In short: the best Deep-Lying Forward players in eFootball
- What it does: a forward who drops in to link play
- Positions: it only triggers at CF, SS
- No.1: Lionel Messi — 106 overall at max level
- How it is ranked: all 850 Deep-Lying Forward cards, by max-level overall with boosters applied
- Best by play type: Pace — Johan Cruyff · Finishing — Harry Kane · Aerial — Ruud Gullit · Dribbling — Lionel Messi · Link-up — Lionel Messi
What is Deep-Lying Forward?
Deep-Lying Forward in eFootball drops into midfield to receive and link attacks. A forward who joins the build-up and adds depth to possession.
Which positions trigger Deep-Lying Forward
Deep-Lying Forward only triggers when the player is used at CF, SS. Played anywhere else the behaviour does not appear, so playing the card in one of these positions is the basic requirement for getting anything out of the style.
Deep-Lying Forward tier list — SS to B
Every Deep-Lying Forward card graded on the same scale used across eFootball LABO. Only cards at 95 overall or above make the table, and each player appears once with their strongest card.
SS
Top 5 in its position or playing-style ranking — the cards to chase first
S
Max overall 100+ — a starter you can rely on long term
Carlos Tevez101Carlos TevezCFJohan Cruyff101Johan CruyffCFMario Gotze101Mario GotzeCFFerenc Puskas101Ferenc PuskasCFRuud Gullit100Ruud GullitSSEric Cantona100Eric CantonaCFEric Cantona100Eric CantonaCFMemphis Depay100Memphis DepayCFFrancesco Totti100Francesco TottiCFKeisuke Honda100Keisuke HondaCFDennis Bergkamp100Dennis BergkampCFNwankwo Kanu100Nwankwo KanuCFLionel Messi100Lionel MessiSS
A
Max overall 98–99 — just behind the elite 19 cards in this tier
Motoki Nagakura99Motoki NagakuraCFYuma Suzuki99Yuma SuzukiCFJohan Cruyff99Johan CruyffCFTiquinho Soares99Tiquinho SoaresCFJoao Pedro99Joao PedroCFRoberto Baggio99Roberto BaggioCFDiego Maradona99Diego MaradonaSSRoberto Baggio99Roberto BaggioCFNick Woltemade99Nick WoltemadeCFDimitar Berbatov99Dimitar BerbatovCFHarry Kane99Harry KaneCFJulian Alvarez98Julian AlvarezCFRoberto Firmino98Roberto FirminoCFAnderson Lopes98Anderson LopesCF
B
Max overall 95–97 — usable depending on position and tactics 69 cards in this tier
Julian Alvarez97Julian AlvarezCFWayne Rooney97Wayne RooneyCFLautaro Martinez97Lautaro MartinezCFDesire Doue97Desire DoueCFMatheus Cunha97Matheus CunhaCFOusmane Dembele97Ousmane DembeleCFKarim Benzema97Karim BenzemaCFRen Komatsu97Ren KomatsuCFKylian Mbappe97Kylian MbappeCFJun Nishikawa97Jun NishikawaSSLionel Messi97Lionel MessiSSKarim Benzema97Karim BenzemaCFHugo Ekitike97Hugo EkitikeCFKarim Benzema97Karim BenzemaCF
Deep-Lying Forward ranking — Top 30
Every Deep-Lying Forward card ranked by overall rating at max level, with the card’s own booster applied. 850 cards were compared.
🥇
Big Time · Argentina
Max overall106
Total stats1824 (tiebreaker)
PositionSS
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterRegista +4Tight Possession+4 · Low Pass+4 · Defensive Awareness+4 · Tackling+4Regista +3Tight Possession+3 · Low Pass+3 · Defensive Awareness+3 · Tackling+3
Special skillsMomentum DribblingEdged CrossingMagnetic Feet
🥈
Epic · FC Barcelona
Max overall103
Total stats1857 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterStriker’s Instinct +3Attacking Awareness+3 · Ball Control+3 · Finishing+3 · Acceleration+3
Special skillsMomentum DribblingPhenomenal Pass
🥉
Show Time · England
Max overall103
Total stats1831 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterShooting +3Ball Control+3 · Finishing+3 · Kicking Power+3 · Physical Contact+3Passing +3Low Pass+3 · Lofted Pass+3 · Curl+3 · Kicking Power+3
Special skillsLow ScreamerMagnetic Feet
4
Show Time · Argentina
Max overall102
Total stats1832 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterTechnique +3Ball Control+3 · Dribbling+3 · Tight Possession+3 · Low Pass+3Aerial +3Finishing+3 · Heading+3 · Physical Contact+3 · Jumping+3
Special skillsPhenomenal PassBlitz Curler
5
Show Time · England
Max overall102
Total stats1813 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterStrength +3Kicking Power+3 · Speed+3 · Physical Contact+3 · Jumping+3Agility +3Speed+3 · Acceleration+3 · Balance+3 · Stamina+3
Special skillsPhenomenal FinishingMagnetic Feet
6
PeleSS
Epic · Brazil
Max overall102
Total stats1812 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterFantasista +2Ball Control+2 · Dribbling+2 · Finishing+2 · Balance+2
Special skillsPhenomenal FinishingPhenomenal Pass
7
Show Time · Belgium
Max overall101
Total stats1885 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterStrength +3Kicking Power+3 · Speed+3 · Physical Contact+3 · Jumping+3Hard Worker +3Aggression+3 · Acceleration+3 · Physical Contact+3 · Stamina+3
Special skillsMagnetic Feet
8
Epic · Manchester B
Max overall101
Total stats1865 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterShooting +3Ball Control+3 · Finishing+3 · Kicking Power+3 · Physical Contact+3
Special skillsMomentum DribblingPhenomenal Pass
9
Epic · Ajax
Max overall101
Total stats1856 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterFantasista +2Ball Control+2 · Dribbling+2 · Finishing+2 · Balance+2
Special skillsPhenomenal Pass
10
Big Time · Argentina
Max overall101
Total stats1851 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterKing of Football +4Dribbling+4 · Tight Possession+4 · Balance+4 · Physical Contact+4
Special skills—
