The Football Manager 26 Winter Update has come and gone, and it’s not the best addition to the FM series. Nevertheless, as with every Winter Update, the game has seen a great number of changes that should alter how you play your saves.
The winter update always brings a wave of changes, but beyond transfers and new wonderkids, it’s the shifts in current ability that are the most interesting. I’ve used EFEM’s database of Football Manager players and compared their ratings before and after the update – to see which the game now rates higher and which ones it’s quietly cooled on.
Some of these changes are obvious if you’ve been watching closely this season. Others are a bit more surprising. Either way, they’ll be interesting for every football fan and especially supporters of these teams.
Arsenal
Biggest upgrade – Jakub Kiwior
Biggest downgrade – Viktor Gyökeres
Arsenal are cruising towards the title and, as expected, the winter update reflects that with plenty of movement across the squad. Jakub Kiwior stands out as the biggest winner, rising from 80 to 82 in current ability. Showing his shift from a rotation option into someone who now looks genuinely dependable when called upon.
At the other end, Viktor Gyökeres takes the biggest hit. His current ability drops from 85 to 82, which is comfortably the largest downgrade in the squad. He hasn’t delivered the impact many expected and, at times this season, he’s been difficult to watch.
Aston Villa
Biggest upgrade – Morgan Rogers
Biggest downgrade – Leon Bailey
Villa’s winter update isn’t packed with major swings, but there are still two clear standouts when you look through the squad. Morgan Rogers is the obvious winner, jumping from 81 to 83 in current ability, while his ceiling also rises from 87 to 89. Anyone who’s watched the Premier League this season will understand why. He’s been central to Villa’s success and has looked like a ruthless finisher.
Leon Bailey, meanwhile, comes out as the biggest loser, even if the drop itself is fairly minor. His current ability dips from 78 to 77, but more notably his EFEM score, predicted potential and likelihood of reaching that level all fall slightly. It reflects ongoing inconsistency and the sense that his development has stalled.
Bournemouth
Biggest upgrade – Eli Junior Kroupi
Biggest downgrade – Evanilson
Bournemouth’s biggest winner is obvious. Eli Junior Kroupi makes a huge leap from 71 to 76 in current ability, with his EFEM score and predicted potential also rising. It’s not just the biggest jump at the club, it’s one of the most significant increases across the entire game. Given his age and the hype around him, that progression tracks. Next season, he looks like the sort of player that’ll be essential in every fantasy football team.
Evanilson is the main drop-off, although it’s a relatively small one. His current ability slips from 81 to 80, with a slight decrease in his EFEM score too. Six goals in 28 matches explains that adjustment.
Brentford
Biggest upgrade – Igor Thiago (obviously)
Biggest downgrade – Rico Henry
Brentford’s update is defined by one major boost and only minor corrections elsewhere. Igor Thiago is comfortably the standout, jumping from 75 to 80 in current ability, easily the biggest increase in the squad. At the start of the season he was largely unproven in the Premier League; now he’s second in the Golden Boot race.
Rico Henry takes the biggest downgrade, though it’s only marginal. His current ability drops from 80 to 79, which feels like a slight recalibration than anything concerning.
Brighton
Biggest upgrade – Bart Verbruggen
Biggest downgrade – Joël Veltman
It’s been a relatively average season by Brighton’s standards, but there are still some meaningful tweaks in the update. Bart Verbruggen is the biggest winner, moving from 78 to 80 in current ability. His EFEM score climbs from 82 to 84, while his predicted potential nudges up from 83 to 84. That aligns with how he’s been perceived, already important, but now looking increasingly like a reliable long-term number one.
Joël Veltman is the clearest downgrade. His current ability drops from 80 to 78, backed up by declines in both EFEM score (81 to 79) and predicted potential (80 to 78). This feels like a straightforward correction for a player entering the later stages of his career.
Burnley
Biggest upgrade – Quilindschy Hartman
Biggest downgrade – Kyle Walker
Burnley haven’t seen many positives in this update, which reflects a difficult season. Quilindschy Hartman is the biggest upgrade, edging up from 77 to 78 in current ability. It’s not a dramatic rise, but it does suggest growing trust in him as he establishes himself.
Kyle Walker, meanwhile, is the biggest downgrade. His current ability drops from 80 to 79. Anyone who’s watched him this season will recognise that he’s not quite the same player anymore, if anything, this adjustment feels generous.
