Football IQ is not a "fluffy term" and it's not "meaningless." Because you
can't learn it. You either have it, or you don't. Simple as that.
Müller might be the best example. take away his Football IQ and you get a 2nd division player.
Mediocre at absolutely everything. there are players in the 2nd division who are as fast as him, dribble as good as him
and shoot as good as him, yet they still play in the 2nd division and will never make it to division one.
I wonder why? i mean they could just learn things like Vision (passing), intuition (reading the game), movement (running into channels) and positioning, right? Following your logic, every player in the World could become Worldclass
"fluffy term"
When you mention. You either have it, or you don't. It just mean 'talent' isn't it?
Since you are using Muller as example, I would also like to point out Inzaghi. Who is also a player without pace or great technical skills, but for some reason can score goals. So these players are 'gifted' or 'talented', with uncanny ability to deliver despite not possessing any skills. correct.
What about players like Conte, Montero, Chiellini, Kante? They may not possessed the 'talent' that your boy muller has, but still managed to play in big teams.
'football IQ' AKA talent is appreciated but not necessary for a player to play in great teams.
You sound like one of those people with a defeatist loser mindset that thinks talent is the only ingredient for success in life.
"Oh, I may not have the talent, but i'm going to work my ass off and learn as much as possible to grow" - said Mr. Sturaro, while clearing the ball from the goal-line, and owning roma's midfield.
"Oh, I may not have the talent, but i'm going to work my ass off and learn as much as possible to grow" - said Mr. Conte, while captaining Juventus.
"Oh, I may not have the talent, but i'm going to work my ass off and learn as much as possible to grow" - said Mr. Chiellini, while making a tackle for Juventus.
"Oh I don't think I have the talent, so i am going to fail. I will not try or work hard, let me just fail"-said DaiDevil, while doing nothing.