Premier League champions (the season the league turned to a back three)
Back three + wing-back width + pragmatic mid block
Not enough votes yet (1) to rank — shown as New for now.
Players only move where their role tag says — it's not a match replay
3-4-3
The back three holds firm and the wing-backs own the width. The front three finish on their own quality.
Identity
Shows where the same player moves to between in- and out-of-possession phases.
| In possession | Out of possession |
|---|---|
| GKNo Nonsense Goalkeeper | GKLine-Holding Keeper |
| CB (L)No-Nonsense Centre-Back | CB (L)Covering Centre-Back |
| CB (C)No-Nonsense Centre-Back | CB (C)Covering Centre-Back |
| CB (R)No-Nonsense Centre-Back | CB (R)Covering Centre-Back |
| CM (deep)Defensive Midfielder | CM (deep)Defensive Midfielder |
| CM (high)Box To Box Midfielder | CM (high)Central Midfielder |
| WB (L)Wing-Back | WB (L)Holding Wing-Back |
| AM (L)Inside Forward | AM (L)Tracking Wide Midfielder |
| STPoacher | STTracking Centre-Forward |
| AM (R)Inside Forward | AM (R)Tracking Wide Midfielder |
| WB (R)Wing-Back | WB (R)Holding Wing-Back |
Amber badges are the identity-defining instructions. We only set a value where the data gives a clear signal; where it does not, the FM default is left in place and shown faded — those are yours to adjust. Click an item to check it off.
In Possession
Out of Possession
FM26 handles one in-possession shape, one out-of-possession shape, and the switch between them. The items below fall outside that — this card carries only what the game can take.
Not an appearance ranking — these players embodied the system’s roles.
Tap a position on the pitch and the attributes that spot needs appear right there.
Wing-Back in possession, dropping into the defensive line out of it — getting back matters more than in Alonso’s side
Required
Preferred
Set by the role
Gets Further ForwardStays Wide
Every other player instruction stays at its default — those are yours to adjust.
The same wing-back role, but joining attacks less than at Alonso’s Leverkusen — recovery speed matters more than how often he goes forward
In possession: No Nonsense Goalkeeper · Out of possession: Line-Holding Keeper
Required
Preferred
In possession: No-Nonsense Centre-Back · Out of possession: Covering Centre-Back
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
Out of possessionTackling: Ease Off Tackles
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: No-Nonsense Centre-Back · Out of possession: Covering Centre-Back
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
Out of possessionTackling: Ease Off Tackles
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: No-Nonsense Centre-Back · Out of possession: Covering Centre-Back
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
Out of possessionTackling: Ease Off Tackles
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: Defensive Midfielder · Out of possession: Defensive Midfielder
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionPassing Risk: Take Fewer Risks
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: Box To Box Midfielder · Out of possession: Central Midfielder
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionForward Runs: Make More Runs
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: Inside Forward · Out of possession: Tracking Wide Midfielder
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionDribbling Direction: Cut Inside With BallAttacking Width: Sit Narrower
Out of possessionMarking Target: Mark Position
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: Poacher · Out of possession: Tracking Centre-Forward
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionShooting: Shoot More Often
Out of possessionTrigger Press: More Often
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: Inside Forward · Out of possession: Tracking Wide Midfielder
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionDribbling Direction: Cut Inside With BallAttacking Width: Sit Narrower
Out of possessionMarking Target: Mark Position
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
This is a well-founded starting point — the FM match engine is a separate system, so real match performance is not guaranteed.
Built from Antonio Conte’s Chelsea side of 2016–17 (Premier League), this card turns real season data into FM26 settings. Their clearest trait: they were among the faster sides, 5th of 20 for tempo, and they kept play central, 16th of 20 for width. Expect the settings below to favour quick passing and fast transitions. On the other axes they ranked: build-up 6th, pressing intensity 9th, defensive line 12th. In FM26 this becomes a 3-4-3, with team instructions and role settings listed below. Ranks are within the Premier League 2016–17 field of 20 teams, where 1st is the highest value on that axis.
How the ranks are made: League style reports · How ratings work