Best-Utilize a super-pacy Central Midfielder

[CybrSlydr]

So, I've recently accepted a job at Atletico after a silverware-laden 8 years at AS Saint Etienne. (It's currently 2026)

I just picked up, what I consider, to be an anomaly at Central Midfield.

He's a regen named Hector Ruano, the anomalous thing about him is he's got 18 Pace, 18 Agility and 20 Acceleration.

I've never seen a Central Midfielder with that kind of insane pace.

So, my question to you folks is, other than playing him as a Roaming Playmaker (as his abilities say), what kind of Instructions should I think about using to exploit his speed in the midfield?

How about PPMs? I'm not seeing anything that jumps out at me in PPMs that would be good for a pacy CM other than knock the ball past opponents.

I appreciate your help folks!

(I'm not too concerned about the formation - I'm wanting to know what would work best for this player)

[BoxToBox]

Hmm, I'd try and train up his finishing, if he hasn't peaked, play him as a CM Attack and have him bomb forward and destroy teams. That's just personal taste though, he'd of course be an excellent playmaker too.

[lemeuresnew]

how about arrives late in area with tries first time shots to take advantage of his first touch?

[CybrSlydr]

how about arrives late in area with tries first time shots to take advantage of his first touch?

I thought about the arriving late, but I didn't think that would really help exploit his speed. With speed, wouldn't you want him pressing the back line and pushing forward rather than waiting and coming in late?

[lemeuresnew]

exploiting speed would depend on where he was starting his runs from?

maybe it is just a personal preference, but I don't like my midfielders starting too far forward, else they can't get back quick enough

[BoxToBox]

I thought about the arriving late, but I didn't think that would really help exploit his speed. With speed, wouldn't you want him pressing the back line and pushing forward rather than waiting and coming in late?

With this kind of pace, you want him to start deep, no point having him far forward with no space to run into and exploit that speed. I'd want him picking up the ball in his own half and carrying it forward in a flash before the opposition knew what hit them.

[CybrSlydr]

With this kind of pace, you want him to start deep, no point having him far forward with no space to run into and exploit that speed. I'd want him picking up the ball in his own half and carrying it forward in a flash before the opposition knew what hit them.

So the "Bring Ball From Deep" PPM?

[Guest]

I'd probably look to use him as a box to box midfielder.

[CybrSlydr]

I'd probably look to use him as a box to box midfielder.

Any particular reason, if I may ask?

I assume since he's fast, he'll get up and down the field quickly and cover a lot of ground (if I can get his stamina and work-rate up a bit) though he's not so hot on finishing or his tackling/marking.

Couple that with the "Bring Ball from Deep" PPM and he would "surge" into the opposing third and pick out passes/take long shots?

[Raniel3]

His attributes are not exactly right for it, but I'd think about giving him a role where he will close down A LOT. His acceleration and agility will be golden for this, he will leave opposition midfielders no time at all with the ball. Since his tackling and bravery aren't that good, I'd say rather box to box than ball winning midfielder, or (if it fits with the rest of your team) a roaming playmaker. Apart from his speed it's the decision attribute that stands out for me. So he should definitely get a role where he gets a lot of creative freedom and free roaming (B2B or roaming playmaker). His attributes ensure he will ALWAYS be at the right place at the right time. Could become your most important player

[tmason122]

If he was in my team I would put in him in a CM (A) position alongside another couple of CMs (1x DLP and 1x BBM), though I have no idea if you can do this with your squad. But he looks ideal to bomb forward in this role, using his good technical abilities and strong physical abilities to really act as a physical link between midfield and attack. Partnered with a good CF to act as a pivot point he could be a key part of your attacking play.

[Welshace]

Best place would be to ask here tbh:

http://community.sigames.com/forumdisplay.php/18-Tactics-amp-Training-Discussion

[oneronaldo]

I'd retrain him as a RM/RW, unlearn Shoots from Distance (annoying PPM), teach Knocks Ball Past Opponent and put him on focus to improve his Crossing. He already has 19 Decisions which is a brilliant for a winger.

[Torminator]

He is the perfect roaming playmaker! Long shots are 14 and has pace! OMG i'd love to have him in my Atletico squad haha.

[Guest]

I can't recall how important they are for the role but sub 15 for OTB & anticipation plus dribbling of 12 would have me rule him out as a top flight roaming playmaker. Not the best at finding space & will not be great at getting out of trouble if they get crowed while on the ball.