11
Epic · Germany
Max overall101
Total stats1851 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterStriker’s Instinct +3Attacking Awareness+3 · Ball Control+3 · Finishing+3 · Acceleration+3
Special skillsPhenomenal FinishingPhenomenal Pass
12
Big Time · Argentina
Max overall101
Total stats1850 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterThe Undisputed +3Attacking Awareness+3 · Ball Control+3 · Dribbling+3 · Physical Contact+3
Special skills—
13
Epic · Hungary
Max overall101
Total stats1803 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterAccuracy +3Low Pass+3 · Lofted Pass+3 · Finishing+3 · Kicking Power+3
Special skillsBlitz CurlerLow Screamer
14
Epic · AC Milan
Max overall100
Total stats1926 (tiebreaker)
PositionSS
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterStriker’s Instinct +2Attacking Awareness+2 · Ball Control+2 · Finishing+2 · Acceleration+2
Special skillsPhenomenal Finishing
15
Epic · France
Max overall100
Total stats1882 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterShooting +2Ball Control+2 · Finishing+2 · Kicking Power+2 · Physical Contact+2
Special skillsPhenomenal Finishing
16
Epic · France
Max overall100
Total stats1882 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterShooting +2Ball Control+2 · Finishing+2 · Kicking Power+2 · Physical Contact+2
Special skillsPhenomenal Finishing
17
Epic · Manchester United
Max overall100
Total stats1880 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterStriker’s Instinct +2Attacking Awareness+2 · Ball Control+2 · Finishing+2 · Acceleration+2
Special skillsMomentum Dribbling
18
Show Time · SC Corinthians Paulista
Max overall100
Total stats1852 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterTotal Package +3All stats+3
Special skillsLow Screamer
19
Epic · Italy
Max overall100
Total stats1831 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterFantasista +2Ball Control+2 · Dribbling+2 · Finishing+2 · Balance+2
Special skillsPhenomenal Pass
20
Epic · Japan
Max overall100
Total stats1796 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterShooting +3Ball Control+3 · Finishing+3 · Kicking Power+3 · Physical Contact+3
Special skillsBlitz CurlerWillpower
21
Epic · Arsenal FC
Max overall100
Total stats1790 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterFantasista +3Ball Control+3 · Dribbling+3 · Finishing+3 · Balance+3
Special skillsVisionary Pass
22
Epic · England
Max overall100
Total stats1790 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterStriker’s Instinct +3Attacking Awareness+3 · Ball Control+3 · Finishing+3 · Acceleration+3
Special skillsLow Screamer
23
Epic · Nigeria
Max overall100
Total stats1780 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterRebuilding +4Low Pass+4 · Defensive Awareness+4 · Defensive Engagement+4 · Aggression+4
Special skillsPhenomenal FinishingBullet Header
24
Epic · FC Barcelona
Max overall100
Total stats1779 (tiebreaker)
PositionSS
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterOffence Creator +4Attacking Awareness+4 · Ball Control+4 · Low Pass+4 · Kicking Power+4
Special skills—
25
Epic · Manchester United
Max overall99
Total stats1872 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterShooting +2Ball Control+2 · Finishing+2 · Kicking Power+2 · Physical Contact+2
Special skills—
26
Show Time · FC TOKYO
Max overall99
Total stats1859 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterTotal Package +3All stats+3
Special skillsAcceleration Burst
27
Show Time · Kashima Antlers
Max overall99
Total stats1835 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterTotal Package +3All stats+3
Special skillsPhenomenal FinishingBullet Header
28
Epic · Netherlands
Max overall99
Total stats1834 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterNo booster
Special skills—
29
Show Time · Botafogo FR
Max overall99
Total stats1820 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterTotal Package +3All stats+3
Special skillsPhenomenal Finishing
30
Show Time · Chelsea B
Max overall99
Total stats1814 (tiebreaker)
PositionCF
Playing styleATTDeep-Lying ForwardDEFBasic
BoosterShooting +2Ball Control+2 · Finishing+2 · Kicking Power+2 · Physical Contact+2
Special skillsPhenomenal Finishing
Best Deep-Lying Forward by play type
Overall rating alone does not tell you which card suits your squad. These are the top 3 Deep-Lying Forward cards for each play type, scored on the stats that matter for that role.
Pace
Quick players who break in behind and turn counters into chances. They shine in tactics built around attacking space.
Scored on: Speed, Acceleration
Finishing
Finishers who bury the few chances they get. Pick these when accuracy in front of goal comes first.
Scored on: Finishing, Kicking Power
Aerial
Aerial targets for crosses and set pieces. They pair well with wing play and long-ball tactics.
Scored on: Heading, Jumping, Physical Contact
Dribbling
Technicians who beat opponents in tight areas. Good as the trigger for possession play.
Scored on: Dribbling, Ball Control, Balance
Link-up
Forwards who drop in and build. They add depth to your build-up.
Scored on: Attacking Awareness, Low Pass, Lofted Pass
Summary
✓Summary
- Deep-Lying Forward = a forward who drops in to link play. It triggers at CF, SS.
- The strongest Deep-Lying Forward is Lionel Messi at 106 overall.
- 850 Deep-Lying Forward cards were compared, all at max level with boosters applied.
