Football Manager 2017: Everything You Need To Know

11. Smarter, More Realistic AI Players

Football Manager 2017 Reveal
SI Games

Miles Jacobson promises that players will head the ball much more intuitively according to the flight of the ball and that they'll move more fluidly. Plus they're improved under the bonnet too: they'll make more decisions per second, they're more aware of their surroundings and the options available to them. That means more split-second decisions, and more of a feel of the beautiful game we all love.

Defenders sound like they've had the most work: they'll adapt to different strikers (dropping deeper for fast attacks) and pushing up in possession. They'll also be better with loose balls and position themselves better. No bad thing.

And mercifully, goalkeepers are now better. They will make better judgements on when to come out and when not to, they are now capable of spectacular reaction saves and they're generally just more capable: putting them above Simon Mignolet on all fronts.

Cheap shot. But he wouldn't save that either.

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