Cole Palmer Drives EAFC 26 Goalie Overhaul

Chelsea Star’s Feedback Key to Next-Gen AI Keepers

Football fans are set to benefit from EAFC 26’s improved goalkeeping, thanks in part to insights from Chelsea midfielder **Cole Palmer**. The game’s developers have revealed that **Palmer’s** direct feedback significantly influenced a major upgrade in AI goalkeeper intelligence for the upcoming September release.

From Player to Producer Input

As an enthusiastic EAFC player himself, **Palmer** has not shied away from engaging with the game, even playing against popular streamers and his own teammates. Last year, **Palmer** saw a remarkable in-game rating jump from 66 to 85 in EAFC 25, reflecting his stellar real-world performances for Chelsea, which also earned him multiple special in-game cards.

Beyond his player ratings, **Palmer’s** signature “cold” celebration was also incorporated into EAFC 25. When **Palmer** shared his thoughts on game improvements during a recent EA showcase, his specific request centered on enhancing the artificial intelligence of goalkeepers.

EA Responds to the ‘Cold’ Request

During a visit to EA’s headquarters in Vancouver, **Sam Rivera**, a senior producer for the game, detailed **Palmer’s** input. “We were working with Cole a few months ago on a shoot and when asked about improvements he’d like to see in the game, he had one comment. ‘Make goalkeepers more intelligent’,” **Rivera** stated.

Despite his role as a goal-scoring attacker, **Palmer’s** focus on defensive AI shows his deep understanding of game balance. EA has confirmed significant work on goalkeeping for FC26, targeting fundamental improvements, better positioning, new animations, and an overhauled experience for players who choose to play as a goalkeeper.

“Expect goalkeepers to be smarter and more consistent in FC26. We’re using machine learning to train them in hundreds of thousands of in game situations, to find the best positioning. Including them little micro steps world class keepers use to close the angle.”

—Paul Parsons, Gameplay Producer

This initiative addresses a key complaint from EAFC 25: the frustrating tendency for goalkeepers to make inconsistent saves, often parrying shots directly to opposing attackers. These errors, coupled with unpredictable reactions ranging from incredible stops to soft goals, led to considerable player frustration.

The developers aim to make AI goalkeepers more rational, quicker to react, and generally tougher to beat. By utilizing machine learning, EA is training the AI across vast numbers of in-game scenarios to replicate the nuanced positioning of top-tier human goalkeepers.

The impact of these changes is eagerly anticipated. If EA delivers on its promise to implement **Palmer’s** suggestions effectively, EAFC 26 could see a significant and welcome improvement in gameplay realism and challenge.