Chelsea
Biggest upgrade – Reece James
Biggest downgrade – Jamie Gittens
Chelsea’s squad continues to shift constantly, but two names stand out immediately. Reece James is the clear winner, jumping from 87 to 90 in current ability, comfortably the biggest increase in the squad. It reflects a return to full fitness and his importance to the side, whether at right-back or in midfield.
Jamie Gittens, on the other hand, is the most notable downgrade. His current ability drops from 79 to 78, alongside a slight reduction in the likelihood of reaching his full potential. His performances have been inconsistent, and the update reflects that.
Crystal Palace
Biggest upgrade – Ismaïla Sarr
Biggest downgrade – Eddie Nketiah
Ismaïla Sarr is comfortably Palace’s biggest winner, rising from 78 to 81 in current ability, with his EFEM score also climbing from 78 to 81. He’s always had pace and unpredictability, but this update suggests he’s now delivering a more consistent end product and influence in attack.
Eddie Nketiah is the clearest downgrade. His current ability drops from 79 to 77, the biggest fall in the squad. He still has useful attributes, but with just two goals in 12 games, there’s little evidence he’s pushing on towards becoming a top-level Premier League striker.
Everton
Biggest upgrade – Iliman Ndiaye
Biggest downgrade – Nathan Patterson
Everton’s update is defined by one major rise and one clear drop. Iliman Ndiaye is the standout, jumping from 78 to 83 in current ability, one of the biggest increases in the entire game. He’s now seen as a key attacking figure rather than just a useful option.
Nathan Patterson goes the other way, dropping from 75 to 73. While his long-term potential still offers room for recovery, this suggests he’s taken a step back in terms of reliability and readiness.
Fulham
Biggest upgrade – No one
Biggest downgrade – Bernd Leno
Fulham’s update is one of the quietest. There isn’t a single current ability upgrade across the squad, which suggests the game already had a solid read on this group and underlines just how mid-table they are.
The only real movement comes via minor downgrades, with Bernd Leno the most notable example. He drops from 80 to 79, alongside a slight dip in his wider profile. Joachim Andersen and Timothy Castagne also see small decreases, but nothing significant.
Leeds
Biggest upgrade – Gabriel Gudmundsson
Biggest downgrade – Lucas Perri
Leeds’ update features one very clear winner and one equally obvious loser and both feel spot on. Gabriel Gudmundsson rises from 76 to 78 in current ability, matching the joint-biggest increase in the squad, with strong improvements across his wider profile. Brenden Aaronson also gets a +2 boost, but Gudmundsson’s overall progression is more convincing. He’s been outstanding this season and looks tailor-made for Premier League football.
Lucas Perri is the biggest downgrade. His current ability drops from 79 to 77, accompanied by sharp declines elsewhere, EFEM score (81 to 78), predicted potential (80 to 77), and likelihood of hitting that level (50% to 23%). Signed as the number one, he’s now behind Karl Darlow, which says everything.
Liverpool
Biggest upgrade – No one
Biggest downgrade – Mohamed Salah
This won’t shock anyone. Liverpool have seen a broad decline across the squad. There are no current ability upgrades at all, with every player either holding steady or dropping.
The biggest downgrade comes at the very top. Mohamed Salah falls from 95 to 93, the joint-largest drop and the most significant given his starting level. Virgil van Dijk (94 to 92) and Alisson (93 to 91) follow the same pattern, pointing to a consistent decline among Liverpool’s core. That lines up with their performances this season, a mix of ageing and questionable tactical decisions under Slot.
Manchester City
Biggest upgrade – Rayan Cherki
Biggest downgrade – Dias, Stones, Aké
City’s update is defined by one standout boost and relatively minor drops elsewhere. Rayan Cherki is the clear winner, jumping from 81 to 85 in current ability. His EFEM score rises from 87 to 90, predicted potential from 88 to 90, and his likelihood of hitting that level surges from 71% to 99%. He’s now viewed as a genuine elite attacking talent rather than a promising one.
On the downgrade side, there’s no major collapse. No returning player dropped by more than one point, with Rúben Dias, John Stones and Nathan Aké all decreasing slightly. The overall picture is simple: a big attacking boost, with a gentle decline in the ageing defensive core.
Manchester United
Biggest upgrade – Ayden Heaven
Biggest downgrade – André Onana
While Bruno Fernandes is getting the headlines, it’s Ayden Heaven who sees the biggest jump. He moves from 77 to 80 in current ability, supported by strong increases across his EFEM score, predicted potential and overall projection.
André Onana is the clearest downgrade, dropping from 79 to 78, alongside declines in both EFEM score and predicted potential. The contrast between him and Lammens has been stark, so this adjustment feels justified.
