John Charles

Wales · Second striker (Centre-back) · Gen 1 · Pelé & Maradona · Peak 1955-1962

Imposing aerial giant who was world-class at both centre-forward and centre-back

Nicknames Il Gigante Buono, The Gentle Giant

77.7OVR#377 of 1,235 outfield players

Position-weighted average of all outfield and career attributes, as on the main table.

“John Charles was a team unto himself.”
— Jack Charlton, Leeds United teammate · source

Category averages

  • Speed65.5
  • Shooting77.8
  • Passing67.1
  • Ball Control74.0
  • Movement83.6
  • Football IQ81.5
  • Defending Skill81.0
  • Physical81.2
  • Mental86.3
  • Career80.2

Top 10 attributes

  1. Heading97
  2. Aerial Duels97
  3. Strength95
  4. Hold-up Play92
  5. Finishing91
  6. Shot Power90
  7. Attacking Positioning89
  8. Determination88
  9. Consistency88
  10. Anticipation87

All 64 attributes

Speed 65.5

  • Top Speed75
  • Acceleration71
  • Dribbling Speed59
  • Top Speed with Ball65
  • Knock-on & Run63
  • Change of Pace60

Shooting 77.8

  • Finishing91
  • Shot Power90
  • Long Shots80
  • Volleys82
  • Curve60
  • Penalties80
  • Heading97
  • Direct Free Kicks60
  • Shooting Creativity60
  • Acrobatics78

Passing 67.1

  • Short Passing74
  • Long Passing68
  • Through Balls70
  • Crossing58
  • Link-up Play76
  • Vision72
  • Set-Piece Delivery52

Ball Control 74.0

  • Dribbling72
  • Possession84
  • First Touch82
  • Skills & Tricks52
  • Weak Foot74
  • Press Resistance80

Movement 83.6

  • Off-the-Ball Movement82
  • Runs in Behind80
  • Attacking Positioning89
  • Anticipation87
  • Recovery Runs80

Football IQ 81.5

  • Decision Making86
  • Spatial Awareness84
  • Game Management80
  • Tactical Creativity76

Defending Skill 81.0

  • Defensive Positioning84
  • Marking84
  • Interceptions82
  • Standing Tackle82
  • Sliding Tackle76
  • Offside Trap78

Physical 81.2

  • Strength95
  • Stamina83
  • Agility65
  • Balance80
  • Recovery78
  • Reactions76
  • Hold-up Play92
  • Aerial Duels97
  • Aggression65

Mental 86.3

  • Big-Game Temperament86
  • Leadership86
  • Selflessness86
  • Concentration86
  • Determination88
  • Tactical Discipline86

Career 80.2

  • Consistency88
  • Longevity82
  • Achievements59
  • Durability86
  • Loyalty86

Profile

Born
27 December 1931
Height
188 cm
Foot
Right
Career
1949–1974
Prime
1955-1962

Club career

  • 1948–1957 Leeds United
  • 1957–1962 Juventus
  • 1962–1962 Leeds United
  • 1962–1963 Roma
  • 1963–1966 Cardiff City
  • 1966–1971 Hereford United
  • 1971–1974 Merthyr Tydfil

Honours

League title · Serie A Juventus 3

1957–58, 1959–60, 1960–61

Coppa Italia 2

1958–59, 1959–60

Capocannoniere 1

1957–58

English First Division Top Scorer 1

1956–57

Trophy illustrations: Wikimedia Commons

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