He's very athletic so I'd look to take advantage of that & for me B2B works best so long as his teammates can create CCC's for him.

[Torminator]

I can't recall how important they are for the role but sub 15 for OTB & anticipation plus dribbling of 12 would have me rule him out as a top flight roaming playmaker. Not the best at finding space & will not be great at getting out of trouble if they get crowed while on the ball.

He's very athletic so I'd look to take advantage of that & for me B2B works best so long as his teammates can create CCC's for him.

Hmm you might be right haha. I kinda overreacted haha.

[CybrSlydr]

If he was in my team I would put in him in a CM (A) position alongside another couple of CMs (1x DLP and 1x BBM), though I have no idea if you can do this with your squad. But he looks ideal to bomb forward in this role, using his good technical abilities and strong physical abilities to really act as a physical link between midfield and attack. Partnered with a good CF to act as a pivot point he could be a key part of your attacking play.

I do have a 4-3-1-2 formation with 3 CMs and one of the Strikers is a CF(S) and the other AF(A). Typically though I'm playing a 4-4-1-1

[CybrSlydr]

Best place would be to ask here tbh:

http://community.sigames.com/forumdisplay.php/18-Tactics-amp-Training-Discussion

Oops - wrong forum. My bad - would you be so kind as to move this thread please?

[tmason122]

I do have a 4-3-1-2 formation with 3 CMs and one of the Strikers is a CF(S) and the other AF(A). Typically though I'm playing a 4-4-1-1

Nice formation, but perhaps your player's best asset (pace) might be lost in this formation. If he's going to be breaking with pace from a CM position he has got to dribble through a very congested field in front of him as the 2x CFs and your AMC are going to be attracting a lot of opposition players. He's not the best dribbler, so this might be an issue. I don't know if it is possible with your squad, but he might be better to lose one of the CFs or the AMC to give him a bit more space to run into. (convert it to 4-3-3?)... Alternatively if those players are good you might not want to.

Edit: The 4-4-1-1 could work though! I think he would be better suited to that

[Rhobium]

I'm lucky enough to have this rather similar guy on my team:

PPMs: Gets Into Opposition Area, Runs with Ball Often.

His speed makes him deadly around the box, he always seems to get to the ball first. I play him as a CM(A) or B2B(S) in a 4-1-4-1 formation.

[CybrSlydr]

Nice formation, but perhaps your player's best asset (pace) might be lost in this formation. If he's going to be breaking with pace from a CM position he has got to dribble through a very congested field in front of him as the 2x CFs and your AMC are going to be attracting a lot of opposition players. He's not the best dribbler, so this might be an issue. I don't know if it is possible with your squad, but he might be better to lose one of the CFs or the AMC to give him a bit more space to run into. (convert it to 4-3-3?)... Alternatively if those players are good you might not want to.

Edit: The 4-4-1-1 could work though! I think he would be better suited to that

I've been working with him as the CML BBM(S) paired with a DLP(D) in a 4-4-2 behind a CF(S) and an AF(A).

[noikeee]

I've been having some huge success recently with the roaming playmaker role. This role makes the player dribble a lot, whilst also using his playmaking abilities heavily as everyone passes the ball to him. Your player seems to have quality playmaking abilities, and whilst his dribbling isn't fantastic, it's enhanced by the agility and the pace, and if you give him the "knocks ball past opposition" PPM he might start using his pace even more to get past opponents. Although he won't always have the space to do that in the centre of midfield.

So I'd play him as roaming playmaker and teach him the "knocks ball past opposition" PPM.

[tmason122]

I've been working with him as the CML BBM(S) paired with a DLP(D) in a 4-4-2 behind a CF(S) and an AF(A).

How´s it going?

[CybrSlydr]

How´s it going?

Well, he's not tearing up the league, but has stellar games occasionally.

When I got him off transfer he was a 2.5 star CA/PA. However, he is now a 4-star CA/PA. His stats are improving. It's now the winter transfer window. I think I'm going to try him as the RPM(S) just to see if it plays better.

[CybrSlydr]

It's just after the winter transfer window closed and he's doing pretty well, though he never seems to be the focal point of anything - like he's working behind the scenes.

He's completed working on "Knocks ball past opponents" and I currently have him working on "Brings Ball From Deep"

What else would you folks suggest to get the most of out this guy?

