The central midfield is a vital area of the pitch where players perform a variety of duties. We’ll break down each central midfield role, examining its in-game description, player instructions, and complementary and contrasting player traits.
The Defensive Midfielder
The Defensive Midfielder is a defensive stalwart, crucial for shielding the backline from opposition attacks. Their primary task is to quickly close down attackers and provide support to the creative midfielders when in possession. Holding the ball during periods of opposition pressure is another key responsibility.
To excel in this role, players should have the following player instructions:
* Defend duty: decrease pressing intensity, hold position, dribble less, shoot less often, refrain from taking long shots, run with ball rarely, stays back at all times, arrives late in opponents’ area, gets forward whenever possible, gets into opposition area, knocks ball past opponent, likes to beat man repeatedly, plays one-twos, runs with ball often, runs with ball through centre, shoots from distance, tries to play way out of trouble, tries tricks.
Complementary player traits: The Defensive Midfielder thrives with traits like playing no through balls, playing short simple passes, refraining from taking long shots, running with the ball rarely, and staying back at all times.
Contrasting player traits: Traits like arriving late in opponents’ area, getting forward whenever possible, getting into the opposition area, knocking the ball past the opponent, liking to beat a man repeatedly, liking to switch the ball to the other flank, playing one-twos, running with the ball often, running with the ball through the centre, shooting from distance, trying killer balls often, trying to play their way out of trouble, and trying tricks are less beneficial for a Defensive Midfielder.
The Deep Lying Playmaker
The Deep Lying Playmaker acts as the linchpin between the defense and midfield. Their primary objective is to spark attacks by delivering precise passes to players further up the field.
While known for their creativity, Deep Lying Playmakers need defensive prowess as well. Their player instructions reflect this:
* Hidden player instructions: collect the ball more, use more creative freedom, focus play (this role is a playmaker focal role which instructs a player’s teammates to pass to him more often)
* Comes deep to get ball, dictates tempo, likes ball played into feet, refrains from taking long shots, stays back at all times, stops play.
* Support duty: likes to switch ball to other flank, tries killer balls often
* Arrives late in opponents’ area, dwells on ball, gets forward whenever possible, gets into opposition area, plays no through balls, plays one-twos, plays short simple passes, shoots from distance.
* Defend duty: knocks ball past opponent, likes to beat man repeatedly, runs with ball often, runs with ball through centre, tries to play way out of trouble, tries tricks.
Complementary player traits: Coming deep to get the ball, dictating tempo, liking the ball played into their feet, refraining from taking long shots, staying back at all times, and stopping play are key for a Deep Lying Playmaker.
Contrasting player traits: Dwelling on the ball, getting forward whenever possible, getting into the opposition area, playing no through balls, playing short simple passes, and staying back at all times are detrimental for this role.
The Ball Winning Midfielder
The Ball Winning Midfielder is a tireless worker in the central midfield, primarily focusing on winning possession from the opposition.
However, they must also possess the technical skills to maintain possession and create opportunities for attacking players. Their player instructions reflect this blend of defensive and attacking responsibilities:
* Significantly increase pressing intensity, tackle harder.
* Defend duty: hold position, dribble less, shoot less often, take fewer risks.
* Dives into tackles
* Defend duty: plays no through balls, plays short simple passes, refrains from taking long shots, runs with ball rarely, stays back at all times.
* Dictates tempo.
* Defend duty: arrives late in opponents’ area, gets forward whenever possible, gets into opposition area, knocks ball past opponent, likes to beat man repeatedly, likes to switch ball to other flank, plays one-twos, runs with ball often, runs with ball through centre, shoots from distance, tries killer balls often, tries to play way out of trouble, tries tricks.
Complementary player traits: Playing no through balls, playing short simple passes, refraining from taking long shots, running with the ball rarely, and staying back at all times are useful traits for a Ball Winning Midfielder.
Contrasting player traits: Arriving late in opponents’ area, getting forward whenever possible, getting into the opposition area, knocking the ball past the opponent, liking to beat a man repeatedly, liking to switch the ball to the other flank, playing one-twos, running with the ball often, running with the ball through the centre, shooting from distance, trying killer balls often, trying to play their way out of trouble, and trying tricks are not ideal for this role.
The Anchor Man
The Anchor Man, often referred to as the ‘Water Carrier’, acts as a defensive anchor between the defense and midfield.
Their core role is to intercept opposition moves, win the ball, and distribute simple passes to more creative teammates. They rarely venture far from their position, whether to close down opponents or support the attack. Their player instructions reflect this emphasis on staying back:
* Decrease pressing intensity, hold position, dribble less, shoot less often, take fewer risks.
Complementary player traits: Playing no through balls, playing short simple passes, refraining from taking long shots, running with the ball rarely, and staying back at all times are highly beneficial for this role.
Contrasting player traits: Arriving late in opponents’ area, getting forward whenever possible, getting into the opposition area, knocking the ball past the opponent, liking to beat a man repeatedly, liking to switch the ball to the other flank, playing one-twos, running with the ball often, running with the ball through the centre, shooting from distance, trying killer balls often, trying to play their way out of trouble, and trying tricks are less effective for an Anchor Man.
