Four Premier League titles in a row (the first side ever to win four straight English top-flight titles)
The finished box midfield + a centre-back hybrid + extreme possession
Not enough votes yet (3) to rank — shown as New for now.
Players only move where their role tag says — it's not a match replay
3-2-2-3
The shape usually called a 3-2-5 — the right-sided centre-back steps up beside Rodri to complete the box (2-3). The left-back pushes forward rather than tucking inside, and the wingers own the touchline width.
Identity
Shows where the same player moves to between in- and out-of-possession phases.
| In possession | Out of possession |
|---|---|
| GKBall-Playing Goalkeeper | GKSweeper Keeper |
| CB (L)No-Nonsense Centre-Back | CB (L)Centre-Back |
| FB (R)Full-Back | FB (R)Pressing Full-Back |
| DM (R)Ball-Playing Centre-Back | CB (R)Centre-Back |
| DM (L)Deep Lying Playmaker | DMScreening Defensive Midfielder |
| FB (L)Wing-Back | FB (L)Pressing Full-Back |
| CM (L)Advanced Playmaker | CM (L)Central Midfielder |
| CM (R)Channel Midfielder | CM (R)Central Midfielder |
| AM (L)Winger | AM (L)Tracking Winger |
| STPoacher | STCentre-Forward |
| AM (R)Winger | AM (R)Tracking Winger |
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.
The second pivot beside Rodri in possession, a centre-back out of it — the most specialised slot in this system
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionPassing Risk: Take More Risks
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
He receives in midfield often enough that escaping pressure in tight spaces matters more than it would for a normal centre-back
Stones and Akanji shared this job — the structure does not depend on one man
Weights: Decisions×3, Passing×2, Composure×2, Positioning×2
Pushes forward and contributes goals in possession, then drops back into a four out of it
Required
Preferred
Set by the role
In possessionGets Further ForwardStays Wide
Out of possessionHolds PositionStays Wide
Every other player instruction stays at its default — those are yours to adjust.
This is not a tucking-in role — covering ground up and back matters more than escaping tight spaces
Deep Lying Playmaker in possession, screening DM out of it — an irreplaceable slot
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.
Without cover here the whole season wobbles — an injury in this position was in fact the trigger for the following season’s change of style
Weights: Passing×3, Decisions×3, Composure×2
Winger in possession, tracking winger out of it — needs to provide width and to get back
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionAttacking Width: Stay Wider
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.
A player who refuses to track back breaks the high-pressing structure
In possession: Ball-Playing Goalkeeper · Out of possession: Sweeper Keeper
Required
Preferred
In possession: No-Nonsense Centre-Back · Out of possession: Centre-Back
Required
Preferred
In possession: Full-Back · Out of possession: Full-Back
Required
Preferred
Set by the role
Holds PositionStays Wide
Every other player instruction stays at its default — those are yours to adjust.
In possession: Advanced Playmaker · Out of possession: Central Midfielder
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionPassing Risk: Take More Risks
A common tweak among users of this role — not something the game requires, so feel free to change it.
In possession: Channel Midfielder · Out of possession: Central Midfielder
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionAttacking Width: Move Into Channels
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: Centre-Forward
Required
Preferred
Common approach (reference only)
In possessionShooting: Shoot More Often
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.
This card models Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the 2023–24 Premier League. Their clearest trait: they ranked 1st of 20 for build-up play, and they played at a high tempo (2nd of 20). Expect the settings below to build from the goalkeeper and defenders through short passes. On the other axes they ranked: defensive line 5th, width 8th, pressing intensity 12th. In FM26 this becomes a 3-2-2-3, with team instructions and role settings listed below. Ranks are within the Premier League 2023–24 field of 20 teams, where 1st is the highest value on that axis.
How the ranks are made: League style reports · How ratings work