The wide centre-back role is a relatively new position in football, although various similar positions in the past have led to its current form. See an explanation of the role in our position’s guide.
One of the system’s biggest exponents was Chris Wilder during his first spell as Sheffield United’s head coach.
Many shy away from using the role on Football Manager, as it can be challenging to find a suitable player for it.
Here are some options we have found for the role:
Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich)
The Netherlands international has not enjoyed the best of times at Bayern this season, as he hasn’t always been a regular starter.
However, he is an ideal player to fill the role of wide centre-back. His stats are good, but one drawback with De Ligt is that he is likely to cost a hefty fee and big wages
Therefore, if you are not an elite club, you may need to look elsewhere to solve your wide centre-back conundrum.
Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
The England international is one of my favourite centre-backs to sign on FM24. He usually ends up playing for my team at some point.
The Eagles defender’s primary role is wide centre-back, but I have also played him as a ball-playing centre-back and a central defender.
If you are going to be playing with wide centre-backs, Guehi could be a stellar signing.
He doesn’t come cheap, but he is usually worth his price tag of around £60m, as he generally develops into a top defender. Even if you are not playing wide centre-backs, he is an excellent player to have in your team.
Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan)
Tomori is another centre-back who is a good option for fulfilling any of the centre-back roles. However, he is a competent player who can fill the wide centre-back role.
The England international has good stats, and 25 is a good age for a centre-back. Like many of the players on our list, his price tag is pretty high, as he can cost over £60m.
From my experience, though, Tomori is usually a player who excels and gives you decent value for money. He doesn’t usually let you down.
Harry Maguire (Manchester United)
The much-maligned Manchester United defender is a perfect choice for a wide centre-back. Despite criticism of his performances in recent seasons, his stats are still very good.
However, there are some caveats to signing the former Leicester star. He can cost around £40m, and he is 30 when the first season starts on FM24.
These are not major issues, but they would be enough to put me off attempting to sign the United star. If you do sign him for a reasonable fee, though, he could be a decent signing.
Mohamed Simakan (RB Leipzig)
The young French defender is an FM dream, as he can play in several positions, including full-back, centre-back and, at a push, a defensive midfielder.
Simakan’s recommended role when he is playing as a centre-back is a wide centre-back, which makes sense due to his versatility.
At 23, he is still developing and tends to improve with games and experience. He will cost you around £40m to sign, so he may be a player who falls into ‘reasonable fee’ category.
Nordi Mukiele (PSG)
The 25-year-old is another player who offers versatility and, maybe crucially, value too. He starts the game at French giants PSG but can be signed for less than £10m.
If you have enough pulling power to sign Mukiele, then do so. Although he can be slightly injury-prone, he is a good, solid player to have in your squad.
His ability to play in many positions, including as a wide centre-back, makes him an all-around excellent signing.
Nikola Milenkovic (Fiorentina)
The Serbian international defender is less versatile than some of the other players on our list. However, he is a good option when it comes to the wide centre-back role.
His stats are solid, and he is 25, so he gives you plenty of years of service before he reaches those dreaded 30s.
Milenkovic’s price tag is usually around £16m, so he can offer a cheaper alternative to some of the more expensive options available to fill the role.
Pepe (Porto)
I included Pepe, as I find it extraordinary that the former Portugal international is still playing at the top level of the game at the age of 40. However, his stats are still very good.
He is the ultimate short-term solution at wide centre-back. As for his fee, Porto isn’t usually keen to let Pepe leave, so you may have to pay around £5m, which isn’t much in the modern transfer market. However, it is for a player who is only likely to last one season.
Who is your player to play as a wide centre-back?
