In EA SPORTS FC™ 25, the Ball-Playing Defender represents a modern evolution of the traditional centre-back. This role goes beyond basic defensive duties by incorporating technical skills like passing, ball control, and positioning, making the Ball-Playing Defender a key component of both defensive and attacking phases. They are just as comfortable defending against attacks as they are building play from the back, providing versatility and fluidity to a team’s structure.
When set to Defend, the Ball-Playing Defender maintains their primary defensive responsibilities while stepping up slightly to assist in maintaining possession. They will stay central and offer passing options for teammates under pressure, while ensuring that the team’s defensive structure is preserved.
In a Build-Up focus, the Ball-Playing Defender takes on a more advanced role, acting almost like a holding defensive midfielder when the team is in possession. They’ll move forward to offer support in central areas, linking play between the defense and midfield, helping to break down opposition presses, and distributing the ball with accuracy.
The Ball-Playing Defender operates in a unique position within the team, straddling the line between a traditional centre-back and a deep-lying playmaker. Their ability to break lines with passes or step forward to support midfielders makes them a pivotal part of the team’s transition from defense to attack.
With a Defend focus, the Ball-Playing Defender stays more rooted in their defensive position, but will still step forward slightly to support ball retention and distribution. They balance defensive duties with controlled ball movement, ensuring that the team doesn’t lose structure while still offering progressive options.
When given a Build-Up focus, the Ball-Playing Defender will take on more responsibility in controlling the game from deeper areas, almost like a defensive midfielder. Their ability to step forward, circulate the ball, and offer support to the midfield makes them essential to maintaining possession and breaking down opposition pressure.
The Ball-Playing Defender is crucial in teams that want to maintain possession and build from the back. Their calmness on the ball and ability to read the game allow them to relieve pressure and control the tempo, even from deeper positions. This role fits perfectly in systems where the team emphasizes playing out from the back and requires defenders who can distribute the ball effectively.
In a Defend focus, the Ball-Playing Defender prioritizes their defensive duties, while still offering an outlet for possession. This allows the team to build attacks without compromising defensive solidity.
In a Build-Up focus, they push the team’s shape higher up the pitch, helping maintain possession and orchestrate attacks, but with a greater risk of being caught out if possession is lost.
The Ball-Playing Defender in FC 25 is a modern, versatile centre-back who combines defensive stability with technical proficiency on the ball. Whether set to Defend or Build-Up, this player will be a critical part of both defensive and attacking phases of play. They are capable of distributing the ball, offering passing options, and breaking lines, all while maintaining a solid defensive presence.
For teams that emphasize possession-based football, the Ball-Playing Defender is an invaluable asset, capable of controlling the game from the back and initiating attacking moves without sacrificing defensive responsibilities.