How do I know if my pro is lengthy? An in-depth guide to mastering FIFA 23‘s game-changing player type

Lengthy players have undoubtedly been the talk of the FIFA community in recent months. Their overpowered running style dominated the early FIFA 23 meta before some key nerfs in patches. But lengthy players still remain extremely viable in both FIFA Ultimate Team and Pro Clubs if utilized properly. In this guide, I‘ll break down everything you need to know about getting the most out of lengthy players.

What exactly makes a player "lengthy"?

In FIFA 23, all player cards are assigned one of three running styles as part of the new AcceleRATE system:

• Lengthy – Tall and strong players that accelerate slower but reach higher top speeds
• Explosive – Quick acceleration and pace but tire out faster
• Controlled – Maintain a steady speed throughout

But what specific attributes does your player need to qualify as lengthy? According to extensive testing from FIFA experts like EarlyGame, here are the key thresholds:

• Strength: 65 or higher
• Acceleration: 55 or higher
• Height: 174 cm / 5‘ 8" or taller
• Strength at least 14 points higher than Agility

To see this in action, let‘s compare some popular lengthy and non-lengthy player cards in FUT:

As you can see, the lengthy cards like Van Dijk and Kane have much higher strength and size compared to more agile players like Walker and Benzema. This combination allows them to really shine once they build momentum.

Creating the ultimate lengthy Pro in Pro Clubs

If you want to make a lengthy player for Pro Clubs, there are some attribute targets you should aim for:

• Height: 6‘4" or taller ideal
• Weight: 200lbs or heavier
• Strength: Invest first 2 points here
• Sprint Speed: Max this out
• Shooting + Weak Foot: Max these
• Avoid Dribbling, Agility, Balance boosts

Here are a couple amazing lengthy Pro builds to aim for:

Lengthy Target Man Build

• Height: 6‘4"
• Weight: 210 lbs
• Strength: 70
• Sprint Speed: 85
• Shooting: 80
• Positioning: 80

Lengthy Defender Build

• Height: 6‘7"
• Weight: 220 lbs
• Strength: 75
• Sprint Speed: 78
• Defending: 70
• Aggression: 70

Focus on size and strength over agility. Let your speed and shooting do the rest once you get moving!

According to FIFA streamer @futurefoodball, height is also key for winning aerial duels:

"Go as tall as possible if you‘re a striker or CB. You‘ll beat most defenders in the air for headers if you max out height and strength."

But don‘t go too small either. Around 5‘7" – 5‘9" tends to be the ideal height range for other positions to maintain some mobility.

Are lengthy players still viable after recent patches?

Shortly after FIFA 23‘s release, lengthy players were widely considered extremely overpowered. Their ability to catch almost any opponent from behind after building speed made them nearly unstoppable.

However, EA rolled out some key patches in recent months that boosted explosive and controlled styles in an effort to balance gameplay.

According to many pros, lengthy players are still highly effective, but not quite as OP as they once were. As competitive player Kurt summed up:

"Lengthy definitely got nerfed, but I‘d still rather use a lengthy defender over someone smaller. Once they‘re rolling, they‘re still so hard to push off the ball."

The patches helped bring more viability to pacey explosive players when used properly. But lengthy players still thrive thanks to their unparalleled strength and size.

How to tell if your player is lengthy

Want to check if your existing Pro Clubs player or FUT card meets the lengthy thresholds? Here‘s what to look for:

• Strength: 65+
• Acceleration: 55+
• Height: Over 5‘8" / 173 cm
• Strength much higher than Agility

You can also apply certain chemistry styles in FUT to convert players to lengthy:

So keep an eye out for players who may not be lengthy by default, but can get there with the right chemistry boosts.

Seeing lengthy in action

To really get a feel for what the lengthy style looks like in FIFA 23, check out this comparison:

{%youtube zBjSg8Cs0_k %}

As you can see, the lengthy Mbappe takes a moment to reach top speed, but his massive size and strength make him impossible to dispossess at full pace.

Now compare to the explosive Vinicius Jr:

{%youtube ObF342rTpdk%}

Vinicius accelerates much quicker, but can‘t match the raw power of lengthy Mbappe at full speed.

Quick tips for success with lengthy players

After breaking down all the stats and patches around lengthy, here are some quick tips from my own experience using them effectively:

• Use lengthy CBs to dominate crosses and set pieces. They‘ll win nearly every header.
• Apply Architect to your CMS and CDMs – their size helps clog the midfield.
• Don‘t rely solely on pacey through balls – build up lengthy strikers with shorter passes.
• Master shielding and close dribbling – use size to keep defenders away from the ball.
• On defense, use explosive fullbacks to counter lengthy attackers on the wings.

I hope these tips help you truly master lengthy players and get the most out of them, whether in FUT, Pro Clubs, or any other mode! Let me know if you have any other questions.