Ledley King Player Review
Pros
Tackling and Marking
Ledley King’s tackling is clean, sharp, and very reliable. Both standing and sliding tackles feel smooth, and his marking ensures he stays tight on attackers, closing them down quickly and denying space in dangerous areas.
Defensive Awareness and Positioning
He reads the game well, holds his line intelligently, and maintains solid defensive shape during transitions. His anticipation helps him recover quickly and cover spaces effectively when full-backs push forward.
Physical Strength
Physically, King is tough and composed. He handles shoulder challenges and body duels with ease, rarely getting bullied off the ball. His stability in one-on-one situations makes him dependable against strong attackers.
Aerial Ability
He uses his height and timing well in aerial duels. While not dominant like taller defenders, he’s still reliable when defending set pieces or clearing high balls.
Passing and Composure
King is calm under pressure and his short passing is clean. He contributes well in the buildup phase and can safely play out from the back, maintaining possession even under pressing.
Work Rate
With a medium attacking and high defensive work rate, he focuses mainly on defensive duties while staying ready to support buildup when necessary.
Cons
Lack of Traits
He doesn’t have any key traits such as Dives Into Tackles or Power Header, which slightly limits his impact compared to elite defenders.
Average Pace and Agility
While not slow, his acceleration isn’t top-tier, and he can struggle to keep up with fast, agile forwards in quick transitions.
Conclusion
Ledley King is a strong and dependable traditional center-back - great positioning, solid tackling, and reliable composure. Though he lacks traits and elite-level pace, he remains an excellent choice for those who prefer stability and clean defending over flashy playstyles.
Rating 9/10