Football Manager 2021 is the Sports Interactive management game published by SEGA on 24 November 2020, covering more than 50 nations and 2,500 clubs from the top flight down through the pyramid. Its defining theme was body language: FM21 introduced Gestures, so you could put an arm on a shoulder, smile warmly, pound a fist or throw a water bottle, and the choice fed into how players and media read you. It also brought xG into the game properly through data supplied by SciSports, added a post match SIxG readout comparing your result against the chances you created, and gave you a Performance Analyst producing monthly reports modelled on what real managers receive. Note before you plan a save: FM21 has been delisted from the Steam store, so it is no longer purchasable there although existing owners keep it in their library. That, plus a squad database frozen at the 2020/21 season, is the real argument for or against starting a save here rather than on a later edition.
Your choice of equipment defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inverted Wing-Back | S | Possession systems that keep getting outnumbered in central midfield | A full back who tucks into midfield in possession rather than overlapping, which gives you an extra body in central areas without dropping a forward. |
| Segundo Volante | A | Vertical and counter attacking systems that need a late runner | A defensive midfielder who breaks forward late into the box, arriving after the opposition has already picked up the attacking midfielders. |
| Mezzala | A | Breaking down deep blocks that refuse to leave their shape | A central midfielder who drifts into the half space between the opposition full back and centre back. |
| Ball Playing Defender | B | Tiki-Taka and possession sides building from the goalkeeper | A centre back instructed to pass out from the back rather than clear. |
| Complete Forward | B | Elite clubs with a genuinely complete striker rather than a specialist | The most demanding striker role in the game, asking for finishing, link play, dribbling, aerial ability and off the ball movement in one player. |
S-Tier: Inverted Wing-Back
A full back who tucks into midfield in possession rather than overlapping, which gives you an extra body in central areas without dropping a forward. It works best when your wide forwards hold width themselves.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Possession systems that keep getting outnumbered in central midfield |
| Key Mechanic | Gestures in conversations |
| Recommended Role | Gegenpress |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Inverted Wing-Back: Pairs naturally with Gegenpress thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Segundo Volante
A defensive midfielder who breaks forward late into the box, arriving after the opposition has already picked up the attacking midfielders. It needs stamina above almost everything else because the role covers the whole pitch.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Vertical and counter attacking systems that need a late runner |
| Key Mechanic | SIxG and expected goals data |
| Recommended Role | Tiki-Taka |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Segundo Volante: Pairs naturally with Tiki-Taka thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Mezzala
A central midfielder who drifts into the half space between the opposition full back and centre back. FM21's improvements to central play and final third variety make the half space runs more productive than in previous editions.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Breaking down deep blocks that refuse to leave their shape |
| Key Mechanic | Performance Analyst monthly reports |
| Recommended Role | Vertical Tiki-Taka |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Mezzala: Pairs naturally with Vertical Tiki-Taka thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Ball Playing Defender
A centre back instructed to pass out from the back rather than clear. It is the foundation of any possession plan and the fastest way to concede a soft goal if your defender's Passing and Composure are not up to it.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Tiki-Taka and possession sides building from the goalkeeper |
| Key Mechanic | Recruitment meetings and agent approaches |
| Recommended Role | Fluid Counter-Attack |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Ball Playing Defender: Pairs naturally with Fluid Counter-Attack thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Complete Forward
The most demanding striker role in the game, asking for finishing, link play, dribbling, aerial ability and off the ball movement in one player. In the 2020/21 database, very few forwards actually meet the requirement.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Elite clubs with a genuinely complete striker rather than a specialist |
| Key Mechanic | The 2020/21 season database |
| Recommended Role | Wing Play |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Complete Forward: Pairs naturally with Wing Play thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear English football pyramid
- Segundo Volante → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Mezzala → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Inverted Wing-Back → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying. One strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- FM21 is delisted from the Steam store. You cannot buy it there any more, though owners keep it in their library, so check your account before planning a save around it.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
More Football Manager 2021 Guides
- Football Manager 2021 Football Manager 2021 Overview
- Football Manager 2021 Best Builds
- Football Manager 2021 Tier List
- Football Manager 2021 Walkthrough
- Football Manager 2021 Beginner's Guide
- Football Manager 2021 Tips & Tricks
- Football Manager 2021 Combat Guide
- Football Manager 2021 Boss Guide
- Football Manager 2021 Maps & Locations
- Football Manager 2021 Crafting Guide
- Football Manager 2021 Classes & Characters
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