Profile Breakdown and Core Strengths
Locatelli’s base setup establishes him as a premier passing distributor from deep positions. His attacking profile boasts 95 low passes and 93 lofted passes, complemented by 85 tight possession and 84 ball control. This allows him to easily drop between center-backs, retain the ball under heavy pressure, and initiate rapid counter-attacks. Combined with key passing traits like through passing, one-touch pass, weighted pass, and low lofted pass, he reliably delivers pinpoint ground passes and diagonal switches across the pitch.
Defensively, Locatelli offers a solid foundation rather than pure physical aggression. His card carries 96 Defensive Awareness, 92 Defensive Engagement, 93 Tackling, and 92 Aggression. While these figures might look modest at base level, his combination of defensive skills—specifically interception, blocker, and sliding tackle—allows him to cut passing lanes and break up opposition plays before they reach your backline. His athletic profile further reinforces his durability, offering 94 Stamina, 83 Physical Contact, 86 Speed, and 79 Acceleration, ensuring he maintains high intensity across 90 minutes.
Operating as a destroyer, Jaap Stam aggressively steps up to meet opposition attackers, breaking up plays before they can develop into dangerous chances. Defensively, his stats reach legendary levels: 103 Defensive Awareness, 99 Defensive Engagement, 103 Tackling, and 99 Aggression. These elite numbers ensure that Stam possesses maximum reaction speed and precision when dispossessing attackers, making him nearly impossible to bypass in 1v1 situations.
Progression Point Allocation Strategy
To unlock Locatelli’s full potential as a dual-threat deep pivot, distributing his 68 progression points requires balancing his ball distribution with heightened defensive efficiency. A highly effective training allocation focuses on the following priorities:
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Defending (+12 Points): Pushes his defensive awareness into the mid-80s while boosting his tackling and aggression close to 85. This transforms him into an authoritative ball-winner capable of anchor-man responsibilities.
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Passing (+8 Points): Elevates his low pass and lofted pass into elite territory (88–90+ range), maximizing his capability as an orchestrator who dictates tempo with long-range distribution.
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Dribbling (+6 Points): Enhances Ball Control, Dribbling, and Tight Possession, preventing clumsy touches when pressed by fast attacking midfielders.
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Lower Body Strength (+8 Points): Improves Speed, Kicking Power, and Stamina. Raising his stamina guarantees he won’t tire late in matches, while increased kicking power aids long-range switches.
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Dexterity (+4 Points) & Aerial Strength (+4 Points): Increases Acceleration and Physical Contact, helping him hold off stronger midfielders during physical duels and aerial challenges.
Tactical Fit and Gameplay Recommendations
Locatelli performs at his absolute best in systems that utilize a single pivot or a double pivot pairing, such as a 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, or 3-4-2-1 formation. Because his playstyle is orchestrator, he naturally lurks in deeper central areas during attacks rather than making reckless forward runs into the penalty box. Pairing him alongside a high-energy box-to-box midfielder or a pure destroyer allows Locatelli to focus entirely on recycling possession and intercepting opponent counters.
With Unwavering Form and an A condition rating, Locatelli guarantees reliable week-to-week performance without dramatic form drops. Utilizing his captaincy skill also provides team-wide stamina conservation, making him an invaluable tactical heartbeat for competitive squad lineups. This eFootball training video provides additional visual guidance on optimizing progression builds and testing. Locatelli’s performance in match setups.
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