Attributes You Need At Every Position

Sometimes it’s super simple, I’ve been asked this a lot recently, so I decided to codify it in a video. I hope this helps focus your eye when going through scouting reports!
Much Love,
Zealand
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🙌 Thanks for watching & scrolling!

[@PixxGokou]

I'll be looking back at this anyway, so might aswell do it for everybody: GK: 2:14 FB: 5:16 CB: 7:09 DM: 9:53 CM: 12:04 W: 15:15 AM: 18:30 S: 21:34

[@RareNotorious]

Take my like

[@tirezfarhorn]

Thanks dudes, definitly gonna comeback to this

[@kiriakoz]

As a user, I should be able to pin posts, whether the content creator does or not. I'd pin yours coz I'll be going back to this video too.

[@T.E.S.S.]

@@kiriakoz now you've replied to it, you can find it that way

[@kiriakoz]

@@T.E.S.S. you're right, but I thought I had a good idea... maybe I don't

[@seanalt6181]

Goalkeeper: 1. Reflexes 2. One on Ones 3. Jumping/Aerial Reach 4. Positioning 5. Decisions Fullback: 1. Work Rate 2. Stamina 3. Positioning 4. Crossing Attack - Technique Defend - Marking Support - Determination Center Back: 1. Jumping Reach 2. Tackling 3. Composure 4. Concentration 5. Strength Defensive Midfielder: 1. First Touch 2. Teamwork 3. Composure 4. Positioning 5. Passing/Tackling Central Midfielder: 1. Work Rate 2. Stamina 3. Passing 4. Decisions 5. Traits - Gets Forward Whenever Possible - Tries Killer Balls Often - Plays One-Twos - Likes To Switch Ball To Wide Areas - Arrives in Opponent's Box Late Winger: 1. Agility 2. Dribbling 3. Balance 4. Flair 5. Technique Attacking Midfielder: 1. Vision 2. Flair 3. First Touch 4. Off The Ball 5. Technique Striker: 1. Off The Ball 2. Composure 3. Determination 4. First Touch 5. Finishing Extras according to the comments: - Agility for Goalkeepers - Anticipation for Defensive Midfielders and Strikers

[@edenhazard2751]

thanks

[@FuzeBash]

Y’all are fast

[@97YNWA97]

Anticipation is the most Underrated mental attribute.

[@erpekito]

Nope. Goalkeeper is Reflexes + Agility, then decent mentals.

[@realRillo]

u are a diamond mate!

[@kithkyan]

It was in 1995/6 that I first discovered and got hooked on football manager. CM2, with the voice commentary. I have bought and played most of the CM/FM titles since then. I am a journeyman player. And in all these years, I am not ashamed to admit that I have never won the Champions League. I have got to the final on many occasions but always seems to fail. I have got angry, depressed, quit teams, quit the game for a while believing it must be fixed. But today ... after 28 years of playing this game, I finally did it. I took Portsmouth to the final and beat Real Madrid 2-1. I am posting it here for two reasons, firstly I have watched many of your videos, (you actually made me start again as I came across one of your video's a while back and thought I would get into it again). Your videos taught me lots, despite my thinking I knew a lot about the game, Also, all my friends are not into football manager and don't understand what a big deal this is. Even the wife looked at me with a 'who cares' attitude. I need to tell someone! - So Thankyou Zealand :D

[@tomiud]

Well done mate!!!!

[@austinwang2969]

CONGRATS!!!

[@caponeworld_]

Good stuff mate im hoping I dont have the same problem

[@tAgJaCk3D]

Good job mate! We are proud of you!!

[@bobinscotland]

It's just special...until your dinner is ready....then it doesn't matter any more... lol I still remember taking Partick Thistle to the European final in CM2... which was a bit like getting San Marino to the World Cup finals.

[@gavelkind7506]

I would suggest Agility has to rank among the most important attributes for Goalkeepers, or old goalkeepers wouldn't start performing noticeably worse (which they do in-game). It is the only relevant GK attribute that goes down with age significantly.