[johnhughthom]

I have this guy:

Not quite as pacy as yours, but a few years older and more developed technically. I find he plays best as a B2B (s), making some great runs into the box from deep, despite not having any PPMs that would prioritise them.

[noikeee]

It's just after the winter transfer window closed and he's doing pretty well, though he never seems to be the focal point of anything - like he's working behind the scenes.

He's completed working on "Knocks ball past opponents" and I currently have him working on "Brings Ball From Deep"

What else would you folks suggest to get the most of out this guy?

An average rating of 7.73 is absolutely superb. I'd just leave him untouched as it is tbh.

Also, often this question should be asked the other way around - it's not "how do I use this player", but "how can I use this player to get the better out of my team". What I mean is, the way your team works must be the absolute priority, not how to make a certain player the focal point - because by doing that you can screw up the rest of the balance. If you're winning, that's all that matters.

[CybrSlydr]

I have this guy:

Not quite as pacy as yours, but a few years older and more developed technically. I find he plays best as a B2B (s), making some great runs into the box from deep, despite not having any PPMs that would prioritise them.

That's interesting, especially seeing as he's not best suited to the B2B role by his green wheel.

[oneronaldo]

That's interesting, especially seeing as he's not best suited to the B2B role by his green wheel.

Never trust the wheel too much, most important is how the player contributes in your system. Sure, a player might be brilliant as a B2B, but what use is he if he gets in the way of everyone and breaks up your own attack?

[tmason122]

An average rating of 7.73 is absolutely superb. I'd just leave him untouched as it is tbh.

Also, often this question should be asked the other way around - it's not "how do I use this player", but "how can I use this player to get the better out of my team". What I mean is, the way your team works must be the absolute priority, not how to make a certain player the focal point - because by doing that you can screw up the rest of the balance. If you're winning, that's all that matters.

Completely agree! If your player is averaging 7.73 he's playing pretty damn well! Unless your team as a whole is struggling I wouldn't consider changing his role or instructions too much. It also looks like your teaching him the correct PPMs, coupled with a few more years of development, he should be ace

[CybrSlydr]

After completing the "Knocks Ball Past Opponent" and "Comes Deep to get Ball" PPM, I've removed the "Get Further Forward" instruction from his BBM role. The idea is to give him space to bomb forward and catch the defense unprepared and slot in a pass.

Is what I'm doing sound logical in game-sense? I.E. will it work that way?

I'm thinking that next I'll try to have him learn the PPM that has them dribble through the center of the pitch.

[oneronaldo]

After completing the "Knocks Ball Past Opponent" and "Comes Deep to get Ball" PPM, I've removed the "Get Further Forward" instruction from his BBM role. The idea is to give him space to bomb forward and catch the defense unprepared and slot in a pass.

Is what I'm doing sound logical in game-sense? I.E. will it work that way?

I'm thinking that next I'll try to have him learn the PPM that has them dribble through the center of the pitch.

Do you play a short passing style? If so I think "Plays One-Twos" could be lethal, with his pace and acceleration to blow by people after exchanging a quick pass.

[CybrSlydr]

I try to play a direct style as it's one of the club's philosophies. I usually get that "We are having trouble keeping possession of the ball".

[WizbaII]

His "Shoots from Distance" PPM is what would make me play him as a deep-lying playmaker to lessen the amount of wasted shots (although he is a decent shooter) and take advantage of his passing skills instead. His pace doesn't have to be an offensive attribute, it can be a defensive one. Since his stamina is not that high (for a B2B), I think it's fine to use his speed defensively only. The truth is that speed is not a magic win button but it's difficult to find defenders who are fast. You have one right here...well, almost. His tackling is not very good, but it doesn't matter. He's so fast you can give him easy tackling and still get him to be effective!

[CybrSlydr]

His "Shoots from Distance" PPM is what would make me play him as a deep-lying playmaker to lessen the amount of wasted shots (although he is a decent shooter) and take advantage of his passing skills instead. His pace doesn't have to be an offensive attribute, it can be a defensive one. Since his stamina is not that high (for a B2B), I think it's fine to use his speed defensively only. The truth is that speed is not a magic win button but it's difficult to find defenders who are fast. You have one right here...well, almost. His tackling is not very good, but it doesn't matter. He's so fast you can give him easy tackling and still get him to be effective!

I thought that could be useful (though he came with it, I didn't choose it) as a long distance threat if teams tried to bunker.