Guide · Football knowledge

How Football Player Ratings Actually Work

Player ratings show up everywhere — in games, in debates, and in Footle and Tier Drop. But what does an "overall rating" of 88 really mean, and why can two players with the same number feel completely different?

What an overall rating is

An overall rating is a single number that summarises a player's ability, usually on a scale up to 99. It's a weighted blend of many underlying attributes — pace, shooting, passing, dribbling, defending, physicality and more — with the weighting depending on the player's position. A striker's rating leans on finishing and movement; a centre-back's leans on tackling, positioning and strength.

Why same-rated players differ

Because the rating is position-weighted, an 85-rated winger and an 85-rated goalkeeper are excellent in completely different ways. The number says "this player is very good for their role", not "these two are interchangeable". That's why, in Tier Drop, you should rank each player against the best in their position, not against everyone at once.

Ratings change over time

Form, age and role all move a rating. A young player on the rise climbs; a veteran past their peak drifts down even if their reputation stays huge. This is exactly the gap Tier Drop rewards you for spotting — separating current level from past greatness.

Using ratings in the games

In Footle, the rating clue plus its up/down arrow is one of your fastest ways to narrow the field. In Tier Drop, remembering that ratings are position-relative will stop you dumping a brilliant defender into a low tier just because he isn't a goalscorer.

Test your instincts: play Tier Drop or play Footle.