[@lufer564]

Agreed. Once had a world class goalkeeper with his only downside were 11 agility. I Just couldnt understand why he would consistantly got a sub 6.6 rating in a team that dominantes the league. His 14 agility Substitute (much worse in other stats) performed so much besser that i want to believe agility is the single most important stat in a goalkeeper

[@lausymaus9856]

I also am a big proponent of comand of area, eliminating many opportunities from every being created.

[@Impostor39890]

Exactly this, I've had a goalkeeper with all the right attribute but agility, and he stinks, slow at moving his body even though his aerial/jumping reach are top notch.

[@muhammadraflihkhadafi8439]

Well agility in GK is actually for them to recover their body orientation, that double or triple saves they do hinges on their agility

[@SimersFM]

Agility is my number 1 Gk attribute. Agility reflexes one on one’s balance positioning. Aerial reach was more import in last year version imo not as much this year.

[@randymarsh27]

I’m going through a really horrible situation in my life right now. That pace intro is the first thing that’s made me smile today. Nice dude, nice

[@tedmorris513]

Life will get better

[@kakskdjfnakodndn]

Hope things are better for you now mate

[@IAmThatBit--]

Me, a bitter FM player, knowing that none of these attributes matter as the AI has decided that your players will act like they have 1 in every attribute whilst giving their own players 20 in everything but ONLY when they play you

[@Poussyeater-w5e]

Lmao I understand

[@inmysoul7]

Sounds like you suffer from morale and fitness problems.

[@The_Alpha-Mindset]

😂😂 a rough experience

[@JohnDoe-nt1sv]

Why every player score their first goal of the season against me?

[@SkyMach]

Me losing a match after having 5.67xG (the opponent had 1 shot on target)

[@v.slavov]

For me its more like: 1. My Striker needs: 1.93cm+; 2. The Rest of the Team needs: a Pulse.

[@callumturnbull6293]

I asked a question about this on stream yesterday. Bro knew. Zealand is omniscient, omnipresent.

[@cadszoid]

on FM23 I sold a weird player where he can play all across the pitch, from DM, Midfield, Wings, and Striker, I just don't know where to put him. I check on him and Strasbourg who bought him play him at striker despite having 5 Finishing, he ended up winning golden boot in France with 20 something goals.

[@miguelteixeira6323]

What are his attributes?

[@blazedray9903]

Is he two metres tall strong with good heading and bravery by any chance?

[@cadszoid]

@@blazedray9903 no, he's 180 with 8 heading, all of his mentals and physicals are at least 12 only his bravery is under that, at 10.

[@Poussyeater-w5e]

​@@cadszoidsounds like a bang average player to me

[@langletprolet8378]

finishing might be kind of overrated

[@GTSilvano]

After finishing the whole video, I noticed an attribute that is criminally underrated and missed: Anticipation. Key for DM's ST's, eve GK's and CB's

[@everyone1liesd459]

I'd say concentration is more important than anticipation

[@lelutin0637]

No goodbye ​@@everyone1liesd459

[@MeesterJ]

​@@everyone1liesd459it's not tho. With anticipation you can often be one step before everyone else, which a powerful af

[@danabarker84]

Congrats on your new residence! I hope you're settling in comfortably. I enjoyed the video, and I appreciate you and your team.

[@PatkicaNaVodi]

I've been saying to my friends off the ball is key stat for offensive players. Low OTB and they won't be in position to score or will be caught offside all the time.

[@Poussyeater-w5e]

Damn thanks for that little tidbit. I've always wondered why my winger gets the offside trap wrong all the time.

[@joshutb]

I’m glad you’re making the tips videos again

[@Christian_Bagger]

My brother taught me back in 2000 that determination is the most important stat. Especially for wonderkids

[@AriGoldBawse]

Anticipation is officially underrated

[@nickmetalhead666]

A must for my BWM

[@Impostor39890]

I think physicality especially balance in a striker is one of the most important stat for me, there are countless of times that my striker just gets shoved and lost his opportunity for a tap in because he has bad balance.

