Deep Dive on Where Your Coins Should be Spent Going Forth in EF27

The Council's verbose Shakespearean dogma needs to also evaluate carefully both attacking and defensive playstyles of players going forward. Efootball has truly experienced a soft or "secret" reset as of 8/13/2026.

These are the new skills coming this season

Based on my experience in deep division 1 last season, low screamer or bullet header on fast, tanky CFs is guaranteed goal.

The following are the skill combos that I believe will define meta.

Rapid Trigger Finish + Low Screamer + Attacking Surge for Ground CFs/SS

Beast Drive + Magnetic Feet + Bullet Header for Tall, Thick Aerial CFs/Goal Poachers/FITBs

Beast Drive + Magnetic Feet + Blitz Curler on Bale

Decisive Pass+Visionary Pass+ Magnetic Feet/Phenomenal Pass on Orchestrator/Creative Playmakers/Covering Role

Power Tackle + Long Reach Tackle + Shadow Hunt/Aerial Fort on CBs/DMFs/DFBs. Also needs highline master playstyle especially on Build Ups

Sharp Cut+Magnetic Feet+Momentum Dribbling/Blitz Curler on Neymar, Messi, Hazard, Pele, George Best, and other wingers

Sharp Cut+Momentum Dribbling+Blitz Curler/Tap Trick on Zola, Del Piero, Sneijder, Puskas, Dinho, Yamal, Son Heung-Min

Shadow Hunt + Edged Crossing + Attacking Surge on Offensive Fullbacks

Shadow Hunt + Edged Crossing + Momentum Dribbling on Fullback Finishers

GK Rush Out + GK Aerial Claim + GK Directing Defense on Sweeper Keeper GK playstyle Offensive GK style, or Defensive GK style like 2014 Germany Neuer, VDS, Courtois, Schmeical, and Cech

On mobile they updated movement where players will dash more effectively when player switching. Aerial Fort is now buffed because players can compete for high balls w/ a sideways motion even when stationary or moving backwards

Dribbling is now buffed. Magnetic Feet's effects will feel more prominent now when a dribbling player comes in contact with an opponent. Players will move a little faster during slow dribbling (momentum dribbling buff) as well as when they turn (tight possession will be more valuable now). Stronger foot is more easily used during dribbles. They nerfed the top speed of dash dribbles (momentum dribbling buff). Skill move feints are buffed, improved ball control. Mid-air ball control is also improved. Made changes so that entering the Dash and Finesse Dribble commands at the same time while trying to control the ball will allow the player to perform a trap and a dash that works in combination with their dribbling. They revised how quickly defenders adjust their positioning depending on the situation. In this way, attackers' sudden running movements and tactical maneuvers may be reflected more clearly, while defenders may not be able to stick to the attacker they're marking depending on the situation. Due to instances in which, during man marking, the lines made by the defenders and midfielders are too close together, leaving almost no space in between, revised how positioning is set when marking and made changes so that it is easier to leave space between those lines depending on the situation. In this way, it may be easier to break through or make a tactical maneuver in front of goal. 5 ATB park the bus with 1 CF is nerfed. Due to instances in which a defender not controlled by the user reacts too quickly to an opponent's dribble when positioned in front of them using the Match-up command, revised the timing at which players react. In this way, made changes so that AI-controlled players are not excessively strong at defending, and so that differences emerge in how defenders respond based on their "Defensive Awareness" Player Stat.

Creative playmakers are buffed: when making movements to create passing lanes, an AMF moves back to a deep midfield position despite a DMF or CMF being there already, leading to some strange positioning, revised how such passing areas are set, and made changes so that an AMF is unlikely to come back that far. Classic No. 10 will now play defense.

Shoulder passes are more frequent now (so you can play like CR7)

Dipping shots are buffed now, low screamer value seems to have gone a bit down because they made changes so that a player shooting the ball with a kick may drive it into ground depending on the situation. One time shot is a must skill on all forwards/ wingers now.

Offensive awareness is buffed because they made changes to attacker movement speed/timing so that its more appropriate depending on the situation to avoid offsides better. Physical contact/ Attacking Surge is even more valuable because as soon as a player shakes off the marking defender, they will immediately make a run. Prolific Winger/ Roaming Flanks are buffed, wide-play runs are improved. Due to instances in which players try to create passing lanes, but they move behind the opposing defence, or no passing lanes stay open, revised how those teammates are positioned and how directional changes are determined, and made changes so they move between defenders or to positions that likely ensure a good passing lane.

Heading motions are improved. Made changes to movement speed so that players can follow and receive crosses more easily near the goal. Due to instances in which a full back runs forward on an overlap but, depending on the situation, then loops around the ball carrier despite being in an attacking position further ahead of that player, revised that type of decision-making and made changes so that more appropriate movement paths are set. They buffed cross spamming (OH BOY KOLLER ENJOYERS).

Weak foot kicking accuracy is improved in short distances.

