I'm glad you asked! Player attributes and roles work together to determine how a player will perform on the pitch. The attributes are the individual skills and abilities of the player, while the role is the specific instructions that are given to the player on the field. For example, a player with high dribbling and pace attributes might be a good fit for the "winger" role, which focuses on running down the wing and beating defenders. Do you have any specific questions about attributes and roles?
The short answer is no, a player will not perform an attribute if their role does not allow it. In your example, a player with a high work rate attribute would not necessarily work harder if they are playing a role that does not call for a high work rate. In other words, the role takes priority over the attributes. Does that help to answer your question?