Player Styles

Every player has a style — a shorthand for how they play. Styles are position-specific: a CM Playmaker and a CAM Creator aren’t the same role.

Styles by position

Goalkeeper

• Shot-Stopper — classic keeper, strong in the box.
• Sweeper-Keeper — comfortable off the line, sweeps behind a high defence.
• Distributor — starts attacks from the back.

Centre-back

• Stopper — front-foot defender, attacks duels.
• Ball-Playing — progresses the ball, breaks lines.
• Sweeper — reads danger, covers space.

Full-back (LB / RB)

• Defensive FB — safe, structured.
• Attacking FB — bombs forward, crosses in.
• Balanced FB — all-round.

Wing-back (LWB / RWB)

• Runner — repeated runs, stamina-heavy.
• Creator — chance-maker from wide areas.
• Two-Way — contributes both ways.

Defensive midfielder (CDM)

• Anchor — holding role, protects space.
• Regista — deep playmaker, dictates tempo.
• Ball-Winner — presses and recovers possession.

Central midfielder (CM)

• Box-to-Box — end-to-end.
• Playmaker — creates from the middle.
• Controller — structure and tempo.

Attacking midfielder (CAM)

• Creator — primary chance-maker between the lines.
• Shadow Striker — late runs into the box.
• Technician — tidy in tight spaces.

Winger (LW / RW)

• Speedster — pace-first, stretches defences.
• Creator — supplies from wide.
• Two-Way — contributes defensively too.

Wide forward (LWF / RWF)

• Inside Forward — cuts inside to shoot.
• Direct Runner — vertical, attacks space.
• Wide Finisher — end-product from wide areas.

Centre-forward (CF)

• Poacher — box finisher, pure end product.
• Target — holds up play, attacks crosses.
• Pressing — leads the press from the front.

Synergies

Some style combinations lift each other. A few examples:

• Ball-Playing CB + Regista CDM — secure build-up from deep.
• Pressing CF + Ball-Winner CDM — aggressive, high press.
• Inside Forward + Attacking FB — overlap and inside run on the same flank.
• Poacher + Creator — supply-line into the box.
• Sweeper-Keeper + Sweeper — high-line defensive unit.
• Runner + Direct Runner — direct, transition-heavy attack.

Mixing styles thoughtfully across your XI will usually beat picking the 11 highest OVRs and hoping.