Goalkeeper
Cat
Reflex oriented. Slick on the ball.
Examples: David Raya, Keylor Navas, Caoimhin Kelleher
Monster
Physically imposing monsters that command the box and envelope the goal.
Examples: Thibaut Courtois, Emi Martinez, Gianluigi Donnarumma
Centre Back
Libero
"Sweeper," more accurately described as a Defender of Space. Asked to read/cover huge parts of the field. Requires elite IQ, athleticism, and amongst elite teams, technical quality. The rarest of CB types.
Examples: Virgil van Dijk, William Saliba
Zaguero
The defender of the man. The much more common, pugnacious, ball-winning defender. Aggressive, steps into midfield to press. Imposing physically and mentally.
Examples: Gabriel, Ibrahima Konate
Full Back
Wide Defender
CB/FB hybrid. Can comfortably play at one/both FB positions, as well as CB. Athleticism and technique required. With a shift towards pragmatism and total football, this is a very valuable player type when building a squad.
Examples: Nathan Ake, Ben White, Jurrien Timber
Wing Back
WM/FB hybrid. Sets the width in the attacking third. Requires elite fitness, top level crossing, and intelligent back post runs.
Examples: Federico Dimarco, Denzel Dumfries
Inverted Full Back
CM/FB hybrid. An outside back that, in possession, tucks into midfield to create overloads. Requires elite technique, and usually training/experience in central midfield.
Examples: Philipp Lahm, Oleskandr Zinchenko, Rico Lewis
Central Midfielder
Regista
The deep-lying playmaker, the 'architect' of the attack. Must be elegant on the half turn and press-resistant. Requires a complete range of passing. The fitness it requires makes leaner body-types more common.
Examples: Sergio Busquets, Frenkie De Jong, Ayyoub Bouaddi
Anchor
A form of '6', and when done correctly sets the physical standard of the team. Also requires elite ability at breaking up play. Advanced versions are also able to connect play.
Examples: Rodri (advanced), Casemiro (regular)
Box-to-Box
Also called Carrilero. The 'shuttler' of the midfield. A ball-winning midfielder positioned further up the pitch. Ideally can carry the ball. Athletic ability crucial.
Examples: Gavi, Park Ji-Sung, Arturo Vidal
Complete CM
A player that successfully embodies an advanced version of Regista/Anchor/Box-to-Box AND Eganche/Mezzala/Trequartista.
Examples: Luka Modric, Warren Zaire-Emery, Cesc Fabregas
Attacking Midfielder / No. 10
Eganche
"The hook," the stationary, central pivot. Sets the attacking tempo. The most attacking player within a more conservative midfield composition.
Examples: Yaya Toure, Juan Roman Riquelme, Vitinha
Mezzala
An attacking midfielder that thrives in the half-space between the flank and the center. Requires elite ball-striking in shots, crosses, and through balls, which means the ability to use all surfaces and angles of the foot/ball.
Examples: Kevin De Bruyne, Samir Nasri, Bernardo Silva
Trequartista
Italian for "3/4" -- signifying the space between midfield and the attacking third. The Germans, ever literal call it a "Raumdeuter," which means space interpreter. It requires great intuition and understanding of the game. Can be described as the "Classic #10," as well. Will wander wide.
Examples: Francesco Totti, Thomas Muller, Dani Olmo
Winger
Winger
Holds the width of the attack. There are 4 types: - Runner, threat in behind - Breaker, 1v1 - Creator, playmaking - Magician, all 3-in-1
Examples: - Anthony Gordon (runner) - Angel di Maria (breaker) - Leandro Trossard (creator) - Kvicha Kvaratskhelia (magician) - Nico Williams (runner-breaker) - Michael Olise (creator-breaker) - Iliman Ndiaye (runner-creator)
Wide Forward
A winger with a level of finishing that demands they play further up the pitch, even without the ball. Often this requires an elite 'Breaker' trait, as well.
Examples: Mohamed Salah, Heung-Min Son, Raphinha
Forward
Second Striker
While the implication is slightly different, functionally the same as "False 9." The most advanced central player in a team. Often creates overloads in midfield. Requires instinct and power, as well as great technical ability.
Examples: Wayne Rooney, Ousmane Dembele, Lionel Messi
#9
A Centre Forward that can hold the ball up as well as run in behind. That is stated simply, but it's quite rare.
Examples: Luis Suarez, Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto'o
Target Man
Wants the ball to feet. Usually requires size & technical prowess. Threat in the air.
Examples: Olivier Giroud, Edin Dzeko, Romelu Lukaku
Striker
"Poacher," is an over-simplification. A player that thrives off the last shoulder. The final action. The "right place, right time," guy/gal.
Examples: Erling Haaland (advanced), Viktor Gyokeres (regular)