FM24 » Attributes You Need At Every Position...UPDATED 2025

Attributes You Need At Every Position

Goalkeeper: The Defensive Backbone

The goalkeeper is tasked with keeping the opposition at bay and preserving clean sheets. Focus on these key attributes:

Reflexes: Quick reactions to save shots in critical moments. A goalkeeper with 18 or more in reflexes is a valuable asset.
One-on-Ones: Excellent in dealing with one-on-one situations, often becoming a match-winner by bailing your team out in tight moments.
Jumping Reach: Command the box and deal with crosses and set pieces with ease. Poor jumping reach will leave your team vulnerable in the air.
Positioning: A keeper with great positioning reduces the chances of conceding from common angles by being in the right place.
Decisions: Good decision-making helps avoid costly errors that could turn a match on its head.

Tip:
If managing a lower-league club, prioritize positioning and decisions over reflexes for a more consistent performance.

Full-backs: Covering the Flanks

Full-backs are required to cover a significant amount of ground both defensively and offensively. Prioritize these attributes:

Work Rate: Full-backs must cover a lot of ground, and a high work rate ensures they can fulfil both defensive and attacking duties.
Stamina: Maintaining intensity throughout the match is crucial for both defence and overlap attacks.
Positioning: Effective full-backs know when to push forward and when to stay back to support the team's shape.
Crossing: A good crosser can be a game-changer, especially if you're looking to supply your strikers with quality chances.
Technique/Marking/Determination: Depending on the type of full-back you're after—whether attacking, defensive, or balanced.

Tip:
For offensive full-backs, prioritize crossing and technique, but for more defensively-minded full-backs, focus on marking and positioning.

Centre-backs: The Defensive Wall

The heart of your defence, centre-backs must dominate in the air and on the ground:

Jumping Reach: Crucial for defending against crosses and set-pieces. Aerially dominant centre-backs can neutralize many threats.
Tackling: A must for clean, effective ball-winning challenges, especially when defending against strong attackers.
Composure: Keep calm under pressure and execute defensive duties confidently, even in high-stress situations.
Concentration: A momentary lapse can lead to a goal. High concentration ensures focus throughout the match.
Strength: Compete physically with opposing strikers and keep them from dominating the penalty box.

Tip:
A centre-back with both high concentration and composure is perfect for teams playing in high-press situations.

Defensive Midfielders: The Shield

The defensive midfielder shields the backline and breaks up opposition play. Key attributes include:

First Touch: Under pressure, a great first touch keeps possession and builds play.
Teamwork: The hinge between defence and attack, they need to work in sync with the whole team.
Composure: Cool under pressure, they’ll avoid turnovers and make intelligent passes.
Positioning: Whether defending or supporting attacks, good positioning ensures they’re in the right place at the right time.
Passing/Tackling: Choose based on your tactical needs. For a deep-lying playmaker, prioritize passing. For a ball-winning midfielder, tackling is key.

Tip:
If your team relies on possession football, opt for passing over tackling to keep play flowing from the back.

Central Midfielders: The Engine Room

Central midfielders dictate the tempo of the game and cover the most ground. Focus on:

Work Rate: The more work they put in, the more influential they will be across the pitch.
Stamina: Central midfielders need to maintain their intensity from start to finish.
Passing: Breaking the press and finding the right pass is essential to link up play.
Decisions: Involved in every part of the game, a midfielder's decision-making is vital.
Player Traits: Look for traits like "gets forward whenever possible" or "arrives late in the opponent’s box" to further boost their impact.

Tip:
For high-tempo, pressing teams, ensure your central midfielders have excellent work rate and stamina to drive your team's energy.

Wingers: The Creative Spark

Wingers ignite attacking play with their speed and creativity. Prioritize:

Agility: Allows wingers to change direction quickly and evade defenders.
Speed/Dribbling: Essential for one-on-one duels, creating space for crosses and shots.
Balance: Helps wingers stay on their feet under physical challenges.
Flair: Unlock defences with dazzling skills, passes, or shots.
Technique: The finishing touch for executing their creativity and skills.

