Guide: Striker

How the striker rating is built

The position rating is calculated from the following attributes:

• Shooting — completely dominant in the position rating.
• Heading — goals from crosses, corners and other attacking set pieces.
• Pace — more chances in behind the defence.
• Technique — first touch and finishing in tight spaces.
• Mental strength — finishing coolly in tight matches.
• Crossing — drifting wide and delivering for team-mates.
• Experience — only built through matches played.
• Set pieces — penalties, free kicks and corners. A high set pieces rating makes you the coach's choice for attacking free kicks and corners.
• Passing — link-up play and switching the ball.
• Stamina and playmaking — pressing from the front and joining the build-up.

Speciality

Clinical is the most direct pick. Quick and Header specialist are strong alternatives depending on the striker you want to be.

Scoring more

Play for a team with a strong midfield. Control in the middle creates more chances for the strikers, and more chances mean more goals and more experience.

There are several routes to the top

No single build is the correct one. Two players in the same position can reach Division 1 and the national team in completely different ways — a specialist who is extreme in one or two attributes, or a broader player who is solid at everything and therefore fits more tactics.

• The specialist route: pour everything into the heaviest attributes of your position and become irreplaceable in that role.
• The all-round route: build several position ratings at once so you always get minutes — minutes give experience, and experience can only be trained through matches.
• Set pieces and mental strength lift every position and are often underrated.
• Adapt to your coach's philosophy and to the positions your squad is thin in.
• The national team picks the best in the country per position — there is room for both specialists and complete players.