[@edenhazard2751]

I try to limit my gametime on FM but Zealand provokes me load up save again by putting videos like this.

[@darth_uber3835]

teach me your ways, brother. i either go cold turkey or spend obscenely long hours playing. there is no in-between.

[@edenhazard2751]

@@darth_uber3835 same as you. I can go 1 month without playing FM then suddenly I feel like playing because of these FM videos, then load up again and play for 3-4 hours straight.

[@mantorras7752]

Videos like this?? Key attributes are literally highlighted in the game for you already for every position/role. This video is absolutely pointless.

[@edenhazard2751]

@@mantorras7752 Videos like this meant FM videos on the platform in general, not this specific video I meant.

[@Lrfm1874]

Also a tip for anyone if you want you can actually save all these so when searching for players when scouting you can save the filter and then just import it for any new save you do.

[@kayako128]

I remember ages ago the FM Godfather Rashidi/BustTheNet himself was saying Determination is the most important and mentals overall

[@GTSilvano]

The fact that his GK top 5 doesn't have Agility and(or) Handling is a travesty

[@muhammadraflihkhadafi8439]

Well it is the top 5 attributes, so IMO handling is not that of a priority, but agility is, should've been 1st or 2nd after reflex

[@iambicpentakill971]

My GKs have Agility, Decisions, Handling, and Reflexes. I realize that I may be overlooking aerial, but the rest can sort themselves out

[@JeremiahAwe]

Handling and Ariel reach are top 3-4 for me reflexes obv 1 and agility in top 5. One v and anything for distribution probably takes last spot

[@syz88]

Reflexes, One on Ones, Agility, Positioning, Jumping Reach I've found out I've had most difficult times trying to score against GKs with these top 5 attributes, even though I really like Handling and Anticipation as well. Never seen Decisions as that important of an attribute for a GK, honestly

[@langletprolet8378]

@@syz88 Decisions is prolly not top 5, but at least shouldn't be below 10.

[@aidenf.4900]

Love that you recognize the mental game with a lot of these picks, particularly the striker. Off The Ball deserves the love.

[@NielsMulvad]

Got back into FM 5 days ago, after almost a decade long hiatus... so this video is a nice random one to show up. Especially as I am making my own note/document that I can reference later.

[@Nolan-55]

Great video. Another one I'd suggest making is squad size and playing time commitments. Suggestions on how to balance the squad. I always get into trouble and have like 5 star and 8 important players, because I have mediocre players I REALLY want. Then half of them are pissed cause they don't get their playing time.

[@SimersFM]

Simple.. don’t oversign players that you can’t accommodate playing time to. There’s no point in having a slightly better player that is unhappy over a current player who is with their playing time.

[@pwalmsley9]

It's interesting because I've seen low-Finishing attribute strikers actually perform better than high-Finishing strikers in FM24. If they have the ability to put themselves into the right position and you can train them technically/mentally then they're better than other strikers with a higher attribute. For example, I got a regen forward - his finishing is like 12, but his agility, dribbling, touch and technique are all over 16. He bangs goals in for fun from the IF position because he can constantly get away from his man and give himself a 'cleaner' opportunity to hit the ball.

[@langletprolet8378]

Yes, finishing is overrated.

[@chevaughnmyers5671]

Came to the comments for this exact comment. Attributes like decisions, technique and composure seem to really affect the finishing of a player a lot. How much power a player can put into a shot would affect it as well as the traits finishing traits a player possesses. I've had players with 15 finishing outperform those with 18 and up more regularly than not.

[@Mike-dh5ur]

I'd argue that Acceleration is very important attribute for offensive FB. Roberto Carlos is probably the best real life example of that. One of my tactics focuses heavily on the center and asymmetrical wings with one going deep and other staying back, acceleration is quite useful for counter-attacking cause the guy just breaks through defence like it's nothing.

[@Poussyeater-w5e]

I'm with you there. It's either a FB with good acceleration and crossing, or one with good positioning, vision and passing.

