How To Use Player Roles in EA Sports FC 25

EA Sports FC 25 has made a few changes to how players work, which includes their performance on the field when you’re not in control. Instead of the previous iteration’s Work Rates, FC 25 has implemented Player Roles. Each player will have a specific role to play while having their own play style. To ensure that your players perform their best, you’ll need to combine the best roles for each position and how they’ll focus on the field.

What Are Player Roles and How to Use Them

As mentioned, Player Roles determine how the player will perform when you’re not control them on the field. It’s up to you how they’ll behave on the field, and you have full control of how they’ll perform. Each Position will have 3 to 4 Player Roles, you can choose whether to have your player be better at attacking or have better movement.

Aside from Player Roles, there’ll also be a focus type. There are three types: Balanced, Attack and Defense. Some Player Roles will have a specific focus type chosen for the player. For example, the Striker has an option for a False 9 Role that has a Build-Up focus type.

Another aspect of Player Roles is their Role Familiarity. Role Familiarity will determine if the role you chose for the player best fits them based on their stats. Here are all the tiers in Role Familiarity:

• Role++: If the player has a Role++ it means that the player will perform at their best in the role.
• Role+: If the player has a Role+ it means that the player will be performing in the role more effectively than other players.
• Base: If the player has a Base tier, it means that they’ll have access to all the roles available in the position, making them flexible.
• Out of Position: If the player has an Out of Position tier, it means that they’re not in the right position to play in, and their performance will only be average.

Best Roles Per Position

Each Role per Position will depend on how you want to control your team on the pitch. And, depending on the play style and strategies you have, will also influence the roles and focus type of your players. Here are the best Plyer Roles per position.

Striker (ST)

Advanced Forward

This Player Role will make your Striker a versatile attacker who’ll stay close to the opponent’s defensive line. They’ll also open themselves for passes in the build up and will run in behind to get chances to score.

Focus Types

• Attack: If the Advanced Forward is put in Attack, they’ll focus on making opportunities to score a goal and will usually put themselves in the high and center of the pitch. This focus type will be good for having pass options and attacking.
• Complete: If the Advanced Forward is put in Complete, they’ll be able to move wide when needed and receive passes or make space with a run. This focus type will be good for attacking but will also be versatile on the pitch.

Central Attacking Midfielder (CAM)

Playmaker

This Player Role tends to be the creative force on the midfield, as they’re allowed to roam and create space for attacks. However, if the opponents counter, they’ll be out of position.

Focus Types

• Balanced: If the Playmaker is put in Balance, they’ll give defensive support if needed and will plan for attacks. This focus type will be versatile on the field and provide creative plans to orchestrate attacks and opportunities.
• Roaming: If the Playmaker is put in Roaming, they can freely move and explore the pitch to look for the best space to assist and support attacks. This focus type is great with its movement and will provide creative ideas to support the team’s attacks.

Central Midfielder (CM)

Half-Winger

This Player Role for the Central Midfielder will cover a lot of space when the team is in possession of the ball. They can move along flanks and provide a wide threat.

Focus Types

• Balanced: If the Half-Winger is put in Balanced, they’ll alternate between attack and defense. This focus type will provide wide support and be versatile but will affect the player’s stamina.
• Attack: If the Half-Winger is put in Attack, they can move and advance freely but any defensive responsibilities will be sacrificed. This focus type will provide wide support for the team and give chances to attack.

Central Defensive Midfielder (CDM)

Holding

This Player Role is very pivotal, they’re a defense focused midfielder that will guard the backline when there are attacks and cover against counters. However, they’ll have limited attacking support for the team.

Focus Types

• Defend: When put in Defend, the Holding Midfielder will move higher to offer passes but will mostly focus on defending. This focus type is good for defending and will have the player stay back. It’s able to provide pass options but will be limited in mobility.
• Roaming: If put in Roaming, the Holding Midfielder will move across the width of the pitch to close any passing lanes and step up to press on attackers. This focus type is good for defending and has great movement but will use up the player’s stamina.

Left Wing (LW)

Winger  

This Player Role will create a midfielder who’ll always stay wide, hug the touchline, and provide support on flanks in any phase of a play.

