In today’s episode, we take a look at the final piece of the attribute puzzle: The Goalkeeper attributes.
A Gk’s importance is often ovelooked by many simply because they are the least popular position in soccer to play. But let’s not make the mistake of disregarding our team’s goalkeepers as they have control over the outcome of a match within their hands (literally). Although in Soccermanager it often seems as if Goalkeepers get the shorter end of the stick, having the knowledge of each attributes belonging to a goalkeeper makes the decision of choosing who to be between your team’s goalposts less complicated. Learning about the goalkeeper attributes is also a great way of improving your soccer IQ
Just like with the outfield players, a GK’s attributes are broken down into 3 components: Technical, Physical and Mental. Since this episode may not be the most popular, I have decided to go through every single attrtibute altogether. So, for those of you who have been requesting longer episodes, sit tight cause you’re prayers have finally been answered (well, just for this episode at least, lol). Let’s start off with the Technical attributes of a Goalkeeper:
Command of Area: This is the ability of a Goalkeeper to instruct his defenders in front of him on where the danger is, where they should be positioned, and making calls to let his teammates know what their next best action should be. Some of the best keepers at this attribute are Hugo Lloris, Kasper Schmeicel and Emi Martinez.
Distribution: This is the ability of a Goalkeeper to accurately pass to teammates from different ranges when the ball is at his feet during open play and dead ball situations.
Handling: The ability of a Keeper to catch a ball whether it be from a shot, cross, or long pass.
One on ones: The ability and confidence of a keeper when in a 1 v 1 scenario against an attacker
Shot stopping: What keepers get paid for, this is the abilty to get any part of their body behind a ball travelling towards their goal from various different angles, speeds and ranges.
Positioning: Arguably only second to Shot stopping on the importance scale, this is a Goalkeeper’s ability to place himself in areas that narrow the angle between him and an opponent, to better collect the ball from teammates, and to direct his defenders in front of him.
Saving penalties: A keeper’s ability to handle the pressure of a penalty kick
Aerial Ability: This is the ability of a Goal Keeper when dealing with balls that are air bourne along the 6-12 yard area within the penalty box.
Pace: This attribute is in conjunction with the One on ones attribute as it is determines how quickly a keeper can get off the line when having to deal with an attacker closing in towards his goal.
Strength: This is the physical ability of a Goalkeeper to handle opposition players trying to block their path towards the ball when dealing with set piece situations.
Agression: A very interesting attribute, this is the ability of a keeper to make it uncomfortable for opposition players by the use of punching instead catching a ball, sledging opponents at set piece situations, reacting to errors by his defence, and rushing off his line to collect loose balls in a manner that may intimidate an attacker.
Composure: This is the ability of a keeper to perform every tasks for his position with confidence and efficiency.
Concentration: Another VERY important element as a keeper, this is the ability to remain focused in small bursts of action as keepers regulary spend most of a match without having any contact with the ball.
Leadership: Another important quality every keeper must have. Goalkeepers show this skill by their ability to be vocal, communicate effectively, and make themselved a presense by dominating their area on the field.
WOW, well that was a lot of fun! I really enjoyed writing these posts as it even surprises me how versed I am with this game. So, today ends the look at every attribute found within SM23 and how they can be used on players in Soccermanager Worlds to get the best from them.
Now, from this point on, we will dive into the nitty gritty of player roles, as we’ll be taking a look at EVERY role played for each position within this beautiful game. DO NOT miss it!!! ⚽️💚⚽️💚
The Soccermanager Experience 
So Leadership and Command of Area go hand in hand, as do pace and one-on-ones. Interesting. Could high pace with low 1-on-1s offset? Does high leadership and low CoA offset?
And in the case of a failed handling check, where the keeper drops the ball instead of catching it, does strength come into play then? Curious about how attributes work as a group. Rhanks in advance!
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Hello Ervin! Sincere apologies as this comment slipped by without me seeing 🤦♂️
Always great to hear from you mate! You’ve also asked some proper questions! 👏
So, these attributes that you mentioned above do go hand in hand… In terms of high pace and low 1v1’s, it indicates that the GK is physically good but lacks decision making as to when is the best time to come off his line. So, yeah it could possibly offset but it depends on the age, expereice, role of GK you’ve chosen and, most importantly, your tactics.
The same goes for high Leadership and low COA, but I personally believe that this is a rare combination ( I could be wrong tho), and if it isn’t then a GK with a high Leadership means that they have the ability to wear the armband and are good at giving out orders, but if they also have a low COA it means that when things get difficult they tend to lose control of thier penalty and 6 yard box (Think David De Gea, in real life cause his attributes on SM24 aren’t a great representation of him as a player)…
In terms of a GK dropping a ball instead of catching it, no, it doesn’t necessarily identify a Keeper’s Strength as it could’ve just been a error due to lack of Concentration or a crowded box of players around him. Strength correlates with Shot Stopping since a Keeper needs Strong hands to make diffcult saves…
Hope this was helpful Ervin! Sorry again for not responding earlier 😅
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