All 11 players on a soccer field have responsibilities to contribute to their team’s success. As challenging as it might seem, some have it easier than others.
What are the five easiest positions in soccer? This could be open to some debate, especially when considering the style of play. However, traditionally speaking, slightly weaker overall players tend to play these positions.
5. Goalkeeper
Seeing goalkeeper on this list can be downright insulting to some who play the position. An argument can be made that is the most challenging position in soccer because of everything they’re responsible for.
However, there are instances where being a goalkeeper for the right team is a relatively easy job on a game-to-game basis.
Teams that have a solid defense and don’t take too many risks are the ones giving their goalkeeper an easy job.
They might only have to make a play on a few balls per contest. The rest of the time, they act almost like an on-field coach as they direct the defense.
Keep in mind that there are only so many positions on the soccer field that would be deemed easiest. Some goalkeepers go through a lot and consistently serve as the most valuable player for their team.
Goalkeepers who do their job well get paid extremely well. With that said, some goalkeepers have a lot more time to drink water and stand around in a match than others.
4. Wingers
Certain formats will have a winger running more than anyone else on the pitch. They need a lot of stamina and speed to get to the positions they need to have success.
They also need to have outstanding crossing abilities so that they can create offense for teammates.
Just like with strikers, some teams don’t focus on having an endless pursuit for goals throughout the match. Instead, they want to play a more methodical way, and that makes being a winger that much easier.
Wingers are very much role players in the grand scheme of things in soccer. They don’t always get the recognition they deserve, and teams don’t prioritize them as much as they should.
Whether that makes it easier can be open to interpretation. Compared to some of the other positions on this list or left out completely, the winger position has fewer responsibilities.
3. Striker
This is another position that comes down to the style of play. Teams that focus on offense will put a lot of pressure on strikers to be at their best.
Those that are more defensive-oriented won’t need a striker to be superb at all times. That makes their job quite a bit easier if they aren’t handling the ball that much.
Teams must find a way to score if they want to win. Everyone can agree on that. Strikers sometimes get overrated by the amount of work they do, as a lot of their opportunities open up because others create them.
Teams that consistently score no goals or one goal likely focus on the time of possession more than anything. If that’s the case, their strikers have an easier job than a lot of others on the pitch.
Scoring goals is always going to get the headlines, but that doesn’t mean that they are outworking everyone else on the pitch. Star power is undeniable, but they do spend a decent amount of time walking on the pitch.
2. Fullbacks
Fullbacks act as defenders that have wide positions on the pitch. This means that they not only have to defend, but they also attack more and more with the modern game.
They aren’t asked to do a ton compared to many other positions though, which might put them in the easier category in some formats.
A lot of fullbacks have the main responsibility of directly connecting to forwards, but they also provide some early defense for teams attacking relentlessly.
The reason why they come in #2 on this list is mostly that their role resembles the centerback position in a lot of ways.
There are bound to be plenty of fullbacks who believe that they work harder than anyone else on the pitch, but too many formats have them taking it easy and not needing the same amount of overall skill.
1. Center Back
Center back doesn’t require the same amount of skill as many other field positions. The main goal is to prevent the other team from scoring goals.
They need to be physical and fast for a certain degree, but not nearly the same level as some of the other positions.
The biggest key for a center-back is to be a little physical and use that physicality as an advantage. Being able to read how the opposition is attacking is more of a mindful skill set instead of being incredibly gifted physically.
Strikers will indeed try to take advantage of center backs. It’s not like a center-back can sit around and do nothing the entire game. However, a lot of teams will put some of the weaker players in this position.
Is There Such a Thing As The Easiest Position In Soccer?
Trying to name the easiest position in soccer is bound to cause controversy. As cliché as it might sound, it takes an entire team to make a tough opponent. If there are any vulnerabilities with the team, the opposition is going to exploit them.
Teams will do what they can to have everyone positioned in a way that puts them in a chance to win. That usually means protecting their weakest part of the roster.
Putting the center back position at #1 for easiest generally seems to be a method used by professional teams.
Centerbacks can and will make game-changing impacts from time to time. There are some all-time greats that played this position as well.
Being able to execute is the name of the game in soccer, and the best teams are willing to pay a premium price for anyone who gets the job done.