Defense/kicking updates: weird tackles instead of trying to clear the ball with the opponent in front of them is less likely to happen now! Due to instances in which players make a kicking motion even though the ball is far away, made changes to how kicking motions are selected. Due to instances in which, during a tackle, the player kicks the ball too far and it is not possible to win possession, made changes so that they kick the ball according to the situation. Throw-in speeds are buffed for short distances (long throw value went up). Fixed the issue where players attempt to kick or head the ball straight ahead, but it veers to the left or right.

• Low speed defense improved
• LRT buff/debuff?!: Due to instances in which a player is wrong-footed by the opponent but still blocks the ball with an outstretched leg, or in which a player blocks the ball, but it is too easy for the opponent to retrieve it, made changes to how some blocking motions are selected. Due to instances in which players block a low pass or low through ball and the ball stops at that spot even though it should move further, made changes to the trajectory of blocked balls. Match-Up blocking is more responsive. Due to instances in which certain tackling motions are made too often and it is too easy to win the ball in some situations, made changes to how tackling motions are selected.
• Nerfed AI defensive positioning, depending on their Defensive Engagement stat and whether or not they possess the Interception skill. Reduced timing of moves to cut out a forward's passing lane too often. Reduced AI Pressing during passes. Defensive Awareness stat also holds more value now as before.
• Offensive pressing to win back the ball is buffed, 5 ATB holding the ball is nerfed FINALLY
• Offside line by defenders improved during crosses. Due to instances in which, based on how players determine whether or not to mark attackers, defenders are slow to stick to a forward when another opponent has the ball in an area good for early crosses, revised how marking is decided and made changes so that defenders respond more appropriately to opponents running in behind.
• Buffed man marking, long shots are now nerfed a bit because they revised positioning during marking and made changes so that defenders position themselves closer to opponents. Due to instances in which defenders who are marking opponents move strangely or take up unusual positions because of the state of the back line or their positioning in relation to the player they are marking, revised how movement speed and positioning are determined. In this way, made changes so that it is easier to keep a defensive line that works together and so that teams produce a steadier level of defending when marking.
• Made changes so that it is easier to send successful through balls and crosses from deep positions based on the timing and accuracy, while limiting the impact when trying to defend from a high position.
• The spacing between midfielders and defenders is "improved" so that defenders may be able to switch marking assignments and change positioning in a steadier manner.
• Due to instances in which a defender stops marking their intended opponent near the back line, allowing them to run free, revised how players decide to stop marking and made changes so that they keep marking as appropriate. In this way, made changes so that an opponent is less likely to run free from the back line.
• Due to instances in which the handover of marking assignments between defenders in the penalty area could become unnatural, revised how marking targets are determined. As a result, unnatural switches in marking assignments will occur less often, and midfield players will also be more likely to join in with marking.
• Stamina improvement/defensive nerf for forwards during defensive plays (won't run long distances to catch opponents)
• Player switching is now less error prone and more responsive. Due to instances in which, while defending, the controlled player is pulled towards a long pass that an opponent will likely get to first, made changes so that the player can be moved freely instead of being drawn towards the ball depending on the situation.
• Made changes to adjust the timing of players' reactions when defending a pass, and to ensure that they do not react slowly in a strange way while in the opponent's half.
• Made changes to the timing of players' reactions when defending a pass, slightly reducing reaction speed while deep in their own half.
• Made changes so that a forward is more likely to track back near their own goal when the opponent has launched a deep attack.
• Due to instances in which a player is inside the goal while the keeper has the ball and no movement path is available that will allow them to return to the field, made changes so that such a player is unlikely to remain inside the goal.

Set pieces are buffed, players who have fallen down in transition will get back up faster now to continue advantage plays. Olimpico goal scoring opportunities seemed to have been buffed: Revised how the kick gauge and height input affect accuracy when kicking the ball from a set piece, and made changes to improve accuracy. Also, lengthened the time when the trajectory can be adjusted before the kick begins, and made changes so it is easier to aim. The opponent's GK response during set pieces are improved.

Penalty kicks: Made changes so that alternate motions are produced during penalty kicks depending on the player.

GK improvements: new blocking, deflecting, catching, pre-jump, and movement actions. New ball throwing motions, better 1v1 movements during dribbling animations. GK will continue to move after blocking a shot depending on situation. GK rush command buffed and more responsive.

HUGE:  Due to instances in which a keeper responds to a teammate's headed back pass by repelling it even though it looks like they can catch it, made changes to how catches are determined.  Due to instances in which the keeper rushes out towards the ball but then runs past it, revised how movement speed is determined, and made changes so that it is easier to make a play on the ball at an appropriate location when rushing out. Made changes to reduce instances in which a goalkeeper catches the ball near the goal line and then enters the goal while still holding the ball. They basically deleted "scripting".

Fouls: Due to instances in which a sliding tackle strikes an opponent and they stumble or fall, but no foul is called, made changes to how fouls are judged.

Smart assist buff: volleys are automatic

TLDR: They basically nerfed some aspects, but contradict it with some buffs mainly for defense. DA/DE and new defensive skills and playstyles will matter a lot to fit into this new engine most likely. Offense wise, cross spamming seems to be the wave on paper, alongside helicopter balls. Dribbling and wing play is buffed according to them as well.