Insua , Marcelo and Pereira
Zen Fullback
Some of the zen fullbacks are centre backs with good ball control and passing stats that were moved
to fullback because they lacked the strength and heading to be a dominant force in the middle of the
defence.
Key attributes - aggression, interceptions, marking, slide tackling, stand tackling, and strength
Work rates - medium/medium
Right side recommendations - Fanni , Konko and Rveillre
Left side recommendations - De Ceglie, Gibbs, Jose Enrique, Richardon, Santon and Schmelzer
Defensive Fullback
This is the recommended type of fullback for maximum defensive stability if you can manage to
attack and score goals without the help of an attacking fullback.
Work rates - low/high or medium/high
Useful traits power header
Right side recommendations - Caceres, Fernandes , Ivanovic, Riether and Sagna
Left side recommendations - Abidal, Monreal and Stefan Radu
Combinations
5 back formations
The modern fullback is the best fit as they contribute in attack and get back in defence.
Narrow formations (4-3-1-2 and 4-3-2-1)
The modern fullback is the best choice. These formations lack width in their attacks so having a
fullback that is a bit higher up the pitch can help you maintain possession and dominate the
midfield. If you think that your right side is your best side for attacking (example) having a zen
fullback on the left might be a good idea if you are caught on the counter very often. A defensive
fullback guarantees that you always have three defenders at the back.
4-3-3
Depends on the midfield composition, if you have someone like John Obi Mikel in there you can go
with two modern fullbacks. If you have your typical holding midfielder (medium/high) on your
weaker side have a zen fullback or a defensive fullback and on your strong side have a modern
fullback or even an ultra attacking fullback.
4-2-2-2/4-2-3-1
Here it depends on your two defensive midfielders, if they are more defensive (medium/medium,
medium/high or low/high) having two modern fullbacks can work well.
If you have a box to box midfielder getting two zen fullbacks is a good option or one modern fullback
and a zen fullback on the weaker or less used side.
A defensive fullback is too extreme for a formation that has two defensive midfielders, although
could work if you have two box to box midfielders (Marchisio and Vidal for example)
Formations with RM and LM (4-4-2 , 4-4-1-1 , 4-5-1 , 4-1-2-1-2)
With these formations you need your fullbacks work rates to be in sync with the work rates of the
right midfielder and left midfielder. If the work rates are not in sync you will either have a clear side
to be countered on or a midfielder who lacks the defensive stats to be effective on that side. You
want the attacking work rate of the wide midfielder to match the defensive work rate of the
fullback. So if your right back has high attacking work rate your right midfielder should also have a
high attacking work rate if your midfielder has a medium/medium or high/high work rate he will end
up in the place of the modern fullback which will leave you ineffective in attack. The zen fullbacks
work the best with this type of formations.
Centre Midfielders
In football there is the saying that the possession is 9/10 of the game. Barcelona is the best example.
They have the technical and mental ability to dominate games through possession. You can
dominate the midfield through numbers or physicality. If you have more players than your opponent
in the midfield you can pass the ball very easily. When the numbers are even having stronger or
faster midfielders can help you dominate the midfield. When you start a game and look at your
opponents team the first thing you should try and figure out is how can you dominate the midfield.
The attributes that a centre midfielder needs depends on the role that he has to fulfil.
Anchor Man
He sits in front of the defence at all times. His job is to protect the defence and stop the opponents
attacks before they reach your box. His contribution to attacks is almost nonexistent. You want him
to win the ball back and make a simple pass to a more technically gifted player.
Positions - CDM and CM
Key attributes - aggression, interceptions, marking, slide tackling, stamina, stand tackling and
strength
Other attributes short passing
Work rates - low/high and low/medium
Recommendations - Albelda, Gilberto Silva, John Obi Mikel, Josue, Mahamadou Diarra, Mudingayi,
Polanski , Ralf, Tymoshchuk and Williams
Defensive Midfielder
This role is a bit more versatile than the anchor man. Defensive midfielders are better technically.
Defensively they play a similar role as the anchor man. When it comes to build-up play and attacking
they can be much more involved as they have the attributes to do it well, but their main duty is a
defensive one.
Positions - CDM and CM
(The non-defensive stats do not need to be as high as the defensive ones)
Key attributes - aggression, ball control, dribbling, interceptions, marking, short passing, slide
tackling, stamina, stand tackling, strength and vision
Other attributes - long passing
Work rates - medium/high and medium/medium
Useful traits long passer and long shot taker
