CM Roles and Focus - FC 26

Playmaker

This player tends to be the creative fulcrum of a midfield, given license to roam and create space and opportunities for attacks. Likely to be out of position if the opposition counters.


Roaming

When set to Roaming, the Playmaker will have freedom to explore the pitch to find the best spaces to support attacks.
Creative
Movement
Out of Position
Defence Support

Attack

When set to Attack, the Playmaker will move forward to support attacks higher up the field.
Creative
Attack Support
Limited Width
Defence Support
Bastian Schweinsteiger card
1,965,000
Pedri card
1,470,000
Vitinha card
1,435,000
Franz Beckenbauer card
795,000
Declan Rice card
587,000
Xavi card
855,000
Franz Beckenbauer card
560,000
Marcel Desailly card
270,000
Manuel Locatelli card
232,750
Julie Foudy card
72,500
Yaya Touré card
1,984,000
Aurélien Tchouaméni card
470,000

Half Winger

A midfielder who provides width when their team is in possession, moving along the flanks to offer a wide threat. Particularly effective when one of three central midfielders.


Balanced

When Balanced, the Half-Winger will alternate equally between attacking and defending in a measured way.
Wide Support
Versatile
Movement
Stamina Usage

Attack

When set to Attack, the Half-Winger can advance freely, sacrificing defensive responsibilities.
Wide Support
Attacking
Out of Position
Defence Support
Joey Veerman card
925,000
Kodai Sano card
105,000
Manuela Giugliano card
222,000
Pedri card
1,470,000
Claude Makélélé card
1,830,000
Scott McTominay card
497,000
Jerdy Schouten card
65,500
Declan Rice card
587,000
Manuel Locatelli card
232,750
Darko Nejašmić card
18,750
Sebastian Berhalter card
17,000
Yaya Touré card
1,984,000

Box-to-Box

This player operates between the two boxes, operating as neither the last line of defence, nor the final part of attack, but involved in everything in between.


Balanced

When asked to be Balanced, the Box-to-Box Midfielder will cover the centre of the pitch in attack and defence.
Attack Support
Defence Support
Versatile
Stamina Usage
Paolo Maldini card
4,236,000
Paolo Maldini card
2,347,000
Lilian Thuram card
2,860,000
Paolo Maldini card
1,038,000
Lilian Thuram card
2,070,000
Lothar Matthäus card
1,785,650
Piero Hincapié card
564,000
Jürgen Kohler card
30,500
Kim Min Jae card
0
Lothar Matthäus card
685,000
Franco Baresi card
70,000
Carles Puyol card
360,000

Holding

A pivotal role in modern football, this defence-minded midfielder focuses on guarding their backline during attacks, and covering off against counter-attacks, with limited attacking support.


Defend

When instructed to Defend, the Holding Midfielder will move slightly higher to offer a passing option, but will otherwise focus on defending.
Defending
Stays Back
Pass Option
Lacks Mobility
Lucy Bronze card
300,000
Franz Beckenbauer card
560,000
Lilian Thuram card
2,070,000
Aurélien Tchouaméni card
470,000
Paolo Maldini card
560,000
Riccardo Calafiori card
317,000
Sofyan Amrabat card
34,250
Mapi León card
24,000
Virgil van Dijk card
7,100
Javier Mascherano card
43,000
Lilian Thuram card
69,500
Dayot Upamecano card
411,900

Deep-Lying Playmaker

The key cog to building up play from the back, this defensively positioned midfielder will often be the catalyst for attacks.


Defend

With a Defend focus, the Deep-Lying Playmaker will focus on closing down passing lanes and staying back while their team attacks.
Defending
Creative
Intercepts Passes
Attacking
Leah Williamson card
339,000
Jules Koundé card
570,000
Marcel Desailly card
270,000
Carlos Alberto card
452,000
Aurélien Tchouaméni card
470,000
Rio Ferdinand card
0
Virgil van Dijk card
452,000
Marcel Desailly card
0
Pau Cubarsí card
165,650
Bobby Moore card
141,000
Dean Huijsen card
628,000
Alessandro Bastoni card
62,500