Mads Roerslev Rasmussen is a Danish professional footballer who primarily plays as a **right-back** or **right wing-back**. His playing style and attributes make him a versatile and dynamic defender, well-suited to modern football's demands for full-backs. Below is an overview of the type of footballer Roerslev is, based on available information about his career and characteristics:
### Playing Style and Attributes
- **Position and Versatility**:
- **Primary Role**: Right-back or right wing-back, often deployed in a 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 formation, as seen during his time at Brentford in the Premier League.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)[](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)
- **Versatility**: Capable of playing as a right-sided centre-back in a back three, as demonstrated during the 2021–22 season when injuries forced positional adjustments at Brentford. He has also occasionally filled in as a more advanced right midfielder or wing-back due to his offensive capabilities.[](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)[](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)
- **Offensive Qualities**:
- **Crossing Ability**: Roerslev is noted for being a "good crosser of the ball," contributing to attacks with accurate deliveries from the right flank. This makes him effective in supporting wingers or strikers.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)
- **Energy and Work Rate**: Described as "quick and energetic to get up and down the pitch," he excels in overlapping runs and supporting attacks, a key trait for modern full-backs.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)[](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)
- **Attacking Contributions**: While not a prolific goal scorer, he has shown offensive impact, such as assisting Emiliano Marcondes in Brentford’s 2021 Championship play-off final and scoring his first Premier League goal against Aston Villa on January 2, 2022.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)[](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)
- **Defensive Qualities**:
- **One-on-One Defending**: Roerslev is "very good defending one-on-one," a skill he honed under experienced defenders like Tom Høgli at FC Copenhagen. This makes him reliable in duels against wingers.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)[](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)
- **Discipline**: His ability to hold his position and adapt to defensive roles (e.g., right centre-back) showcases his tactical awareness and reliability.[](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)
- **Physicality**: Standing at 1.84 meters (6 feet 0 inches) and weighing 77 kg, Roerslev has the physical attributes to compete in the Premier League, handling both defensive and aerial challenges.[](https://athleticupdates.com/mads-roerslev-wiki-stats-net-worth/)
- **Work Rate and Team Role**:
- Roerslev is a hardworking, team-oriented player who often steps up when first-choice players (e.g., Aaron Hickey or Henrik Dalsgaard) are unavailable due to injury or departure. His ability to seize opportunities, such as becoming a regular starter in the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons, highlights his reliability as a squad player.[](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)
- His high work rate and adaptability suit Brentford’s high-pressing, structured style under manager Thomas Frank.
### Statistical and Career Context
- **Career Path**: Roerslev progressed through the FC Copenhagen academy, making his senior debut in 2016 with a goal in a Danish Cup match. After limited appearances and loans to Halmstads BK and Vendsyssel FF, he joined Brentford in 2019, initially with their B team, before breaking into the first team. He was part of Brentford’s squad that earned promotion to the Premier League in 2021.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)[](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)
- **Performance Stats**:
- **2020–21 Season**: 22 appearances, including a key assist in the Championship play-off final.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)
- **2021–22 Season**: 26 appearances, adapting to both right wing-back and right centre-back roles.[](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)
- **2022–23 Season**: 23 appearances, stepping up due to injuries to Aaron Hickey and Kristoffer Ajer.[](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)
- **2023–24 Season**: A career-high 38 appearances, scoring once in a 2–2 draw with Chelsea.[](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)
- **2024–25 Season**: 23 appearances for Brentford before a loan move to VfL Wolfsburg in January 2025, where he made seven appearances, mostly as a substitute.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)[](https://sofifa.com/player/238157/mads-roerslev/?hl=en-US)
- **International Career**: Capped at Denmark youth levels (U17 to U21), with a senior debut in a 0–0 Nations League draw against Serbia in November 2024.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)[](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)
### Football Manager and Gaming Insights
- In **Football Manager 2024**, Roerslev is rated as a strong **Inverted Wing Back**, reflecting his ability to cut inside and contribute to both attack and defense. His attributes emphasize his right-footedness, work rate, and versatility.[](https://www.fmscout.com/player/27122563/mads-roerslev.html)
- In **EA FC 25**, he has an overall rating of 73, with 3 skill moves and a 3-star weak foot, indicating decent technical ability for a full-back.[](https://sofifa.com/player/238157/mads-roerslev/?hl=en-US)[](https://www.fifacm.com/player/238157/mads-roerslev)
### Strengths
- **Versatility**: Comfortable in multiple defensive and midfield roles, making him a valuable squad player.
- **Offensive Contribution**: Effective in attack with crosses and runs, adding width to his team’s play.
- **Defensive Reliability**: Strong in one-on-one situations and tactically disciplined.
- **Resilience**: Overcame early career setbacks (limited minutes at FC Copenhagen, loans) to become a Premier League regular.
### Weaknesses
- **Limited Goal Threat**: Primarily an assist provider rather than a goal scorer, with only one Premier League goal as of 2025.[](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)
- **Squad Player Role**: Often a backup to first-choice right-backs like Aaron Hickey, which limits his consistent starting opportunities.[](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)
- **Injury History**: Missed four months of the 2020–21 season due to a metatarsal injury, though he has since maintained better fitness.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mads_Roerslev)
### Summary
Mads Roerslev is a **modern, dynamic right-back** with a blend of offensive flair and defensive solidity. His ability to deliver crosses, engage in one-on-one duels, and adapt to various roles (right-back, wing-back, or centre-back) makes him a reliable team player for clubs like Brentford and, more recently, VfL Wolfsburg. His high work rate, energy, and tactical flexibility align with the demands of Premier League and Bundesliga football, though he remains more of a facilitator than a star performer.