Certain positions in football and FM are just perfect for a player. You think of that player when you think of the position.
With that in mind, I thought I would look at which players epitomise their position in FM24:
Sweeper Keeper
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
In the modern game, there is no better example of a sweeper keeper than the Germany international. Although he is in the twilight of his career, Neuer was the poster boy of sweeper keepers in his younger days.
Now 38, he may not be a long-term signing for you on FM24, but he is still the player I think of when I think of a sweeper keeper (Sorry for showing my age here!)
Younger FM players may well think of Manchester City’s Brazilian shot-stopper Ederson, who is also the epitome of a sweeper keeper.
Inverted full-back
Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
Although he has fallen out of favour at Manchester City, the Portuguese international epitomises the inverted full-back position.
He had the tactical and technical ability to play the role perfectly under City head coach Pep Guardiola. However, it seems that the pair fell out behind the scenes, which led to him being loaned out first to German giants Bayern Munich before a temporary stint at Barcelona last season.
Reports suggest that he could be on his way to Saudi Arabia with Al Hilal, which would arguably make him easier to sign in FM25. He could prove to be a bargain on FM25.
Attacking full-back
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Toward the end of Jurgen Klopp’s reign, he was starting to morph into an inverted full-back. He has also recently played defensive midfielder for both club and country. On my update, his primary position is as a defensive midfielder.
However, Alexander-Arnold is one of the best attacking full-backs currently operating in the game. He is also the player I think of when people talk about attacking full-backs.
He is not a player I have ever managed on FM, mainly due to his affiliation with Liverpool. Not that I wouldn’t want him, but I mostly play my personal saves as Everton, so he wouldn’t want to join the Reds rivals.
In my games, though, he produces a lot of assists and goals due to his tremendous attacking attributes. I may never sign him, but for FM’ers who don’t play as Everton, he would be an outstanding player in your team.
Ball-playing defender
Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta)
None FM fans may question my choice of Scalvini for this position. However, the Atalanta youngster is the player I think of when I think of ball-playing defenders, mainly because I have signed him so many times in recent editions of FM.
I am sure there are better ball-playing defenders, but for some reason, the youngster is my go-to when playing with ball-playing defenders. Not only does he start FM24 with great stats, but he also tends to fulfil his immense potential.
Maybe my bias towards him as one of my favourite FM players has led me here. Who knows. He is a good choice for any self-respecting team looking for a quality centre-back.
Box-to-box midfielder
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
The England youngster can play virtually any role in central midfield, from defensive midfield to number ten. However, when I think of Bellingham, I think of him as the perfect box-to-box midfielder.
People may disagree with me on this one, but that is the position I have used Bellingham in FM24, as his stats are those of the complete midfielder.
Central midfielder
Khephren Thuram (Juventus)
I am biased on this one, but the French midfielder has been one of my favourite FM players in recent years. Like Bellingham, he is simply outstanding in whatever central midfield role he plays.
However, I feel his stats are best utilised as a central midfielder, as he can put his talents to good use, both defensively and offensively. It is just a shame for me that he made a big summer move to Juventus, as he will now be harder and more expensive to sign for FM25.
Inside forward
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
I have gone from one player I always sign to another that I never seem to be able to sign in Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian international is perfect for the inside forward role, and think of him in real life as an inside forward.
It is not just his that his technical abilities are high (they are very high), but his mental stats make him the player he is. For example, his decisions stat is 16, with determination at 20 and off the ball at 17.
Those are all good attributes for most attacking players. He could play anywhere in your attack, but if I ever managed him, he would most likely fill the inside forward role, as he epitomises it to me.
Complete forward
Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
This choice was a no-brainer, as the Norwegian doesn’t seem to have a weakness in his game. Look up the directory definition of the complete forward, and there is a picture of Haaland smiling and holding a match ball.
Due to his excellent stats, Haaland can play all the central attacking roles. However, when I think of the Scandinavian goal machine, I always think of the complete forward role.
Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane is the only other player that comes close to the City star when it comes to complete forwards.
Are there any players you instantly think of when you think of a particular role/position on FM?
