Football Manager 2024: Know Player Roles - Central Midfielders

Central midfielders are the heart of a team. They are the engine room of a side and often determine how good or bad a team is.

In this article, we will take a look at the player roles available for central midfielders in Football Manager 2024.

Central midfielder

The first role available for central midfielders is simply named central midfielder. They are required to do a bit of everything and is highly customizable through individual player instructions. It is available in defense, attack, and support duties.

Box-to-box midfielders

A box-to-box midfielder moves all across the pitch and requires not only good industry and work rate but also good technical, tactical, creative, and shooting ability. They have the license to go forward when required and move deep to help out defenders. It is only available in support duty.

Advanced playmaker

An advanced playmaker’s starting position is relatively higher up the pitch and he is expected to create chances for his teammates with his vision. He has the license to move across the pitch but has less defensive burden. They can be used in either support or attack duty.

Deep lying playmaker

Just like an advanced playmaker, deep-lying playmakers also create chances with their eye for a pass and move across the pitch. However, their starting position is deeper. They can be used in attack, defense, and support duties.

Roaming playmaker

A roaming playmaker in central midfield has the license to roam around and create chances. They are more adventurous compared to deep-lying playmakers but not as much as advanced playmakers. It can only be used in support duty.

Carrilero

literally translated from Spanish as 'railway man', a carrilero is a 'shuttler' tasked with linking the lines of their team's midfield and midfield with defense. He is more focused on keeping possession and keeping the ball rolling. It is only available in a support duty.

Mezzala

A mezzala focuses on the half spaces and tends to drift into wider areas. They have a hybrid role of a midfielder and a winger and have great creative freedom. They are also encouraged to shoot whenever the opportunity presents itself. A mezzala can act in defense and support duties.