Football Manager 2024: Know player roles - Defensive Midfielders

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We have discussed various player roles for goalkeepers, central defenders, full-backs, and wing-back in Football Manager 2024. Here, we will discuss various player roles available for the defensive midfield or number six position.

In modern football, defensive midfield is a key position and can often be the difference between success and failure. The likes of Sergio Busquets, Rodri, Fabinho, and Casemiro all have been integral behind their respective teams’ success over the years. Without further ado, let us get into the player roles for defensive midfield.

Defensive midfielder

The defensive midfielder's main responsibility is to protect the back line, sitting in front of them. They will also support the players in front of them when their team has possession, though, and set the tempo. They are available in defense and support duties.

Deep-lying playmaker

In essence, the deep-lying playmaker is a more creative version of the defensive midfielder. They generally occupy a similar area of the pitch but are more focused on starting attacks. They make more risky passes and act as ball magnets. They are available in defense and support duties.

Ball-winning midfielder

A ball-winning midfielder, as the name suggests, acts as a destroyer. He is focused on winning possession back and recycling possession back to his teammates rather than himself trying to make things happen. It is available in defense and support duties.

Anchor man

Just like a ball-winning midfielder, an anchor man is also focused on breaking down the opposition’s attacks but he tends to hold his position more often and stay back to defend alongside the central defenders. It is only available in defense duty.

Half-back

Performing sort of a hybrid role, the half-back is part extra center-back, part defensive midfielder. Their attacking responsibility is minimal, and they are generally expected to stay deep. It is also available only for defense duty.

Regista

Perhaps the most attacking version of a defensive midfielder, registas have much more freedom to roam across the pitch and initiate attacks from deeper positions. The role requires good technical abilities as well as vision and is only available in support duty.

Roaming playmaker

A roaming playmaker is somewhat the middle ground of a regista and a deep-lying playmaker. They have creative and movement freedom but not as much as a regista. It is also available only for support duty.

Segundo Volante

'Segundo Volante' is Spanish for 'second steering wheel’. This role is only available in a double-pivot system. A segundo volante enjoys great freedom of movement and is encouraged to carry the ball from deep. It is available in defense, attack, and support duties.