This one sparked my interest during an argument about the subject as I challenged the idea that being a ‘system player’ is a negative, as some of the best players in history have been system players in some of the most successful systems (E.G. Sergio Busquets).
The problem seemed to stem from the fact that my understanding of what system player meant was someone who needed to be in the right set up to play at their, often world class, best and that taking them out of that system or in a team with a very different play-style would result in a big drop off in performance.
The person I was arguing with defined it as a player who is made to look better because they’re surrounded by better players in a ‘good system’, and is by definition not a key part of that system they just play a role.
I think this severely underestimates the importance of tactics and systems which are implemented by managers as well ignores the nuance of what it means to be a ‘good’ player. I also can’t help but worry that it’s a symptom of FIFA playing that people view players through the lens of ‘what would they be like to use in a FIFA game’ and this colours opinions.
To me, a system player can be better than a non-system player as they are more adaptable and coachable rather than always just playing ’their game’.
From my understanding the term system player only came about as an alternative to a talisman player.
Basically, a player that has some extreme physical attributes (mbappe) that allow him to determine the game all on his own is a talisman player. He’ll smash out goals from tiny advantages such that it doesn’t matter what system he is playing under, he is a threat to any team.
Contrary to that, a system player is someone who doesn’t have that extreme physical strength, but a high baseline on all skills and an exceptional ability to understand and execute any strategy or the main strategy in any situation. These players are typically still strong players but they lack one major strength and have consistent high level on many strengths.
A team will not rely on a system player to break open a strategic stalemate with some unexpected improvisation, just as a team will not rely on the talisman to grind out a role or strategy that isn’t tailored to their strength.
In reality most players at the top level are a mix of both, someone like griezzman is a system player with unreal ability that can be the talisman when called upon. Just like how henry was a talisman but assimilated into the system at barcelona.
I think this is kinda what I think as well, most players are system players, unlike a lot of other answers which are saying a system player is a player that fits in certain system. I would class it more as being a system player on an individual player, some players just have that ‘magic’ to change games on their own.