Football Manager 202: Know player roles - Wide Players

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We have discussed various player roles for goalkeepers, central defenders, full-backs, and central midfielders in our previous articles. We will discuss various player roles available for wide midfield positions in this article.

Mostly used in a 4-4-2 system, wide midfielders are not used much these days with systems like 4-3-3 and 4-2-31 becoming more popular. Wide midfielders essentially act almost like central midfielders but occupy wider areas and can be used in defense, attack, and support duties.

Winger

Wingers have less defensive liability compared to wide midfielders operate through the wide areas and are mostly focused on crossing to strikers. They can be used in defense, attack, and support duties.

Defensive winger

A role used very little in Football Manager, defensive winger is a more defensive version of a winger as the name suggests. They can be used in either defense or support duties.

Wide playmaker

Wide playmakers enjoy great freedom of movement and act as creative players with starting positions on the flanks. They can drift inside or move forward down the flanks as and when required. They can be used in attack and support duties.

Inverted winger

Inverted wingers, unlike traditional wingers, drift inside to help open up space for their full back to get forward. Naturally, they will cut inside with the ball. They can be used in either support or attack duty.

Inside forward

Inside forwards operate almost like inverted wingers but are more focused on scoring rather than assisting. They stay further forward, and have the license to shoot more and tend to cross less.

Wide target man

Wide target man is a role that is used very little but can be greatly effective. Wide target man is more focused on using their height and frame to bring their teammates into the game. Good height and strength are needed for this role.

Raumdeuter

The literal meaning of 'Raumdeuter’ is space investigator and Thomas Muller is the best example of this role. A Raumdeuter enjoys great freedom of movement and helps in chance creation, as well as scoring. Off-the-ball movement, positioning, and finishing are required for this role.

Trequartista

A Trequartista is a hybrid role that is available for any position in the attacking third. Lionel Messi is the greatest example of this role. This role requires great technical ability and vision as well as strong finishing ability. This can only be used in an attack role.