Recommendations - Cambiasso, De Rossi, Felipe Melo, Fellaini, Fernando, Gustavo, Javi Garcia, Javi
Martinez, Jones, Mohamed Sissoko, Moussa Sissoko, Sami Khedira, Scott Parker, Song, Tiote, Yaya
Toure and Zanetti
Deep Lying Playmaker
This role has similar positioning to the anchor man but is not the best defensively. The deep lying
playmaker has great passing ability and sets up his team mates with long passes. The Italians call him
regista and the best example is Pirlo. A slight variation of this role is the way Sergio Busquets plays
for Barcelona. Not exactly a regista but his passing ability and vision are a lot better than your
average defensive midfielder
Positions - CDM and CM
Key attributes - ball control, curve, interceptions, long passing, short passing and vision
Other attributes - dribbling, heading accuracy, long shots, marking, shot power, slide tackling, stand
tackling and strength
Work rates - low/medium and medium/medium
Useful traits long passer, long shot taker, play maker and swerve passer
Recommendations - Benat, Carrick, Lodi, Montolivo, Pirlo, Pogba, Stankovic and Xabi Alonso
Playmaker
Very similar to the deep lying playmaker, just that he lacks the defensive attributes to sit deep.
These players have much better agility, balance and dribbling which makes them a lot more mobile
and allows them to drift wide. The playmaker has the passing ability to open up defences and you
generally want him to have the ball as much as possible, maintaining possession while your attackers
make their runs. The perfect example of this type of player is Barcelonas Xavi. For an in-depth look
on how to use a playmaker look at the 4-3-3 Xavi Possession guide written by KTZ777
(http://forum.ea.com/uk/posts/list/2066130.page)
Positions - CM and CAM
Key attributes - agility, balance, ball control, dribbling, long passing, reactions, short passing and
vision
Work rates - medium/medium
Useful traits flair, long passer, long shot taker, play maker and swerve passer
Recommendations - Aimar, Aquillani, Arteta, Banega, Borja Valero, Cazorla, Cossu, Costa, Gotze,
Janssen, Kroos, Pizzaro and Xavi
Advanced Playmaker
In contrast to the playmaker whose main tool was his passing ability advanced playmaker makes a
lot more forward runs and is more direct. You want your advanced playmaker to beat your
opponents men and only and pick a pass only when very close to his box. Most advanced playmakers
do not have the passing ability of an actual playmaker but they are good passers. The best examples
of real life playmakers are Fabregas and Iniesta.
Key attributes - agility, balance, ball control, dribbling, long passing, reactions, short passing and
vision
Other attributes - attacking positioning, finishing, long shots and shot power
Work rates - high/medium, high/low and medium/low
Skill moves - at least 4*
Useful traits flair, long passer, long shot taker, play maker and swerve passer
Recommendations - , Carlos Eduardo, Danilo Dias, David Silva, Diego, Fabregas, Guarin, Gundogan,
Honda, Iniesta, Isco, Kagawa, Lampard, Modric, Moralez, Nasri, Ozil, Pastore, Sneijder, Taarabt,
Valbuena and Van der Vaart
B2B Mid
Also known as the engine, the box to box midfielder is the most complete midfielder roles there is.
His work rates mean hell run up and down the field and do everything he can. The best examples of
a box to box midfielder from real life are Gerrard and Ramires.
Positions - CM, CAM and CDM
Key attributes - acceleration, aggression, agility, balance, ball control, interceptions, long passing,
marking, short passing, sliding tackle, sprint speed, stamina, standing tackle and strength
Work rates - high/high
Useful traits - passer, long shot taker and swerve passer
Recommendations - Arda Turan, Asamoah, Boateng, Dembele, Elias, Essien, Gerrard, Juninho,
Marchisio, Moutinho, Muller, Nocerino, Ramires, Sandro, Schweinsteiger, Vidal and Wilshere
Combinations
3-4-1-2/3-4-2-1/3/3-4-3
a) Defensive
Two defensive midfielders a conservative combination, that helps cover the three men in defence,
you do not really need that much help in the attack as you have the at least three attackers and two
wide midfielders that will shape-up your attacks and you can always pass back to the centre
midfielders so you can keep possession.
b) Balanced
One defensive midfielder/anchor man with one box to box midfielder this combination will provide
an extra man in an advanced central position that can help dominate the midfield as well as creating
chances in the middle of the pitch. And if your opponent plays with a central defensive midfielder or
two central defensive midfielders your box to box midfielder will keep them in the centre and if they
drift wide then you can punish you opponent by passing to him and attack the defence directly.
3-5-2
a) Defensive
This means you have to use two anchor men at centre defensive midfield, but its quite hard to get
two good anchor men in squad. Alternatively two defensive midfielders will probably offer a bit
more versatility, in terms of passing, shooting and dribbling opportunities. For extreme defence a
box to box midfielder at central attacking midfield should help even more.