Tip:
Agile wingers with high dribbling and flair can be game-changers when breaking down stubborn defences.

Attacking Midfielders: The Creative Hub

Attacking midfielders pull the strings in the final third. Focus on:

Vision: Crucial for unlocking defences with killer passes.
Flair: Combine vision with creativity to break through even the most stubborn backlines.
First Touch: Excellent control in tight spaces ensures possession isn’t lost.
Off the Ball: Movement into dangerous areas helps create space for themselves and teammates.
Technique: Precise execution of their ideas, whether it’s a shot, pass, or through-ball.

Tip:
Players with high vision and flair can single-handedly change the outcome of tight matches by providing that killer pass.

Strikers: The Focal Point

Strikers lead the line and score goals. Focus on:

Off the Ball: Intelligent movement is crucial to find space and break through defensive lines.
Composure: Helps maintain calm when finishing chances under pressure.
Determination: Strikers with high determination will bounce back from missed chances and keep going until they score.
First Touch: A clean first touch is essential for creating or finishing goal-scoring opportunities.
Finishing: The defining attribute of a top striker—finding the back of the net consistently.

Tip:
For counter-attacking systems, ensure your striker has both high off-the-ball movement and pace to exploit defensive gaps.


Try to have in all positions: Agression, Bravery, and Pysical stats (OP).


Credit:

https://www.footballmanagerblog.org/


TACTICAL STYLES:


Common Mistakes in Football Manager
https://youtu.be/hzD4B_UspjA

[Moel]

Yours welcome,
This is very solid guide

[Michael]

thanks

[Moel]

Good Guide

if I could add

for FB position, prioritizing the one who has height minimum 182 cm with jumping reach 11

as it is very crucial if you are being counter attack.

for Midfield, having strength and jumping reach with minimum 12
mean you have higher chance to win ball within the air, especially if you opponent like to long ball (many teams does)

[Michael]

IQ of player:

- Anticipation
- Concentration
- Decisions

[Michael]

Attribute Targeting by Age
- Under 21: Prioritize physical and technical growth—these attributes develop fastest.
- 22–27: Focus on tactical and mental attributes like Decisions, Positioning, and Vision.
- 28+: Maintenance mode—reduce intensity and focus on mentoring or leadership.

[Michael]

Ah, the age-old FM debate: is **pace** overpowered in *Football Manager 2024*? The short answer — kind of, yes.

In FM24, **fast players can be game-changers**, especially in lower leagues or when using tactics that exploit space behind the defense. A striker or winger with high **Pace** and **Acceleration** can often outrun defenders, even if their technical stats aren’t elite. This makes them deadly in counter-attacks or when playing a high-tempo, direct style.

That said, it’s not just about raw speed. The game engine also values:
- **Off the Ball** movement
- **Anticipation**
- **Decision-making**

So a fast player who doesn’t know when to run or where to go might still underperform. But if you find someone with 16+ Pace and decent mental stats? That’s a cheat code in disguise.

[Michael]

[erikgronlund]

[76561199807390698]

### **General Tips for Implementing Traits**
- **Training**: Focused training sessions on specific traits can help players develop these abilities over time.
- **Match Practice**: Regular game time and real-match scenarios are crucial for reinforcing newly learned traits.
- **Youth Development**: Encourage promising young players to adopt beneficial traits early in their careers.

[76561199807390698]

### **Goalkeepers**
1. **Comes for Crosses**:
- **Benefits**: Increases the goalkeeper's confidence and effectiveness in dealing with aerial threats.
- **Best For**: Goalkeepers in teams that face many crosses or long balls.

2. **Sweeper Keeper**:
- **Benefits**: Enhances the goalkeeper's ability to act as an additional defender, clearing balls outside the box.
- **Best For**: Teams that play a high defensive line and need a proactive goalkeeper.

3. **Uses Long Throw to Start Counter Attacks**:
- **Benefits**: Allows goalkeepers to quickly launch counter-attacks by accurately throwing the ball over long distances.
- **Best For**: Fast-paced, counter-attacking teams.