The modern goalkeeper who is able to distribute the ball, but nevertheless retains higher-than-average saving stats.
Representative player (historical)
René Higuita
Representative player (current)
Manuel Neuer
Ball Playing Defender
Centre-backs who are asked to start the team's buildup and do not limit themselves to easy lateral passes.
Representative player (historical)
Ronald Koeman
Representative player (current)
Leonardo Bonucci
Complete Wing-Back
Full-backs able to attack and/or wingers who are able to defend, constantly moving from their own half to the opposite one.
Representative player (historical)
Roberto Carlos
Representative player (current)
Trent-Alexander Arnold
Deep-Lying Playmaker
The so-called regista, but who likes to be involved in the buildup from the very beginning, often starting with the "LaVolpiana".
Representative player (historical)
Andrea Pirlo
Representative player (current)
Sergio Busquets
Box To Box Midfielder
Literally, from one box to the other one. BTB midfielders have their own team's result at heart and often end up being decisive in clutch moments.
Representative player (historical)
Steven Gerrard
Representative player (current)
Paul Pogba
Trequartista
Half midfielders, half forwards, these players move between the lines, using their higher-than-average technical skills and outstanding vision to create chances for the rest of the team or for themselves.
Representative player (historical)
George Hagi
Representative player (current)
Dimitri Payet
Creative Winger
There are two types of creative wingers: with or without routines. Either way, they will end up dribbling their opponents, creating numerical superiority and dangerous opportunities.
Representative player (historical)
Ryan Giggs
Representative player (current)
Jadon Sancho
Complete Forward
Physically structured, but fast, the "Complete Forwards" also possess a higher-than-average soccer-IQ. This complete skillset allows them to score, assist and contribute to their team's buildup.
Representative player (historical)
Marco Van Basten
Representative player (current)
Edin Dzeko
Target Man
Tall, physically-structured, they often represent the go-to solution for both central defenders, especially under direct football strategies, or for wingers looking to cross the call.
Representative player (historical)
Jan Koller
Representative player (current)
Olivier Giroud
Poacher
Strikers who aren't bigger or taller, who do not display better-than-average technical skills, but that are anyway capable of scoring higher-than-average amounts of goals, thanks to their flair and killer instinct.