[@langletprolet8378]

Acceleration is important attribute for every position.

[@Flynnly]

The whole point of the video was to not include pace and acceleration because it's the most important attribute in every position besides keeper.

[@NickArvan]

For Goalkeepers, Rushing out/Command of area are both must-haves Strikers need to have anticipation as well. It's necessary for other positions too, but any kind of striker needs it too. On a more subjective note: three attributes that I always look for, regardless of the position are Determination, Work Rate and Flair. Then, on specific positions I look for some more (e.g. Leadership in Center backs, Anticipation on Strikers, Crossing on Wingers/Finishing on Inside Forwards, etc.)

[@longhornbob5638]

Well done sir. Watching your vids helped convince me to try the game barely knowing what a soccer ball was, but I do love it! This video is exactly what I've been looking for too. Keep up the great work and thanks!

[@valentinzo6]

Very good vid🔥 I know understand what I’m supposed to do when coming to find players for specific positions even more than what I knew before

[@adzter96]

I feel like for a keeper especially, Concentration is huge as well, you don't want your keeper just switching off and letting in a goal.

[@euanmabrown97]

This is true but Agility is even more important & he also left that out. I had a keeper once with outstanding mentals, reflexes & one on ones but 10 agility & he was an absolute liability

[@LordBarros]

The fact that crossing wasn't on either Winger nor Attacking Mid makes me question my own play style.

[@Poussyeater-w5e]

Bro we all have our own attributes to add to Z's list😂. Our styles are different at the end of it all

[@RicardoLuis]

Personally I never take a DM with a low Workrate, even more than Teamwork.

[@bizkitbox]

Great content! In addition. As I experienced GKs with low "eccentricity" can deliver a more balanced performance (eg :Ter Stegen) but with "eccentricity" even great GKs can make silly mistakes (eg: Emiliano Martinez).

[@zahreel3103]

Tremendous and useful video. More of this, please!

[@arnoldsekandi5323]

Been waiting for this for ever thank you so much legendary Zealand

[@mikoajcieplik5607]

Also, not sure if you have such video already but - how about conducting a test showing, which attributes are easiest & hardest to develop? (so which of them are not as crucial in early years, as you can expect them to grow significantly - you mentioned Tackling, which isn't easy to develop)

[@IncontenentiaButtux]

You shouldn't have done this by positions but by roles it would be far more of a sufficient explanation. Also has anyone used the facepack on the workshop and if so is it legit? Cheers

[@T.E.S.S.]

strong Partridge vibes at the start of the vid

[@ethanprince356]

Cracking intro

[@vinceely2906]

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes…yes! That was a goal

[@T.E.S.S.]

@@vinceely2906 he must have a foot like a traction engine!

[@gfizzle099]

SHHHITTT

[@footynathan92]

Would love a video like this for player traits. You’re a great content creator keep it up 👍

[@Frostypower]

Honestly just CA is more important than anything when looking at players. Any player can play any role decently well if their CA is high enough. The only thing you really notice right away is physical attributes. Very fast players are OP for offense, Jumping Reach is very important for any defensive role

[@DeskDrumGun]

Agility and positioning are key for GK imo, as well as anticipation for DM (striker too ideally)

[@DM-vo2ke]

strength of their weaker foot is way more important than finishing for a striker. It just seems to affect the way they get into position for shots and you see far less wayward efforts

[@johnwhittaker311]

These videos are really helpful, thanks Zealand. I just started playing FM this season and after doing well figuring out how everything worked myself, these have taken me up a level. I do have one question though. I’ve recently started a save where I’ve taken over a top 6 prem team. We’re rolling over every team we should be beating 3/4-1 (we never seem to keep a clean sheet), but whenever we play another top 6 team, we lose 3-0. I’ve tried keeping the tactic the same, and also using the more defensive version of the tactic we use, but we still get pretty comprehensively outplayed. Any ideas how to beat other top clubs?

[@MrNunoRaposo]

Yeah i Agree with you on the striker finishing attribute. It shouldn't be in the top 5 but it does impact the game when we start counting the goals.

