Football Manager 2024: Know player roles - Centre forwards

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We have discussed various player roles for every position in Football Manager 2024. In this article, we will wrap it up with the final edition of this series.

Here we will discuss player roles available for the centre forward position in the Football Manager 2024.

Deep lying forward

A deep-lying forward likes to sit deeper and help in build-up play rather than looking to find spaces behind the defenders. This role demands excellent ball-playing ability, technique, and off-the-ball movement.

Players like Karim Benzema are ideal examples of how players in this role are expected to function on the pitch. Intelligent players are required to play this role successfully as they will be required to make runs when required even though he is instructed to move into deeper positions. It can be used in support or attack duties.

Advanced forward

An advanced forward acts as the focal point of attack and is the prime goal threat courtesy of his positioning, pace, and finishing. He is instructed to consistently push the defenders deeper and move into channels at every opportunity. Advanced also enjoy great freedom of movement and are not required to track back to help out their teammates while defending. This can only be used in an attack duty.

Target man

An old-school forward, a target man is expected to use his physicality and aerial presence to bring his teammates into play by holding up the ball and flicking it on. He is also a significant goal threat but is not mobile enough which is why you will require fast attacking players alongside the target man. It can be used in attack, support, and defence duties.

Poacher

A poacher is the fox in the box and acts as the prime goal threat. However, he almost does not contribute at all in the build-up and does not track back. A poacher is purely based on positioning and off-the-ball movement. A poacher can only be used in attack duty.

Complete forward

A jack of all trades, complete forwards possess everything a striker dreams of. He is technically gifted, physically dominant, and hard working as well. A complete forward is a hybrid role of a deep-lying forward, advanced, target man, and poacher. Luis Suarez was a prime example of this role. A complete forward can be used in support or attack duty.

Pressing forward

A relatively new concept, pressing forwards are mostly focused on winning the ball back and immediately trying to make something happen. He is the leader of the press and constantly harries opponents to make mistakes. This is a role widely used in Football Manager when you have goalscorers in wide positions. A pressing forward can be used in attack, support, and defence duties.

False nine

A false nine effectively plays like an advanced playmaker and enjoys great freedom of movement. For this role, exceptional vision, technique, and positioning is required as the player is both the prime goalscoring and creative threat. This role can only be used in support duty.

Trequartista

Similar to a false nine, Trequartista also operates in a similar role but they do not come as deep as false nine without possession. A trequartista is more focused on chance creation and has almost zero defensive responsibility. He enjoys great freedom of movement and tries to pick out pockets of space to receive the ball. It can only be used in attack duty.