Focus Types

• Balanced: If the Winger is put in Balanced, they’ll provide defensive and attacking support. They’ll also run behind and become a passing option if needed. This focus type will provide wide support and be great for passing options but will consume the player’s stamina.
• Attack: If the Winger is set to Attack, they’ll focus on moving forward and will make runs behind the defense. This focus type will provide wide support, especially in attacking, but will not provide as much defensive support.

Left Midfielder (LM)

Inside Forward

This Player Role will be a wide attacker who’ll start at the wing, and will usually run in behind the defense. The Inside Forward will cut inside to shoot or play the final pass.

Focus Types

• Balanced: When the Inside Forward is put in Balanced, they’ll provide minimal defensive support and will hold off making runs to provide passing options. This focus type will provide attacking support and become a passing option.
• Attack: When the Inside Forward is put in Attack, they’ll be cutting inside and make attacking runs. This focus type will be good for attack and support centrally but will lack any defensive support.

Left Back (LB)

Fullback

This Player Role will prioritize their own goal by staying back and holding the defensive line. They’ll also offer themselves as a passing option to ease pressure in other positions.

Focus Types

• Balanced: if the Fullback is put in Balanced, they’ll have the freedom to push forward slightly and will provide support instead of attacks. This focus type will be great for defending and staying back, as well as providing the team as a passing option but will lack attacking support.
• Defend: If the Fullback is put in Defend, they’ll move inside to form a back three when the team is in possession of the ball. This focus type will be good in providing defense and will stay back but will be limited in its plays and won’t be able to provide wide support for the team.

Right Wing (RW)

Winger

This Player Role is the same as the Left Wing and will stay wide and hug the touchline. They’ll also offer support on the flanks in all stages of the play.

Focus Type

• Balanced: When the Winger is put in Balanced, they’ll provide attacking and defensive support. They’ll also be able to run behind and offer themselves as a passing option. This focus type will provide wide support and be versatile on the pitch.
• Attack: If the Winger is set in Attack, they’ll be focused on moving forward and will make runs behind the defense. This focus type will have wide and attacking support but will lack any sort of defense.

Right Midfielder (RM)

Inside Forward

This Player Role will provide the team with a wide attacker who will come from the wing. They’ll regularly cut inside and will prefer to shoot or play the final pass.

Focus Types

Attack: If the Inside Foward is put in Attack, they’ll prioritize cutting inside and make attacking runs. This focus type will be good for attacking and support centrally but will lack any defense support.

Balanced: If the Inside Forward is put in Balanced, they’ll provide minimal defensive support and will offer themselves as a passing option. This focus type will provide great attacking support and passing option for the team.

Right Back (RB)

Falseback

This Player Role is the modern evolution of the Fullback. The Falseback will push up the field to take the central position when the team is in possession of the ball.

Focus Types

• Balanced: When the Falseback is set into Balanced focus, they’ll position themselves as a Central Midfielder when the team is in possession of the ball. This focus type will provide great build-up support and defensive support.
• Defend: When the Falseback is set in the Defend, they’ll act as a Defensive Midfielder when the team has the ball. This focus type will be good at providing defense and build-up support but will have limited width.

Center Back (CB)

Ball-Playing Defender

This Player Role will be comfortable in playing offside when playing the ball and can move forward or move wide to support a build-up play.

Focus Types

• Defend: When the Ball-Playing Defender is in Defend, they’ll step up to support a teammate when they’re in possession of the ball. This focus type will be good for defending and provide build-up support but will leave gaps open in the field.
• Build-Up: When the Ball-Playing Defender is in Build-Up, they’ll act as a holding defensive midfielder when the ball is in possession. This focus type will provide great defensive support and build-up support.

Goalkeeper (GK)

Sweeper Keeper

This Player Role allows the Goalkeeper to stop attacks and support any build-up play the team has as a passing option.

Focus Type

• Balanced: This is the Sweeper Keeper’s only focus type, and it allows them to leave their area to collect balls close to their box. This focus type will allow them to rush if near the box and provide the team with a passing option.

The focus types provided for the best roles per position are up to you, your play style, and the Role Familiarity of the player. You can test the focus types out when playing to find the right one. Player Roles are meant to be your way of managing your players when you’re not controlling them on the pitch. This will give you an easier time when playing and you’ll have less to worry about, since you’ll know how the players will perform and behave on the pitch.