[@g-nillerpt7061]

Great video. It also depends on the role you gonna use. For example, stamina for a fullback that will play as a IFB wont matter that much.

[@MrKyle24c]

It's officially confirmed, Zealand hates anticipation.

[@HappySisyphus0]

You could take this video into account or just go for physical attributes and dribbling, since that has been proven to work the best

[@Fortunaatp]

Crossing is one of those technical attributes which does absolutely NOTHING. I have a wingback who just hit 21 assists in the Bundesliga, pretty much all from crosses, with 10 in that attribute.

[@Poussyeater-w5e]

I'd personally like my defensive players to have not only the attributes you listed, but also good passing ability as well. The reason being if we're pressed by the opposition, and all passing lanes have been cut off, my fullback/CBs can still find their teammates in between the lines.

[@zanamandaza]

Zealand would like your thoughts on punching tendency & handling for the GKs. I prefer my keeper to catch the ball from crosses so less tendency to punch, therefore handling should impact this

[@maximusdecimusmeridius9359]

Zealand: striker attribute test strength 1st, finishing 5th worst: Zealand: important attributes for strikers finishing Strength: bruh

[@knappster1754]

You've dropped the triple threat fur a striker! Dribbling, finishing, first touch. I always think strikers have to be bigger, faster or smarter than a CB to be effective, and CBs need to be the opposite.

[@T.E.S.S.]

CBs need to be smaller, slower or stupider?

[@knappster1754]

@@T.E.S.S. what a blooper by me.

[@iambicpentakill971]

The CBs need to be smaller, slower, and dumber, got it 😃

[@ChikaayKaj]

In regards to Fullbacks, for crossing, do attributes like passing and vision affect their crossing?

[@SimersFM]

Vision yes passing no in my opinion.

[@AlexandreOliveira-ei5ig]

0:01 are you playing FIFA Zealand?

[@tomhausen9048]

Cannot express how long we've needed this video for cheers Zealand

[@simonljunggren2727]

I´m missing anticipation for the full backs in this guide. From my playing experience a fullback with very high anticipation is often better than a speed freak.

[@ahusi151]

Specially when you press high

[@maniek5854]

I wish you’d do this series every year!

[@tojomor4371]

I think anyone that you want to be on the ball a lot needs good technique. Most of the technicals are basically rated from 40 with technique making up half of it, it's so ridiculously beneficial all around.

[@Fossey1990]

Great vid, would it be possible to get an up to date what traits are best for each position?

[@rjculliford]

It depends greatly on the team's tactics, player's role and attributes.

[@rjculliford]

(at least in real life)

[@blackfalcon1324]

I am surprised not to see positioning atleast mentioned for central defenders

[@squirrel_plays_fof4318]

Great vid Z. But one suggestion if I may...agility for goalkeepers, no?

[@ZealandonYT]

I mention it during the goalkeepers section I thought, just didn't include it in the five so I could focus on less physical stuff But I love agility for keepers

[@100ttben]

I'd say anticiptaion is more important than determination and first touch in a striker, a striker with good off the ball, compsure and anticipation is deadly

[@CybrSlydr]

I think I'll use this to modify my transfer filters and see how it compares. Thanks!

[@FieldMedic4077]

Great video Zealand! Very helpful

[@FinW.]

thank you mr zealand

[@CherryBakewell21]

The way I use my FBs, they're typically box to box but in the wide areas so I basically need a little bit of everything. lol

[@vinceely2906]

Got be tall for my keepers too. And don’t get me started on ‘doesn’t like big matches’

[@Josh_dapaline]

Good video as always 🔥🔥

[@bulatnurtdinov3666]

Thank you very much! You do really helpful content!

[@CH33KYiZninj4]

cm, i would argue work rate, passing, vision, team work, technique, decisions are the most important

[@deopolos]

If a goalkeeper loses agility by time their reflexes and decision making starts to not matter at all, I think that is a big miss but overall, great video!

