Football coaches desperate to improve their team's performance could soon find an answer in an artificial intelligence system aimed at conjuring the next superstar.
A kind of sporting Aladdin's lamp is within reach, technologists claim, which could allow managers to simply wish for a new player with the aggression of Erling Haaland or the poise of Jude Bellingham and for an AI to suggest the perfect prospect.
A system that uses video and automated tracking to monitor the performances of almost 180,000 mostly teenage footballers around the world underpins the services of Eyeball, a digital scouting company that already has relationships with more than a dozen Premier League clubs and other elite teams in Europe and North America.
Using what it claims is the largest video database of global youth football - with players from 28 countries logged - the company says it can determine which youngsters most fit the description of current or recent top stars as defined by one of eight archetypes. These include the ideal "box-to-box midfielder", "modern No 9", "playmaking No 10" and "inverted wing-back".
Denne historien er fra January 04, 2025-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 04, 2025-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Arsenal hold Rosicky talks over sporting director role
Tomas Rosicky is a leading contender to become Arsenal's sporting director, although any return to his former club would probably be put on hold until the end of the season.
United Ponder January Sales Club Open to Mainoo and Højlund Offers
Manchester United will listen to serious offers for any of Ruben Amorim's squad, including Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund, who were previously deemed untouchable.
Cunha ban cut for offering to buy victim new glasses
Matheus Cunha had a ban for scuffling with an Ipswich staff member reduced after the Wolves forward offered to buy the man a new pair of glasses.
Isak and Gordon pounce to put Newcastle firmly in driving seat
The irony will surely not be lost on Mikel Arteta. On a night when his side were hoping to put one foot in the Carabao Cup final, it was Alexander Isak - a striker that the Arsenal manager has long coveted - who did the damage as Newcastle secured a famous victory.
Liverpool have not stolen a single point, claims Slot
Arne Slot believes Liverpool have shown they possess the quality and depth to sustain a quadruple challenge and avoid the tail-off that Jürgen Klopp's side had last season.
Postecoglou backs Son and says even Salah would struggle at Spurs
Manager points to lack of creativity in team as reason for South Korean's poor form
Tesla, Twitter ... and the Reds? Musk eyes deal
The father of the world's richest man, Elon Musk, claims his son would be interested in buying Liverpool.
Transfer roundup Palace and Ipswich battle for £20m Doak
Crystal Palace and Ipswich are set to test Liverpool's resolve to keep Ben Doak by making improved bids worth £20m for the Scotland forward.
Everton owners right to be looking at manager options, says Dyche
Sean Dyche has said Everton's new owners should be exploring managerial options because he has not won enough games this season to keep the pressure off.
Lopetegui in limbo as Potter demand stalls Hammers deal
Julen Lopetegui is in limbo after West Ham's move to replace their manager stalled over Graham Potter's demand for a two-and-a-half-year contract.
