On FC Mobile choosing your defenders is never easy and often this choice is influenced by many aspects. The first aspect to consider is the game mode, because sometimes a defender who is good for VS Attack mode is not as good for the other modes. With this guide I will try to explain all the main features to help you in your choice.
Alternatively you can always consult my updated rankings that will help you make your choices considering my evaluations.
CENTER BACK
Another important position is the center back whose characteristics can vary depending on the game mode you mainly play. For example, in VS Attack mode the height of the defenders is not important, while in modes such as Head to Head or Manager, it could have a different impact. So, when choosing your center back, also evaluate this characteristic based on the game mode.
When choosing my center backs there are some stats that will be important for all game modes. Acceleration is the first attribute to look at. If you choose a center back with at least 90 acceleration in his base version, your defender will be quick in chasing down attackers. Otherwise the sprint speed value is not very important because center backs have little distance to cover. If you are interested in discovering the details of the attributes I refer you to my complete guide. Acceleration is important, but it is not critical. What I really look at are the attributes of the Defending tab.
Marking, Standing Tackles and Sliding Tackles are obviously the main attributes of a good center back. Having these attributes, in the base version of the player, close to the value of 100 will help you ensure that your center back has excellent performances in all game modes. Heading and Jumping instead, also preferably close to the value of 100, are stats to look at if your main game mode is Head to Head. With these two attributes and a high center back, you will have more defensive solidity and a greater chance of scoring on corners. Aggression and Strength are two important but not essential attributes, they are to be evaluated for the VS Attack and Manager mode. Finally, two attributes often overlooked, but in my opinion are fundamental. Reactions and Awareness. They are two attributes managed by the AI, therefore visible in the VS Attack and Manager mode, but they are fundamental for the performance of the center back. It is no coincidence that Maldini has the highest values in these attributes. In particular reactions in VS Attack mode, the closer this attribute is to 100, the better your defenders will be at anticipating the attackers' skill moves.
In center backs, the choice of player, based on traits and work rates, can also be decisive. In general, defenders with a MED/HIGH work rates are preferred, with this type of work rates your center backs will maintain a natural position and will always be in the correct position during counterattacks. Avoid, if possible, center backs with a MED/MED work rates. The effect of the work rates can generally be noticed in Head to Head and Manager modes. With a MED/MED work rates your defender will tend to advance slightly compared to the natural line of defenders. This can be an advantage or a disadvantage, this depends on your playing style. Traits, on the other hand, are very important. Personally, playing a lot in VS Attack mode, I always prefer to choose center backs with the Dives into Tackles trait. Check out my guide on traits for more details. This trait will make your defender more aggressive and will try in every way to recover the ball. The Power Header trait is also important. In Head to Head mode, it will be important on corner kicks.
Here too, as with goalkeepers, ranks and training are very important. It is not essential to have an orange rank and training 30, which would obviously guarantee better performance, but try to get at least a purple or red rank, so training 20 or 25, for your center back. The rule is always the same, the higher the rank and training, the better the player will perform. For the choice of using skill points I refer you to my dedicated guide.
FULL BACKS
The position of the full backs is very particular, because it depends a lot on the mode we play. For example, in the VS Attack mode, the right back is used a lot in the defensive phase, sometimes more than the center backs, so having a strong right back in the defensive phase is an advantage. On the other hand, in the Head to Head or Manager mode it is preferable to have both a left back and a right back who are good in both phases.
Small premise, if you are looking for a right back for the VS Attack mode, you can also look at the requirements for choosing the center back, you will surely have better performances in the defensive phase. Alternatively, follow the advice that I will show you shortly for choosing the full backs (which will be the same for left and right backs).
Unlike the center back, in full backs in addition to looking at acceleration you will also have to look at sprint speed. In the basic version of the player, if these two values are equal to or greater than 100, they will allow you to have a fast full back capable of covering large distances on the field. Stamina, for Head to Head and Manager modes, is also very important (at least 4 and a half stars). In full backs, in addition to looking at the defensive attributes, you will also have to look at some attributes in the passing tab. Short passing, long passing and crossing, if close to or greater than the value 95, will allow you to make good passes in all game modes. The defensive attributes to watch are similar to those of center backs.
The suggested work rates for full backs is HIGH/MED, this way you will have full backs who will push a lot in the offensive phase but who will also be present in the defensive phase. In the complete work rates guide I made a different choice, you can consult it to make your own assessment. The choice of a full back based on skill moves or weak foot is personal and depends on your playing style. Personally I do not look at the level of skill moves for this position, and for the preferred foot I prefer a left foot for left backs and a right foot for right backs. This way, when my full backs is in the offensive phase, both in VS Attack and Head to Head mode, he will have his best foot available to make the crosses.
I don't generally look at traits for full backs, but traits like early crosser or dives into tackles can help in some situations.
FULL WING BACKS
This is a position for which I will write only a few lines of article. I started my adventure on FC Mobile with the 5-2-1-2, but later, due to the lack of choice of players for this position, I preferred to use other formations.
Currently the best choice is to use full backs in secondary position, especially in the right wing back position. This choice is motivated by the fact that wing backs do not have boost defending, so for the right wing back, which has the same function as the right back in VS Attack mode, the ideal would be to use skill points in boost defending, so using a right back in secondary position is the best choice.
As far as stats, characteristics and attributes are concerned, wing backs can follow the same requirements as full backs.
CONCLUSIONS
With this guide you should be able to choose your defenders for each game mode by yourself. It is important to know that sometimes, even with better attributes, some players perform better than others, but in general, if you follow the advice in this guide, you can have the best players in your team. To make your choice easier you can consult my rankings, always updated, on the best players.