[@doyle8711]

Would love a video about skills numbers for different leagues. It's the thing I struggle with when doing a lower league save. I don't know what's a good level for non leagues for example.

[@komboreromavedzenge968]

Hey man, simple fix from BTN, 15 for top most league in your country and subtract 1 for each subsequent league until you get to your current level, eg, Skybet League 2 in England would assume has an average of 12 in attributes while Prem has 15, I just assume for continental comps - 16 for Champions League, 15 Europa & 14 Conference. I hope that helped😊.

[@Zombie1Boy]

"Become a liability defending his box..." hehehe

[@sandrop.92]

I think this is more about what's important in real life, but not necessarily the best bang for your buck attributes in the game.

[@middler5]

In the game. Pace. Pace. More pace.

[@gouare1]

Do a video on attributes you need for every role and yes I mean EVERY role with every mentality, I dare you Zealand

[@savd]

A fantastic and helpful video. Very good work.

[@009LuisFabiano]

No matter what team, no matter what settings/finances. My scouts find 0 people with recruitment focus. For example as Man Utd and Bayern Munchen my scouts find no one. I send them all over the world, leagues/countries/regions or continents. It doesn't matter. Is there something to fix this?

[@2kevingarcia9]

I put soooo many hours on this game and stopped playing for about a month now. With this video coming out and going on LOA for a few weeks for the birth of my son. Its obviously a sign to get back into the game

[@miladsarbaz4287]

A vid about traits pls

[@kiweping5]

He has an old video about traits and most of it probably still applies

[@michaelclark09]

Question for Z and anyone else that fancies answering: What are some good traits for other positions on the pitch? Recently been taking over training but I'm completely lost when it comes to traits. I get it's kinda situational based on their attributes, but if using these attribute guidelines are there any that jump out for positions other than CM?

[@angg922]

The intro is hilarious

[@kurtaerts1630]

i learned the off the ball with a youth player with 18 of the ball and all the rest was kinde mid like 15 finishing and stuuf like that, the dude scored 30+ goals evry seasson

[@AriGoldBawse]

Decisions is most important imo

[@TheClassicalSauce]

Great video, Zealand!

[@murraymacnab3424]

Great video, definitely one of your best. Could you do thesame thing for player traits by position?? Pretty please.

[@gingerface1898]

GK 2:15 FB 5:15 CB 7:08 DM 9:55 CM 12:04 W 15:20 AM 18:32 ST 21:40

[@GateTree]

Excellent video - thanks.

[@roonorman6870]

All your videos are good. But this is one of the good good ones

[@TTehKidd]

Watching Zealand say Wingers are the most important and then looking at my wingerless tactic 😢

[@SammyHardman8]

At this point you are my assistant manager

[@budou2323]

"hey i'm Center Back and i need Pace." EAFC mentioned 😱😱😱

[@ginomoujik8488]

13:47 I thought Balance was defensive counterpart of Agility, like Positioning and Off the ball.. What you're describing as Balance is really still Agility..

[@Jewish.Hotdog]

My recent zealand US database save has made me realize how much I over valued vision. I have a 26 yr old with 17 passing and he's always being the creative force.

[@TomGRV]

Video idea. Edit a team to have 20 in those attributes but 10 in all the others throw them in the prem and see how they get on.

[@Tommysalamiwow]

Thoughts on the ranking system squirrel uses for attributes? I know he values Agility high for goalkeepers

[@walejobbs]

Might as well be a coach cos this is literally me during transfer period

[@Dalmatino-cu2fn]

I go for champions league trophy with Slavia Prague after this video ! Thanks Zee!

[@ashwilliams4959]

Dont underestimate determination. I cant think of a top player in history who wasnt determined. Cr7 arguably the best in history on par with messi purely on his determination

[@Jasoncj099]

You can do like me and have a Grimaldo at every position, a player good at literally everything

[@danbanfield9764]

We all know its long throws

[@ThreeRunHomer]

Goalkeepers: command. The ability to stop crosses. Important.