b) Attacking
You want an advanced playmaker at the CAM spot. Hell make forward runs and will force your
opponent to react with his defenders which will create space for your strikers to use.
In the central defensive midfield spots having two box to box midfielders will improve your attacking
chances a lot but will leave your defence vulnerable and you will be vulnerable to counter attacks as
well. I would use a defensive midfielder and one box to box midfielder.

c) Balanced
For this type of approach you want a playmaker at the CAM spot and two defensive midfielders.

d) Possession approach
A playmaker at the CAM spot and one defensive midfielders and one deep lying playmaker in the
CDM positions.
4-1-2-1-2
a) Attacking
Advanced playmaker at CAM and a box to box midfielder at CDM.

b) Balanced
Playmaker at CAM and a defensive midfielder at CDM.

c) Defensive
Box to box midfielder at CAM and an anchor man at CDM.

d) Possession
Playmaker at CAM and a deep lying playmaker at CDM.
4-2-3-1
a) Attacking
An advanced playmaker at CAM and two box to box midfielders as CDMs.

b) Balanced
Playmaker at CAM and two defensive midfielders at CDM.

c) Defensive
Box to box midfielder at CAM with two defensive midfielders.

d) Possession
Playmaker at CAM and two deep lying playmakers at CDM.
4-2-2-2
a) Attacking
Two advanced playmakers at CAM and two box to box midfielders at CDM.

b) Balanced
An advanced playmaker and playmaker at CAM and two defensive midfielders at CDM.

c) Defensive
Two box to box midfielders at CAM with and 2 anchor men/defensive midfielders at CDM.

d) Possession
Two Playmakers at CAM and two deep lying playmakers at CDM.
4-3-1-2/4-3-3/4-3-2-1/5-3-2
Outside central midfielders should have be fast, because they will most likely face very fast wingers
and fullbacks.

a) Ultra Attacking
Three advanced playmakers

b) Balanced Attacking
Wide CMs as advanced playmakers and the central CM as a defensive midfielder.

c) High Pressing
Three box to box midfielders

d) Balanced
box to box midfielder, anchor man/defensive midfielder and playmaker.

e) Alternative Balanced
box to box midfielder, anchor man/defensive midfielder and advanced playmaker.

f) Defensive
Two wide defensive midfielders and a playmaker/box to box midfield/advanced playmaker in the
middle.

g) Ultra Defensive
One anchor man in the middle and two defensive midfielders wide.
4-4-1-1
a) Attacking
Advanced playmaker at CAM and two box to box midfielders at CM.

b) Balanced
Playmaker at CAM and two defensive midfielders at CM.

c) Defensive
box to box midfielder at CAM and, an anchor man and defensive midfielder at CM.

d) Possession
Playmaker at CAM, defensive midfielder and deep lying playmaker at CM.
4-4-2/5-2-1-2/5-2-2-1
a) Attacking
Advanced playmaker and box to box midfielder.

b) Balanced
Box to box midfielder and defensive midfielder.

c) Defensive
Anchor man and defensive midfielder.

d) Possession
Deep lying playmaker and defensive midfielder.
4-5-1
a) Attacking
Box to box midfielder at CM and two advanced playmakers at CAM.

b) Balanced
Defensive midfielder/anchor man at CM, playmaker and advanced playmaker at CAM.

c) Defensive
Anchor man at CM and two box to box midfielders at CAM.

d) Possession
Deep lying playmaker at CM, playmaker and advanced playmaker at CAM.
Wingers
Key attributes - acceleration, agility, balance, ball control, crossing, dribbling, sprint speed and
stamina
Work rates - high/medium, high/low or medium/low
Skill moves - at least 4*
Weak foot - at least 3*
Useful traits early crosser, speed dribbler (skilled dribbling) and swerve passer
Strikers
Target Man
Height - 63
Key attributes - attacking positioning, finishing, heading accuracy, jumping (cross reference with
height), reactions, shot power and strength
Other attributes - agility, balance and ball control
Useful traits power header and tries to beat defensive line
Poacher
Key attributes - agility, attacking positioning, balance, ball control, finishing, reactions and shot
power
Other attributes crossing and volleys
Weak foot - at least 3*
Useful traits finesse shot, outside foot shot and tries to beat defensive line