FM Player Attributes Guide

Player attributes in Football Manager determine how players perform. Understanding which attributes matter for each position and role is the difference between smart recruitment and expensive mistakes.

Attribute Categories

**Technical Attributes** Skills with the ball: Passing, Dribbling, Finishing, First Touch, Technique, Crossing, etc. These determine how well players execute actions.

**Mental Attributes** Decision-making and intelligence: Decisions, Anticipation, Positioning, Teamwork, Vision, Composure, Determination, etc. Often more important than technical skills.

**Physical Attributes** Athleticism: Pace, Acceleration, Stamina, Strength, Natural Fitness, Jumping Reach, etc. Decline with age but can be trained in younger players.

Most Important Attributes by Position

**Goalkeepers** - **Reflexes**: Shot-stopping ability (15+ for elite level) - **Handling**: Catching crosses and shots - **Command of Area**: Dominating the box - **Concentration**: Staying focused (prevents howlers) - **Positioning**: Being in the right place - **Kicking**: Distribution quality

Aerial Reach, Agility, and One-on-Ones matter for specific styles.

**Centre-Backs** - **Positioning**: Reading danger and positioning correctly (most important) - **Tackling**: Winning duels - **Heading**: Aerial dominance (13+ minimum) - **Marking**: Tracking forwards - **Anticipation**: Reading the game - **Pace**: Covering ground (12+ for high lines)

Strength and Jumping Reach matter for physical battles.

**Full-Backs** - **Pace**: Getting up and down the flank (13+ minimum) - **Stamina**: Lasting 90 minutes (13+ minimum) - **Crossing**: Delivering final balls (for attacking full-backs) - **Tackling**: Defensive duels (11+ minimum) - **Positioning**: Defensive awareness - **Work Rate**: Up and down all match

Acceleration matters for explosive bursts. Dribbling helps when overlapping.

**Wing-Backs** Same as full-backs but higher demands: - **Stamina**: 14+ (they cover even more ground) - **Pace**: 13+ minimum - **Crossing**: 13+ (primary creative outlet) - **Work Rate**: 14+ (constant movement)

**Defensive Midfielders** - **Positioning**: Reading the game (14+ for elite) - **Tackling**: Winning the ball (13+ minimum) - **Anticipation**: Intercepting passes - **Passing**: Distributing from deep (12+ minimum) - **Stamina**: Covering ground - **Work Rate**: Tracking runners

Strength helps in physical battles. Determination drives work ethic.

**Central Midfielders** - **Passing**: Moving the ball effectively (13+ minimum) - **Vision**: Spotting opportunities - **Decisions**: Choosing the right option - **Stamina**: Box-to-box coverage (13+ for B2B roles) - **Work Rate**: Defensive contribution - **Technique**: Executing under pressure

First Touch and Anticipation matter for tight spaces.

**Attacking Midfielders / Playmakers** - **Passing**: Creating chances (14+ minimum) - **Vision**: Seeing opportunities others miss (14+ minimum) - **Technique**: Executing creative passes - **Dribbling**: Beating defenders - **Decisions**: Knowing when to pass vs shoot - **Composure**: Staying calm in final third

Flair (hidden attribute) helps creative players.

**Wingers** - **Pace**: Beating full-backs (14+ ideal) - **Dribbling**: Taking on defenders (13+ minimum) - **Crossing**: Delivering from wide (for traditional wingers) - **Acceleration**: Explosive bursts - **Agility**: Changing direction - **Work Rate**: Tracking back (12+ minimum)

Finishing and Off The Ball matter for inside forwards.

**Strikers** - **Finishing**: Converting chances (14+ minimum for elite) - **Composure**: Staying calm in front of goal (13+ minimum) - **Off The Ball**: Finding space (13+ minimum) - **Anticipation**: Reading where ball will be - **Pace**: Running in behind (for Advanced Forwards) - **Heading**: Aerial threat (for Target Men)

Technique, First Touch, and Decisions help all-around strikers.

Hidden Attributes

**Consistency** How reliably a player performs at their attribute level. High consistency means regular 7/10 performances. Low consistency means 9/10 one week, 5/10 the next.

**Important Matches** How players perform in big games (finals, derbies, decisive matches). High Important Matches rating means they rise to the occasion.

**Injury Proneness** Likelihood of injuries. High injury proneness means frequent absences. Check injury history before signing.

**Versatility** How quickly players adapt to new positions. High versatility means faster learning and better performance out of position.

**Pressure** How players handle high-pressure situations (penalties, last-minute chances). High Pressure means they thrive; low means they crumble.

**Professionalism** Training dedication and lifestyle. High professionalism means faster development and better condition.

**Adaptability** How quickly players settle in new countries or leagues. Low adaptability means longer adjustment periods.

Personality Traits

**Model Citizen** Best personality for young players. High Professionalism, Determination, and Ambition. Develops quickly, sets good example.

**Professional** Reliable and consistent. Good Professionalism and Determination. Solid choice for any squad.

**Driven / Ambitious** High ambition and determination. Wants to win and improve. Great for competitive squads.

**Resolute** High determination but lower ambition. Fighters who give everything but may lack long-term drive.

**Casual** Low professionalism and determination. Underperforms potential. Avoid unless elite attributes compensate.

**Temperamental** Inconsistent and emotional. Can cause dressing room issues. High-risk signings.

**Controversial** Disciplinary issues and poor attitude. Often talented but disruptive. Avoid unless desperate.

Attribute Development

**Peak Ages by Attribute Type** - **Physical**: Peak 24-28, decline from 30 - **Technical**: Peak 26-30, stable until 32 - **Mental**: Peak 28-32, stable until 34+

Young players (under 23) develop faster. Veterans (30+) decline but can offset with experience and mentals.

**Training Focus** Individual training develops specific attributes. Strikers can improve Finishing, midfielders can improve Passing, defenders can improve Tackling.

**Mentoring** Good personalities influence young players. Pair youngsters with Model Citizens or Professionals to improve Determination and Professionalism.

**Match Experience** Playing matches develops players faster than training. Loan youngsters for game time if they won't start for you.

Scouting for Attributes

**Key Attribute Filters** When searching for players, filter by critical attributes for their position. For strikers: Finishing 13+, Pace 12+, Composure 12+. For centre-backs: Tackling 13+, Positioning 13+, Heading 13+.

**Balanced vs Specialist** Balanced players perform solidly across attributes. Specialists excel in specific areas (e.g., Pace 18 but Finishing 10). Choose based on your tactic.

**Potential Ability** Star ratings estimate potential. 4-star potential means the player can develop into a first-team regular. 5-star potential means world-class. Scout young players properly to assess potential accurately.

Common Attribute Mistakes

**Overvaluing Physical Attributes** Pace 16 looks great but if Positioning is 9, the player will be out of position constantly. Mental attributes matter more than physical ones.

**Ignoring Personality** Signing a Casual player with elite attributes is risky. They'll underperform potential and disrupt training. Personality matters.

**Not Matching Attributes to Roles** A winger with Pace 10 won't work. A target man with Heading 8 won't work. Match attributes to role requirements.

**Focusing on Current Ability Only** Young players with 2-star current but 4-star potential are gold. Don't dismiss them based on current ability alone.