Newcastle
Biggest upgrade – Lewis Miley
Biggest downgrade – Antony Elanga
Newcastle’s update has two clear standouts. Lewis Miley is the biggest winner, rising from 75 to 78 in current ability. It reflects a shift from potential prospect to a player capable of contributing at senior level right now.
Antony Elanga takes the biggest downgrade, slipping from 78 to 77. The rest of his profile remains fairly stable, so this feels like a minor correction. And if his form improves, he’d probably go back to normal.
Nottingham Forest
Biggest upgrade – Elliott Anderson
Biggest downgrade – Willy Boly
Despite being caught in a relegation battle, Elliott Anderson has impressed. He rises from 80 to 81 in current ability. Only a one-point increase, but clearly the most positive change when factoring in his EFEM score (84 to 86), predicted potential (86 to 87) and likelihood of reaching it (85% to 93%).
Willy Boly is the standout downgrade, dropping from 75 to 72. At 35, that decline is hardly surprising.
Sunderland
Biggest upgrade – Chemsdine Talbi
Biggest downgrade – Dan Neil
Sunderland’s update features one clear winner. Chemsdine Talbi jumps from 73 to 77 in current ability, the biggest rise in the squad. He’s gone from an exciting prospect to a 20-year-old with 22 Premier League appearances in a strong debut season.
Dan Neil edges out as the biggest downgrade. While both he and Simon Adingra drop by one point, Neil’s wider profile declines more significantly, current ability (74 to 73), EFEM score (78 to 77), predicted potential (79 to 77), and likelihood of hitting it (54% to 41%). There’s no dramatic collapse, but he’s clearly the player the update has cooled on most.
Tottenham Hotspur
Biggest upgrade – Mohammed Kudus
Biggest downgrade – Pape Matar Sarr
Tottenham’s difficult season is reflected in this update. Mohammed Kudus is the main positive, rising from 80 to 82 in current ability, despite missing the last three months through injury.
There isn’t a single standout downgrade on raw ability, with several players dropping by two points: Guglielmo Vicario, Pedro Porro, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr and Richarlison. Sarr edges it as the most significant overall, falling from 80 to 78, with his EFEM score (85 to 82) and predicted potential (86 to 82) also declining. A relegation battle will do that and Spurs fans won’t argue.
West Ham
Biggest upgrade – Soungoutou Magassa
Biggest downgrade – Max Kilman
West Ham’s struggles are clear, but there are still a few positives. Soungoutou Magassa is the biggest winner, rising from 72 to 75 in current ability. It reflects his integration into the first team, even in difficult circumstances.
Max Kilman is the biggest downgrade, dropping from 77 to 74. That decline is reinforced by dips in his EFEM score (77 to 76) and predicted potential (77 to 75). Given West Ham’s defensive issues, it’s not unexpected.
Wolves
Biggest upgrade – No one
Biggest downgrade – Yerson Mosquera
Unsurprisingly, there are no current ability upgrades across this squad, not a single +1. That’s what happens when you’re flirting with Derby’s record.
The downgrades are spread across the group rather than centred on one name. Santiago Bueno and Marshall Munetsi both fall significantly, but Yerson Mosquera stands out when you factor everything in. He drops from 77 to 74 in current ability, with his EFEM score and predicted potential also stagnating or dipping.
There are plenty of other -2 drops across the squad… Hugo Bueno, Ki-Jana Hoever, Boubacar Traoré, Tommy Doyle, Fer López, Toti and others… which underlines the wider issue. This isn’t one player declining; it’s an entire squad falling off a cliff.
Conclusion
If there’s one clear takeaway from this winter update, it’s that Football Manager, no matter how accurate it is, is constantly trying to catch up with reality. The biggest upgrades tend to follow players who have forced the game’s hand with consistent performances and breaking into the first team while the downgrades are usually overdue correction.
What stands out across the board is how few players actually make huge leaps. Outside of the likes of Cherki, Ndiaye or Thiago, most changes are incremental. One or two points here and there, small shifts in potential.
There’s also a clear pattern at club level. Teams performing well tend to see their depth pieces rewarded, while struggling sides don’t just have one or two players downgraded, the whole squad starts to slide. Liverpool, Spurs and Wolves are the obvious examples.
Ultimately, this is what makes these updates interesting and crucial. If you’re starting a new save, these changes matter more than ever. Some of these players are no longer what you thought they were just a few months ago.
Are there any player upgrades or downgrades that surprise you? Who has been the most improved player for the team you support? Let me know in the comments!
