[Discussion] Improved AI squad numbering required

[youngs15]

Issue

I've noticed a lot of very unrealistic AI squad numbering which you would never see IRL.

For example, it's really common to see attacking players (mostly players who can play left/right midfield) be given #6, whereas IRL, these are almost always assigned to defenders or defensive midfielders.

Another example is a lot of goalkeepers being assigned #14, which again you very rarely see IRL.

Another example is #13 being assigned to goalkeepers. While this common in England and Spain (where there is a rule enforcing this in the latter), this is different almost everywhere else in the world. For example, #16 is most-often assigned to goalkeepers in France, and #18 to goalkeepers in the USA. Arguably the most popular number for 2nd choice goalkeepers in world football is #12. This isn't reflected in Football Manager where #13 is the most popular (after #1, of course).

Examples

Evidence of the above includes me holidaying 5 years into the future in FM23 beta. Here are some examples of what I've found...

• Marcus Rashford now wearing #6 for Man UFC (unrealistic change from #10)
• Callum Hudson-Odoi wearing #6 for Spurs
• Nabil Fekir now wearing #6 for Real Hispalis (unrealistic change from #8)
• Leroy Sane wearing #6 for PSG
• In Ligue 1 - 12x GK's wearing #13 ;; 2x GK's wearing #14 ;; but only 3x GK's wearing #16
• In Serie A - 12x GK's wearing #13 ;; 6x GK's wearing #14 ;; but only 1x GK wearing #12

Other unrealistic changes I've spotted...

• Harry Kane changing from #10 to #11 at Spurs (some 20-year old newgen is now #10)
• Ngolo Kante changing from #7 to #6 at Chelsea

Comments

I'm willing to get more tangible stats on current squad number trends in FM vs what we see IRL.

Has anyone else with a keen eye for detail when it comes to squad numbers spotted any other inconsistencies?

[Zachary Whyte]

Thank you for the detailed suggestion. This will be put under consideration by the developers.