Per Mertesacker

Germany · Centre-back · Gen 3 · Messi & Ronaldo · Peak 2006-2014

Towering centre-back who made up for slow feet with reading and positioning

Nicknames BFG

72.7OVR#1002 of 1,235 outfield players

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

Category averages

  • Speed35.0
  • Shooting45.4
  • Passing59.4
  • Ball Control61.0
  • Movement52.0
  • Football IQ84.0
  • Defending Skill85.8
  • Physical67.6
  • Mental88.3
  • Career82.4

Top 10 attributes

  1. Leadership92
  2. Tactical Discipline92
  3. Defensive Positioning91
  4. Anticipation90
  5. Decision Making90
  6. Spatial Awareness90
  7. Interceptions90
  8. Offside Trap90
  9. Concentration90
  10. Heading88

All 64 attributes

Speed 35.0

  • Top Speed42
  • Acceleration40
  • Dribbling Speed30
  • Top Speed with Ball36
  • Knock-on & Run28
  • Change of Pace34

Shooting 45.4

  • Finishing40
  • Shot Power58
  • Long Shots44
  • Volleys38
  • Curve40
  • Penalties46
  • Heading88
  • Direct Free Kicks30
  • Shooting Creativity28
  • Acrobatics42

Passing 59.4

  • Short Passing78
  • Long Passing70
  • Through Balls62
  • Crossing40
  • Link-up Play70
  • Vision66
  • Set-Piece Delivery30

Ball Control 61.0

  • Dribbling48
  • Possession70
  • First Touch72
  • Skills & Tricks36
  • Weak Foot66
  • Press Resistance74

Movement 52.0

  • Off-the-Ball Movement36
  • Runs in Behind34
  • Attacking Positioning38
  • Anticipation90
  • Recovery Runs62

Football IQ 84.0

  • Decision Making90
  • Spatial Awareness90
  • Game Management86
  • Tactical Creativity70

Defending Skill 85.8

  • Defensive Positioning91
  • Marking88
  • Interceptions90
  • Standing Tackle82
  • Sliding Tackle74
  • Offside Trap90

Physical 67.6

  • Strength80
  • Stamina72
  • Agility46
  • Balance66
  • Recovery66
  • Reactions66
  • Hold-up Play60
  • Aerial Duels86
  • Aggression66

Mental 88.3

  • Big-Game Temperament86
  • Leadership92
  • Selflessness86
  • Concentration90
  • Determination84
  • Tactical Discipline92

Career 82.4

  • Consistency88
  • Longevity86
  • Achievements69
  • Durability82
  • Loyalty87

Profile

Born
29 September 1984
Height
198 cm
Weight
90 kg
Foot
Right
Career
2003–2018
Prime
2006-2014

Club career

  • 2003–2006 Hannover 96
  • 2006–2011 Werder Bremen
  • 2011–2018 Arsenal

Honours

World Cup 1

2014 Germany

FA Cup 3

2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17

DFB-Pokal 1

2008–09

Community Shield 2

2015, 2017

Trophy illustrations: Wikimedia Commons

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