Today we continue our series on FM abbreviations and the roles that the particular positions play in the game. This time we look at the abbreviations and roles of the players that occupy the centre of the park, the midfielders.
CM (Central Midfielder can be used on Defend, Support, Attack and Automatic duties)
The Central Midfielder is the player who links the defence and attack of the team. Depending on the assigned duties, they are expected to do a bit of everything in the centre of the park, defend and attack. A good CM should have technical ability and tactical awareness.
The Automatic duty can bring the most balance to the team, as the central midfielder will equally split his time between defence and attack. They should adapt their game to how the team is set up.
Example
PSG’s Portuguese international star Vitinha is a good example of a central midfielder on FM. When it comes to stats, his technique, passing, vision and first touch all make him the ideal player to fill the role.
DLP (Deep Lying Playmaker, can be used on Defend and Support duties)
As we talked about in our defensive edition, the DLP operates in the space between the defence and midfield. He obviously operates further forward in a central midfield position than he would if he was occupying a Defensive Midfield role.
Although not available on Attack duty, he is essentially a hub of creativity who also has to be effective in defensive areas too.
Example
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRbBVVPRBmw
Arsenal and England star Declan Rice could be considered the perfect Deep Lying Playmaker, whether he is playing as a DM or he is playing slightly further up the pitch. He is not your archetypal midfield destroyer, as he creates as well as breaks up attacks.
BBM (Box to Box Midfielder can only be used on Support)
The Box to Box Midfielder is a player that offers energy and a dynamic thrust from the centre of the pitch. As his title suggests, he will move from Box to Box and go wherever they are needed. They will push forward to help in attack, arriving late in the box or attempting to score with long-range efforts.
At the other end of the pitch, they help protect the team’s backline by often engaging with the opposition attacking midfielders.
Example
Real Madrid’s new signing Jude Bellingham is a player that epitomises the role of box to box midfielder. His ability is such that he can play the majorly of roles in the middle of the park, as he is a complete midfielder.
However, the role of box to box midfielder arguably fits his attributes best. While the England international can get forward and contribute majorly to the attacking side of the team’s game, he can also be highly effective in his defensive duties.
AP (Advanced Playmaker can be used on Support and Attack duties)
The Advanced Playmaker role is a versatile one, it can be a central midfielder role, but an AP can also be used further forward in wide forward positions and the number ten role.
The role requires the player to move into space to receive the ball, often in between the opposition’s defence and midfield, to pick up the ball and start attacks. When used on Support duty, they stay in the hole and look to pick out the players in more advanced positions.
Example
Manchester City’s versatile Bernardo Silva is highly effective at filling this role, as his technical ability, vision, first touch, and passing are impeccable. Due to his versatility, he can play anywhere across midfield or even in the attacking positions.
However, arguably the Advanced Playmaker role, either in central midfield or as an attacking midfielder, is his best position.
BWM (Ball Winning Midfielder can be used on Defend and Support)
The Ball Winning Midfielder in central midfield does a similar job to how they would if they were playing as a defensive midfielder. Their primary job in the centre of the park is to win the ball back and give it to the more creative players, although they do have to have some technical ability, too, in order to keep possession.
If a BWM is on Support duty, they are likely to win the ball back further up the pitch, which could play a crucial role in counterattacks.
Example
Real Madrid’s young French international Eduardo Camavinga is a master in this role, whether it is in a deeper defensive midfield role or higher up the pitch. Despite his tender years, the former Rennes star’s tackling, passing and work rate all make him an excellent player to have in the centre of the park as a Ball Winning Midfielder.
RPM (Roaming Playmaker can only be used on Support duty)
The Roaming Playmaker can be a crucial player in a tactical set-up, as they are a player that can spearhead attacks from a variety of different midfield positions while also not neglecting their defensive duties.
They have to have strong physical stats to maintain a high intensity while technically adept. The RPM is the player that can control the tempo of the game, often picking up the ball deep in his team’s own territory and advancing forwards quickly.
Example
Many players we have already talked about in other midfield roles can fulfil the duties of an RPM, such as Bellingham or Silva. However, one player I have used in the past in this role is Barcelona’s versatile young star Pedri.
The Spaniard can play in many positions across midfield while also capable of operating in all the attacking midfield roles, too. He can be a good option in the RPM, as can fellow Barca youngster Gavi.
MEZ (Mezzala can be used on Support or Attack Duty)
The MEZ is a central player that likes to drift wide and operate in half-spaces. The game describes the role as ‘essentially a central/half-winger, who likes to do his defending slightly further up the field, although he does generally have less defensive responsibility’.
On Support duty, the Mezzala should balance his midfield work and his inclination to contribute to the team’s attack.
Example
Manchester City’s Phil Foden fits the bill as a Mezzala, as although he has strong attacking instincts and abilities, the England international doesn’t shirk his defensive duties either. Foden can play anywhere in the attacking midfield roles, as well as operating as a False Number Nine.
CAR (Carrilero can only be used on Support duty)
The Carrilero is a similar role to the Box to Box midfielder, or described by FM23 as ‘The Shuttler’. However, the major difference between the two roles is that CAR will only move from side to side and won’t really be involved further up the pitch. They are often the link between the defensive areas of the team and the attacking midfield areas.
Example
One player with the attributes to fill the role of Carrilero is Real Madrid’s Uruguayan international Fede Valverde. The midfielder has good physical stats, and his work rate is also excellent, which makes him a good fit for the role. However, like many midfield players, he is versatile as he can operate as a Box to Box midfielder and as a wide forward, amongst other positions.
